Good, Fresh, Local Featured Producer:
Bluff Valley Farm

Farm Name: Common Good Farm (information from Ruth Chantry)

Location: Raymond, NE

Owners' Names/Family role in production: Evrett Lunquist, Ruth Chantry & Eli, Mischa & Nettie. Mom & Pop operation, growing everything from seed to harvest with a bit of help here & there from the next generation.

Website: commongoodfarm.com

Purpose/Philosophy: I think these might be two different things to us...our purpose is similar to why we started this operation. To grow good food for people we know or come to know, however community comes to be defined. To extend ourselves and our efforts on this piece of land to better it, not just do no harm. We strive to bring a conscientious and mindful aspect of ourselves to our farm and to what food we can grow and bring to the community, to be of service through organic, Biodynamic farming.

Primary products grown and raised: grass-fed beef, pastured pork, eggs, vegetables & herbs, bedding plants (herbs and veggies) in the spring.

Farming methods: Certified organic and Biodynamic, grass-fed beef, pastured pork, certified organic pasture based eggs. We practice rotational grazing with all our animals including our laying flock.

Where products are sold: On the farm, through CSA (community supported agriculture), and at this time to Open Harvest as well as some goods to local restaurants: Maggie's, Pepe's and Bread & Cup. We also do partial season of the Old Cheney Road Farmers Market.

Why did you start this operation? To farm and grow good food well for this area and for our community. When we started there were no CSA's in Nebraska and that was our initial and main focus and have grown from there. We feel that CSA is not just community supported agriculture but also agriculture supported community and that without nutritious (and delicious) food, we all cannot be/do what is called of us. We want(ed) to farm but want to focus on food, rather than grains or other that needed to be processed before it reached the table. We also both love to work outside, be outside on the farm, work in the soil and grow things. 

What is your favorite part of the job?  Sharing of food with people that are excited to eat it & want to experience good food grown well, especially when we get to see that excitement first hand, or hear about how the food and the farm has been an important part of their family. we also love when we have a really good farm tour with elementary children, especially 3, 4 & 5 year olds, and they are so thrilled to be on the farm & have that experience.

What is the most challenging part of the job?  The most? Too hard to say...but up there is too much to do, too little time...blister beetles, bindweed and grasshoppers are also at the top of the list. And all the logistics and details...farming is a far cry from just planting and harvesting. There's a lot of time doing other things that sometimes keep us out of the field more than we would like. It is also physically quite demanding.

How did you learn about UNL's Good Fresh Local program? Through Pam Edwards and others many years ago when first presenting information to growers in the area.