MEET THE FARMER

Michael Protas has been on and off of farms for the past decade.  Michael's interest in farming began during his college years at Penn State University.  State College, PA is surrounded by farms of all sizes and something drew Michael to a small CSA right on the outskirts of State College.  He started as an intern at this CSA where he developed his passion for farming, using organic principles and methods.  After graduation, Michael joined the CSA-team for a year-long apprenticeship, in which he aided and assisted in all facets of the planning, planting and distribution process for approximately 120 families.

After this apprenticeship, Michael followed his future-wife-to-be to New York City, so she could pursue her legal education and he could pursue a career in the film business -- despite his love for all things agricultural, Michael obtained a degree in film and thought it would be wise to pursue his degree.  Two years later, with thoughts of farming pulling at his heart strings, Michael left the "big city" to work at one of the largest organic farms in Maryland, One Straw Farm.  As One Straw Farm's CSA-liason, Michael was responsible for the harvest and distribution for 200 families, as well as local restaurants and farmer's markets.

In 2008, Michael teamed up with a family in Montgomery County and started a market-only operation, selling his produce to several markets around the County to gain the necessary experience of planting, growing and harvesting on his own.  Now, with the confidence of these past experiences, Michael began his endeavors as One Acre Farm, on the same land in Montgomery County.  Through this endeavor, Michael hopes to share his passion for farming and community-building and to encourage interest in eating local and eating seasonal.

In 2009 and 2010, Michael continued his farming on the land in Poolesville, Maryland, but began a CSA, with members in Capitol Hill, D.C. and Potomac, Maryland.  In 2011, One Acre  Farm obtained a long term lease in Clarksburg, Maryland, where Michael and One Acre Farm will continue its CSA operation to its customers in the greater D.C. metropolitan area.

Web-Manager, Support Staff and Blogger

Michael's wife, Kristin Protas, who has very little experience in the day-to-day operations of a CSA, has agreed to the daunting tasks of web-site creation, blogging, recipe-providing, and all other important and integral "support staff" duties.  The purpose of the blog is to be a window into what is going on at the farm.  Kristin's other full-time job is a practicing-attorney in Maryland.

Send mail to michael@oneacrefarm.com with questions or comments about this web site.