PARTNER WITH US
We participate in the full ecosystem of local, organic and handcrafted food, from farm to fork. We believe that cooperative arrangements make us all stronger and resilient, and able to share the fruits of our labors with the larger community.
EMERGING YOUNG FARMERS
As organic farming is starting to be widely adopted as a viable alternative to replace conventional farming methods, a large number of small scale farming operations, marketing directly to consumers, are emerging to meet the growing demand to eat seasonal, local, and sustainably grown food. For me the most exciting aspect in this shift is that these new small scale farms are started by young people who see in farming a meaningful and engaging opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable future.
Here on the Farm we've launched the Young Farmer Program, to familiarize young people once again with farming, in hopes that we can encourage more of them to take the plunge, as we did, and start their own farms. (Young Farmers) Reveal the details to see how Farmer Tom got his start:
Sixteen years ago my wife Constance and I with our then 13-month-old son David in tow came to Santa Cruz where for 7 months I enrolled in the Farm & Garden apprenticeship offered by UC Santa Cruz. I remember then how much organic farming was still an emerging movement, composed of brilliant, idealistic, and hardworking individuals, who carried the vision of building wholesome sustainable farming systems to supply nourishing and healing foods for everyone. At that time the concept of Community Supported Agriculture was just starting to be explored by a handful of farmers and caught my attention as we started Live Earth Farm on a 1.5 acre previously overgrazed horsepasture.
An article titled "On Tiny Plots, a New Generation of Farmers Emerges" in USA TODAY, brought to our attention by a CSA member, made me think of Margaret Mead's quote: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does." - Tom
ORGANIC GROWERS
We seek out relationships with organic growers that share our values – especially those in different microclimes or who grow different crops or at different times than we do. (Organic Growers)
FOOD ARTISANS
We mutually benefit when food artisans can offer our CSA and farmers market community their locally sourced, organic, fresh and tasty wares! (Food Artisans)
RESTAURANTS AND MARKETS
We can offer a continuously changing variety of fresh fruits and vegetables to restaurants and markets, and (with the blessing of Mother Nature) supply these in quantity. (Restaurants and Markets)
