Nine Pines Farm is a small, family farm that raises pastured poultry, pork, and fresh-cut flowers in York, Pennsylvania. James and Becky Cornwell started the farm in 2016 and they like to say it is where happy "meats" healthy. The chickens and pigs are raised in open space with access to fresh grass supplemented with a non-GMO feed ration. The farm does not use any chemical pesticides, fertilizers, preservatives, hormones, or antibiotics with any of its products.
We spoke to James Cornwell, who is also a Navy veteran, about his love of farming and teaching the next generation about where their food comes from. Plus, what goodies Nine Pines Farm has in store for customers as we move into spring.
Keller-Brown: Describe your background and mission. Why do you do what you do?
James Cornwell: I've been drawn to farming all my life. From working on my family's farm as a child and through high school, and now to running my own farm, it has always been a part of me. I have always had a calling to grow food and raise animals. Even when I wasn't involved in farming, I read and researched different farming methods and new ideas and techniques to advance agriculture to where it is today.
Our mission at Nine Pines Farm is simple. We want to keep the small family farm model alive and well. We truly believe that a smaller operation is better for the quality of the product, the service, and, ultimately, better for the land.
Keller-Brown: What do you enjoy most about providing food sources for the greater York, Pennsylvania, area?
James Cornwell: The thing I enjoy most is the teaching aspect of our farm business. As a society, many of us have become so far removed from where our food comes from. I enjoy answering questions about how and why we do the things we do. I especially enjoy working with kids. My favorite thing to do is to show children our animals. They ask the most honest questions and always have an extremely inquisitive nature.
Keller-Brown: March is National Agriculture Month. What do you wish the larger community knew about farmers?
James Cornwell: It kind of depends on the definition of a farmer. The small farm is disappearing in the U.S. and being replaced with larger, corporate-owned operations, where there isn't one farmer or their family running the operation. These kinds of farms can provide good, nutritious food, but I think things like quality and transparency of how animals are raised become an issue for some consumers and casts a bad light on us all. Don't believe every movie you see on Netflix or post on Facebook.
I can speak to the small, family-owned farm and say, at the end of the day, farmers are just regular people trying to make an honest living. I would be willing to say they are the most passionate people about their business, in ways that other family-owned businesses wouldn't understand.
Keller-Brown: What local businesses do you like to support and why?
James Cornwell: I try to support local businesses as much as physically possible. Perhaps my favorite business to support is Cashman's Ace Hardware in East Berlin. It is an Ace Hardware store that always has what I need, and their customer service and help there cannot be beaten! I find this with all smaller, independently owned hardware stores. There is such a difference in service and quality of what they are selling that even if it is a few pennies more for an item, you save time, and time is money!
Keller-Brown: Do you have any upcoming events or deals you'd like to promote?
James Cornwell: Spring flowers come to mind. We should have fresh-cut flowers here in late March, early April, depending on the weather. We welcome spring with flowers, and it seems a lot of people like to buy them as spring brings on warmer weather. At Nine Pines, we usually offer bunches in front of our barn, or you can order arrangements online from our online store.
Egg subscriptions will be starting the first week in May. This is a great way to get farm-fresh, pasture-raised eggs from us. Our eggs are not only fresh but packed with more nutrition than regular eggs from the grocery store.
We will be having fresh chicken available for pre-order starting the first week in May. This is my favorite time of year. We start getting into the swing of things and get to offer our pasture-raised chicken fresh right off the farm. The best thing to do is reach out to us either on Facebook, Instagram, or call or e-mail. We can add you to our newsletter where we keep customers aware of offers we have coming up.
Keller-Brown: What do you enjoy most about being a Keller-Brown customer?
James Cornwell: Service, service, service. I can't tell you how much service means to me. Everyone I have worked with at Keller-Brown has always bent over backward to answer all of my questions and get things done when needed. I wouldn't go with anyone else, no matter what.
Keller-Brown: Why should farm owners get farm insurance?
James Cornwell: I can't think of any other business that has more variables or risks. Having good farm insurance is the best way to get peace of mind for your operation, and mitigate some, if not all, of those risks. Fortunately, I have not had to submit any claims, but I know if I did, we would be in a much better place financially than if we didn't have insurance. This makes me feel better at night.
Bring on the Spring with Nine Pines Farm!
In addition to selling a variety of delicious meats like breakfast sausage links, sweet Italian sausage, and flavored chicken quarters (lemon-pepper and honey-sweet herb!), wife Becky offers seasonal workshops for everything from flower crowns and flower jewelry to how to plant a terrarium — perfect for welcoming in the warmer weather. Keep up with the Cornwell family and the farm by connecting with them on social media using the links below.
3301 E Berlin Rd, York, PA
Telephone: (717) 659-6527
Email: ninepinesfarm717@gmail.com
