After being retired for 3 years after a 30 year career as the Founder of Thomas Riley Artisans’ Guild, Thomas needed to find purpose once again.
As fate would have it, just one day after his wife Carol suggested that he find himself a “project,” a realtor friend contacted Thomas to suggest he look at an old family owned 33-acre farm on the French Broad River that was up for sale. Developers had their eyes on the property to develop a community of 39 residences; something the neighbors were fearful of.
Once he toured the land, the barn, and the farmhouse Thomas fell in love with the idea of purchasing the farm and over a few years restoring the farmhouse, the barn, and farming the land once again. Further, to become stewards of the land and to share its beauty by offering it as a venue for weddings and events. It has been one year since the farm’s purchase and much progress has been made in the restoration work.
Thomas is looking forward to the next few years of progress with the end goal of The Riverview Farm becoming known as a jewel of Western North Carolina and providing locally grown organic foods, in the regenerative farming method.
Rocco was born in coal country the mountains of Southwest Virginia. He moved to the United States Virgin Islands when he was 12 years old and developed a deep admiration for the outdoors during high school. Formal agriculture wasn’t very prevalent in the islands at the time so he had more of a naturalistic relationship with where food came from. Lots of time climbing mango trees and spearfishing.
After high school he went to college in Massachusetts and earned a degree in Religion. He developed an interest in agriculture there at college from an academic point of view and after graduation interned on a vegetable farm in the D.C. area and has been on farms ever since.
His journey into organic vegetable production began in 2004 with management of a small scale diversified vegetable operation producing over 30 varieties throughout the year. The small farm grew into two other properties, a well established education program, and a deep dive into the world of livestock.
His professional passion now is rejuvenating farmland through sustainable management practices that include the synergy of vegetables and livestock. His personal passion are his two beautiful children who keep him on his toes and a loving wife. Hobbies include woodworking, milling lumber, and hunting.
Our in-house event planner, Renee, started her career in hospitality with Marriott hotels. She booked events for major corporations nationally. She worked through most of the US by attending meetings that required months of preparation for trade shows, product launches and corporate events. Afterwards, she added social and non profit events to her portfolio of customers. She presently, owns a meeting and event business in New Jersey, that provides turnkey experiences, from private parties to corporate events.
Renee has a deep investment in her relationship to sustainability. She worked for the US Green Building Association in creating engaging environmental education for businesses and communities and she is passionate about sustainable living and agriculture.
Upon moving to the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina, Renee launched Destination WNC, which focuses on building partnerships with local businesses who provide activities in Western North Carolina to clients traveling to a destination for a custom and unique experience.
The Riverview Farm is a perfect base for operations where she researches and negotiates amazing activities and events for Corporate, Non-Profit, Social and Community clients. She shares life with her fury pal Mindy and her partner Eric. They enjoy nature, cooking, gardening and travel.
CONTACT INFORMATION
THE RIVERVIEW FARM
1116 Etowah School Road
Hendersonville, NC 28789
Tel: 239.253.4107
[email protected]
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