In a time where we can order pretty much anything with a few clicks and where grocery stores are loaded with every possible food, a new philosophy is being cultivated at The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano.
“The farm stand is a beautiful expression of all of the work we do here, which is that we are growing food in community,” founder Evan Marks told KNX News’ Margaret Carrero. “So, all of the diversity that you'll see on the farm finds its way into this beautiful rainbow of color and taste.”
The 28-acre Regenerative Organic Certified farm supports over 100 small businesses through the farm stand by featuring small farms and artisans within a 50-mile radius that align with their mission and are also Certified Regenerative Organic.
Marks said there is certain criteria for that certification.
“The first basic one is ecological well-being and health, and we measure that with the health of the soil and the diversity of the rotation,” he said. “So, for example, a farm that only grows one thing wouldn't qualify there necessarily at all, especially if they're not working consistently to build the health of the soil.”
The second is human health.
“That's mostly spoken in the terms of living wage pay for your farm team, which is that our farm workers should be making a living wage, and they should have dignity and respect in doing this beautiful work,” he said.
The Ecology Center has 200 ingredients being grown on the land.
“One of our core things is saying is the future is abundant,” Marks said, “We really believe it, and we can design it at any scale.”
Learn more about The Ecology Center here.
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