In their mid-40s and newly married, Bob and Bonnie
Gregson dropped out and bought a 13-acre farm near Seattle, Wash.
in 1988. When the couple left their corporate jobs and city lives,
they dreamed of making a “reasonable, community-oriented,
non-exploitive, earth-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing living.”
They managed to succeed, after some trial and error, as new kinds
of farmers: For a set annual fee, customers receive weekly grocery
bags full of produce, nuts, and flowers from the farm. Anyone
thinking of trading in the 9-to-5 rut for 2 to 10 acres can benefit
from the Gregsons’ Rebirth of the Small Family Farm: A Handbook for
Starting A Successful Organic Farm Based on the Community Supported
Agriculture Concept. The handbook generously offers advice on
everything from crop selection to marketing strategies, and
includes lists of helpful books, periodicals and seed companies to
get the aspiring farmer started.
The 65-page
booklet can be ordered for $9.95 from IMF Associates, P.O. Box
2542, Vashon Island, WA 98070.
* Danielle
Desruisseaux
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Bringing back the small family farm.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
