Teams and Careers

 Co-Founder/Owner

Kevin is co-owner of Klippers Organic Acres, a working farm, restaurant, cidery, and on farm guest suites. He grew up in the Lower Mainland with a passion for hospitality, and at the age of 26 moved to Cawston with his wife, Annamarie, with the desire to grow healthy, living food for themselves and their customers. 

 Together they took their original 5 acres and have now expanded to 60 acres of both fruit and vegetables. They added guest suites, a cidery, farm store, and an award winning restaurant. 

They were recognized in 2011 as Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers.  Over the last 20 years of building the farm to what it is today Kevin has sat on the board of directors for Vancouver Farmers Markets, Chair of the Organic Farming Institute, Chair of the BC Turkey Marketing Board, on numerous committees and is currently sitting as Chair of the BC Chicken Marketing Board.

He strives to foster innovation daily and is continually working on partnerships with Vancouver chefs, and fostering new relationships and connections with people from all different fields.

Co-founder/Owner

Annamarie is co-owner of Klippers Organic Acres, the 60 acre farm was started in 2001 by herself and her husband, Kevin. Annamarie grew up on a certified organic farm in Chilliwack BC as the third oldest of Hans and Mary Forstbauer’s 12 children. Growing up dyslexic in the 90’s was hard but with the support of her parents she learnt that hard work and determination would prevail, and she graduated in the top of her class. 

The same hard work and determination has now been a driving force in the success and expansion of Klippers Organic Acres.  Having grown up on a large family farm she also new the importance of good, healthy food, and having spent a few years in Vancouver working in the hospitality industry decided to move back to the family farm.  It was there that Annamarie and Kevin decided to start a farm of their own and Klippers was conceived. Today Annamarie plans the crops and crop rotations,  and you will find her in the greenhouse, the packing house, the fields or in the restaurant as the GM. Her passion, much like her mothers, is to raise her children in the business: teaching them respect, work ethic, and a deep connection to the land.   

Annamarie enjoys sports and spending her spare time coaching community and high school sports teams.

Head Chef at Row Fourteen Restaurant

Born and raised in Edmonton AB, Brandon headed west to pursue his career as a chef.  He hails from such notable places as Pourhouse, The Acorn, PiDGiN, and Toronto's Antler.  He also worked at Kelowna's Eldorado.  A self-proclaimed Canadian cuisine “evangelist”, he prides himself on constantly reinterpreting the Canadian food paradigm.

Brandon helped open Row Fourteen back in 2019. In fact, he personally installed some of the tiles in the kitchen. He's proud to have the opportunity to rekindle his old flame, and to have Row Fourteen as a platform to embrace the superlative ingredients of the South Okanagan/Similkameen and Klippers Organic Acres.

Klippers welcomes to the team Marketing and Events Specialist December Foster. Over the past couple years, December found herself becoming obsessed with the food, service, and philosophy of Klippers and Row 14, and finally decided she just HAD to go and work there. Luckily, Annamarie and Kevin agreed with her.

December lives on a hobby farm in Kaleden BC where she raises dogs, cats, goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys, ducks, peacocks, pigeons, and a pig named Lydia. She is a huge foodie and a wine lover.

To book an event, or if you have any questions pertaining to events and marketing,  December would love to hear from you!

Field Manager

Lenroy has been working seasonally at Klippers Organic Acres since 2016. He was one of the first temporary foreign workers to join our farm team and has been with us ever since. Before joining our team in Cawston, Lenroy had the experience of farming as a temporary foregin worker in both Ontario & Chilliwack. His skill, eagerness to learn, and the mutual respsect we had for one another enabled Lenroy to naturally progress into his current role as Field Manager.

Lenroy brought with him a background in farming from Jamaica. As well, he is a proud husband and father of three boys. When we asked Lenroy what he liked about farming here, he said he cannot say just one thing because he loves it all! Since being at Klippers Organics, Lenroy sees organic growing as the 'best way to grow'.

CSA Coordinator

Krista has worked for Klippers for about four years as the farm coordinator for the markets in the Vancouver area. Recently, she moved to Cawston and now lives and works full time on the farm. Not only is Krista is your friendly CSA Coordinator, she is also one of our head beekeepers.

When asked what her favourite thing is about working for Klippers, Krista had a hard time picking just one. But after some thought she settled on "the food".

