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!
