Farm Feature: Red Moon Farm

                We’ve all heard the saying “Beauty is only skin deep, true beauty comes from within”. If you’ve been to the Rose City Farmers Market you know how gorgeous everything from Red Moon Farm looks. However, it’s all that goes on behind the scenes and the people who lovingly care for it that makes Red Moon Farms truly beautiful.

                Justin and Jessica Bullock met in college while studying religion. After college Justin went off to do mission work overseas and Jessica began volunteering with World Hunger Relief in Waco. Each of these experiences sparked their passion for sustainable farming. They would go on to work on farms all over the country before settling down on the land Jessica’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Studinka, purchased in Van. Thus began Red Moon Farm.

                Justin and Jessica are committed and passionate about sustainable farming. No pesticides or chemical fertilizers are used and great care is taken to build healthy fertile soil. Passionate about conserving water they use a special irrigation system which you can read more about here. Their happy chickens and bees each have important roles on the farm keeping everything fertile and pollinated.

                In their words Justin and Jessica believe that “honest food builds strong communities”. Community is so important to local foodways. It builds relationships that benefit both the farmer and the consumer. From giving cooking recommendations to customers, asking advice from seasoned farmers, and giving advice to new farmers, to letting a couple of food nerds into their home to write a blog post on them, they go out of their way to help build community in our area.

                Red Moon Farm is a busy place. Beautiful produce, happy chickens, and bees that make the most delicious honey. In addition, Jessica makes homemade soaps and personal care products, while Mrs. Studinka grows gorgeous flowers, all of which you can find at the market for purchase. Everyone works hard and they make a wonderful team. As busy as farm life can be, they are the most serene, patient, and incredibly loving family. Much like the other farmers we have visited, we felt incredibly welcomed and could feel the love this family had for one another.

                As we visit more farmers we notice a common theme; the love of family, community, and great food. They are the values that each farm and this blog are built upon. Justin and Jessica couldn’t be a better example of these values in action. Our community is blessed to have them.

Thank you to Justin, Jessica and the Studinkas for having us over. 

We were blessed to prepare with the family a delicious meal consisting of a Chili and Mustard Rubbed Roasted Chicken, Marinated Summer Vegetables, Baked Tomatoes, and a Tomato Lemon Basil and Red Onion Salad. Recipes will be up soon!

Questions To Ask Your Farmer

Shopping at your local farmers market keeps more money in the local economy, gets you the freshest produce, and empowers you to get to know your food and farmers.  It is important to ask questions so you can make the decisions you feel are best for your family. We put together a list of questions we feel form relationships with your farmers and make these choices easier.

1. Where is your farm? Do you grow everything you sell? Some markets allow purveyors to resell produce they bought from wholesalers while others are producers only. If you are unsure if your market is producers only this is an important question to ask.
2. How do you manage pests, disease, and weeds? At most markets you are going to come across a mix of organic and conventional growers. While use of things such as pesticides may not be a deal breaker for you, it is helpful to know what kind and how often they are used. 
3.  What kinds of fertilizers or soil amendments do you use? Soil amendments and fertilizers are used to add nutrients such as carbon and nitrogen to help grow hearty plants. There are many types of fertilizers and soil amendments both natural and synthetic.
4. Are any of your seeds genetically modified? Seeds can be genetically engineered for many reasons such as producing plants that are pest and drought resistant. Question as to their safety, testing, and regulation have led many people to avoid them.
5. Do you use any heirloom seeds? Just like the name suggests heirloom seeds have been passed down for generations because the products they produce have been and continue to be treasured.  Heirloom seeds produce varieties you won’t likely find in stores.

 

Sustainable Table has put together a great list of questions to ask your farmers and producers including those who sell beef, pork, poultry, and eggs.