About Renfroe Valley Farms

Chris

Chris is a native South Carolinian who grew up in Lexington, SC. While working at Hymas Garden Center, Chris studied Horticulture at Trident Tech and graduated with an Associate Degree in Horticulture in 1999. He decided to relocate to the Western North Carolina mountains and acquired a position at Van Wingerden Greenhouse. His strong production experience helped him obtain a position as head grower of South Eastern Native Nursery, a local native container growing operation in Western North Carolina. He held this position for 13 years until they decided to close in late 2021. Chris decided to join RVF Mills River in January 2022 and continues to be a valuable team member. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors and camping with his wife Katie, daughter Willow and dog Bodhi.

Paul Ramirez

Born in the summer of 1975, Paul Ramirez was raised on a 200-acre citrus farm. Like the two generations before him, Paul Ramirez was destined to find a career in agriculture. Upon relocating to Western North Carolina in 2007, Paul knew he had found something special and decided to forever embrace the beautiful nature this state has to offer.

     In the spring of 2008, Paul began his career as Farm Manager of Breezy Acres Nursery. In 2021 Breezy Acres Nursery was purchased by Renfroe Valley Farms at which time Paul decided to continue his career and join the team here at Renfroe Valley Farms, Mills River. Paul’s love for the outdoors overflows into his home life where he enjoys hunting, fishing and camping. Paul enjoys spending time with his 4 children and 10 grandchildren.

Seth Youmans

Seth Youmans, originally from Savannah, Georgia, graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2015 with a degree in Biology. Seth joined Renfroe Valley Farms in May of 2022 bringing his expertise to the company from his previous position as a crew leader for a local landscape design build firm in Western North Carolina. Seth strives to help produce the best quality plant material while upholding RVF ‘s high expectations to provide excellent customer relations. His love for the outdoors and cool mountain weather are what brought Seth and his family to this area. Seth and his wife Maggie have a 1-year-old daughter Hazel and a baby boy on the way.

Marcos Valazco

Marcos Valazco was born in 1989 in Veracruz, Mexico. He came to the United States when he was 13 years old. He started working in the green industry immediately upon his arrival in the states, working at a local landscaping design build firm in Asheville, NC for 2 years. In 2005, he went to work for Breezy Acres Nursery where he learned production and has been working ever since in different aspects of the green industry. He joined RVF Mills River when it opened in 2021 and continues to be a valuable member of the team. In his free time, Marcos enjoys going to the beach, playing baseball, exercising, operating a local produce stand while continuing to help his brother with his landscape company.

Walt Johnson

Walt Johnson is a retired business owner and property manager, who is from a long line of South Jersey Farmers. Walt loves riding the Renfroe Valley Farm’s tractors, mowing, disc plowing and bush hogging, he also takes care of deliveries or any errand needed to help keep the farm progressing. Walt married his childhood sweetheart Deb and the next day moved to western North Carolina over 39 years ago. When Walt is not at RVF he likes to spend time with his dog Opal, enjoy local brews, hiking, salt water fishing and traveling with his wife.

Thomas

Thomas Kleppe joins Renfroe Valley Farms in a part time capacity in logistics assisting in multiple roles. Thomas also is a Fire Captain, serving locally for the last 15 years and is excited to learn a new industry on his time off away from the Fire Department. Thomas grew up in Henderson County and is a graduate of West Henderson High School and Blue Ridge Community College. Thomas enjoys hiking, fishing, cooking BBQ and camping with his family: Wife Amber & Kids Eric and Chloe.