Higher Education in Crisis: How Colleges Fail at Vocation

Posted by Jason Arnold on February 20, 2016

What is Vocation?

One solution that we might hear about is the idea of vocational training. But when we bring up the subject, we usually end up talking about automotive tech schools or welding certifications. We as a society have reduced these fields to “academic consolation prizes” for students who are not “cut out for college”.

Topics: Upstart Farmers, Industry

What Does Community-Based Food Really Look Like?

Posted by Amy Storey on January 29, 2016

I'm willing to bet that you've never met a farm like The Growing Experience.

Jimmy Ng is the program manager for The Growing Experience Urban Farm in North Long Beach, California. Today, TGE is a staffed farm complete with community programs and exciting growth and operated by Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles. But The Growing Experience, like every farm, started with a passion for community-based food systems.

Topics: Upstart Farmers

Meet Halo Greens: Charleston's (Aquaponic) Circle of Life

Posted by Amy Storey on December 11, 2015

Last Saturday Brian Evans loaded towers into the back of his car and sold his first living produce from Halo Greens.

Topics: Upstart Farmers

Don't Miss Your Intro Webinar on Farm Compliance

Posted by Amy Storey on December 4, 2015

Intro to farm compliance: FSMA, FDA Food Safety, & HACCP - Webinar December 10th!

If you're starting your own farm, then you probably want to sell your produce. And if you're selling your produce, odds are that you'll need to understand HAACP, sanitation procedures, compliance, and Food Defense before many markets accept you.

Topics: Upstart Farmers

Welcome A Veteran-Run Farm: Vet Veggies!

Posted by Amy Storey on October 29, 2015

Welcome, Vet Veggies!

The Upstart Farmers are a group of innovative farmers using ZipGrow technology on their farm. We get excited every time a new farmer joins the table, because each and every one of them bring unique ideas and passions with their businesses. This week, we're happy to welcome Farmer Jerry Martin with his veteran run farm, Vet Veggies.

Topics: Spotlights, Upstart Farmers

How To Empower Youth With A Farm: Be Like Lee

Posted by Amy Storey on October 19, 2015

Topics: Spotlights, Upstart Farmers

The Next Generation for Galactic Farms

Posted by Amy Storey on August 10, 2015

The Space 200 and beyond

You may have heard of Jeff Pernell's 'Space 200'. The compact, seismic-ready, mobile aquaponic system was built last year for the University of Montana.

Topics: Spotlights, Upstart Farmers

Fable: From Farm to Table - Welcome a New Upstart Farmer!

Posted by Amy Storey on August 7, 2015

It all started with an avocado.

Tired of the mysterious, wilted produce typical of the produce aisle in chain grocery stores, Tom Deacon, a film editor in New York, started rooting out avocado pits on a whim. A few months later he had a fleet of young avocado trees growing in the dead of winter, and an idea began to grow.

Topics: Spotlights, Upstart Farmers

Welcome Amaryllis Garden Greens, New Upstart Farmer!

Posted by Amy Storey on July 28, 2015

Anne Marie Blinco is a new Upstart Farmer who has big plans and big potential.

Anne Marie is located in the heart of Milton, Ontario Canada. She's excited by the prospect of growing fresh and welcoming greens regardless of temperatures, which range from -10 to 100+ degrees.

It's clear to us that Anne Marie's motivation isn't money, but rather the opportunity to develop and keep relationships with her community and to do fulfilling work that will have a positive domino effect on others.

"I have created Amaryllis to become a part of the solution of sustainable urban farming. After a career in shift work, it was time to change, from paramedic to farmer.

"It is time for me to give back. I will earn a living and share my livings. It excited me to create the programs I have, through creating my 'sponsor a youth' program, I have engaged my customers, made them feel good about buying my greens, not only because my greens are fantastic, but because my customers want to be a part of change and community. Together we are creating social change through food. "

Anne Marie's Farm, Amaryllis Garden Greens, is a Freight Farm (an acre worth of farming in a regular freight container, or 320 cubic feet) outfitted with ZipGrow Towers.

The freight container that holds Amaryllis is outfitted with high density equipment and technology to give crops the perfect environment for growing.

"The arrival of my freight farm has sparked an interest into our food system, how it's produced, [and] where it comes from. What is local really? My customers want local- real local. They want to know who is growing the food they are eating, they want to become more conscious, want a leader. "

Having raised four sons and been involved in sports her whole life, Anne Marie understands what a positive impact sports can have on the development of young world citizens. As part of her efforts to grow local food, Blinco is using some of Amaryllis' profits to sponsor young athletes who would otherwise not be able to compete.

Anne Marie's first market is going to be selling to CrossFit gyms. She will have a CSA-style service where CrossFit members can sign up for greens and pick up their order after their workout. She plans on using live sales to sell at a farmer's market next year.

We think that Amaryllis Garden Greens and Anne Marie's genuine passion are excellent additions to the Upstart Farmers! We can't wait to see what Anne Marie accomplishes in her community and beyond!

Learn more about Amaryllis on her Upstart Farmer page.

Or check her out on Facebook!

Tweet about Amaryllis Greens.

Want to become an Upstart Farmer?

Check out Upstart University, the online training program to learning everything you need to become an Upstart Farmer. Courses made of videos, written content, quizzes, and assignments are designed to empower and equip you.

For $10 a month (redeemable at purchase), aspiring farmers have nothing to lose. Register now.

Topics: Spotlights, Upstart Farmers