A farm that grows farmers.

Plus, a community-supported fishery and the strange and booming world of luxury fruit.

AuthorAuthor

Lena Beck & Modern Farmer
September 22, 2024

Hello! Lena here, staff writer at Modern Farmer.

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Viva Farms in Washington’s Skagit Valley. Viva Farms is a farm business incubator and training program that helps new farmers start and grow their businesses. In their fields, I saw strawberries, raspberries, broccoli, tomatoes, sunflowers, and new farmers—all thriving.

To dig deeper, I spoke with Francisco Farias, owner of Farias Farm. He got his start at Viva, but was recently able to secure his own land. Land access is a major obstacle for new farmers, and Farias worked hard with Viva Farms and an investment firm to make it happen. Learn how they did it here.

Also on deck this week: You’ve heard of CSAs, how about a CSF? (A community-supported fishery, that is.) Also, would you pay $50 for six pears? Asia’s thriving luxury fruits market is making inroads in the US. 

One of the greatest barriers for new farmers is land access. Here’s how one farmer made it happen with help from a farm business incubator. (Este artículo también está disponible en español.)
Read More

Francisco Farias, wearing a grey shirt and red ball cap, stands in front of his greenhouses.

Francisco Farias of Farias Farm | Photo: Lena Beck

Also fresh this week

Two smiling people hold up a brown bag full of seafood.

Allison Hepworth picking up her catch from Skipper Otto | Photo: Jennifer Cole

Skipper Otto, a community-supported fishery in Vancouver, is impacting how seafood is valued—one catch at a time.

A row of shiny plastic boxes each containing 8 dark red strawberries.

Omakase berries at Whole Foods Market | Photo: Oishii

A few American companies are cashing in on the exclusive produce trend.

Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you next week!

~ LB

Weekly Action | Action: 🐟 Find and support sustainably caught fish with the Local Catch Network. 

Hungry for more? Check out the Modern Farmer Solutions Hub for stories that feature progress and innovation from across the food system.