After a foreclosure threat in 2010, the Hansch and Leon couple turned to vegetable farming on rented land in Mendocino County, but a sudden change in the property’s purpose forced them out after five years.
Relocated to the Capital Region, they secured a 10‑acre tract within a protected preserve, cultivating just 2.5 acres of high‑yield crops that now command nearly $700,000 in annual sales.
They have built soil organic matter to 12% by adding compost annually, avoiding heavy machinery to preserve earthworms, and using natural weed suppression.
Despite robust sales, conventional farm loans remain elusive; instead they rely on state grants and community programs, having raised $35,000 each from crowdfunding and a Community Development Block Grant.
The 2,100‑sq‑ft Lovin' Mama Kitchen in downtown Amsterdam now serves fresh produce, ready meals, and EBT‑eligible food boxes, leveraging a certified kitchen to add value to their tomato crop.
Looking ahead, the couple plans to expand greenhouse capacity by 2025, aiming to double crop output and further strengthen local food resilience.