Chef Ed now runs Round Right Farm. A nutrient-focused farm-to-table Chef, he is committed to serving the community and our great Mother Earth in any way possible. 

A Little Background

Round Right Farm was established and built by Steve and Sunshine Vortigern. They met while studying the arts in graduate school. Steve is a trombonist and Sunshine is a writer (and also a gifted violinist). While in school, they fell in love and discovered that they had a mutual curiosity about living more sustainably. After gardening for one summer (and having a baby) at Sunshine's father's farm in southern Kentucky, they found a farming apprenticeship in Oakland, MD at Backbone Food Farm. After six months there, they were ready to look for a farm of their own.

The piece of land discovered, which is now Round Right Farm, is a beautiful 41 acre farm located in Cranesville, WV; it is one piece of what was once a large farm that raised sheep, corn and supported a happy family. Before they purchased the farm in 2006, it had been a hay field for many years.

The time at Round Right Farm was an amazing adventure for the Vortigern's. When they first established the farm, it had no buildings or any other kind of infrastructure. The first thing they did was to move their converted school bus, which would soon become their home on the farm. The second thing they did was to put up a high tunnel, which was immediately destroyed by a strong east wind during the night. Despite this inauspicious start, through lots of enthusiasm, hard work, faith, patience, trial and error, they eventually turned the 41 acre field into an organic farm, which the produce grown, continues to amaze us.

The farm had become a great place for them to earn a living, raise their kids, contribute to our community and indulge our creativity as they explored the complex relationship between humans and the natural environment. As lifelong learners, they continuously search for the best way to farm and live life. Each year brought new adventures, blessings and challenges. With luck, grit and persistence, they found a way to balance the trio of ecological, economic and emotional sustainability. To farm is to believe in the miracle of birth, life, and death. And to accept it all with grace. 

In 2021, the Vortigerns moved to Portland, Oregon, where they both teach our youth. 

Checkout the video below or view some photos here- http://www.michaeljchen.com/roundrightfarm