Happy fall everyone,
As November approaches and the weather takes a dip into colder temperatures, I wanted to share with you all a bit of my journey into the role of Oneota Co-op Fresh Manager. As some of you already know, I was a professional chef for close to 20 years, working in a wide variety of restaurants in Florida, the Carolinas, and Colorado.
I grew very passionate about local farms and the impact these farms can have on our health, our communities and the environment. It has been a delight throughout my career to get to know the passionate and creative folks growing our food and share in the struggles and hardships this lifestyle presents.
In 2020, every restaurant in the world closed its doors and the hospitality industry was shaken to its core. I quickly decided to do a big pivot into agriculture. Having grown up in a tightly knit farming community in Indiana, I have always felt pulled to the land and had already dipped my toes into farming, raising big gardens, dairy goats, and free-range chickens with my parents.
So in March of 2020, I found a regenerative farming program and moved my family to Iowa. I have since earned a Masters in Regenerative Organic Agriculture and spent the past five years working at farms and non-profit organizations across the Midwest. I have made hundreds of connections with environmental educators, changemakers, farmers, and entrepreneurs who are working within every aspect of the food system. 
One of the organizations that has made a deep impression over the past five years has been Tree-Range Farms, along with their parent organization the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance and its founder, Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin. In 2021, when the majority of my classes were still happening via Zoom, I attended a virtual farming conference hosted by the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Services (MOSES, now rebranded as Marbleseed). Regi gave a deeply moving talk on re-indiginizing our food systems and shared his vision of a new type of organization built from the ground up that would support the land and farmers with a diversified revenue stream. He has been working tirelessly ever since to design and implement the Tree-Range poultry system where chickens are allowed to roam safely under the canopy of hazelnuts and elderberries in an integrated perennial system.
Tree-Range has recruited other small farmers to replicate this system and is rapidly building a network of producers and processors that continues to spread from its Northfield, Minn. roots. Regi has a vision to build new markets for elderberry, hazelnuts and other perennial crops as the system matures. Tree-Range Farms has recently moved all of their production farms to USDA organic certification and regenerative systems and is close to obtaining a Greener World animal welfare certification (Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW).
My experience is that there’s a difference when you compare Tree-Range poultry with other chicken options. The meat is rich in flavor, has a firmer texture, and I think you can taste the care that goes into every aspect of the regenerative poultry ecosystem. Former Co-op staffer (and Sweet Season Farms co-owner) Ethan Zierke said this about Tree-Range chicken thighs during his time with us:
“This chicken is one of few meat products I have experienced where the diet of the animals comes through in the best way. Thighs are already one of my favorite cuts to work with, but the fat on these is especially dark yellow and buttery, imparting any preparation with rich, chicken flavor. My favorite way to enjoy them is roasted alongside my favorite seasonal veggies with a simple pan sauce made from those glorious drippings to coat.”
I am excited to share that we are partnering with Tree-Range Farms to offer a 20% discount to our customers for two weeks from Wednesday, Oct. 28 through Wednesday, Nov. 11. Join us for sampling ground turkey and wild rice meatballs beginning at 11 a.m. (while supply lasts) on Monday, Nov. 2 and Saturday, Nov. 7. This is a great time to give Tree-Range Farms poultry a try and taste the difference for yourself!
My position at Oneota Co-op is perfect for me in many ways, drawing on my deep knowledge of food systems, sustainability, farm operations and social and environmental justice. Getting to work with amazing producers like our local farmers and organizations like Tree-Range is truly the icing on the cake. I cannot wait to grow deeper roots across the Driftless area, working with our network of land stewards, farmers, and community members to strengthen our local food system.