and the beat goes on
Our love affair with this land began in the 1980’s and continues to this day. We began as a Native Landscape Nursery and Garden Center in 1984.
In 2010, we moved away from landscape plants and morphed the farm into food gardens as an economic imperative. Food grown in a way that is completely respectful of the planet and food clarity have always been of great importance to us as individuals.
With a strong desire to bring our community affordable organic food, in the fall of 2010 we offered garden spaces for rent and included one on one instruction. Our early years were filled with an abundance of beautiful, delicious food and wonderful moments. In what we now call our “glory days”, we had up to 69 families growing food with us; hosted a Saturday Market with multiple vendors; and increased the production of veggies and herbs for produce sales to the public.
The fresh, organic food at our gardener potluck dinners and at our various concert events was known to be spectacular. The connection we shared with many of our devoted garden families was profound. We remember those years fondly.
For a while, this was a family affair! In 2014 our son moved back to the farm, not only to join in our food gardening quest, but to pursue his own desire to transform the farm into an agroforestry paradise. We were fortunate to be in each others’ daily orbit for the next five years, until life took him on a different journey, away from us and the farm.
Along with the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 came big changes for our family farm on multiple levels. The pandemic forced us into a protective action that changed much about how we lived AND did business. There were months that we had perfect strangers lined up to buy food when the regular grocery stores had none (too bad they didn’t stick around…). In our 11th season we only sold our produce through an online store with a drive-thru service.
Uncomfortable having large events here due to the pandemic, we had to explore new ideas. In December of 2020, a fabulous vacation rental service called Hipcamp gave us a new way to utilize parts of our land. Renting out campsites allowed us to meet some delightful people and generate some much needed income. We are thankful that the current Florida Agritourism laws make is possible for agricultural land owners to have alternate ways to pay the bills.
In our 12th season (2021/2022) we remained thankful for the gracious and compassionate people who separated politics and human health. As we entered our 13th season (2022/2023) of growing food, we knew that change was definitely in the air for the two of us.
After thirteen seasons of being unpaid volunteers, and ridiculously intense sameness, our goal was to refocus this precious life. After closing the farm in May, we made a personal shift towards reclaiming our home, our time and our lives in general.
On October 16th, 2023, we officially sold half of our farm to Sean and Sarah Glover, long time farm volunteers, former Shadowood Gardeners and friends. Purchasing the farm is now providing Sarah Glover, along with our long time farm assistant Laurie Scott, the opportunity to build their own REAL organic food oasis. The name of their new business is perfect: Organic Oasis. Instead of them being volunteers for Shadowood Farm, Bob and I are now volunteers for Oraganic Oasis!!!
As we close down to the public, our overall wish is that you may you have the opportunity to help heal your body and the earth by consuming REAL organic food; that you’ll find joy in every breath of fresh air that you’re able to take; and hope in the dawn of each new day.