The Farmer’s Exchange

Originally Published January 14, 2021

When you are in business for yourself, you meet a lot of people. All sorts of people for all sorts of reasons. Every once in a while you meet a person that you connect with in amazing ways. This happened to me the day Steve Grinczel came to our farm.

My first contact with Steve was through email. He works at The Farmer’s Exchange Newspaper. He had heard of our farm through our local Purdue Extension office and since farm news is reeeally slow in January, he contacted us for a story. I explained to him that we don’t have a lot growing right now, but I’m happy to talk urban farming any time of year.

Desperate for a story, Steve came out to the farm. We talked a lot about farming and a lot about life. Turns out that Steve used to be a sports reporter in Michigan and previously worked for the Grand Rapids Press. “Oh, I grew up in Grand Rapids,” I told Steve. “Really, where abouts?” Turns out that not only did Steve and I go to the same high school (not during the same time), but we also grew up on the same street, a few blocks apart, and we knew many of the same families….and we’d walk to the same local Dairy Queen. It was such a pleasure to reminisce about my childhood AND share my vision for feeding people in my local community. You see, the neighborhood that Steve and I grew up in, in Grand Rapids, is very similar to the neighborhood were we currently live in South Bend - a community rich in diversity, but lacking in access to fresh food.

Steve and I talked for hours. This isn’t the first time I’ve been interviewed, but I never know what angle the reporter will take, which quotes will be used, or even how accurate the article will be. I have to say, this is probably the best article that has been written about our farm thus far. Ryan thinks he looks funny in the second picture (like he has to use the bathroom), but I look great, so…. there’s that.

Here is a link to the article on The Farmer's Exchange website: http://www.farmers-exchange.net/detailPage.aspx?articleID=20302

Thanks Steve! It was a pleasure meeting you.