Who We Are: The Montgomerys, Marney Broderick, The Bergers,
our Board, Interns & "Employees"
The community at Lamppost Farm strives to model what good farms should . . . right relationships. A healthy farm displays right relationship with God, His creation, and His people through a variety of gifts, aesthetic beauty, and the participation in purposeful work.
We chose the name Lamppost Farm based on the lamppost in the Chronicles of Narnia. As Lucy emerges from the wardrobe into a snow-covered forest, a lamppost stands among the trees. It marks the entrance into a new world, where something is different. We want to offer an entry-point into a world where something is different. Therefore, Lamppost Farm is your farm! Come, explore life around us. Buy some of your food from us. Learn & grow with us. Celebrate, laugh and relax with us. Come and be with us on this journey!
We chose the name Lamppost Farm based on the lamppost in the Chronicles of Narnia. As Lucy emerges from the wardrobe into a snow-covered forest, a lamppost stands among the trees. It marks the entrance into a new world, where something is different. We want to offer an entry-point into a world where something is different. Therefore, Lamppost Farm is your farm! Come, explore life around us. Buy some of your food from us. Learn & grow with us. Celebrate, laugh and relax with us. Come and be with us on this journey!
The Montgomery Family: Steve, Melanie, Nate, Drew, Amelia, and Lucy
Steve, Executive Director, and Melanie, Director of Ministry & Education, Nate, Drew, Amelia, & Lucy call this home. They've partnered with Marney Broderick to create a whimsical, head-tilting experience for all who come up the driveway. Neil & Sarah Berger, along with their son, Jude, have joined the mission. Everyone contributes, whether through work, hospitality, community involvement, animal husbandry, or sharing life together.
Read the Montgomery Story.
Read the Montgomery Story.
Marney Broderick
Marney has been a part of the farm since the beginning, partnering with the Montgomery family in stewarding the farm. She originally hails from New Zealand with farming in her DNA, and brings a little of her homeland to the farm in her Coopworth sheep. Her passions lie in caring for the sheep & egg layers and helping in the gardening operation and permaculture orchard. It's her desire to create beautiful, hospitable spaces for people; and to come alongside and disciple those who intersect the farm, fulfilling her calling to 'feed my sheep.'
The Bergers
Sarah, Neil, and Jude moved to Lamppost Farm at the end of May.
Prior to living at the farm, Pittsburgh was our home. I grew up there, and Sarah planted her roots there after graduating from Pitt. We’ve been married since 2014, and Jude was born in 2018.
We started coming to the farm 4 years ago to buy grass-fed meat, and realized quickly that we shared passions for sustainable agriculture and communal living. This past May, we decided to stop at the farm again to get some fresh air and meat, and as always we found ourselves deep in conversation with Mel. One thing led to another, and by the end of the conversation we agreed that this might be the right time for us to move to Columbiana to help grow the vision and mission of Lamppost Farm.
My jobs at the farm will include bookkeeping, marketing, and helping out with farm projects. Posts on Lamppost’s social media accounts will be written by Steve, Mel, and myself.
Sarah is managing the cabin on our property as an AirBnb, and also managing our toddler
Jude is living his best life on the farm. He gets to explore, pick berries, say hi to animals, sit on tractors, and meet new people almost every day.
Sarah, Neil, and Jude moved to Lamppost Farm at the end of May.
Prior to living at the farm, Pittsburgh was our home. I grew up there, and Sarah planted her roots there after graduating from Pitt. We’ve been married since 2014, and Jude was born in 2018.
We started coming to the farm 4 years ago to buy grass-fed meat, and realized quickly that we shared passions for sustainable agriculture and communal living. This past May, we decided to stop at the farm again to get some fresh air and meat, and as always we found ourselves deep in conversation with Mel. One thing led to another, and by the end of the conversation we agreed that this might be the right time for us to move to Columbiana to help grow the vision and mission of Lamppost Farm.
My jobs at the farm will include bookkeeping, marketing, and helping out with farm projects. Posts on Lamppost’s social media accounts will be written by Steve, Mel, and myself.
Sarah is managing the cabin on our property as an AirBnb, and also managing our toddler
Jude is living his best life on the farm. He gets to explore, pick berries, say hi to animals, sit on tractors, and meet new people almost every day.
The Interns
Lamppost is also home to a crew of interns who have joined the farm community for either a summer or an entire year. The interns participate in the various aspects of work, rest, and relationships on the farm.
Lamppost is also home to a crew of interns who have joined the farm community for either a summer or an entire year. The interns participate in the various aspects of work, rest, and relationships on the farm.
Board of Directors
Don Opitz- I was born with dirt in my veins and the ruach-Spirit of God breathing the gift of life into my lungs. I love Lamppost Farm because it cares for the soil and the community that it sustains, and it seeks to respond with gratitude to every gift that comes from the Giver of all good gifts. I am on the board to share in the vison for this place and the fellowship of this community.
David Barbee- I live in Columbiana with my wife, who manages the gardens and orchard at Lamppost Farm, and 4 kids. I have been a part of the Lamppost support base for over 10 years now and join for events when I'm not working as a lawyer or serving in many other capacities in the Columbiana area. My role on the board is Vice President.
Wendy Whelpley- For the past fifteen years, I have lived and worked in Beaver Falls, PA. While initially coming for graduate school, I began to recognize the ways in which commitment to place is necessary for health - both for the places we live as well as for us.- I'm excited about the ways in which Lamppost Farm embraces a vision for food, creation, life and work that aligns with my own understanding of the Kingdom of God. For me, the farm offers sure signs of hope and restoration! My role on the board is Secretary.
