Did you know - we have 17 farmers in our education program this season at Big River Farms, 13 of whom we source weekly veggies from to fill your CSA share? Meet BRF farmer Porfirio Perez of Sebra Farm! This week's veggie shares will contain....grown by him from seed. Learn more in our farmer chat with Porfirio.
Tell us about your farm!
This is my last year growing at Big River Farms; I've been here over 10 years establishing my business called Sebra Farm. I would just say that my farm existed, it has been really good. I grew my business here because of what Big River Farms has taught me. Over the years, I've learned a lot about the business of farming and I've met a lot of great people.
What was your relationship to organic food and farming growing up?
Organic is the best – natural is so good. Without knowing it, I discovered how much better organic food was than conventionally grown produce. Where I am from in Guatemala, we survived on the land. When I was eight or ten years old, I started to work the land, helping my family grow corn, beans, and coffee. I grew up with it, and I’m still doing it today. It is different there – here there are a lot more conveniences. Here the land is very rich for production, too. In Guatemala we needed a lot of chemicals because there were many pests, and the land was not as rich. Here it’s natural – you can grow great products with just the nutrients in the soil.
Do you have a favorite farming memory?
I have so many – I’m not sure which one to share! I like farming because it makes me feel like I’m back living in my own country. I get to be outside and see the plants grow, which gives me new ideas. I love it because I get to meet and learn from so many different people. Sometimes we can learn from each other, too – I know how to farm, but everyone at Big River Farms has different critiques and different ideas – and we learn from each other. It’s so good to listen to everyone's ideas. And farming really keeps me going – it’s like a hobby that gives me life. With farming, I have to keep going, because I always need more time – I’m never done, and it makes the days feel short.
What makes you different from other farmers?
We have a different way of working with the plants. We know how to make them grow. They need to be taken care of – if you don’t work the land, it won’t give you anything back. My fields are weeded because I work hard – I’m here every day, and I weed when it’s dry, every two weeks.
What has your experience been with BRF so far?
For me, Big River Farms is the best. There’s nowhere else like it! You can buy materials and sell your products here – it’s the best because I don’t lose much time running around. Big River Farms has always been the best place for me. No animals can get into the fields here because of the deer fence, and with the irrigation, my vegetables can grow safely. I don’t think there is another place equal to Big River Farms.
What challenges have you faced as an ‘emerging’ farmer?
Mostly from my day job. I ask my boss to let me work close to the city so that I can make it to the farm with at least three hours left to farm in the evenings. My boss tells me, “You’re crazy! Why do you go to work after work?” But for me, farming is easy – it’s all about finding time. If you have time, it’s easy – but if you don’t have time, it’s hard. A lot of people ask me why I don’t have my own farmland, but I don’t feel sufficient yet. I don’t have a tractor – it costs so much to get one on your own.
Have there been any surprises along the way?
I’ve experimented and learned a lot here. One thing I've learned is how to go to and sell at farmers markets. Now that I've learned how to do it, I can show other farmers how to successfully do it too.
So far, what has been your biggest success as an emerging farmer?
I’m proud because I met a lot of people through Big River Farms. And because of me, a lot of people have found Big River Farms, too. When I meet people I tell them where I’m from, and how I got here. They ask me, how did you become a farmer? I share my story, and they are inspired. A lot of people have found Big River Farms this way too, through word of mouth and sharing stories.
