Christa Barfield

The Path

At St. Joseph’s University, Christa Barfield laid the groundwork for a career built on discipline and follow-through. She then moved into healthcare administration, working in the healthcare industry in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania until 2018. That period gave her a professional base in systems, coordination, and care before her work shifted toward farming and food production. In 2018, FarmerJawn entered the picture as a new structure for that same attention to service. Christa Barfield founded the business, and the work expanded from there: Viva Leaf Tea followed, along with her role as head Farmer Jawn Community Greenhouses. The throughline is cultivation, whether in crops, tea, or the organizational work needed to keep both moving.

The Work Today

It sits alongside farming rather than apart from it, and the pairing makes sense on the page: one demands order and precision, the other patience, timing, and a steady hand. Together, they describe a working practice shaped by structure, stewardship, and practical care.

Career - Founder — Viva Leaf Tea - Founder — FarmerJawn (2018–present) - Head farmer — Farmer Jawn Community Greenhouses - Healthcare administration professional — healthcare industry, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (until 2018) Education: St. Joseph’s University

Signature

Smoked Harvest Chicken Salad with Smoked Husk Cherries is listed as Christa’s signature dish. The name alone shows the register: harvest-driven, smoke-forward, and rooted in ingredients that point to season and field. It is a dish that reads as composed rather than showy, with smoke used as a shaping element rather than a flourish.

Acclaim

Christa’s honors include James Beard Award. For an artisan working across FarmerJawn, Viva Leaf Tea, and Farmer Jawn Community Greenhouses, that recognition signals reach beyond a single operation. It reflects the visibility of a body of work built through cultivation, administration, and food systems work that connects production to community.

FAQ What is Christa Barfield's current role? As of 2026, Christa Barfield is Founder of Viva Leaf Tea. Where did Christa Barfield train or study? Christa Barfield trained at St. Joseph’s University. What recognition has Christa Barfield received? James Beard Award.