The Beginnings
My love of Gardening and working in the dirt comes from my Grandma Acrea. I grew up working in the garden with her and my grandpa from as early as I can remember. I miss the days sitting on the back porch snapping beans and helping make jellies and jams in the summer. She was always a large part of my life growing up and the reason I’m able to do what I’m doing now.
Military
After 12 years of school in Avon, Indiana, I spent 2 years in college wondering what this world has to offer me. At the end of the second year, I decided to follow in the footsteps of my father and grandfather by joining the Army. I did my training at Fort Knox and then was stationed at Ft. Hood. I spent my 3 years in the army in the 1 cav division. 1/8 cav was the unit I was assigned to and made friendships that have lasted a lifetime.
Back to the Farm
After my time in the Army, I spent the next 15 years making money and figuring out how to make a living doing what I love. I didn’t want my life to just feel like a grind. In that time, I met Sara Creech, Owner of Blue Yonder Organic Farm. I helped Sara get her farm going and doing this, brought me back to my roots. The feeling of working the dirt with my hands again, brought a healing power to my soul.
After going back to truck driving and paying down debts I came back home and worked for Sara full time at Blue Yonder Organic Farm. I fell in love with doing the farmers market and interacting with people that enjoy our fresh produce. I worked with Sara for a full season and then had an opportunity to go back to truck driving for an Indy car race team. With this change in my life, the timing just wasn’t right for us to continue farm work together.
Now, several years later Sara and I are back working together helping to build each other’s brands. Hers at Blue Yonder Organic Farm and mine here with, Sugar Maple Farm and Produce. We have formed a wonderful partnership in the vegetable markets and through selling our other products together. 2021 has been a wonderful first year growing our business together and we’re looking forward to many more years of successful partnership.
Thank you for reading my story! I look forward to providing healthy, fresh produce to you for years to come.
