Billiam van Roestenberg

Billiam van Roestenberg left the Big Apple behind to purchase his apple farm in 1999. He always dreamt of being an organic farmer. Within just a few years he and his farm Liberty View Farm, became nationally known for politics and his farm innovations.

A community organizer and activist, van Roestenberg was the first Same Sex couple Married in New York in 2004.

His innovation "Lease a Tree" naturally brings a greater awareness and connection between farmer and consumer. The success of this unique farm experience has garnished a lot of attention including "America's Top Ten Apple Picking Farm." by Travel & Leisure Magazine American Express in 2009. Voted by over half a million on the Huffington Post also in 2009, Van Roestenberg became "America's Hottest Farmer."

Farmer Billiam's organically grown apple orchard is one of the few in the Northeast.

His tenure as a political, and gay rights organizer cross pollinated into and laid the ground work for his organic "food Activism." His generosity and passion for community strives to bring attention to current needs such as fighting hunger, living healthy, promoting and preserving farmland and ending Gay Apartheid.

Billiam organized the Historic Same Sex Weddings in New Paltz, NY where he married a Major and Gulf War 1 Veteran. They were the first same sex couple married east of San Fransisco. In the following year of 2005 he ran for political office. In 2000 he became Vice Chair of the Democratic Committee in Southern Ulster County; and sat on the Zoning Board of Appeals for 5 years.

Billiam has been featured on television, many newspapers, magazines and books. A community farm activist he currently sits on the Board of Eat Local Food. Billiam can be heard on his radio show and his blogs, "The Frugal Farmer" and "Cultivating Community and Farmers", where he speaks to the importance of being involved in your community.