Meet the awesome crew of Gardens of Eatin! Driven by passion and hard work, these folks bring nutritious and beautiful foods to our Ridgway mountain community. Continue reading to get a glimpse into the evolution of what they do...
Marietta, part of Gardens of Eatin', says "I used to despise gardening back in the days when I was little and my mom and dad forced all six of us kids to help plant, weed, water, and harvest the garden. But gradually, my parents' lives began to get too busy for them to be able to garden, and so it became my sisters and my responsibility. I'm not sure at what point I started to like gardening. There was never like a 'moment' when I realized I was in love with it - it just became a part of who I am, and it became the center focus around which my life seasons revolved."
Gradually the garden expanded and became too big to feed just the family. Some friends inspired the Gardens of Eatin' crew to try out a CSA, so they did. That, however, became a struggle because they had such limited experience with marketing. The frustrations grew, and the family were at a loss as to where and how we would market all of the delicious food they were producing. And that's when they found the Ridgway Farmer's Market.
Marietta was sixteen and Maggie was fourteen when they first decided to "try one market and see how it goes." And it was a hit. A huge hit! And so, they have been coming to markets ever since. Although they produce food on a much bigger scale now than they ever have, gardening is still the highlight of their year - the thing they look forward to doing most. Marietta work part-time as a nurse at Montrose Memorial Hospital, and so gardening is her stress-relief and how she relaxes when she is not at work.
“It's not just producing delicious food - it's a way of life for me. I could never be without it’, says Marietta.
Currently, it is Marietta, Maggie, Luke and Malachi who does all the work. They garden at their parents' place, which includes 1.5 acres of potatoes, squash, cucumbers, corn, carrots, beets, greens, flowers, herbs, sweet potatoes, okra, peppers, tomatoes, and so much more.
Their mission is to provide food to feed the family, and the local community family as a whole. And they provide fresh, wholesome, naturally-grown food. So, make sure to stop by their booth at the last Farmers Market of the season - and get yourself ready for winter, stocking up on some really healthy and yummy food items from Gardens of Eatin'!
Contact:
Marietta Johnson
16860 6250 Rd
Montrose, CO 81403
Phone: (970) 765-6760
Email: johnsonmarietta@ymail.com