Today we’d like to introduce you to Cate Kandle
Hi Cate, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I worked at a pottery and produce stand right out of high school, instead of starting college right away. While I was working there I began to really gain an appreciation of food systems, and how disconnected we are to them. Many customers had never tried the common fruits we sold, or had never had a real, juicy version. From this experience I developed a passion for food, growing it, eating it, sharing it. I went on to receive my degree in Sustainable Agriculture from Unity College, in Maine.
I wasn’t sure I wanted to work on a farm long term, but I wanted to work with the community and with farmers so I thought it would be beneficial to gain some on-farm experience after all the classroom knowledge. I found myself in a farm manager position, overseeing 20 acres of fruit and vegetable production in South Florida. I spent 3 years learning all the ins and outs of farming at a mid-scale in Florida’s somewhat harsh climate.
After my experience managing I decided to move back to Orlando with the goal of soon buying my own land. I decided to start with what was available to me, and I formed a partnership with a local church (Longwood Hills Congregational Church). Now I have 3 plots at the church, a total of about 6,000 square feet. I produce vegetables, some fruits, flowers and herbs. I give 10% of profits or produce back to the food pantry at the church, and steadily I am building a business and funneling fresh produce into the local community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
A smooth road is never much fun to travel. I have enjoyed the challenge brought on by endeavoring to establish a new business and grow my farm. A few of those challenges are as follows.
Finding a place to farm in Orlando was a struggle. I have landed in the most ideal spot, but I tried to partner with a few other churches before LHCC (Longwood Hills Congregational Church) that were at best apathetic to the idea of allowing me to farm on their land.
I do everything by hand, and I am starting with only the capital and resources that I have available to me. I have had to be creative with my time, efforts and materials. Nothing is wasted on the farm or at the market.
I am still growing as a business, trying to overcome hurdles like water and equipment access. Because I do not own the land there are a variety of unique obstacles to running my business.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Open Hands Farm is a micro farm located in Longwood, Florida. We currently grow vegetables, herbs and flowers that we sell to the community, through one farmers market (Audubon Park Community Market on Monday nights), restaurants, and directly from the farm. We do not use synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, and we grow using regenerative and holistic farm practices.
Because of my experience farming in Florida, and my background in agriculture, I have a unique knowledge of timing and varieties to utilize for profitability in the Central Florida small farming scene. I am excited to connect with customers and provide knowledge on growing in Florida, or about vegetable production in general.
Open Hands Farm produce is often noted for lasting a long time because it is picked fresh the morning or day before you purchase it, as compared to grocery store produce which is harvested on average a few days to a few weeks before it gets to the shelf.
Open Hands Farm is interested in expanding to grow on more plots in the community, and we are slowly working toward including an educational component to provide for the myriad of folks in the Orlando area who are hungry for more than just local produce, they are interested in gaining working knowledge of how to grow their own food in Florida’s climate.
How do you think about luck?
Positive luck has played a huge role in my business. I have formed an amazing and beautiful partnership with LHCC, found a loving market community, and happen to sell produce in Orlando where we have comparatively few local and small-scale organic farms. I have a variety of skills and talents that aid my efforts, but I have so much to learn and I have been so blessed to encounter generous, creative and flexible partners in the community with which to learn.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catefarms/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555809331417
Image Credits
Michael Lothrop
