On a beautiful fall day, The FruitGuys and Fly Girl Farm, along with Kitchen Table Advisors, gathered an intimate group of friends and community partners on the California coast for a fun day on the farm. Guests got to walk the land, enjoy the food, and learn how their business with The FruitGuys supports small farm sustainability and helps build a healthier food system.
Fly Girl Farm was one of 13 farms to receive an $4,856 environmental sustainability grant this year from The FruitGuys Community Fund. Their $4,856 grant was used to install a solar energy system to help expand and improve business. Fly Girl, a four-acre women-run farm in Pescadero, CA, started in 2010 with a goal to improve the health of communities in the Bay Area. The farm now grows peppers, tomatoes, leafy greens, potatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, and more, plus vibrant cut flowers, all sold at four farmers markets and to local chefs. Airielle and Kaeleigh, the farm’s owners, also actively mentor aspiring female farmers.
During the tour, Airielle and Kaeleigh shared the realities of farming, the challenges they face—namely, securing more stable land tenure—and their vision for growing market channels while continuing to mentor aspiring female farmers. We also got to see and hear how solar-powered electricity has impacted daily operations. The amazing lunch we enjoyed was sourced fresh from the farm and prepared by local chef Tim Edmonds, and we even had the opportunity to help the farmers prepare for their fall season by helping with wreath-making.
We’re grateful to Airielle and Kaeleigh for taking the time to welcome us to their farm, their commitment to sustainable agriculture, and their efforts to help other female farmers. Enjoy the slideshow below featuring images taken throughout the day. For more information, check out this great article, and don’t miss this video from Fly Girl Farm highlighting their project goals as part of The FruitGuys Community Fund grant application process.
