Sharing a better lifestyle

GREENOUGH – Fairytale Farms in Greenough has taken a huge step towards their dream of improving the food security of the local communities with access to healthy, organic produce and offering agricultural education. With their recently renewed 501(c)3 status and grant for a 30-foot X 72-foot greenhouse, they are now able to expand their education-focused organization with the help of volunteers.

Bo and Sarah Mendenhall started Fairytale Farms in 2011 while renting property in the Swan Valley. Their farm was founded on the principles of sustainability and the belief that all life forms are sacred and connected.

"I wanted better food and to know the source of where it came from," said Bo in a 2013 article in the Seeley Swan Pathfinder.

Sarah added, "I want to provide organic veggies for the Valley."

While they were able to make small donations to the local food bank, it was not on the scale that they were hoping to provide.

In 2016, the Mendenhalls purchased their six-acre farm at 11791 Waterfowl Lane, Greenough across Highway 200 from Camp Utmost. In 2017, they donated over a hundred pounds of produce to the Seeley-Swan Community Food Bank from their 50-foot X 12-foot greenhouse. Sarah said she expects yields to increase greatly in the future.

"We believe that people of all socioeconomic levels deserve wholesome, natural, sustainable, pesticide-free, nutrient dense food," states Fairy Tale Farms' Facebook page. "We operate our business on the 'seventh-generation concept' which is operating our business with sustainability and seven generations of the future in mind."

Fairytale Farms adheres to the standards and practices set forth in the Certified Naturally Grown program guidelines. This method does not include using pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers or GMO's. Growth is promoted using permaculture methods of crop rotation, composting, compost tea, mulching, natural mineral applications and promotion of biodiversity.

The purpose of Fairytale Farms is both educational and charitable.

Sarah's passion is educating others regarding food, labeling and best practices for organically produced food and permaculture. She looks forward to offering individual and community gardening lessons, community activities to teach agricultural concepts, volunteer training and education at the monthly volunteer day the last Saturday of the month and hosting community seed swaps where members may obtain and exchange organic heirloom seeds.

Jennifer Cameron, marketing director and board secretary for Fairy Tale Farms, said the access to organic food is a major hurdle for many people because of the expense. The Mendenhalls view healthy, natural food as a right not reserved solely for the wealthy and are working towards providing free food baskets to local families, seniors and veterans in need. They look forward to making regular donations to the Seeley-Swan Community Food Bank and offering their produce at local Farmers' Market this summer for a suggested donation.

Fairytale Farms looks forward to offering flowers and produce including grapes, corn, peppers, onions, tomatoes, cauliflower, cucumbers, carrots, lettuce, spinach and more.

While Fairytale Farms hopes to expand enough to employ a small staff, Sarah is currently Fairytale Farms' executive director and sole employee. The success of the greenhouse depends heavily on volunteers.

This year, Fairytale Farms received a USDA grant to promote rural agriculture for $8,000. They purchased a 30-foot X 72-foot greenhouse. It cost Bo and his crew $2,000 to set it up and Pyramid Mountain Lumber, Inc. donated lumber to build raise beds inside the greenhouse. Volunteers built the raised beds at the Farm's first volunteer day Feb. 29.

"It was an excellent turnout," said Cameron. "There were around 15 adults and kiddos too. They got a lot done and built a lot of beds but there is still more to be built."

The next volunteer day is scheduled for March 28 from 12 – 5 p.m. since there will be less than 30 people and volunteers will be outside. Volunteers are asked to bring gloves and a water bottle. Projects for the day will be based on the current needs. Tools would also be helpful but contact Fairytale Farms through their Facebook page to see what is needed.

"We have big dreams and the opportunities are endless at this point," said Cameron. "We look forward to ideas and to people getting involved."

For more information or to volunteer, contact Fairytale Farms through their Facebook page or call 406-244-8811.