Our Farmers
Brent Halderman
Brent grew up on a small family farm outside Dayton, Ohio. He graduated from the Ohio State University with a degree in horticulture and has a love for working outdoors. What began, for him, as a career in landscaping, eventually led to an interest in growing food. Brent and his wife, Megan, moved to Alabama in the Fall of 2014 to help establish Windy Hill. As farm manager, Brent oversees both the work and the workforce of the farm. Brent particularly enjoys learning how to incorporate regenerative agriculture practices to build soil and plant health, as well as always coming up with something new to build or create.
Megan Halderman
Megan Halderman is originally from Decatur, Alabama and graduated from Mississippi State University. Her background is in education; however, after marrying Brent, she found a home in farmwork. What started as a love for cooking and fresh food, turned into a curiosity and appreciation for where food comes from. Megan worked full time at the farm for many years and now enjoys being home with Brent and her three sons. Megan now serves the farm in an advisory capacity, helps with Special Events, and encourages community among those who have joined the farm for a season.
Jordan Nelson
Jordan was born and raised in Mentone, AL. He began working at the farm in the summer of 2017. While Jordan studies to finish his degree in Business Management at Jacksonville State, his work at the farm involves animal husbandry, providing guidance for summer staff, and generally assisting in all aspects of the farm. His interest in farming was sparked by a longing to work outdoors and with his hands which has developed into a love for agriculture and farming.
Katie Kalusche
Katie grew up in McComb, MS and is a recent graduate from Mississippi State University where she completed her undergraduate degree in History. As a staff member at Camp DeSoto, Katie became familiar with the farm’s mission of teaching others about sustainable farming and supporting the local Mentone community. She finds joy in knowing the campers who come to the farm as well as the farm market community. In her first year, Katie has helped with many aspects of the farm, working closely with our laying hens, specifically managing our egg deliveries and sales. Her farming inspiration comes from her Pawpaw John, reading about Fannie Lou Hamer’s “Freedom Farms”, and her love for a fresh farm carrot.
Ashley Dempsey
Ashley grew up in Clemson, South Carolina. She graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. Her love for the outdoors, working with her hands, and a desire to provide healthy food eventually led her to pursue farming. During her first year on the farm, Ashley was involved in many different areas, including flower production. Ashley enjoys learning new skills and being creative.
Christy Brandon
Christy Brandon’s appreciation of farming and cooking comes from time spent with grandparents and parents in their gardens, in their kitchens, and at their tables.
Having a father who treated her to a variety of cuisines at home and at restaurants helped to cement her desire to cook professionally. While attending UAB, she was a stagiaire at Highland’s Bar and Grill. She moved from this kitchen to The Green Bottle Grill in Huntsville, Alabama where she prepared desserts for the restaurant and eventually helped to open and run The Green Bottle Bakery preparing breads, sweets, and savories. An opportunity to take continuing education classes at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, has been a highlight in her journey. She studied French at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and eventually relocated to Fort Payne to teach French and English. Summer travel, home gardening, and teaching cooking classes from home kept her in tune with a love of cooking.
In 2021, she came to The Farm at Windy Hill where she enjoys serving the Mentone community and Camp DeSoto campers and staff from the farm’s kitchen. Windy Hill vegetables are a source of endless inspiration for her. She also finds inspiration in reading cookbooks and essays about food - especially the writing of Edna Lewis and Alice Waters.
Phil & Marsha Hurt
Phil and Marsha Hurt have lived, raised a family, and worked at Camp DeSoto for over 30 years. Being a part of establishing The Farm at Windy Hill during their time at Camp and life in Mentone is exciting, rewarding, and a lot of good fun for the two of them. Seeing Windy Hill become an integral part of both Camp and the community has been beyond their best dreams for “Mr. Kirby’s Farm.”