Become a Friend of the Farm

If you have been following our newsletter over the years, you will know I like to write about profitability and I try to explain the challenges of being a profitable farm to our readers. We used to grow only produce on our farm and slowly started growing more and more cut flowers finding them to be more profitable for us than produce. Last year, we really scaled back on growing produce for this reason and in by doing so increasing our gross profits 52%. Yes, 52%!

In 2020 we will be growing more produce. You might be thinking to yourself “Elisa, why? You just said you’re making more money by growing less produce. Why on earth would you grow more?” The truth is that some decisions are not the most logical decisions. And sometimes values come before profits. We love growing flowers, we will keep doing it and will continue getting better about focusing on the profitable flowers but we also really miss feeding people. But we miss growing nourishing food that is certified organic, nutrient dense and delicious. We also miss eating this food! And we know our customers have missed it too. At our market our regulars have continued coming to our stand to support us (thank you!) but I know from conversations that they really miss OUR carrots and cucumbers and other produce because it tastes great! In another newsletter I’ll try to explain why our produce tastes so great (hint: it’s our growing practices).

If you are excited that we are bringing back more produce and want to support us in this effort become a Friend of the Farm and prove to me that we can be profitable growing produce as well as flowers! Keep reading to learn more.

Friend of the Farm

If you come to the JFX market regularly please consider joining Friend of the Farm. Pay what you want at the beginning of the season, between $200-$500. You will receive 10% more spending power when you sign up. For instance if you pay $500 you will have $550 to spend at our stand all season long. Friend of the Farm is like having a debit account at our stand. Come when you can and get as much or as little as you want each week. We will deduct your weekly spending from your total amount. No item is excluded; use your balance to pay for any item at our stand, including seedlings in the spring, flowers and produce all season long, wreaths in December, and more.

By becoming a Friend of the Farm you are helping us get through the leanest time of the year. In the winter and early spring we have little income (because nothing is growing) but we have major expenses like payroll, seeds and supplies. Your contribution helps us get on a strong footing early on the season so we are sure to have a successful year!

To become a Friend of the Farm click here!

Thank you for reading this newsletter all the way to the end. I would love to hear from you! Feel free to respond with a little note, a question, a story, anything you want.

Onward,

Elisa

Photos by Irena Stein