The Agri-Tourist, My Journey Back to Agriculture

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Jim Sanders, farmer from Wildflower Lane Farm in NC, had an idea about growing vegetables and finding a distribution partner for those vegetables.  In my podcast interview with Jim (podcast episode 54), he  told the story about walking into the office of a non profit called TABLE and proposing his idea to the women in the office. What struck me about that story was the fact that those women listened and took action immediately.  They were open to Jim’s idea and took him up on his offer to visit his farm, invest some funds, and take the risk that this could lead to a great opportunity for the people their non profit serves.

In 2006, Joy MacVane began leaving homemade cookies on the sidewalk of her downtown Chapel Hill home for UNC-CH students walking to campus. A year later, she began leaving notes by the goodies inviting students to stop by her house to bake desserts for the nearby soup kitchen. A dozen students showed up to make and deliver cakes. They discussed how much they enjoyed serving at the homeless shelter, expressed interest in local community service and identified hungry kids as a special priority. MacVane shared that concern and learned that there were no weekly food assistance services specifically for children at that time in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area. In late 2007, she and several of those original students incorporated Table Ministries, Inc., now known as TABLE.

Since  its start in 2008, TABLE has offered “a place at the TABLE” to increasing numbers of local children. Thanks to generous donations of food, funds, and time by campus and community supporters, TABLE has quickly grown.  And now, thanks to Jim’s idea, TABLE Is able to serve fresh, local healthy vegetables and fruits to local children. 

I wanted to speak to the woman, the decision maker, who listened to Jim’s idea on that day when he casually walked into the office and was open to exploring the opportunity with him.  Ashton Tippins, was that woman!  Enjoy my conversation with Ashton Tippins. 

TABLE
Wildflower Lane Farm

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Jim Sanders, an environmentalist and farmer, is the owner of Wildflower Lane Farm in North Carolina.  Jim has some great stories about how he came into farming and his fun and not so fun experiences with trying to build a farming business. All along, Jim knew and was reminded by some friends, that there had to be a better way, a more sustainable way.

Jim decided to take another approach to feeding local people. The existing system made small scale farming frustrating and difficult.  But what if the money factor were removed from the business model? Jim came up with an idea that would enable him to do what he loved – growing food for people – while removing it from the business cycle that was proving to be unsatisfying. He would do this by shifting non profit funds used to pay for fresh produce from wholesalers and retailers to local farmers who would grow for them.  

He walked into the office of a local non profit called Table, explained his concept, and asked them to try it out with him.  The Executive Director of TABLE, who you will hear from directly in an upcoming episode, after a little due diligence, was open to Jim’s idea, shifted some funds his way, and took the leap of faith.  

Ultimately, this decision reaped so many positive benefits for Jim, Table, and, most critically, the community members that TABLE serves.  Every year, TABLE has shifted more funds to growing with local farmers vs. purchasing produce, demonstrating the strength and impact of Jim’s concept.  In addition, other organizations have also adopted a similar approach by shifting their funds  to work with farmers and local producers  like Jim. 

I am grateful that farmers and creative thinkers like Jim who are willing to walk through that door and put their ideas out there.  Jim’s idea has had a direct impact on food security in North Carolina and beyond. This is also a testament that existing local organizations can and should collaborate and join forces, shift funds to local sourcing, and ultimately increase access to nutritious food for everyone. 

Enjoy my inspiring conversation with Jim Sanders. 

Wildflower Lane Farm - Growing food for local kids
TABLE - feeding local kids
PORCH - setting out to fight hunger

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So this is my 53rd episode…the 1st episode of Season 2 of the Agri-Tourist Podcast!  This episode is Part 2 of my interview with Marisa about coming full circle.   

I have learned so much during the course of this year…and not just about farming and agriculture… I learned so much about life, about love, about passion and dedication, trusting the journey, making every day count, and about taking that leap of faith.

And I learned all of this from over 50 amazing people from all over the world.  So this episode, along with Part 1, #52, are dedicated to the amazing, inspirational and passionate individuals who allowed me into their lives, their businesses and to become a little part of their journey.  Thank you for all you do!

Join my trusted and dear friend Marisa and I as we continue to explore the last year together and venture into Year 2!  

Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.  

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So this is my 52nd episode…Part 1! One whole year of podcast episodes…and I have to say that I learned so much during the course of this year…and not just about farming and agriculture. I learned so much about life, about love, about passion and dedication, trusting the journey, making every day count, and about taking that leap of faith.

