{Pennsylvania-German Dictionary} Rappelkeppi: obstinate, stubborn, rebellious.

We are the Orbens: Chris and Erin, plus two young sons and a sweet old dog. We grow organic vegetables on our farm in Kutztown PA -- which we are lucky enough to call home. We are inspired by rebels – both subtle and overt. Sometimes it takes a great deal of stubbornness to follow a dream, accomplish a goal or make positive change. In fact, the previous owners of our farm were just this way. Paying tribute to this spirit and homage to the farm’s Pennsylvania Dutch history are part of what Rappelkeppi is all about.

What drew us to farming from other careers is hard to narrow down, but between the beautiful sunsets over the hilltops, the comfort and freshness of a home-grown meal, and the opportunity for our boys to learn from nature every day – everyone who visits seems to understand. It just makes sense for us.

Above all, we love the self-reliance and even defiance of growing our own food. You may notice that we do not produce or sell animal products (meats, dairy, eggs, etc.) We are a family of happy herbivores, and choose to share foods that we love and enjoy. Whatever role plants play in your diet, we hope you will take home a feeling of connectivity – soil health, nutrient-rich food, nourishing meals, strong bodies, happy hearts, empowered minds. As parents, we are very aware of our planet’s uncertain future. We believe that the best way to make change is to stop being an individual, so we invite you to share these simple yet powerful plants with us! Food is best shared in community, and ours is open to everyone. Let’s all learn from each other.