OUR ROOTS

Megan

I have devoted my life in the pursuit of bettering the world in one form or another. Over many years I acquired many different skill sets like construction, plumbing, irrigation, landscape architecture, and learning how to work on my diesel engine that will benefit Barefoot Acres. I love working as a team and am so excited to expand the farm with like-minded people.

Four years ago I was living in paradise with friends overlooking Magen's Bay in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. I was enamored by living so close to the land. We had an avocado tree, banana trees, passion fruit, papaya, and many other fruit species growing on the property. Then one day I became painstakingly nauseous and ill. After trial and error, I discovered my body had begun to reject processed foods.

After moving back to the U.S. mainland, I started a landmark turning point in my life by looking into what is in the food that I have been eating. I was never the same again, and it changed the direction of my life. I immediately switched to an organic diet, cut out sodas, high sugar intake, and started the first garden. I have felt intensely better every day. Since the initial food allergy, I acquired a library of books, read every article on the internet that I've come across to learn the tools and tricks of the trade, and implemented every experiment into my own garden for real world hands-on experience. Every year my desire to expand to a larger space and grow more varieties has become insatiable. There is always more to learn, always new techniques to try.

River

River is my very incredible and smart three year old son. He has been planting seeds and transplanting baby plants with me since he starting walking. During career week at school he was asked what he would like to be when he grows up, and he said a farmer! In our garden he is currently in charge of tomatoes and the berry patch that includes the strawberries, blueberries, goji berries, and raspberries. At school they had a week devoted to learning about farms and the farm animals. He asked me if we can have cows, goats, and chickens when we get "bigger land", one of them he will name "Pancakes"!

After learning about so many people coming down with severe cases of cancer, diseases, childhood obesity, and unprecedented childhood diabetes caused by sugar, chemicals and additives in food- I made it a point to only feed River organic, grass fed, and minimally processed foods. He is incredibly healthy, the size of a five year old, and has the mind of an engineer.

My favorite past time has become foraging in the gardens with River. By changing the food habits of children, and involving them in the process of growing life they will have a greater appreciation of the natural world, and an increased desire to help save it. Ensuring the world continues on for them means involving them in the process of change.