About Us...
Four Frog Farm is a 10 acre vegetable farm in Penn Valley, CA. Here at 1300 feet, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, we grow over 40 crops. We sell our produce mainly though membership-shares, farmers' markets, and Briar Patch Food Coop.
Organic: All of our produce is Ceritified Organic By CCOF, and we strive to go beyond even the National Organic Standards in terms of sustainability and overall soil health. Our farm is the manifestation of a dream to tie our local communities to healthy food.
Our Mission is to supply our local community with extraordinary food, inspire young people to farm, and responsibly steward our farm and the surrounding environment.
Our vision is, once again, a world full of small farms, supplying healthy food and a healthy lifestyle. We forsee 100% sustainability of our farm and operation in the future.
How We Got Here...
Andrew and Logan conceived Four Frog Farm years ago, in the living room of Andrew's parents house. It was winter, 2003. Home for winter break during their first year of college, they were speaking about the future. As idealistic youths, they were scheming ways to "save the world". The best idea they imagined, and the one that stuck, was to farm. Socially, economically and spiritually, farming was going to be the path that led Andrew and Logan to change the world around us. So began a process that led them from the living room, to Ecuador, and back to their home in Nevada County to farm for a living.
After two seasons as a farm intern and several years of study, reading, and planning, Andrew started Four Frog Farm (originally named Wildgrace Farm) in the fall of 2007. Situated on one acre in French Corral, CA, the farm served as a breeding ground for our inspiration, an awakening to the possibilities, demands, and rewards of a small-scale, highly diverse commercial-farming venture. It would not have been possible without the support and enthusiasm of the property owners, Glenn and Muffy Hovemann. The first year, Four Frog enrolled a 27-member CSA program. Additionally, Four Frog sold at 3 farmers' markets per week during the summer.
With zero-capital to begin the venture, Andrew relied on the kindness and generosity of Glenn and Muffy to offer their land without having to pay a lease. Because of that opportunity, Andrew was able to make and save enough money to ponder farming more acreage.
A perfect opportunity came up for Andrew and Logan as a beautiful, 35-acre parcel became available for lease. About 15 of the acres are suitable for farming vegetables. With that acreage, Andrew knew that he could take Logan on as a partner. And that is what happened. In the Fall of 2008, Andrew and Logan and Rich Johansen (the owner of the property) installed the irrigation system, and they haven't yet looked back.
2009 was Four Frog's first year on the new site. They enrolled an 80-member CSA program. Being the second year with the membership-based program, Andrew and Logan grew familiar with the rewards and responsibilities of such a commitment. The members, each of whom prepaid for 20-weeks of vegetables, placed a huge amount of trust into Four Frog Farm. Without their commitment to Four Frog, Andrew and Logan may not be farming right now. The same should be said about each year. Thank you.
Additionally, Andrew and Logan brought Four Frog to six different farmers' markets in greater Nevada County, as well as beginning a relationship with Briar Patch Co-op that they hope will last for a long, long time. As a single entity, Briar Patch Co-op became Four Frog's biggest buyer and supporter. Thank you Briar Patch.
Where We're Going...
It's now 2010 and we're expanding our CSA membership to 100 members. Plus, we're adding another season of shares this year! The last two years, we've offered the summer-share of 20-24 weeks (May-October approximately). This year, we're still offering that season. Additionally, we're going to be offering a membership season between November and March, making a total of 40 weeks! We'll be the first in the county to offer nearly year-round membership. We hope, within 2 years, to offer truly year-round membership..
In addition to our membership shares, we'll be doing seven farmers' markets this year, and selling to Briar Patch Coop. Additionally, we hope to start selling consistently to our area's restaurants.
We are now raising chickens. We purchased 24 in mid-March. We are getting accustomed to the necesities of these little animals, and hope to expand the flock to several hundred for next year, in order to supply eggs for our members and fertilize our fields.