About the farmer
Farmer, Gigi Goin
Raised on my family homestead farm in Trinidad, I developed a love of growing – and eating – vegetables. Under my grandmother’s guidance, I grew avocado, guava, pineapple, green vegetables, beans and flowers. I raised chickens and ducks, feathered and dressed them post harvest, until age 11 when I immigrated with my immediate family to Brooklyn, New York.
After an 18-year career in human resources and talent development, my instinct for farming reemerged – a surprise to me! I took farm courses and workshops, joined agricultural associations and did a farm internship in Western North Carolina, where I learned and practiced biodynamic farming, permaculture and organic growing. In 2010, my interest in agriculture and healthy eating led me to start Milk Lady Farmers Markets, which develops and manages farmers markets in Montgomery County, Maryland.
In the course of my farming education, I discovered many varied options that fit my organic-farm vision! After lots of review and discussion with farmers, mycologists and soil scientists, I arrived at my own set of integrated best practices combining regenerative, no-till and bio-intensive farming on this wonderful one-acre plot!
Essentially, it is my belief that the germinating of seeds and the magic that produces a plant, flower and fruit – is not my doing. It’s the in the realm of the Divine! Silly me, I thought I was learning to grow veggies! Now I see that my role as farmer is to regenerate the soil and provide the best possible environment for that magical seed. So my job is amending soil with natural-rock dusts and composted materials to support healthy microbe growth and beneficial soil life. (But that’s kind of clunky on a business card, so I proudly call myself a farmer.)
After an 18-year career in human resources and talent development, my instinct for farming reemerged – a surprise to me! I took farm courses and workshops, joined agricultural associations and did a farm internship in Western North Carolina, where I learned and practiced biodynamic farming, permaculture and organic growing. In 2010, my interest in agriculture and healthy eating led me to start Milk Lady Farmers Markets, which develops and manages farmers markets in Montgomery County, Maryland.
In the course of my farming education, I discovered many varied options that fit my organic-farm vision! After lots of review and discussion with farmers, mycologists and soil scientists, I arrived at my own set of integrated best practices combining regenerative, no-till and bio-intensive farming on this wonderful one-acre plot!
Essentially, it is my belief that the germinating of seeds and the magic that produces a plant, flower and fruit – is not my doing. It’s the in the realm of the Divine! Silly me, I thought I was learning to grow veggies! Now I see that my role as farmer is to regenerate the soil and provide the best possible environment for that magical seed. So my job is amending soil with natural-rock dusts and composted materials to support healthy microbe growth and beneficial soil life. (But that’s kind of clunky on a business card, so I proudly call myself a farmer.)
It takes about three to five growing seasons to begin reaching soil potential. Great news – we’re preparing for another great start this spring! Although I write this as the ground is frozen over winter, I am so happy to be working my plot, where my organic vision is taking root! In January 2017, before all this good luck appeared, I put my imaginary foot down and declared I would start farming in 2017! Instead of a vision board, I created a drawing of my vision for an urban farm. And guess what? My farm property is almost identical – except it’s more of a trapezoid than my original rectangle shown below. Bottom line… it’s a literal dream come true as of October 2017. Yaaay!
My Evolving Farm Vision
I am really thankful and working the land is delicious!
All Good Things!☆.¸¸.•´¯`☆.¸¸.•´¯`☆
Gigi
Gigi Goin
Farmer
All Good Things!☆.¸¸.•´¯`☆.¸¸.•´¯`☆
Gigi
Gigi Goin
Farmer