I’m Starting a Farm!

I quit my squishy farm management job, took my baby out of daycare, found some land to lease… and I’m doing it!

Someone asked me recently “When did I decide that farming was the career for me?” And I still don’t know that answer even though I’m starting my own farm! The way my life has unfolded, of course, makes a little more sense with each day that passes. BUT it’s hard for me to label farming as a career. Yeah, I’ve been farming for many years. And yes I’m starting a farm business. Yet, vegetable farming is SO much more than a career. It sounds so cliche, but it really is a lifestyle. I don’t clock in and become a farmer. I wake up and go to bed a farmer. Everything I do is through the lens of vegetable production. My family is involved, my basement is my propagation house, my backyard is my herb garden. I mean, sure it’s a career- but it’s also SO much more than that!

I’ve worked for many different farms and I’ve loved every moment of it! But, I’ve always felt a little disheartened putting so much time, energy, and love into someone else’s passion project. Now, I finally get to do it for myself! Grow everything I want, and not grow anything I don’t want (BYE ZUCCHINNI SCRATCHES!) I have so many dreams of community building, festivals, herb walks, wedding flowers, booming CSAs, and so much more. But, I’m starting slowly and will let the farm and my customers help guide me to what Red Tomato will become and grow into.

One hat I’ve always loved to wear is teaching. I’ve taught a group of 50 year old women herb classes through Arizona Herb Association, helped mentor a new farmer build their no-till farm for a year, guided plant walks, taught at many conferences, and of course trained crew and volunteers every single day! It’s truly my favorite thing about farming. With this in mind, I’ve decided to open up consults for gardeners and new farmers! I can’t wait to talk with people and help them plan their dream garden or farm.

The other hats (aside from the typical farm duties) I wear are: Irrigation specialist, poop spotter, marketer, rock picker-upper, tomato flavor tester, and mechanic. And this is why I love farming. Can you ever really be an expert and know it all?

This year, 2026, is when I break ground on my own farm, I turn 30, my daughter turns two, I get married!