Dan Colen: A Revolutionary Approach to Agriculture

A visit to Sky High Farm, the forty-acre property in New York’s Hudson Valley owned by artist Dan Colen, offers a unique perspective. The forty-five-year-old artist, standing tall and strikingly handsome, guides the tour, pointing out newborn calves and chicks. The natural cycles—sun, soil, rain—captivate him, a testament to the farm’s vitality.

Witnessing Colen in his current roles as farmer and new father, alongside his partner, writer and baker Lexie Smith, is both unexpected and heartwarming. Their children, Days and Mickey, add to the scene’s idyllic quality. The journey from the vibrant nightlife of early 2000s New York to the tranquil life of a Hudson Valley farmer is a significant shift.

Colen quotes chef Matty Matheson’s assertion that farming is the new punk rock, highlighting the unexpected rebellion inherent in his lifestyle choice.

Established in 2011, Sky High Farm donates its entire harvest to address food insecurity in New York. Last year, the farm provided over 25,000 pounds of produce, 7,500 pounds of meat, and 44,000 eggs to those in need. A grant program further aids community efforts, distributing $350,000 to support local initiatives. The farm actively works toward food sovereignty, implementing localized solutions to systemic issues.

This summer, the inaugural Sky High Farm Biennial, “Trees Never End and Houses Never End,” will open its doors. The exhibition, set within a spacious warehouse, will showcase renowned artists like Anne Imhof, Rudolf Stingel, and Jonas Wood, along with the works of Ben Wigfall, a previously underappreciated artist. The artwork’s value is considerable, but it will not be sold through a traditional auction. Instead, a unique model will ensure the artists’ fair participation and avoid market disruption.

Colen’s path to farming contrasts sharply with his origins in New Jersey, near Manhattan. His youthful dreams of a basketball career shifted to art, providing a platform for self-expression. His early collaborations with Dash Snow and Ryan McGinley catapulted them into art-world prominence for their provocative work and unconventional lifestyles.

Snow’s passing in 2009 profoundly affected Colen, prompting sobriety and a career shift. While his artistic success grew, Colen’s desire to escape the art world’s complexities led him to establish the farm. The farm became a means of expanding his artistic vision beyond the confines of the art world’s influence.

The farm’s name, Sky High Farm, emerged spontaneously from an existing sign. Despite lacking prior farming knowledge, Colen began donating food immediately, reflecting a commitment to equitable food access. He views this commitment as an extension of his artistic pursuit of equity.

Initially operating under his art studio, Sky High Farm later transitioned into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2016. His involvement with community aid, including post-Hurricane Sandy relief efforts, deepened his commitment to the project.

Colen’s collaboration with Daphne Seybold resulted in Sky High Farm Universe, a fashion brand providing financial support. Collaborations with major brands fund the farm’s operations while enhancing its visibility. Balancing his roles as an artist, farmer, and fashion designer presents unique challenges and surprises even his close associates.

Colen’s studio features a large portrait of Smith breastfeeding Days, symbolizing the farm’s core values. The farm represents Colen’s vision of utopia, a place where potential becomes reality.