And I learned all of this from over 50 amazing people from all over the world.  So the next 2 consecutive episodes are dedicated to these amazing, inspirational and passionate individuals who allowed me into their lives, their businesses and to become a little part of their journey.  Thank you for all you do! 

Join my trusted and dear friend Marisa and I for the next 2 weeks as we explore the last year together!  

Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.  

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When I became aware of The Farmer Veteran Coalition, I just had to learn more.  
The Mission of Farmer Veteran Coalition is Mobilizing Veterans to Feed America. 
They are cultivating  a new generation of farmers and food leaders, and developing viable employment and meaningful careers for veterans. They believe that veterans possess the unique skills and character needed to strengthen rural communities and create sustainable food systems. And, most critically, they believe and have demonstrated that agriculture offers purpose, opportunity, and physical and psychological benefits. 

Farmer Veteran Coalition is providing our American veterans opportunities to grow food in America and ultimately feed Americans. I am so moved by the mission and work of this organization. 

Founded by Michael O’Gorman in 2008, O’Gorman believed deeply in American Agriculture and that it was ready to provide great opportunities for the men and women who had put their life on the line for our country.

In November, 2014 the Coalition sponsored the first Farmer Veteran Stakeholders Conference in Des Moines, Iowa. One memorable moment at the conference was a podium shared by ranking members of the USDA, Department of Labor, Small Business Administration, Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs.   For the first time ever, five key departments of the Federal government were sharing ideas about a critical, yet previously ignored, sector of those returning home from service. 

The  vision for the future is an organization that will be around for decades, in every state and continuing to unite the agricultural sector – government, education, private industry, conventional and alternative farming and the veterans themselves.  It will no longer be important to know how and when they began, but that they will be there, offering assistance to all those who chose to serve their country twice – once by defending it and once by feeding it.

I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Jeanette Lombardo, Executive Director of Farmer’ Veteran Coalition who was selected from ver  300 applicants and has served the mission of this organization for over 5 years.  With a minimal staff, she and her team work to transition veterans into agriculture. Jeanette and her team work tirelessly with over 350 organizations to help fulfill the Coalition’s mission. 

Enjoy my conversation with Jeanette Lombardo…and spread the word about this amazing organization. 

Farmer Veteran Coalition
Homegrown By Heroes

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Meg and Laura founded Full Well Farm located in Adams, MA in 2018.  Meg was brought up on the farmland they are now farming on. When chatting with Meg about their background, there seemed to be an initial resistance to farming and becoming a farmer.  However, the pull to being outside every March was too hard to resist.  And the pull to developing a business that provided access to healthy food was also too much to resist.  Hence, although there were some twists and turns along the journey, the evolution of Full Well Farm was inevitable. And I am certainly grateful for that and am sure the local northern Berkshire community is as well.

Meg and Laura have grown a farm with a focus on CSA, or community supported agriculture with both vegetables and flowers.  Full Well Farm is also supporting several food access organizations that have figured out ways to fund their farmers while feeding the community. 

To quote Meg and Laura about their farm: “​Community drives everything we do at Full Well Farm. Our business model is rooted in social justice and the belief that everybody has the right to high quality produce. As a LGBTQIA+ and women owned farm, we strive to create a safe space in our community for all identities.”

This is a very important time to listen to our farmers, figure out how you can help support their sustenance and growth, and take the necessary action to do just that.  When it comes to Full Well Farm, check out their CSA options and sign up today! 

Enjoy my conversation with Meg, one of the founders and farmers from Full Well Farm. 

Full Well Farm
Apply to the Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) Program

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The USDA defines food security as having "access at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members" and very low food insecurity is classified as " where one or more household members experience reduced food intake and disrupted eating patterns at times during the year because of limited money or other resources."  In 2023, the USDA reported national food insecurity at just under 18%. 

Specific to Massachusetts:

• In Feb 2024, 17.9% of Massachusetts households reported food insecurity, with a rate of 22.9% among households with children.
• SNAP enrollment in Massachusetts has been on the rise with over 1 million people and over 640,000 households enrolled. Snap stands for supplemental nutrition assistance program. 

I had the pleasure of speaking with Jennifer Johnson, the Executive Director of Gaining Ground.  Located in Concord, MA, Gaining Ground is located on a few acres of historic farmland.  In short, Gaining Ground grows food and gives it away to people who need it, for FREE. 

Gaining Ground raises the funding to grow farm-fresh veggies, fruits and flowers with the help of a paid farm staff and over 3800 volunteers.  They work with different organizations including shelters, pantries and meal programs who use and distribute the food they grow. 