Marney Broderick- I have made my home at Lamppost Farm and have been invested in Lamppost Farm, for 12 years as a mentor, investor, community member, gardener, shepherdess, egg handler and hospitality supervisor. A treasured role in my life I am most proud of is Nana to 7 grand babies!
Josh Dunn- I was born and raised in Greenford, Ohio and I currently own a brewery in Columbiana that has collaborated with Lamppost Farm for the past 5 years. We bring people in the region together to celebrate relationships and craft. I am committed to Lamppost Farm because I believe in what they do, who they are, and their vision and practices for sustainable agriculture.
Joe Montgomery- I moved to Columbiana with my wife and 4 kids in 2013 to support the mission of Lamppost Farm, when I transitioned from an Air Force pilot to commercial pilot with Delta. I love to share my teaching gift and business acumen as well as serve in whatever way I can to make Lamppost Farm an excellent organization for the community.
Jeremy Swartzfager-I met the Montgomerys as a freshman in college and became intrigued by their perspective on life, calling, career and faith. We share a vocational calling to care for the land and reach people at the front end of their health. My wife, kids and I run a farm ourselves in Pennsylvania and we are grateful to partner with Lamppost Farm to reach and teach through agriculture.
Craig Wade-I grew up on a farm then went on to a tech school and graduated with a degree in natural resources which was mainly concentrated in the areas of forestry, wildlife, and land management. Ten years after graduating I was back in college studying for the ministry only this time with my wife, Margaret, and a growing family. My hope is to journey forward with all who are involved with the farm and see blossoms (ideas) turn into fruit (reality)
Jereme Frey- Being local to Columbiana, I drive past Lamppost Farm nearly every day. It was always intriguing to hear about different events and how intertwined Lamppost Farm is to the community. I learned about the mission of the farm during a Hop Harvest Festival. The message resonated with me as I believe in the ethical treatment of animals and the importance of high-quality clean food. I am inspired to see Lamppost continue to grow by spreading its message through stewardship, education and discipleship.
David Barbee- I live in Columbiana with my wife, who manages the gardens and orchard at Lamppost Farm, and 4 kids. I have been a part of the Lamppost support base for over 10 years now and join for events when I'm not working as a lawyer or serving in many other capacities in the Columbiana area. My role on the board is Vice President.
Wendy Whelpley- For the past fifteen years, I have lived and worked in Beaver Falls, PA. While initially coming for graduate school, I began to recognize the ways in which commitment to place is necessary for health - both for the places we live as well as for us.- I'm excited about the ways in which Lamppost Farm embraces a vision for food, creation, life and work that aligns with my own understanding of the Kingdom of God. For me, the farm offers sure signs of hope and restoration! My role on the board is Secretary.
Marney Broderick- I have made my home at Lamppost Farm and have been invested in Lamppost Farm, for 12 years as a mentor, investor, community member, gardener, shepherdess, egg handler and hospitality supervisor. A treasured role in my life I am most proud of is Nana to 7 grand babies!
Josh Dunn- I was born and raised in Greenford, Ohio and I currently own a brewery in Columbiana that has collaborated with Lamppost Farm for the past 5 years. We bring people in the region together to celebrate relationships and craft. I am committed to Lamppost Farm because I believe in what they do, who they are, and their vision and practices for sustainable agriculture.
Joe Montgomery- I moved to Columbiana with my wife and 4 kids in 2013 to support the mission of Lamppost Farm, when I transitioned from an Air Force pilot to commercial pilot with Delta. I love to share my teaching gift and business acumen as well as serve in whatever way I can to make Lamppost Farm an excellent organization for the community.
Jeremy Swartzfager-I met the Montgomerys as a freshman in college and became intrigued by their perspective on life, calling, career and faith. We share a vocational calling to care for the land and reach people at the front end of their health. My wife, kids and I run a farm ourselves in Pennsylvania and we are grateful to partner with Lamppost Farm to reach and teach through agriculture.
Craig Wade-I grew up on a farm then went on to a tech school and graduated with a degree in natural resources which was mainly concentrated in the areas of forestry, wildlife, and land management. Ten years after graduating I was back in college studying for the ministry only this time with my wife, Margaret, and a growing family. My hope is to journey forward with all who are involved with the farm and see blossoms (ideas) turn into fruit (reality)
Jereme Frey- Being local to Columbiana, I drive past Lamppost Farm nearly every day. It was always intriguing to hear about different events and how intertwined Lamppost Farm is to the community. I learned about the mission of the farm during a Hop Harvest Festival. The message resonated with me as I believe in the ethical treatment of animals and the importance of high-quality clean food. I am inspired to see Lamppost continue to grow by spreading its message through stewardship, education and discipleship.
Lamppost Farm Animals : The Employees That Do Most of The Work
Lamppost Farm employs a dedicated workforce including cattle, pigs, chickens, turkeys, dogs and sheep as well as millions of microorganisms working well in our soil. Our animals work to regenerate the soil through being the animals that God has created them to be. On the farm, cows eat, chew their cud, and spread their manure. The landscape management that is going on is re-claiming fields and building soil. In old corn or soybean fields, chickens move daily in their field pens to forage for grasses and gobble up bugs. They leave behind a layer of manure that within a year has caused native grasses to grow, enriched the soil, and improved the pasture for future grazing.
See more of our Devon Cattle, Berkshire Cross Pigs, and our Pastured Poultry operations.
Lamppost Farm, 14900 Market St., Columbiana, OH 44408
lamppostfarm@gmail.com 330-531-4240
lamppostfarm@gmail.com 330-531-4240
