Meet Your Farmer – by Linda Davis

Aluna Michelle and Matt Suhr

HappyDirt Veggie Patch is a diversified vegetable farm located in South Medford just north of downtown Phoenix.  Matt Suhr and Aluna Michelle run the farm, which is a relatively new business.  In March 2011, Matt moved into the farmhouse on 3.5 acres.  Since the 1920s, the land was lightly grazed by cows, horses and donkeys.  The soil is extremely rich due to decades of manure. Matt and Aluna’s vision was to grow delicious, vibrant food to nurture the people and land of the Rogue Valley.   In May 2011, they broke ground and haven’t stopped since!

Matt has been farming for over 20 years, managing organic farms in Arizona and in Southern Oregon.  Although he still works part-time in Ashland, he is transitioning to be a full time farmer at HappyDirt Veggie Patch.  Aluna has a lifelong passion for organic farming and teaching.  With her education in biology and environmental science, she has farmed and taught at organic farms in Connecticut and Florida. She also has her own business, GardenSeed, where she helps people grow their own organic food gardens.

 Many different types of vegetables are grown on the farm including lettuce, kale, collards, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, radishes, turnips, beets, tomatoes, peppers, cantaloupe, eggplant, corn, beans, potatoes, onions, garlic, Asian greens, spinach, cilantro, parsley, basil, and fennel.   This year, Matt and Aluna plan to expand the current beehive setup and, in the future, may add some livestock.

The farm is all-natural and chemical-free.  Everything that can be recycled is used to facilitate the growing process:  leaves (from the farm and from other locations), manure from local homes with horses and chickens and straw from nearby stables.   The Medford Irrigation District and two wells on the property provide water.

 Sustainable farming practices are very important to Matt and Aluna.  These include cover cropping, composting, crop rotation, companion planting, crop diversification, seed saving, season extension, soil testing and appropriate use of all natural amendments.  The farm contains a natural wetland which provides a beneficial habitat for insect populations to help keep the farm in balance.

The farm occasionally does experience pests.  For example, aphids can appear, usually when the vegetable crop is on its way out.  Allowing some crops to go to flower attracts beneficial insects such as hover flies, which feed on the flowers and lay eggs in each of the aphids. As a preventative measure this year, Matt and Aluna plan to use row cover on some of their crops to keep them cucumber and flea beetle-free

 HappyDirt Veggie Patch is one of the few farms in the Rogue Valley that provides vegetables to the community on a year round basis.  Matt and Aluna have winter vegetables by establishing the crops in the fall, and then using row covers.  The greenhouse tables for seed germination are heated by a series of Christmas lights set on a thermostat.  Their vegetables are available year round at the Rogue Valley Online Farmers Market.  Winter farming is difficult because the wet soil conditions make tilling and weeding a challenge.

Being an integral part of the local community is of paramount importance to Matt and Aluna.  They buy materials from local businesses and establish personal connections with their suppliers.  The farm donates vegetables to food banks and participates in local fundraisers.

There is a special energy at HappyDirtVeggiePatch.  Matt and Aluna want to build trust with their customers.  They have an open door policy and encourage people to come see how the food is grown.  They “share a reverence for the natural balance and beauty of life, and explore raising food as an art form- a subtle and intricate dance with nature- along with a healthy dose of science and reason.”

In addition to working very hard at farming, both Matt and Aluna apply their creative talents in other avenues.  Matt is a painter and a writer.  Aluna is a musician and just started a band called Lollipop Gumption. You can see Lollipop Gumption when they play in the Rising Stars fundraiser competition at South Stage Cellars in Jacksonville at 3pm on Saturday April 7, 2012.

 You can taste the farm’s vegetables at the Online Farmers Market, at the Medford Thursday and Ashland Tuesday Growers Markets and by joining the HappyDirt Veggie Patch Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program to build a direct relationship between you and the people that grow your food.  CSA members pay an annual fee at the start of the growing season.  Then, from June 5 – October 16, 2012 members receive a weekly box of vegetables.  There are two pickup locations:  South Medford at the farm (3524 Alley Lane) and Ashland at 334 Bridge Street (near SOU campus).

HappyDirt Veggie Patch, www.happydirtveggiepatch.wordpress.com
(541) 499-4903 (Matt Suhr)
(541) 708-2099 (Aluna)

Linda Davis

Linda Davis moved to Jacksonville three years ago, with her husband Tom and her dog Ellie. As a retiree, she loves Jacksonville and is passionate about supporting local businesses.  Linda is a Thrive Board Member and volunteer.  Previously, in her work life, Linda was a rail safety consultant.