Mai Nakazato - Cook

Mai Nakazato is one of the head cooks at Klippers Marketplace & Cafe. Originally from Japan, Mai has had the opportunity of studying cooking in Italy, where she was able to hone her skills in the art of preparing and presenting delicious Italian cuisine. Prior to joining Klippers Marketplace & Cafe [2021], Mai moved from Vancouver to assist in opening Row Fourteen [2019]. Mai's impressive background and experience allows her to bring a unique perspective to the menu at Klippers Marketplace & Cafe, crafting flavorful and authentic dishes that keep customers coming back for more.

Anna Klippenstein - Full-Time Barista & Marketplace Teammember

Anna Klippenstein (AKA Kevin's mom), can be found at the cafe most days and is a familiar face in the local community. Growing up in Chilliwack, Anna comes from a family with a background in dairy farming. Prior to joining the farm, Anna had a successful career as the manager of Fabricland in Chilliwack where she earned a well-deserved reputation as an expert sewer! As well, before moving to Cawston, Anna also assisted us at the many farmers markets we have attended in Vancouver.

Hailey Smith & Keityn Friesen - Part-Time Cafe Staff Members

Hailey Smith and Keityn Friesen are valued members of the Klippers Marketplace & Cafe team, both of whom are local to the Cawston/Keremeos area. Hailey & Keityn are both known for their warm and friendly demeanors. Together, Hailey and Keityn help to create a welcoming and friendly atmosphere at Klippers Marketplace & Cafe.

Head of Production

Ricardo has been working at Klippers Organic Acres for over five years. Ricardo arrived on the farm in 2018 as a temporary foregin worker, however, his skills, dedication, and work ethic inspired us to bring him on in a more permanent role. Currently, Ricardo is on his second 2-year contract with us and is in charge of all things harvest- & chicken-related.

Before coming to Canada, Ricardo was a farmer back in Jamaica and has a backgound in both farming & cooking.

Ricardo says that living and growing in Canada has helped him to learn a lot over the past five+ years including how to drive a tractor and a forklift as well about a variety of Canadian-grown crops.

We are hiring a Farm/CSA Coordinator! 

Are you a task-oriented, self-motivated, flexible, and solutions-driven leader? Do you dream of contributing to a more sustainable food system through regenerative agriculture?

See the Farm/CSA Coordinator Job Description here!

Klippers Organic Acres is a certified organic farm.  We sell our produce at farmers markets, to restaurants, and through our own farm store.  There is always a lot of work to do around the farm from planting, harvesting, weeding, maintenance, seeding and so much more.

Apply today by sending us your resume and cover letter.

Row Fourteen is a farm-driven restaurant that offers its guests a curated taste of the Similkameen Valley. For us, the relationship between farmer and chef is more than just a story, it is the heart of the experience. 

We ask that applicants offer professional and friendly service, are committed to punctuality and reliability, and have the ability to work in a team environment. Flexibility, initiative, and a sense of calm are essential attributes here. An interest and desire to learn more about seed to plate cuisne is a huge bonus.

Apply today by sending us your resume and cover letter.

Our cafe seeks sales clerks, baristas, and cashiers in the spring/summer. We ask that applicants offer professional and friendly service, are committed to punctuality and reliability, and have the ability to work in a team environment. Flexibility, initiative, and a sense of calm are essential attributes here. An interest and desire to learn more about seed to plate cuisne is a huge bonus.

Apply today by sending us your resume and cover letter.

Our guest suites are very busy in the summer months, therefore we often hire housekeeping room attandants in the spring.  We ask that applicants offer professional and friendly service, are committed to punctuality and reliability, and have the ability to work in a team environment. Flexibility, initiative, and a sense of calm are essential attributes here. An interest and desire to learn more about seed to plate cuisne is a huge bonus.

Apply today by sending us your resume and cover letter.

If you're keen on volunteering at Klippers Organic Acres but live in the city, not to worry! We welcome volunteers living in the Lower Mainland to help out at farmers markets across Vancouver. This is an incredible way to learn more about where your food comes from and connect with other like-minded individuals who value organic food, sustainability, and local communities. Plus, in exchange for volunteering you'll get a share of our delicious organic produce!

Inquire about volunteering at Vancouver farmers markets here.