A Message from Annie

My roots begin in rural Ohio, where I grew up during a time when large-scale agriculture was overtaking small family farms. Living on a subsistence farm, my mom instilled in me the belief that “fresh, nutritious food is a human right” and taught me traditional methods of growing in harmony with nature.

My upbringing and passion led me down the entrepreneurial path to make a difference in my community. In the early 1990s, I started a restaurant and catering business that featured organic produce from my small farm in New Bremen, Ohio-a true novelty for the area and the time. I then moved on to operate a 20-acre farm for a private university in Boulder Colorado. This operation included a 100+ family CSA, seven restaurant accounts, and the hosting of various credit and continuing education classes on the farm.

From 2007 to 2021, I founded and operated Annie’s Urban Farm from my home in Portland, Oregon. The farm was dedicated to fostering a community of passionate urban farmers who embraced their resilience as both humans and cultivators. My mission was to integrate the wisdom of our ancestors with cutting-edge technologies, such as aquaponics, vertical growing, hydroponics, and year-round indoor cultivation. The goal was clear: to demonstrate how ANYONE could transform their residential home/lot into a food-producing paradise.

Upon moving to Black Mountain, NC in April of 2021, the location changed, but the mission remained the same – to empower individuals to cultivate their own food, champion sustainable practices, and foster biodiversity. Annie’s Culinary Garden proudly continues this mission, bridging the gap from seed to table with wisdom and wonder.