About Us...
Four Frog Farm is a 10 acre vegetable farm in Penn Valley, CA. Here at 1600 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 the people to farm, and responsibly steward our farm and the surrounding environment.
Our vision is; a world full of small farms, supplying local, healthy food and a healthy lifestyle.
We forsee 100% sustainability of our farm and operation in the future.
How We Got Here...
Andrew Meyers and Logan Egan 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, 15-acre parcel became available for lease. About 10 of the acres are suitable for farming vegetables. With that acreage, Andrew knew that he could take Logan on as a partner. In the Fall of 2008, Andrew and Logan and Rich Johansen (the owner of the property) installed the irrigation system.
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. The members, each of whom prepaid for 20-weeks of vegetables, placed a huge amount of trust into Four Frog Farm. Without their commitment, Four Frog Farm would not exist today. The same should be said about each year. Thank you.
Additionally, Andrew and Logan brought Four Frog Farm to six different farmers' markets in greater Nevada County and Auburn, 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.
2009 also marked the beginning of Pablo's initiation into farming by volunteering with Four Frog. In May 2010 Pablo left a Nevada County HHW Specialist position (ending a 10 year career in chemical waste) to become a full-time Four Frog Farm employee. Four Frog Farm is proud to have moved Pablo so deeply.
2010 was also an incredible year with nearly 100 CSA members, and an ambitious Farmers' Market schedule and marked increase in sales to Briar patch. Four Frog Farm could not have faired so well had it not been for the great support from the community and an excellent crew that included 4 hard dedicated interns.
2011 brought many challenges to Four Frog Farm including the approach of hiring employees rather than relying on an intern program for labor. Logan left the partnership to follow other farming interests, but he soon returned (as an employee) to Four Frog Farm. Dispite the added challenges, 2011 was a great year for the farm; greater production (increased soil health), greater markets, increased sales to Briar Patch and employment of a hand full of locals made for another successful year.
Utimately, Andrew would call 2011 his last year as Four Frog Farm owner, and happily "sold the farm" to Pablo. We wish Andrew the best of luck and are indebted to him for getting Four Frog Farm off to such a great start. His wisdom and hard work are evident in Four Frog's soil and bounty. Thank you Andrew.
Where We're Going...
It's now 2012, Pablo and family live on the farm and are continuing in the just footsteps of Four Frog.
Four Frog Farm continues to offer a CSA membership. A Summer/Fall-share of 20 weeks, July through November (Maybe earlier). Additionally we are offering a limited amount of "Market Share" subscriptions that tailor to a commited farm supporter an opportunity to invest in the farm by prepaying for Farmers' Market credit throughout 2012. See the CSA Page for details.
In addition to our membership shares, we'll be attending various Farmers' Markets this year, and selling to Briar Patch Co-op and other grocery stores, local restaurants, schools, non-profits and private parties.
Four Frog Farm continues to support the local economy by employing locally. Full and Part-Time positions are available. We hope you'll join us.