Rare Bird Farm Team
“I think having land and not ruining it is the most beautiful art that anybody could ever want.”
-Andy Warhol
Like the nature that we are, we remain adaptable to the life force that tugs and pulls our heart and soul strings forward. We listen and feel where we are called to put our energy and skills to use. We are learning and adapting every single day and we are all so grateful for this opportunity to work together on this land and with our community.
Mitchell Davis
Co-Owner, Business Development Director
Mitchell has dedicated his career to media entrepreneurship, books, publishing, libraries and archives. Mitchell is our leader in business development, organization, planning and finances. He keeps us all organized and on track, grows the food to feed our farm family and is our most dedicated weed whipper. Mitchell also keeps himself busy with Million Memory Project and being a true soccer/football fanatic supporting Tottenham Hotspur.
Ben Gibbins
Co-Owner, Operations Maintenance Manager
Ben has spent his career in building, welding, fabrication, manufacturing, and engineering. He utilizes all his experiences and skills on the farm. If anything is broken, Ben can fix it. He oversees the farm facilities and equipment maintenance. We could not do it without Ben’s daily focus and steady work.
Edwin Self
Co-Owner, Contractor, Farm & Forestry Planning Manager
Edwin is a lover of life, people, animals and land. He is a well-rounded human with skills and knowledge going back to his childhood and college studies at Warren Wilson with a degree in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Sustainable Agriculture. Edwin is our lead builder and farm + forestry planner. He guides us in all things regenerative, sustainable and off-the-grid.
Rare Bird Cultural Arts Team
" The arts have a wonderful capacity to bring people together, to change perspectives, and to build bridges where there were once walls."
—Yo-Yo Ma
At Rare Bird Cultural Arts, we believe that creativity is a shared birthright, accessible to all. Rooted in the spirit of connection, we are guided by the conviction that the arts have the power to inspire, transform, and bring communities together. We are committed to listening deeply, embracing the unexpected, and adapting as we are called to share our talents. Each day is an opportunity to engage, learn, and collaborate, nurturing the creative spirit within our community. We are profoundly grateful for the journey of creating, preserving, and celebrating art together, fostering a sense of belonging and interconnectedness.
FARRAH HOFFMIRE
Arts Program Coordinator / Steward of Creative Resources & Partnerships
Libby is wandering the earth in a willful permanent state of childlike wonder. She plays fiddle and writes songs, pursuits that vex her and tickle her symmetrically. Before coming to the farm, she played in many bands and rode in many vans. She was called here by a deep love of the mountains (and Madison County in particular) that germinated in childhood visits to her mom's family in these parts. Her work at Rare Bird consists of weeding the garden, writing grant applications, booking her musical heroes to play here, and taking copious photos of the goats standing on top of their house. She is dedicated to smashing the notion that only some people are artists.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Andrew Roskill - Treasurer
Andrew has spent his working career in various software technology roles — product management, equity analyst and entrepreneur. He has previously volunteered as Treasurer of HEART (a non-profit arts community for adults with special needs) and as Vice Chairman of the Isle of Palms Planning Commission. He now lives with his fantastic wife Nicole in Charleston, South Carolina and enjoys cycling, playing guitar and travel.
KAREN PARSON - SECRETARY
Karen's career has primarily been spent in property management and hospitality industries. Her roles have been in management, accounting, and human resources. She is a SC licensed residential builder and enjoys doing home renovations. She has previously served on the board of HEART (a non-profit arts community for adults with special needs). She currently serves as co-chair of the Gathering, a community group based in the Foothills of NC, highlighting history and arts in the community. She is also a board member of Holy City Well Being, a nonprofit providing mental wellness training nationwide. Karen is the VP of the Cannonborough-Elliottborough in Charleston, SC, where she and her family own a small Inn. In her spare time, Karen loves to travel with family & friends and walk the neighborhood with the family dog, Lebron.
STEF MORRILL-KERCKHOFF - CHAIR
Stef Morrill-Kerckhoff is the director of River Valley Commons, a non-profit that serves 13 rural communities in southwest Wisconsin. She has a long history of collaborative work in libraries and non-profits. She lives in Arena, WI, in an 1865 farmhouse, with her husband Phil.
ANNA PEARSON
Anna has been in artist management for over 15 years. She moved to the Asheville area in early 2022 and is working remotely for Red Light Management.
BOB HOLT
Bob has spent his working career in real estate development and various software technology roles — CEO and entrepreneur. He is active in city development planning and short-term rental industry in Charleston, SC .
FARRAH HOFFMIRE
Farrah, a versatile artist, yoga teacher, and founding director of both Giddy Goat Cheese and HEART Inclusive Arts Community for adults with special needs, now serves as the Executive Director of Rare Bird Cultural Arts. Her passion lies in fostering creative connections, bringing together artists of diverse backgrounds to cultivate a collaborative and inclusive expression. In her free time, Farrah is an avid writer who finds joy walking in the woods with her friends, both human and non-human.
LIBBY RODENBOUGH
Arts Program Coordinator / Steward of Creative Resources & Partnerships
Libby is wandering the earth in a willful permanent state of childlike wonder. She plays fiddle and writes songs, pursuits that vex her and tickle her symmetrically. Before coming to the farm, she played in many bands and rode in many vans. She was called here by a deep love of the mountains (and Madison County in particular) that germinated in childhood visits to her mom's family in these parts. Her work at Rare Bird consists of weeding the garden, writing grant applications, booking her musical heroes to play here, and taking copious photos of the goats standing on top of their house. She is dedicated to smashing the notion that only some people are artists.