Join me for an inspiring conversation with Jennifer about how Gaining Ground found her and the evolution of this amazing, giving organization that serves the greater Boston area. 

Gaining Ground

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She is a passionate farm entrepreneur from Maryland…driven to preserve her farmland and build a thriving Farmyard business.

Renee Wilson was born to a teacher and dairy farmer, she was a 4H member and then earned an education in TV production and marketing during college…but her heart and passion was in agriculture. She returned to her roots and leveraged her skills to identify how to secure and access land as a young farmer.

 It started as a seasonal roadside farmstand that has evolved into what she now calls The Farmyard, a full year farm, operating on 40 acres.  Renee opens her farm to the public to give positive and real agriculture  experiences, connects consumers with farmers, and give kids the same experiences she had as a kid regardless of their income level…..for free. 

However, she is running a business and generates revenue from riding lessons, Horsemanship programs, field trips, and birthday parties.

Renee’s passion has not gone unnoticed.  She reveals a story about someone who had an impact on her early on…someone who’s kindness stuck with her.  It was the first time she told this story publicly.  Renee’s story inspired me to take action.  I did a little research on the person Renee mentions and might have a small follow-up to her story…please listen until the very end! 

Renee is a force in her community and has an innate ability to connect, involve and give back. You will love her energy and passion….I certainly did.  Enjoy my conversation with Renee Wilson.

The Farmyard
4-H

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Kristen Tool and I have something very important in common….we want to connect ALL people to real, healthy, nutritious food….sometimes that food is harvested right from the farm and other times it is made into nutritious soups.  

Caring for and stewarding land has been a lifelong dream of Kristen’s. She and her husband Chris have been working to restore Olsen Farm, her husband’s family farm in Lanesborough, MA where they raise chickens, keep honeybees, and grow fruit, veggies and herbs.  

Kristen worked as an Early Education Studio Art Teacher, website designer and writer for Mother Earth News Blog. Kristen has her BFA in Textile Design and you will also find her creating art using natural, found and recycled materials.

However, during COVID an expanded farm mission unfolded for Kristen. When COVID-19 struck in spring 2020, people were having trouble locating fresh food and experiencing heightened health risks.. Kristen ran a pilot project through her own farm to provide local food to seniors.Out of that pilot,  Heart & Soil Collective was born with a mission to connect people to the land where their food grows, making healthy food and hands-on nature experiences accessible to all.

This Collective now collaborates with several other farms in the area to supply and deliver healthy food,  and prepare and deliver soups for seniors. Kristen has worked diligently  to develop a unique business model to support her farmers and her community.  As a non profit, Kristen faces the demands of always needing to create innovative ways to generate funds to retain and expand her much needed food programs.  Learn more about Kristen’s inspirational mission and about how you can directly help her to continue her mission.

Enjoy my conversation with Kristen Toole. 

Contribute to the  'Locally Grown To Local Homes' Crowdfunding Campaign
Heart & Soil Website

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Craft Beer and Cider….both wins for the agritourism industry.  And it’s actually less about the alcohol and more about the sense of community and connection that it brings. 

Dr. Alison Feeney is a Professor in the Geography and Earth Science Department at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. She blends work with pleasure as she travels around her state of Pennsylvania and beyond to research craft breweries, apple cider mills, and other spirit destinations.  

Allison has been asked to research so many interesting topics around craft beer trails and the growth of experiential tourism.  These types of tourism experiences have different names  - we hear terms like gastronomic tourism, food tourism, agritourism, wine tourism, and beer tourism. We find ourselves traveling to farms, vineyards, breweries, cider mills, trade shows, and farmers markets to savor the foods and beverages, and immerse  in local traditions, cultures, and communities. 

During this podcast, Dr. Alison Feeney and I explore many of her craft beer and cider research projects and their findings.  She has recommended destinations that are definitely worth a visit and craft beer favorites that you need to experience. Enjoy my intriguing conversation with Professor Alison Feeney while she takes us on a craft beer and cider journey. 

For the Love of Beer: Pennsylvania's Breweries by Dr. Alison Feeney|
"Marketing agritourism for the American cider culture” in Journal of Tourism Insights: Vol. 10: Iss. 1, Article 6.
Beer-trail Maps and the Growth of Experiential Tourism
Alison E. Feeney’s research while affiliated with Shippensburg University and other places
Inventory & Analysis of Short Term Rentals in Pennsylvania (Executive Summary)
Dr. Alison Feeney - - CV

Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.  

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