Meet Angela Cordiano, Farmer at Kitsap Farms

My husband Harold grew up on a dairy farm in Texas, so agriculture had always been a part of his life. One day we were driving past a local farm, and I asked him a simple question about farming in general. At the time, we had just purchased a few acres in Kitsap, and he mentioned that if we ever wanted to consider farming ourselves, we should look into something sustainable—like aquaponics. That one conversation sparked everything. From there, the idea took on a life of its own, and eventually it became Kitsap Farms.

What's really special about our farm is the family story tied to it. When we first looked at this land, it already had an apartment over the garage. I remember calling my mom and asking if she really meant it when she used to say that one day she and my dad would end up living with us. When she said “yes,” we decided to move forward. They moved in shortly after, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions we made. My dad was able to help Harold build our very first greenhouse, and he’s still an active part of the farm today. This place isn’t just where we grow food—it’s where we live.

Aquaponics combines recirculating aquaculture and hydroponics: fish waste feeds the plants, and the plants naturally filter the water for the fish—mirroring how healthy waterways function. It solves both the aquaculture challenge of managing nutrient‑rich water and the hydroponic need for nutrient‑dense inputs.

This system lets us grow more in less space, avoid soil‑borne pests and pesticides, and use only a fraction of the water required in traditional farming. We focus on leafy greens but can also produce fruiting crops by starting them in the greenhouse and irrigating outdoor beds with the same nutrient‑rich water.

We chose aquaponics for its efficiency and sustainability—and as a bonus, we ended up with a few pet koi fish along the way.

Our farm has a really fun, easy-going personality. It’s a place to learn, experiment, and just enjoy being around good food and good people. We love having visitors come out to see what we’re up to—there’s always something new growing or some quirky project in the works. We try to keep things lighthearted, because farming should feel joyful, not stressful.

Yes! My family’s Italian heritage plays a huge role in why growing food matters to us. My parents were first‑generation Americans, and all of my grandparents came from Italy—where feeding people is basically a love language. My dad has carried that tradition forward. He’s a big part of our farm and absolutely loves sharing what we grow. Delivering produce to our customers is one of his favorite things, and he gets a kick out of bringing a little extra to his friends in his seniors’ bowling league. For us, food has always meant community.

We try to make choices that keep things sustainable and resource‑smart—even if they take a little more work. Aquaponics is all about reusing what we already have, so that mindset guides everything we do. If it’s good for the system, good for the planet, and keeps things flowing, we’re in!  

To me, it is really simple: everyone should have access to good, healthy food. I don’t pretend to have all the answers on how to make that a reality, but I believe it has to be possible. We just try to do our small part by growing responsibly and getting fresh food into our community whenever we can.

Lately I’ve felt really hopeful because of the new Kitsap Agricultural Advisory Council. It shows that the county is finally taking real interest in making sure local farms do more than just “survive.” Seeing that kind of support and long‑term thinking gives me a lot of confidence in the future of small farms in our community.

Kitsap County feels like one big, supportive neighborhood. People here genuinely care about local food and the folks who grow it. Farming in Kitsap means we get to feed our neighbors in a sustainable, resource‑smart way—and they cheer us on while we do it. It’s a great place to grow lettuce and community.