Have you ever made a list for the farmer’s market, to get there and realize that what you need is out of season? I LOVE the farmer’s market, but I admit that I typically go for the atmosphere and experience. However, I am pretty unprepared and uneducated about what produce to buy. Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to visit Wilderlove Farm, owned by some friends in Bloomington. I met Maeve through a bible study, soon after she and her husband Kyle moved to town from Indianapolis. Their story is fascinating, and when brainstorming how I could incorporate a post on the market, I knew that I had to get their expertise! Below is an interview featuring what led them to farming, the biggest lesson they have learned, and what to buy at the farmer’s market and when. Seeing all of the work they do, put into perspective the cost of local organic produce. I hope you will find this helpful, and will support their farm if you live in Bloomington or Indy!
When did you first become interested in farming?
Kyle and I first became interested in farming around the same time at the beginning of 2017, but in different ways I suppose. I was in need of a transition from my job and I had learned about an urban farming apprenticeship with the organization called Growing Places Indy. I decided to apply for that 12 week program and I got it! The program consisted of visiting a lot of farms around the Indianapolis area and getting hands on experience with farming on their three urban farms downtown. There was a physical and mental aspect to the program that involved yoga, community forums, & intentional conversations. Kyle really became interested after he read the book “The Omnivores Dilemma” by Michael Pollen that focuses on where our food really comes from. From there, he started listening to a lot of podcasts, reading books & eventually volunteered on a farm in Martinsville that was raising cattle, chickens & pigs.
What was your major in college?
I went to Purdue and studied animal science. From there I worked at the Indianapolis Zoo for three years before we decided to pursue this dream. Initially, as I was transitioning away from the zoo, we were brainstorming a family business that could one day provide us the ability to support us and a future family, as well as being able to work alongside each other every day. Our first thought was to try to find land and open a wedding barn and go down that route, but we weren’t ready to deal with all of the land permits needed for that, and I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy working with brides all the time!! From there we thought that a vegetable farm could be a good business that aligned with our values and goals. I found a farm north of Indy to volunteer on for a few months and we also attended a week long workshop on another farm in Tennessee that fall of 2017. Both of those experiences really helped push us towards wanting to try out the farm.
What made you and Kyle choose to move to Bloomington?
As we started to think about the logistics of it all, we started to look for land around Indy. Everything we found was either very expensive, not very pretty, or you were already 45 minutes from downtown and in a very small town. Kyle is originally from Bloomington and he still has a lot of family there. That was a big push for us to move to Bloomington, with a lot of family around us, a fun city that still isn’t far from Indy, and we had decided that if the farm didn’t work out we would really enjoy living in Bloomington. Kyle’s grandparents also own 68 acres of beautiful land, so we were able to purchase a couple of acres of their family land which made it seem even more special.
How did you come up with the name “Wilderlove”?
The name Wilderlove Farm comes from a song by John Mark McMillan. The song is kinda weird…haha but we loved the way it combined the words “wilderness” and “love” into one. We first thought of the name when we still had the wedding barn idea, but we figured it still worked as a vegetable farm. Our tagline for the business is “Growing beauty in the wild & messy” and I think Wilderlove encapsulates that. Wilderness is wild and not perfect such as our farm, but it’s beautiful.
What did you start with, and what do you grow now?
This is only our second year farming so we are still learning so much, such as what we like and don’t like to grow. Last year we struggled growing a lot with inexperience and terrible soil. The one thing we could grow really well though was lettuce, and we saw a big demand for it. This year we are still growing lettuce, but have added some herbs, flowers, tomatoes, microgreens, radish, turnips, carrots, and kale into the mix. Our goal is not to do a whole lot of variety, since it’s mainly just me full time on the farm, but to do a few crops really well and master those. We are starting to amend our soil this year as well, and hope that will help with some crops that we struggled to grow last year.
What has been the biggest lesson you have learned so far?
I think one of the biggest lessons that we have learned/are still learning has been how to communicate and work with each other as business partners. It can be really difficult to work with a spouse and learn how to respect each other’s opinions, and to figure out what each other’s strengths and weaknesses are. We still aren’t great at it, but we have improved from last year to this year a ton. It has really made me appreciate Kyle especially as he still has a full time job off the farm, and then seeing him put even more time into the farm after work hours and on the weekends. It’s so fun to be able to dream together and have a common goal for a business together. It has brought us closer in a lot of ways and has improved our communication and problem-solving in our marriage as well.
