Meet Our Farmer Heroes
Greenling believes in Sustainability and buys as much as it can locally. If it's available locally and is organically produced or sustainably raised, we want it. We support local, certified Organic farms and producers. We also support local farms and producers who use organic methods but are not certified Organic. We visit with all of our local farms and can personally and professionally attest - they're the best around!
Our friends at Green Gate Farm are a great example of how Greenling partners with local farmers to grow their business, and the local food economy. We’ve been working with Farmer Skip Connett and his family for years now, and here’s what he has to say about Greenling:
These people should be celebrities! Can you imagine them hopping out of a limo with sunglasses and dirty work boots? We can. These people nourish us so we can chase our dreams. Can you tell we're crazy about them yet? Ok, meet the real magic behind the Greenling organism!
Animal Farm
Cas & Gita Vanwoerden
Animal Farm is located in Cat Springs, sixty miles West of Houston. In the Summer of 1992, owners Cas & Gita Vanwoerden decided to get out of the city and be close to nature. They now have seventy wooded acres with vegetables, horses, chickens and even a few emu's! The Farm also has a Learning Center to provide ongoing workshops and courses, from Organic Gardening, Straw Bale construction and Earth building to Renewable Energy and Eco-Design courses.
What they're raising...
Vegetables, chickens and even a few emu's!
Bradshaw Farm
Arthur and Erika Bradshaw
The Bradshaws grow seasonal local goodness all year around, especially okra and beautiful leafy swiss chard.
What they're growing...
Broccoli, okra, peas, squash, carrots, melons, eggplant, hydroponic tomatoes and more
Bella Verdi Farms
Darrell Joseph
Bella Verdi Farms (Italian for "Beautiful Greens") is located in Dripping Springs just outside of Austin. It was conceived in 2003 out of the desire to leave the high tech world and do something revolving around a passion for fine food while also being involved with the local community. They are dedicated to providing the finest quality product and varieties to their customers.
What they're growing...
The finest micro greens, culinary herbs and specialty greens. Popular micro greens: Argula, Cabbage, Kohlrabi, Mustard, Tatsoi to name a few.
Caskey Orchards
Cliff and Sylvia Caskey
Caskey Orchards is a small family owned and operated orchard specializing in sweet, tree-ripened freestone peaches. They are located in Hays County, Texas about four miles south of San Marcos. In addition to the many varieties of peaches that they produce throughout the growing season, they also grow plums, nectarines, apricots, apples, pears, figs, and pecans.
What they're growing...
Peaches, plums, nectarines, apricots, apples, pears, figs, and pecans, homemade jams and preserves, and raw honey.
Comanche Oaks
Leon Caldwell
One of the early architects of the Texas organic food movement, Leon often sleeps in a cot out in his field. He tends 4 to 5 acres at a time of his 22 acres farm- all on his own! We get all kinds of seasonal vegetables from Leon, including the rare and coveted squash blossom!
What they're growing...
Seasonal organic vegetables
Engel Farm
John Engel
John Engel grows more diversity at his farm than most. His grandfather started their Fredericksburg farm back in 1861 and today his two kids Grant & Mikayla can sometimes be seen helping him at one of the many Farmers Market stands they run. He’s not afraid to try new varieties and has developed orchards of several tree fruits, including the Asian Pear.
What they're growing...
Seasonal organic fruits and vegetables
G&S Groves
The Strohmeyer Family
David Strohmeyer planted G&S Groves in McAllen, Texas in 1994. His son, David II, took over operations in 2006 with his wife Bonnie. The grove's slogan, "From our Texas trees to your table" signfiies the Strohmeyer's commitment to bringing the finest organic citrus to homes across Texas.
What they're growing...
Organic grapefruit, lemons, and navel oranges.
Groovy Greens
Groovy Greens, located in Blanco, Texas, is committed to producing the most nutritious sprouts, greens, and raw foods. They apply organic principles to all of their products.
What they're growing...
Just about every kind of sprout you can think of!
Green Gate Farm
Erin Flynn and Skip Connett
Green Gate Farm is a small farm just eight miles east of downtown Austin. They just took on some more land and are expanding in to all kinds of veggies and animals. They are Certified Organic and their produce is all local, all the time!
What they're raising and growing...
Veggies, meat, eggs, milk
Just Peachy Farms
Billy Moore
Just Peachy Farms has been growing sustainably-produced fruits and vegetables in Palestine, Texas since 1996. They're famous for their sweet corn, lady cream peas, and peaches, but they produce dozens of other delicious fruits and veggies every season.
