Charlie Parker

Orchard and Perennial Plantings Manager

Charlie’s journey into agriculture began with a small vegetable garden in his family’s backyard. He gained a love of nature from his mother and grandparents who taught him the benefits of gardening.

Years later, after interning at Tempel Farms Organics, earning a Liberal Arts A.A. degree and taking classes at The Chicago Botanic Garden, Charlie took a position with The Organic Gardener, based in Chicago. He stayed for 10 years, installing and maintaining residential, school and corporate gardens in the Chicago area, including the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and Chicago Lincoln Park Zoo.

As the Orchard and Perennial Plantings Manager at Gwenyn Hill Farm, Charlie is responsible for the four-acre orchard of mostly heirloom tree fruit and berries. He also oversees the newly established rhubarb and table grape vineyard. Charlie’s cool season work includes working with our Land & Livestock Manager Ryan Heinen to improve and maintain the health of the hedgerows.