My childhood homes always included a vegetable garden and both of my
grandfathers were from farms in the Midwest. The tradition was handed down from the many of the family members before them who were farmers in the old country and after they arrived in America. Digging in the dirt, planting things and watching them grow has always made me happy! Vegetables were always on the menu at our house when I was growing up and buying from the farm stand or picking your own was always preferred over buying at the supermarket.
But I really started growing in earnest when my husband and I bought our house in 1987. The garden had been cultivated for about 20 years and the previous owner had used lots of compost to enrich the soil, so I was very lucky to have been left with such a treasure. I read lots of books and bought a subscription to Organic Gardening Magazine. I taught myself to grow many different types of vegetables, some fruits and to start seedlings every year for my yard and for friends. Well, as I usually do, there were far more seedlings than I could ever use or give away. Instead of composting them I went out in search of someone to take my well raised babies off my hands. I found a nonprofit in Portland, Oregon who helps out low-income residents and donated my spare seedlings to them, helping them build some gardens for their clients too. I also started helping out at the Learning Garden at the local food bank where they grow vegetables to help the low-income population of the area, their garden has a 1/2 acre under cultivation. Those were great learning experiences for me because I found out what it was like to grow in a much larger space. After 4 years of expanding my skills it was time to move onto selling vegetables commercially.
I’ve spent many years working in restaurants and learned some very important skills working with chefs, cooks and the public. Cooking is something I do every day and love. Preparing a good meal is simple, easy, anyone can learn to put together a healthy, inexpensive meal that is far superior to anything you can get at the drive up or in the frozen food section of the super market.
2009 was my first year growing and selling to neighbors, at markets, groceries and restaurants. It was a remarkable year; I learned a lot, grew tons of beautiful vegetables, meet some wonderful people and had such fun doing it. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to realize my dream of providing healthy food to people who are so appreciative.
The garden will just keep getting better every year!
If you grow food please consider growing a little extra to help out your neighbors, please follow the link and find the nearest food pantry. http://feedingamerica.org/
Find the our farm and much more information about local food at the following links:
www.naturallygrown.org
www.greencounty.org
www.reapfoodgroup.org/atlas/index.htm
www.localharvest.org
Contact me at the following:
Kathy Katz, The Buca Farmer
N6830 Hefty Rd
Monticello, WI 53570
Mailing address: PO Box 125
New Glarus, WI 53570
608 636 3034
thebucafarmer@msn.com