What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day is not really a thing on the farm! Summer is probably when I have the most routine. Mondays and Tuesdays consist of weeding, seeding new crops for that week, transplanting other things into the ground when they are ready, and any other maintenance or plant care that needs to be done weekly. Wednesday-Friday is when I harvest all the crops for market, wash them, pack them, and label everything to be ready to go for the markets on Saturday! It’s long and busy weeks, but the summer is such a fun time to farm when the farm is at it’s prime.
What is the most challenging part about farming?
One of the most challenging things about farming is how much of it is out of your control. Weather can affect so much in every season and it really can leave you feeling helpless at times. Since we use organic practices as well it really adds to some of the things we have to do to help protect against pests and disease. Since we don’t spray pesticides or insecticides that means we have to use insect netting over some crops that are prone to bugs. There are many more small practices that take time, but are crucial to grow healthy plants organically.
What do you love most about farming?
Something that I really love about farming is how in tune it makes you with the seasons. I love the summer and how the produce is at its peak, but man once you hit August, your body is tired and is ready for the slow down of winter. It makes you really appreciate each season for so many different reasons. Also, being able to taste vegetables at their prime is amazing. It’s so hard to eat any other tomato than one that you pick right off the vine in the summer that is bursting with flavor.
Do you have a favorite item to grow and sell?
I really do love to grow lettuce because we can grow it well, it looks so pretty, and customers really love it! I also really love to grow the flowers for our small bouquets. It’s amazing to see hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees all around, and the beauty that they add to the farm. It’s a fun and creative challenge for me to arrange them into bouquets.
What is your favorite farm task?
My favorite farm task probably is when I wash and pack all the produce for market. I’m a person that really likes routines and doing the same tasks and so washing and packing things while blasting some music or a podcast in the garage is the best.
What to buy at the farmer’s market and when:
April
Asparagus; Broccoli; Cauliflower; Leeks; Lettuce; Radishes; Rhubarb; Spring peas
May
Asparagus; Cherries; Lettuce;; Okra;; Radishes; Rhubarb; Spring peas; Strawberries; Swiss chard; Zucchini
June
Blueberries; Corn; Lettuce; Peaches; Strawberries; Swiss chard; Watermelon; Zucchini
July
Blackberries; Blueberries; Corn; Cucumbers; Green beans; Kohlrabi; Okra; Peaches; Peppers; Raspberries; Strawberries; Summer squash; Swiss chard; Tomatoes; Watermelon; Zucchini
August
Apples; Blueberries; Butternut squash; Corn; Cucumbers; Eggplant; Green beans; Kohlrabi; Okra; Peaches; Peppers; Raspberries; Strawberries; Summer squash; Swiss chard; Tomatoes; Watermelon; Winter squash; Zucchini
September
Apples; Beets; Butternut squash; Cauliflower; Eggplant; Green beans; Lettuce; Okra; Peppers; Persimmons; Pumpkins; Spinach; Sweet potatoes; Swiss chard; Tomatoes
October
Apples; Beets; Broccoli; Brussels sprouts; Butternut squash; Cabbage; Cauliflower; Leeks; Lettuce; Persimmons; Pumpkins; Rutabagas; Spinach; Sweet potatoes; Swiss chard; Turnips; Winter squash
What piece of advice would you give to someone browsing a farmer’s market?
Talk to the farmers! Even if you don’t buy anything from them it’s so nice to hear how great their produce looks and to have an interest in their farm and farming practices. Also, as you look at prices of things compared to the store, just know that a lot of work goes into the harvesting, washing, packing, and bringing everything to market as fresh as they can and that prices need to reflect that. When you buy from a farmer you are directly affecting that persons farm and business. Also, ask the farmers whats the best way to store or cook with a certain item if you aren’t sure! They are knowledgeable and they can help you keep their produce in the best quality for yourself.
Hopefully you have a better idea of what to buy at the farmer’s market and when. If you enjoy fresh and local produce, check out my “Homemade Lattice Apple Pie Recipe for Beginners.” What is your favorite part about the farmer’s market? Let me know in the comments!