Okay, okay, so we have another young urban professional turned farmer story for you. We couldn't help ourselves. It's not our goal to beat a dead horse, as the saying goes. But if the proof is truly in the pudding (as they also say!) then we feel it's our duty to feed you lots of pudding. Which is where Nathan comes in so obligingly. We dare you not to be inspired by his work at Relly Bub Farm, even if farming is not your goal and never has been.
When did you know that you wanted to work in food?
During the spring and summer of 2009 I left the big city of Los Angeles and a career in technology and set out on a 4,300 mile bicycle journey across America. This was the adventure of a lifetime and I made it a point to visit and work on farms of all stripes as I made my way across America. During a visit to Tantre' Farm in Chelsea, Michigan, I knew that I would soon pursue agriculture as an occupation and a way of life. It was the smile on the young farmers faces as they enjoyed a noble and rewarding work day, coupled with the abundance of fresh and healthy food that left me hungry for a new way of life.
How did you get your current good food job?
I created this job. I believe that the silver lining during a time of recession is that it forces people to get creative and take risks. For me, that risk was starting a small business and a diversified farming model.
How did your previous work or life experience prepare you for a good food job?
I have been blessed with a very diverse and well-rounded skill set prior to my journey into agriculture. For more than a decade I worked in technology and marketing. This experience has given my farm a distinct advantage in terms of drumming up direct sales and buzz with the clever use of the web and social media. My experience as a writer has given me a unique know-how when it comes to sharing the happenings of the farm in a way that is creative and transparent and ultimately resonating with an audience and often times converting them into customers and friends. In terms of customer service, my 5 years as a freelance web developer in my early twenties allows me to communicate and understand the wants and needs of my customers, which bodes well and builds a strong rapport. Most importantly, my experience as a small business owner in years prior has taught me a tremendous work ethic and the satisfaction of wearing many hats on a day to day basis. As a small-scale farmer, you can expect to be responsible for doing just about everything you can think of.
What was the greatest obstacle you had to overcome in pursuing your Good Food Job dream?
My obstacles are very similar to that of most newbie farmers; access to land and capital. In terms of securing both, I needed to be unconventional. Through the use of Craigslist I found a terrific landowner who shares similar values and has permitted me to farm a few acres and rent an old house on the property. Capital was tricky. I don't have major credit cards or a mortgage and getting a bank loan would have been daunting, time consuming and would have required a high interest rate. I found more value in working with my network of food justice advocates to get the farm off the ground. I am blessed and forever grateful to have a good number of people who are more interested in local food investments instead of putting their money in the stock market. Clearly, we are witnessing a paradigm shift in society in terms of who is trusted with our hard earned dollars and who is not. Let's be honest, who would you trust; a big banker or a farmer?
With a great deal of hard work, tech savvies and faith, I was able to secure the resources I needed to prepare for year one on the farm. This journey was not always warm and fuzzy, as there were times when I would look at a spreadsheet with my spring time costs and a lack of income until vegetables were harvested in June and lose sleep. But I knew that the only thing I could do was stay optimistic, be creative and work hard and eventually, the pieces to the puzzle would come together. And they did. Without the help of my community members, friends, organizations and complete strangers who have provided me with words of encouragement, CSA investments, equipment sponsorships and slow money loans this farming endeavor would have been nearly impossible. I hold the ongoing support in great esteem.
What can you identify as the greatest opportunities in food right now?
From my experience, America has entered a new mental model and has placed a new value on healthy food and vibrant local economies. The equation is simple; the number of people who want real food is growing at an exponential rate and there is a generation of young, hardworking and educated people who are leaving their cubicles in hopes of getting their hands dirty. Despite all of the doom and gloom you see in the mainstream media, I can assure you that this is in fact a beautiful time and place for America and the entire human race.
If you could be compensated for your work with something other than money, what would it be?
Love.
Do finances stand in the way of your own good food job? Tell us about it. We like to know about the range of challenges you're facing so that we can work to find creative solutions.