We began our farming adventure here in Decorah several years ago on the garden crew at Seed Savers Exchange following Katie's time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Mali, West Africa. After a couple of seasons, we moved to Maine where we had the opportunity to be resident stewards of the Good Life Center (the former homestead of Helen and Scott Nearing). From there we moved less than a mile down the road and began working with Eliot Coleman at Four Season Farm. There we learned all about mobile greenhouses and year-round vegetable production in northern climates. Although we loved New England, we eventually packed our bags and headed to Chicago. Mike managed a youth urban farming initiative that worked with the public school system and also became a Certified Holistic Health Counselor through Columbia University. Katie was the Horticulturist for the Regenstein Fruit and Vegetable Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden. We also did several consulting projects, including designing and managing a farm in Geneva, IL (Heritage Prairie Farm). We were farmer delegates to the Slow Food's international gathering 'Terra Madre' in Turin, Italy in 2008.
In the spring of 2009, we were so happy to have finally found our very own farm and to move back around such a great community. Mike works for a small company called Four Season Tools, which specializes in season-extending mobile greenhouses, farm development consultation, and uniquely designed farm implements. We currently grow high quality organic seedlings, specialty greens, and heirloom tomatoes for area restaurants and groceries. We also have 3 varieties of seed garlic planted for Seed Savers Exchange, and are anxiously awaiting the bounty of our gardens this coming summer!
