Discover how two middle-aged career changers with five college degrees met the challenges of shifting to a life of sustainable farming.  

When Catherine and Al Renzi made a mid-life decision to restore a 19th-century dairy an hour outside of Philadelphia, they jumped feet-first into mastering the challenges of sustainable farming.  They did this while raising goats, creating award-winning artisanal goat cheeses, and building a native plants nursery business. 

Life with Goats, Gardens and Gourmet Cheese provides an intimate peek into the Renzi’s book, “Is the Grass always Greener?” as Catherine and Al share their 20-year adventure at Yellow Springs Farm in Chester Springs, PA. Their presentation is a spirited memoir highlighting a love for food, together with passions for land and community.

The Renzis now live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland where they provide agribusiness consulting services to value-added food producers and sustainable landscape design services to homeowners.

Join them as they share their Yellow Springs Farm story with us.  Their presentation promises a humorous view of the planning and restoration of the farm landscape and its buildings. We’ll meet the four-legged family members, and all the plants, animals, and other creatures that called Yellow Springs Farm home.  We’ll follow along with the Renzis on “cheese journeys” as they explored goat dairies in Italy, Portugal, Uruguay, and beyond, always seeking inspiration in pursuit of making the very finest artisanal goat cheeses. 

What to Expect: Gain inspiration and information, with a side of humor!

Catherine Renzi

Catherine and Al Renzi

Prior to establishing Yellow Springs Farm in Chester Springs, PA, Catherine and Al Renzi had corporate business careers. During 20 years of farming, the Renzis operated a native plants nursery, bred Nubian goats, and created dozens of fresh and aged goat cheese varieties. Many cheeses incorporated plants from the farm, and were American Cheese Society award-winners. The cheeses enjoyed distribution with Whole Foods Markets, specialty stores, and fine restaurants. In 2022 the Renzis moved to the Eastern Shore of Maryland where they now provide business consulting services to value-added food producers and native plant landscape design for homeowners. With this new life chapter, they enjoy fishing, painting, kayaking, gardening, and travel. Autographed paperback books will be available for purchase from the authors.

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