The Team
Farm Owners and Special Projects
Zaid, Haifa and Abdul Kurdieh
Zaid and Haifa started Norwich Meadows Farm in 1998. They are co-owners of the farm and are both fully engaged in daily operations.
Although Zaid was born in the United States, he spent much of his childhood living overseas with his family. Haifa was raised in Jordan, where Zaid and Haifa met while attending high school.
The grandson of Palestinian farmers, Zaid had been interested in growing and enjoying food since he was young, and he studied agriculture in college before graduating with an MBA from the University of South Dakota. His career path led to the US Department of Agriculture and then eventually to Cornell Cooperative Extension in Chenango County, New York, where his role was to help local farms with business management.
Since 2021, Zaid and Haifa's son Abdul has been back on the farm where he grew up, and heads up a number of exciting special projects to help lay the groundwork for the farm's continued success for many years to come.
Director of Sales and Marketing
Brant Shapiro
Brant began working with organic foods with his father and uncle in their independent chain of natural food stores in New Jersey (The Health Shoppes). His passion for local and organic led him to implement local food sections in the stores, featuring products from the Union Square Greenmarket just a block from where he lived at the time. As Brant’s commitment to the local food movement increased, he became an active member of Slow Food, and the family’s stores were among the first retail locations to offer heritage turkey and feature artisan cheeses & local produce in New Jersey. Through his work with Slow Food, Brant met food scene visionary Robert LaValva and along with Anne Saxelby, Andrew Tarlow, The Bent Spoon, and others participated in the very first New Amsterdam Market at New York City’s historic Tin Building.
After leaving the family business, Brant joined the team at Veritas Farm, where he worked with restaurants and retail accounts selling local products including whole animals, cheeses, groceries, and produce. It was during this time that he connected with Zaid and Haifa of Norwich Meadows Farm, and helped them to build their wholesale program with chefs, distributors, and other retail accounts. Brant has served as both Treasurer and Secretary for Slow Food Northern New Jersey and has published articles in Edible Jersey.
Brant continues his passion and work at Norwich Meadows Farm, arriving at the farmers’ market each morning ready to meet with his chef partners, with a smile on his face and his favorite pastry in his hand, the chocolate babka from Breads Bakery.
Farm Operations Manager
Anton Burkett
Anton joined Norwich Meadows Farm in 2021, bringing with him over thirty years of experience in organic vegetable production. Before joining the team at Norwich Meadows, Anton ran Early Morning Farm, which served over 1800 CSA members in Central New York, the Finger Lakes Region, and New York's Southern Tier.
As farm operations manager at Norwich Meadows, Anton does all crop planning and develops and implements production systems. Anton is also responsible for procuring seeds and field supplies; fertility, pest and disease management; and food safety and environmental management programs.
Farm Crew
During Norwich Meadows Farm’s long growing season, the team expands to include a crew of H2A seasonal workers, most of whom come from Egypt and have returned to work with us year after year. Several of our workers have been farming with us for over 15 years. The skills and dedication that these workers bring to the farm are a key ingredient to our success.
Farmer's Market Crew
If you've been to our stand at the markets you've likely met some of Norwich Meadows Farm's great market crew, some of whom have been working with us for fifteen years or more. Not only do they make the displays look fantastic and keep the crowds moving but they know the products and are happy to answer any questions you have.
