Mi Young’s Farm

There’s something to be said for living in one of the more unusual states of the union. For instance – whenever I call customer service, and speak with someone who actually identifies themselves as being stationed in the states, I get to entertain all sorts of questions about New Mexico. For instance, “yes, it really does snow here in the winter” and “no, we don’t really have cactus – this is high altitude desert” and my eternal favorite, “yes, New Mexico is one of the 50 states – we’re in the US, not Mexico.” (Yes, I really get asked that.)

But we are a strange and relatively unknown land here – and I’ve grown to relish my role as an education ambassador on the mystic reality of Northern New Mexico. For instance – even here in this high desert, we have an abundance of small farms producing verdant bounty of greens. Within a mile radius of my rural home, there are at least two, and sometimes more, organic farms that feature weekly at the Santa Fe Farmer’s Market.

I’m pretty fascinated by the whole thing because I can barely grow a lettuce starter to save my bacon. Chickens – no sweat. But urging real live tender leaves from the hard crack clay ground – total mystery to me, and one to which I humbly submit myself for potential defeat each summer. The fact that I know my neighbors can do it is a source of inspiration – but the means by which they do so is still a mystery to me. I’m one of those learn-by-watching type peoples, and haven’t really had that kind of access to the inner machinations of a healthy, thriving farm.

So – imagine how utterly thrilled I was when my pal (and KSFR Mouth of Wonder starlet) Stacy Pearl introduced me to good friends of hers – just down the road – who are embarking on a sustainable farming venture of their own. Jen, Will, and the farm’s namesake, the precocious and adorable Mi Young, just had their very first day at the market this weekend. Their cabbage is ridiculously bodacious, and merely the opening act for the sensational Kimchi that Jen makes, and may soon be offering as well at the market.

We’ve ridden, driven, walked and run past their compound countless times – and I knew there was something special going on when I saw the bee hives one summer past, but it’s just so dang exciting to see a new farm so close to home. I’m looking forward to pitching in on the harvest and planting chores when possible, and hopefully learning a thing or two about how the green things grow out here.

Joan is the appointed protector of the goats. Farm dogs - dogs that work - fascinate me - they have a different kind of presence.