Coming from a non-farming family, I sought out agriculture through an intention to do Peace Corps work after college graduation from Michigan State in 2006 (B.S. in Forestry).  After spending two years working on three other farms from 2006-2007: Kuaiwi Farm in Captain Cooke, Hawaii, Whipstone Farm in Paulden, Arizona, and Winter Green Farm in Noti, Oregon, I fell in love with small-scall organic agriculture and returned home to Battle Creek. I am excited to serve the SW Michigan community with fresh, sustainably-grown produce. I love what I do and want to share the farm with you and your family. I very much look forward to meeting you and helping to create a connection for you to your food.

My goals for the farm are fairly simple: 1. provide fresh, great tasting and safe produce, 2. utilize environmentally sustainable farming practices to improve the soil and protect the surrounding water, air, and biological life, 3. create community around the farm. In a sense, I don't want people to view this farm as mine. Yes, I do manage the land and it is my passion, but I do not take ownership over the land. It is our land and our farm. 4. Serve as a resource for new growers to the area. This includes gardeners and aspiring farmers. I am especially interested in helping young people find a future in farming. 5. To conduct research that will improve organic farming practices.

Many thanks to family, friends, educators, mentor farmers, neighbors, and customers who have helped make the farm a reality. The farm is a community creation and it is my intention to continue to build relationships within the Battle Creek community and expand the farm's outreach, especially to our youth who many times lack exposure to agriculture and do not even consider it as a possible career. The farm seeks to develop relationships with schools over the next few years to widen our youth's understanding of agriculture, and grow more farmers! 

I look forward to seeing you at market or at the farm! 

NOTE: I apologize for any delay in e-mail or phone responses. I normally try to get back with my customers within two days. However, during the growing season (May through October), I usually work from sun-up 'til sun-down 6 days per week, so there are times when I simply do not have the energy to respond in a timely fashion.

The closest I came to farming while growing up was the various backyard gardens at our family’s homes and the numerous days spent at my aunt and uncle’s farm in the heart of Kansas’ breathtaking Flint Hills.  Only recently did the exploration of growing food resurface.  Thanks to the Kellogg Biological Station in Hickory Corners, MI offering an Integrated Food Systems internship during the summer of 2008, I explored vegetable growing firsthand.  I helped to create a more sustainable food system by selling produce to the station’s cafeteria and ventured to the Richland Farmer’s Market to sell surplus produce and provide compost education.

As the novice farmer of Green Gardens, I look forward to meshing my artistic spunk with vegetables, flowers, and earth by means of, but certainly not limited to:

• children’s farm camps
• canning and preserving
• how-to classes
• farm calendars
• event planning
• hoedowns with local musicians
• theme dinners
• recipe swaps
• of course, growing beautiful and delicious vegetables

In addition, my eagerness and intention join with my desire to share knowledge of responsible and delightful eating since it is more than just fueling one’s body.  It is sharing time and experiences with others, creating memories, building relationships, and a means of connection.  I hope to facilitate and foster an environment to do just that, whether we are canning pickles, harvesting peas and broccoli for a summer salad, or brainstorming new uses for kale. 

Life is about flexibility and an openness to new ideas; and so, I welcome your thoughts, suggestions, and yays or nays for what you would enjoy learning about since Green Gardens is a community farm and YOU are an integral part.

Happy eating!

For those wishing to share their wonderful recipes or cooking tips with the farm or CSA members, please contact Sue via email. She is graciously volunteering her time by managing the recipes for the CSA and will again be creating the weekly recipe cards for the 2010 CSA boxes. I'm very grateful for her help...she is allowing me to spend more time out in the field instead of at the computer. Plus, she's a much better cook than myself, so I know that she will be better at it than me! Thanks!