What they're growing...
Seasonal fruits and vegetables
Kitchen Pride
The McLain Family
Kitchen Pride Mushroom Farm is located in Gonzales, Texas, the cradle of Texas independence. The McLain family consistently produces a quality mushroom and provides a high level of commitment to all their customers. They enjoy offering Texans a nutritious and tasty product to add to their meals.
What they're growing...
All kinds of mushrooms
Lightsey Farms
The Lightsey Family
Lightsey Farms is a third generation family farm in Mexia, Texas. The Lightseys specialize in that specializes in growing persimmons, pears, peaches and plums. They also grow other vegetables and fruits using sustainable practices.
What they're growing...
Organic fruits and vegetables
Lundgren Farm
Kevin Wayne Lundgren
Wayne Lundgren is a 5th generation farmer with a pioneering vision. He has restored the several hundred acres in eastern Travis County that have been in his family since 1903. They began revitalizing the soil and became certified Organic in 2007. Though his certification is recent, he has been farming organically since his teenage years (he's in his 40s now), before it was cool or there was any certification.
What they're growing...
Organic veggies galore!
Montesino Ranch
Scott and Brenda Mitchell
The Farm at Montesino Ranch is a certified organic farm located along the Blanco River, just outside of Wimberley. They plant about 75 varieties of vegetables, fruits and herbs each year.
What they're growing...
Livestock, organic fruits and vegetables
My Father's Farm
Pedro Schambon
My Father’s Farm is located in Seguin, 35 miles from San Antonio. They provide organically grown vegetables and are planning to add cherry tomatoes, lettuce, and strawberries to their upcoming crops.
What they're growing...
Organic fruits, vegetables, culinary herbs
Naeglin Farm
Sonny and Doris Naeglin
Naegelin Farm is a true family farm. Doris and Sonny Naegelin’s family has been farming in Lytle, TX for five generations. The Farm sits on 300 acres in the Winter Valley region south of San Antonio. Along with their seven children, the Naegelin’s are keeping the family farming tradition alive by utilizing sustainable growing practices to bring customers over 30 different seasonal crops including fruits, herbs, and vegetables.
What they're growing...
Seasonal, sustainably-grown produce
Orange Blossom Farm
The Laxson Family
Orange Blossom Farm is Certified Organic and was founded in 1974 by Bay & JoAnn Laxson. The farm has since become a family tradition. A seasonal farm, we get juicy citrus from them in the Fall and sweet melons in the Summer.
What they're growing...
Citrus and melons
Rio Grande Organics
Bob Ackerley
Rio Grande Organics has 1200 acres of trees that produce pecans consisting of three varieties, and they operate two orchards: the Quemado orchard along the Rio Grande River and the Crystal City orchard along the Nueces River. They are a certified to bring you organic and all natural pecans.
What they're growing...
Organic pecans and produce
Tecolote Farm
David Pitre and Katie Kraemer
Tecolote Farm is a small, family farm located on the blackland prairie just east of Austin. David Pitre and Katie Kraemer began farming there in 1993, following their time working on small farms in Alaska and Santa Cruz and San Francisco, California. They started the first CSA in Texas. Eighteen years in Central Texas have refined their growing list to the tastiest and most climate-tolerant varieties available.
What they're growing...
Over 150 varieties of vegetables, including lots of unusual Old World varieties and heirlooms.
Texas Organic Mushrooms
Texas Organic Mushrooms is a family-owned organic shiitake mushroom farm located in Denison, Texas. Their mushrooms were first marketed in Texas in 1991. Their shiitakes are grown indoors in environmentally controlled rooms and hand picked throughout the day, seven days a week so that they are always picked at the peak of freshness and flavor.
What they're growing...
Organic shitake mushrooms
Texas Olive Ranch
Jim Henry
Jim Henry planted his first olive tree more than a decade before he finally harvested a crop from his 60-acre olive orchard in the heart of Texas' Rio Grande Valley. In addition to the Spanish arbequina olive variety, the ranch grows the arbosana, also Spanish in origin; and a Greek variety, koroneiki.They use a modified grape press to produce their renowned olive oil.
What they're growing...
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Uncertain Farms
Bob Mishler
Bob opened Uncertain Farms in 1998 having little more growing experience than a few backyard gardens growing up. Since then his farm has grown to 17 acres and he's been finding innovative, natural ways to grow fruits and vegetables and get them to your dinner table. He also has a canning division named M Circle M for his Mom, Carol, who has been passing down the traditions of canning in amazing recipes like candied jalapeños, his best seller and about 60 other preserves.
