At age 30, Charles Burd has made his mark in both retail and non-profit organizations. Beginning his career simultaneously managing the public relations and business directives of the Mid Ohio Valley AIDS Task Force as well as learning the ropes at then popular home retailer This End Up, set the tone for the years to come. Since then, Burd has worked and consulted for such noted businesses as Housing Works, Gracious Home, My Baby, and The United States Fund for UNICEF, amongst others. In 2005, at the behest of partner Suvir Saran, he left the retail world to assist in opening the New Delhi restaurant Veda and to help launch Saran’s brand American Masala.

While visiting friend and farmer Angela Miller at her Vermont goat cheese operation Consider Bardwell Farm in 2006, Burd discovered something that he had long felt was missing from his life but was yet unconsciously aware of – a sense of connection to nature and the earth. “I know many people say, 'You grew up in West Virginia, so this is like going home for you.' But I never knew rural life, let alone farming–I grew up in the cities (such as they are) of West Virginia. This (need to farm) is as odd and foreign and unexpected as it gets. Me, a farmer–ha!” And yet, in late 2006, he and Saran were signing up for a farm life in upstate New York.

“American Masala Farm. Makes me happy just saying it!” Although Charlie will continue to handle operations at American Masala LLC, he will now also focus on managing the day-to-day operations of Suvir and their farm in Hebron, New York. The focus will be to develop a program of natural and organic sustainable farming. Future plans include sending meat and produce to Saran’s restaurant(s), hosting private farm tasting weekends for restaurant patrons, developing chef-to-farm work retreats, and various charity and cultural events.

“Oh yes, and raising chickens!”      

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