Meet Lauren Palmer

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Palmer.

Hi Lauren, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
How I got started and where we are now, I tend to think I was born to grow and born to cultivate this land. The path there was just my own and is still ever-changing. A snippet into this magical space began watching my dad grow and landscape spaces and my mother connecting business partners and such a strong community of you can do it attitude this little mighty farm is able to serve lots of people. I have a social work background which is everything and I use it daily. After I started my first seeds with my dad on a carefully selected plot between a wet weather spring, it was a caterer friend who got me a spot at my first farmers market. I arrived bright-eyed and bushy-tailed to sell items I had grown. From there, it was a love to provide color and taste to chefs and slowly understand what shoppers wanted. I came to find out they wanted the relationship and to know where, when, how and why I grow food. I learn best by doing and quickly figured out the farming community was for me. We all share in what’s working and pass knowledge to one another. CSA was another big step and guaranteed food to families in a big way. So thankful with a strong membership that has seen me through 12 plus years of growing and I will continue to find ways to provide not only a steady supply of produce but a place to see, feel, touch it too.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Can I just say Mother Nature. We love and respect her, but she has flooded fields and send snow and ice, but with that we have had bumper crops and lovely spring harvest weather so that is an everyday challenge. As my business grows, we have learned to implement systems that were never in place before and have an HR department and department leads and things that help get things from one place to another. Letting go and trusting others at times can be a struggle but then at times surprise me with such gifts of gratitude and accomplishment. Personally being in a failed marriage and raising a child but always having family beside to help. It’s life and yes a farm tends to bring out the dangers and challenges, I was made for this and do think that we could do anything together. The farm has shaped me and I have shaped it so bring on the challenges because it makes us better.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Oh, fun question. I have always opened the doors to new experiences and I do think we can do a lot of things well. I like being accessible and available for people to feel touch and taste from the farm weekly. It is very much a senses overload when on the farm. I get reminded everyday how lucky I am and when new people experience it, it takes me back whether it’s sharing on a farm Friday or at the market each Saturday, you will find me sharing in newsletters and social for all to see. I am an open book and a farm that is ever-growing. I do love the fact that we take pride in what we grow and the method it takes to get food to many plates. We are both USDA and GAP certified. Many many audits and lots of paperwork but so thankful families know the step from seed to warehouse to transportation we care about the quality and safety. And yes, I will toot our horn we have a killer strawberry game and we are known for our fabulous cherry tomatoes, five different shapes and colors it’s a surprise every bite.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
You can do it! Yes, it is possible, I couldn’t have done it without encouragement. Farm and food is a wonderful place to be people will always need to be fed one way or another. The chefs know your name and bartering is so fun! I feel that I have found a niche and it’s a good idea to have something that others don’t. I learn best by doing, plugin and find best practices and don’t be afraid to ask questions or holler for help.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: Bloomsburyfarms.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloomsburyfarm/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomsburyfarms/

Image Credits
Melissa Hope for images