“How can I support you in that?” is a question often asked between Tristan and KJ.

KJ dedicates most of his time to his job as Director of IT Innovation at Rescue, Inc., in Brattleboro. He also volunteers as an EMT at Rescue and is a part of their swift-water rescue team, in addition to serving as Operations and Logistics Sections Chief for Rescue’s COVID-19 vaccination response.

Prior to using his IT talents locally, KJ had a long and well-traveled career in roles such as Director of Cloud Solutions and IT Infrastructure for Data Masons Software.

Between 2008 and 2014, KJ served part-time as a Windham County Deputy Sheriff, and as a part-time Officer in Vernon.

McKenna and Tristan began working together after McKenna spent a month at Quill Nook Farm as a WWOOFer during the summer of 2021. Armed with an English degree, an insatiable appetite for the written word, and a passion for emotive and honest writing, McKenna is an editor, graphic designer, proofreader, and all-around supporter of Tristan and his team.

In her free time, McKenna can be found on the couch with a glass of wine and a book in either hand, doing a puzzle with Gilmore Girls on in the background, or hanging out with her dog and her partner, her two best friends.

Jack and Tristan have partnered on musical and agricultural projects for three years, each enjoying the other’s perspective and collaboration. As a co-resident of Quill Nook Farm, Jack helps keep the farm running smoothly. Jack and Tristan consult on each other’s projects and everything from concerts to constituent events.

Jack previously worked as a field manager at a number of wilderness therapy programs in Utah, and won the Employee-of-the-Year Award for his industry, the Ember Award, in 2022. Jack has more recently traveled the country as an “American vagabond,” living modestly out of his 2000 Chevy Tahoe while composing his next album (set to release in September 2023).

In addition to checking out Jack on Spotify, Apple, and the local open mic, he pops up in essays here like Hope for the kids?

If it works on this website, Turner did it. He’s helped Tristan build websites, launch newsletters, and played countless doodle games after dinner.

Turner landed at Quill Nook Farm during a COVID gap year from Cornell. First staying on the farm for a month, he’s returned several times since and joined in many adventures, besides collaborating on goofy videos and other art projects.

Now residing in Brooklyn, Turner works as a recording engineer and a barista in a cream-puff store, and carries a sketchbook of tattoo offerings for friends.

Rick, lifelong resident of neighboring Guilford, has been a visionary participant in the stewardship of Quill Nook Farm for more than five years.

Read more about him in Congrats Rick Holcomb!

I feel we are soul mates. Not in the definition of “I found the one person who gets me.”

It’s more like this—the three of us are adventurers.

We are boulders who came from different planets (or bedrock, what’s the difference?) and landed together here in this forest in Halifax, Vermont. We found, in each other, a nucleus for a family grounded in the safety of encountering each other with an open and honest heart, hand, and mouth.

Oliver is our greeter and loves a good stick. Throw it for him and make a forever friend.

Oliver and his open heart have a welcome guide on many of the journeys chronicled here on the blog—see his picture here at George Floyd Square, and signs of his old soul.

Send help!

Lavender wants nonstop cuddles.

Lupine is the more adventurous of our twins, but not only outside. She’s no stranger to burrowing into your lap or under the blankets.