Big changes

January 17th 2019

I have some exciting news to share! I apologize it took me so long to get this going. Hopefully now it will be a regular occurrence. Summertime on the farm is pretty crazy.  We work long hours and at the end of the day often all I want to do is get into bed and sleep a few hours before getting back up to pick and sell flowers. Now in the middle of winter, I am sleeping lots, taking time off and cleaning and organizing my house, my thoughts, and my farm. I hope you all are able to do some of the same as well. I appreciate the seasonality of my work. I also hope this coming summer will bring a bit more rest and maybe a vacation or two. My goal is to go on at least one backpacking trip this summer and get to Portland to visit my longtime friend and farm mentor, Lily Schneider who is moving there this month.

Exciting News and Changes!!
After much deliberation which included numerous excel spreadsheets and many conversations with friends, family, mentors, and other farmers I have decided to take a leap and grow my business in a new direction. I am excited to announce that I will be taking over a rooftop farm in Berkeley. I will be doing the bulk of my production on the roof. I will continue to lease my land in Sunol where my farm is currently, but I’m not exactly sure what I will be growing out there. The rooftop is only a few blocks from my house. So in many ways it’s perfect for me. One of my biggest challenges in running my farm and business has been my commute- which to Sunol is around 30 miles and usually takes me 45 minutes on the freeway. Now I will get to walk/bike to work! The roof is much smaller than my current production. I don’t totally know how it will all work out. I realized I was willing to take the risk and try to make the business work a little better for me personally. I also want to be growing in the city where I live and get to share the farm with more people! Here’s a link to a video of the current farm- just imagine the roof filled with flowers.

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I am hoping to do more design work this year as a way to increase the farms financial viability. If you or anyone you know

I am hoping to offer classes, workshops and tours on the roof too. Let me know if there are specific things you are interested in learning! As well, I will be hosting volunteers and interns so if you’d like to get involved in that way be in touch!

Here’s to big changes in 2019! I hope that all of your are able to make decisions and changes in your own lives where needed and desired. I don’t think big decisions are ever easy. I am grateful to have new opportunities to keep this business going and growing! I hope for more love and kindness this year too and for change in our political climate. Hopefully the government shutdown does not last much longer. Here’s to democrats taking back the house and to all the women and people of color sworn in!

Thanks for reading!

All the best,
Joanna