Conrad Frederick Delong

April 19, 1969 to January 21, 2025

“We can discover the wonders of nature…let there be songs to fill the air”

It is with great sadness we share that Conrad Frederick de Long, affectionately known as “Fred,” departed this world peacefully surrounded by music and family. Fred’s enduring legacy in conservation, organic farming, and community building continues to inspire all who knew him. His life was a testament to his passion for the natural world, farming, and his commitment to the preservation of local farmland.

Born in Philadelphia on April 19, 1969, he spent his formative years in Wayne, PA where he graduated from Radnor High School in 1987. He went on to earn a degree in Communications and English from Ithaca College in 1991, a foundation that led him to Rodale Magazine. At Rodale, Fred combined his love for writing with an emerging interest in organic farming, igniting a lifelong commitment to the intersection of agriculture and conservation.

During his mid-20’s, Fred began his hands-on journey into farming at Pete’s Produce Farm in West Chester, PA where his mother was working as a commercial flower grower. Here, he immersed himself in the complexities and rewards of growing food, while also forging relationships with local chefs who valued the high-quality produce he delivered to their kitchens. This deep involvement in Philadelphia’s burgeoning “farm-to-table” movement also inspired his love for cooking, which became a source of immense joy. It was at Pete’s Produce that Fred met Lisa Kiziuk, a frequent customer who would later become his partner in life and work.

In 2007, Fred joined the Willistown Conservation Trust (WCT) as Director of the Community Farm Program, where he had a transformative impact. Through his vision and leadership, he transformed Rushton Farm into a nationally recognized model for sustainable farming. Fred’s innovative approach integrated farm wisdom, entrepreneurial spirit, and social connection to support regenerative agriculture practices, conserve wildlife habitat, and foster a sense of community. His favorite part of his job was working with young people interested in farming and he touched the lives of so many interns throughout his career. With the inspiration of Lisa’s son George, Fred created the Haverford Crew team “pre-season workday”, featuring the “farm workout” that typically provided a week’s worth of manpower in one day!

Farming, family and community were Fred’s life. He and Lisa shared a unique partnership, both at home and professionally, as she led WCT’s bird conservation program. Together since 2009, they lived in an 1800s farmhouse near Rushton Farm where they created a warm home for Lisa’s children, George and Katerina, their dogs, and frequent visitors. Fred’s brothers shared his love of farming. Aaron worked at Rushton in his formative years and now farms with his wife Emma in nearby Pottstown. His brother Eric farmed in upstate New York for many years, and the three of them shared many lively conversations about the challenges and rewards of the farm lifestyle. Even Alex, his youngest brother, joined in. He worked with Fred at Pete’s Produce for a season, but quickly decided a business degree was far more interesting. “I can’t promise that I’ll try” he would say to Fred, “But I’ll try to try.” (The Simpsons, S8-E20)

Through the Rushton Farm CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), Fred shared his love of agriculture with the community, writing engaging articles for the “Wild Carrot” newsletter; even his dogs Max and later Wyatt contributed a column, “Tidbits From the Farm.” Summer nights after a hot day in the field often found Fred frying up fresh tomatoes while jamming out to The Grateful Dead or The Band, and winters saw him donning Flyers or Eagles jerseys to cook his famous wings during gametime. His adored dogs, Max, Hackett, and Kiska, are now with him on a long walk, while Wyatt and Jed remain behind, missing him dearly.

Fred and Lisa’s love story was one of shared passions for food, music, and nature. Their adventures took them to remarkable places, with Montana holding a special place in Fred’s heart. Annual beach trips to Rhode Island with Lisa’s cousins, the kids, and the beloved seagulls, were also a high point of the year, especially this past summer when the NY de Longs joined in the fun. Watching Joni Mitchell perform at the Newport Music Festival by boat was a highlight for him and gave him the opening to tell stories of his summer working on the Shenandoah ship in Martha’s Vineyard. Fred often reminisced about his many trips to the Adirondacks with friends and family. Together, he and Lisa shared a love for exploring destinations along the 45th parallel from Portland, OR to Pittsburgh, NH. Visits to Foxtail Farm in NY to celebrate winter solstice, filled with gnome hunts and family meals, created more fond memories, especially of spending time with his beloved brothers.

Fred’s warmth, humor, and zest for life will be missed by all who knew him. Fred is survived by his wife Lisa Kiziuk; her children George and Katerina Rubin; Stephen Kiziuk (Erika), his father Fred de Long Sr.(Paula); his mother Elsie Edith de Long; and his brothers Eric de Long (Rachel), Aaron de Long (Emma), and Alex de Long. He was a proud uncle to Malcolm, Garrett, Clara, and Edward and cherished his extended family, including members from the de Long, Farnham, and Kiziuk families, particularly cousin Lesia. Holidays spent with family during Ukrainian Christmas, Winter Solstice, and his favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, were deeply important to him.

In keeping with Fred’s spirit, a celebration of life will be held on July 20, at Rushton Farm, coinciding with the first tomato harvest. Instead of flowers, the family has established the “Farmer Fred Memorial Fund” through Willistown Conservation Trust to sustain the farm and continue Fred’s legacy of nourishing the community.

Please check the box for a gift in memory of Fred de Long (https://wctrust.org/donate/).

As we remember Fred, let us honor his life with the words he so often embodied:

“there is nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile.”