What they're growing...
Bok choy, strawberries, peas, watermelon, mixed greens, squash, tomatoes and more
Urban Roots
Urban Roots is a youth development program that uses sustainable agriculture as means to effect lasting change for youth participants, and to nourish East Austin residents who currently have limited access to healthy foods. Young people will cultivate a local 2 - 5 acre, diversified organic farm, selling a portion of their harvest in the Austin area and donating a portion to local hunger relief programs.
What they're growing...
Organic veggies
Meat, Dairy, Egg, Honey Producers
6J Ranch
Calvin Jechow
Calvin's grandfather bought the 187-acre 6J Ranch back in 1934. Calvin was born on the farm and has been involved with the business ever since. His animals are treated with respect and care and have plenty of room to roam and fresh grass under their feet. In 2008 Calvin ventured into the poultry side of farming, supplying Greenling with duck eggs. Word has spread that duck eggs are especially great for baking. Their higher protein content creates additional loft. According to Calvin, “You don’t hardly see a cake sink with duck eggs.”
What they're raising...
Duck eggs, beef
Bastrop Cattle Company
Patti Jacobs
Bastrop Cattle Company is a local company. Together with ranching partners, they want to share great beef, while they keep Texas grass-fed beef ranching alive as it is meant to be - produced by local farmers and ranchers humanely with no additives. The best beef comes right off your local ranches!
What they're raising...
Grass-fed beef
Betsy Ross
The Ross Family
The Ross Family is committed to producing healthy meats for their family, friends, and customers, with a vision to return the land to a balanced state in terms of soil fertility, quality forages, animal health and enhanced quality of life.
What they're raising...
Grass-fed beef
Brazos Valley Cheese
Brazos Valley Cheese is dedicated to crafting all-natural, high quality, healthy cheese using traditional methods and no artificial flavors, preservatives or coloring. Their milk comes from grass-fed cows that graze freely on three local dairies that do not use growth hormones or antibiotics. The high butterfat content of this milk makes rich, yellow, creamy cheeses that you'll be proud to serve. Every Brazos Valley Cheese is made with raw cow's milk and all the hard cheeses are aged in their underground cheese cave, the only one in Texas.
What they're making...
Artisanal cheeses
Dewberry Hills Farm
Jane and Terry Levan
In 1999, Jane and Terry Levan purchased 20 acres approximately 50 miles from Austin and Bastrop. Shortly after they moved, they received a copy of Smithsonian magazine that featured Polyface Farm in Virginia. After reading Joel Salatin's books on beef and poultry, they agreed to follow the Polyface Farm model by rotating their pastures, moving the tents daily and processing chickens on site.
What they're raising...
Pastured chicken
Full Quiver Farms
Michael and Debbie Sams
Michael and Debbie Sams operate this organic family farm, which includes cows, chickens and pigs. They are best known for their fresh organic cheeses and pastured pork products, and offer five different cheese spreads as well as several raw milk aged cheesed including Gouda, feta and gruyere.
What they're raising and growing...
Cows, chickens, pigs, pork products, cheese spreads, Gouda, feta and gruyere.
Menzie's Farm
George Menzie
Menzie's is a family-owned sustainable farm raising grass-fed and pastured Texas lamb.
What they're raising...
Grass-fed lamb
Pure Luck Farm and Dairy
Located in Dripping Springs, Texas, Pure Luck Dairy is known for their award winning goat cheese, as well as other cheese such as feta, bleu and chevre. Founded in 1979 by Sara Bolton, the farm became one of the first Certified Organic Farms recognized in the state of Texas.
What they're raising and growing...
Goat cheese, feta, bleu and chevre cheese, organic culinary herbs.
Round Rock Honey
Konrad and Elizabeth Bouffard
In 2002, owners Konrad and Elizabeth Bouffard started Round Rock Honey to bring local and pure wildflower honey to Texas. Each bottle is 100% honey and has been unheated or altered from it’s natural state. Their focus is on quality – quality of the processes, the packaging, the customer's experiences, and of course, the honey!
What they're raising...
Pure, local wildflower honey
Texas Daily Harvest
Kent and Ramy Jisha
Texas Daily Harvest is a certified organic family farm located in East Texas, just south of Sulphur Springs. They raise happy Jersey dairy cows and produce all kinds of certified organic dairy products - milk, yogurt, cheeses and more! They also grow yummy organic veggies.
What they're raising and growing...
Dairy products and seasonal produce
Thunderheart Bison
Hugh and Sarah Fitzsimons
Thunderheart Bison is an award winning farm that provides grass-fed and naturally raised Bison to customers in the Texas area. By adhering to the path of the natural world in raising their animals, they are creating a model for long term sustainability and biodiversity.
What they're raising...
Bison
Veldhuizen Family Farm
Stuart and Connie Veldhuizen
Located in Dublin, Texas, the Veldhuizen Family Farm is owned and operated by Stuart & Connie Veldhuizen. In 2003 they began to sell a variety of cheeses, with every family member involved in the process—from tending to cows, milking, or helping in the aging room.
What they're making...
Artisinal cheeses
Vital Farms
Matt O'Hayer and Jason Jones
Vital Farms is home to some of the happiest hens in the world. Located on 27 acres in South Austin along Onion Creek, their story begins with healthy, green, organic pastures. This is where the hens live and eat. Every few days Vital Farms chickens are moved onto fresh native grass. The health of our pasture is reflected in our happy hens and their delicious, healthy eggs.
What they're raising...
Organic chicken eggs
Other Local Food Heros
Beanitos
Doug and Dave Foreman
Beanitos were born in 2010 at the hands of brothers Doug and Dave Foreman. They created the corn-free, gluten-free bean chips after a two-year quest fo a great tasting snacks that won't spike blood sugar. Beanitos are loaded with non-GMO vegetable fiber, 4 grams of complete protein and are rich in Essential ALA Omega 3s all which are packed into one great tasting serving!
What they're making...
Gluten-free, corn-free, GMO-free snack chips
Barefoot Botanicals
Amanda Love
A few winters ago, while hobbling around with a broken knee and a perpetual fever, Amanda Love brewed an herbal concoction in her kitchen: a simple medley of African Rooibos (for stress relief), Lemongrass (for anti-oxidants), Lemonbalm (for pain reduction), Spearmint (to cool my fever), Raspberry Leaf (for digestive health) & Stevia (for sweetness). The cold tea was so refreshing, she memorized the recipe and starting serving it to thirsty house guests & visitors. The tea became very popular, and today Amanda is living the dream, sharing her healing, soothing infusion with friends around the world.
What they're making...
Herbal iced tea
Deborah Kaye's Cookies
Deborah Kaye
The recipe for Deborah Kaye's gourmet gluten-free cookies came from her grandmother. After over 25 years of baking them as a hobby, Deborah and her husband built a new kitchen specifically for the purpose of making our popular gourmet cookie gluten-free.Says Deborah, "We now have what we believe is one of the best all natural, organic and gluten free oatmeal cookies on the market today. From our family to yours we hope you enjoy!"
What they're baking...
Gluten-free oatmeal cookies
Doctor Kracker
Based in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Kracker produces a line of deliciously wholesome, stupendously satisfying organic Flatbreads, Snacker Krackers, Snack Chips and Snack Flats. Dr. Kracker bakes with organic grains and seeds, in support of sustainable farmers and their mission to preserve the soil for generations to come.
What they're making...
Organic flatbreads and crackers
Homestead Gristmill
Homestead Gristmill's historic timberframe mill was originally built in New Jersey around 1760. Homestead Heritage found the mill in 2000, neglected and in disrepair, and brought it to Texas, where it has found a new home and renewed life as a working building at Homestead Heritage. All of Homestead Gristmill's grains are ground the old-fashioned way, using a water-powered grindstone. Their gluten-free products are ground using a separate millstone to protect against cross-contamination.
What they're making...
Whole grain flours, baking mixes, gluten-free flours, gluten-free baking mixes
Lone Star Kettle Corn
Lone Star Kettle Corn is a family owned business in Kyle, TX. They use GMO-free corn to make their salty and sweet kettle popped corn. Watch out, though-- it's so tasty some might say it's addictive!
What they're making...
GMO-free kettle corn
The Mediterranean Chef
Nikki Kaya
Nikki Kaya, the Mediterranean Chef, emigrated from Istanbul in 1995 after studying Chemical Engineering and working in both Swiss and American nutritional analysis laboratories. He is dedicated bringing authentic Old World Mediterranean cuisine to your dining room, using only the freshest organic ingredients.
What they're making...
Organic hummus, babaganush, tabbouleh
