Our commercial grower sales team is dedicated to helping farmers in all regions. We offer knowledgeable advice on regional variety selection, standard and bulk sizing options, and the assurance of quality and convenience. We have an essential understanding of the complexities involved with choosing seed. We’d like to introduce ourselves to give you an idea of the depth of our team’s knowledge, and the regions in which we specialize. Read on to find out how we can help you grow better.  
The High Mowing Commercial Grower Sales Team 
 
Paul Betz 
Sales Manager  866-735-4454 x106 Paul Betz and his wife, Kate started High Ledge Farm in Woodbury, Vermont in 1999. He grew certified organic vegetables on 2.5 acres, and managed 4,000 ft2 of greenhouses and high tunnels, supplying a weekly market and a small CSA. Paul joined the sales department at High Mowing Organic Seeds in 2007 and has been with the company for the last 15 years. Bringing more than 17 years of vegetable production experience to this role, he appreciates what it means to make a living from farming. As the Sales Manager, Paul finds great fulfillment in supporting his team of Commercial Grower Sales Reps, problem solving, decision making, and helping to create processes. He also works closely with High Mowing’s Trials Manager to help identify varieties that will perform in organic growing systems.
When he’s not at High Mowing, he enjoys working on his cars, going for drives and walking along the cranberry meadow near his house, taking in the amazing beauty of Vermont. His favorite crop to grow is potatoes. “Potatoes have always spoken to me; when they are dug from the earth, you are the first person to ever have seen them. What an amazing thing."
 
Paul Feenan 
Northeastern U.S.   866-735-4454 x115  Paul Feenan was born and raised in Bennington, Vermont, where his family instilled in him a strong work ethic. Needing a flexible job to couple with his first year of college, Paul found work pruning in an orchard in Chittenden County. This experience jumpstarted a 30-year career in the field and Paul has spent the past 20 years teaching others about food and farming. Paul joined the sales team in 2019, bringing with him his knowledge of diversified agriculture. He recognizes that farming has challenges and that organic producers must employ a complex and unique combination of resources, information, methods, and tools to accomplish sustainable food production. As a Commercial Grower Sales Rep, Paul enjoys making grower’s farm businesses easier. He also likes having technical conversations with growers where he may glean helpful information he can share with others.When he’s not working, Paul loves being a dad to his children John and Ruby, growing vegetables and cooking. When it comes to his favorite crop types, it is hard for him to choose. “I love to grow a variety of lettuces and other greens, not sure if they’re my favorite though.”Paul serves commercial growers in the U.S. states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Wisconsin.  
Michelle Hochkeppel  
Mid-Atlantic U.S.  866-735-4454x135  Michelle Hochkeppel has worked on many farms in North and South America. Her 6 years of experience in the field includes commercial operations, homesteads, soil-health focused systems and intensive market gardens. After growing up in Virginia and attending college in Washington, D.C., she moved west and has spent the last decade working in farm to table restaurants, educational gardens and farm to school initiatives. Michelle gets excited about season extension, new varieties and sharing techniques with other growers. As a Commercial Grower Sales Rep, Michelle most values talking with growers and making lasting connections. She is passionate about helping them select the best varieties to support their individual goals. When it comes to planning for the future, Michelle is always eager to encourage growers to think about what’s next. When Michelle isn’t working for High Mowing, she can be found outdoors swimming, biking and skiing. Her favorite crop to cultivate is tomatoes. "I’ve grown an affinity for tomatoes over the years, having experimented with many forms of pruning and trellising.” Michelle serves commercial growers in the U.S. states of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.  
Ada Snyder
866-735-4454 x138 or 360-540-6000   Ada Snyder has over a decade of experience in the seed industry in both sales and in the field. After 7 years of seed industry work, Ada owned and operated a small medicinal and seed farm with her husband before starting her position at High Mowing. Her passion for seeds stems from her interests in healthy living, organic farming, and reverence for the community that can be built around locally grown food. Ada is an essential member of the High Mowing Product Development team, bringing invaluable insight into the challenges faced by modern organic growers and vast knowledge of organic crop varieties. As a Commercial Grower Sales Rep, Ada enjoys visiting farms, meeting with growers and learning about their farming systems to introduce them to varieties that will thrive in their unique conditions.When Ada isn’t working for High Mowing, she can be found adventuring with her family, growing and preserving flowers and saving herbs. Her favorite vegetable to grow is garlic. “I have been growing enough garlic for my family for about 10 years, so that I never have to buy garlic at the store. I love the timing of its planting and harvest and most of all just love to eat it.”Ada serves commercial growers in the U.S. states of Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas.  
Aaron Varadi 
866-735-4454 X 165 Aaron Varadi spent a decade managing organic farms in western Washington state, first at his own operation Sunbreak Farm, and then at the Organic Farm School, a farmer training program on Whidbey Island. In addition to his 10 years’ experience growing diversified vegetables, Aaron spent 7 years growing seed crops on contract for High Mowing and other seed companies and participated in variety trials on a regional and national level before joining our team. He also has experience developing his own breeding projects in addition to collaborating on breeding projects with industry and research partners. As a Commercial Grower Sales Rep, Aaron is excited to be working with High Mowing because he believes organic farming needs to be founded on organic seeds. Aaron enjoys his work because he has the privilege of hearing from growers all over the continent about what they’re dealing with in the field and using that information to help others.When Aaron is not working at High Mowing, he can be found playing and coaching soccer and reading good fiction. When asked what his favorite crop to grow is, Aaron says, “Tough choice, but I think it’s kale. It comes in so many different shapes and colors, is so healthy, and where I live it can grow outdoors every month of the year.”Aaron serves commercial growers in California and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan, as well as the territories of Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon.