We believe in
Good for the Earth, Good for the Farmers, Good for the People.
The Trifecta of sustainability. Good for the earth: Taking care of the natural world is important, after all, it takes care of us; Good for the farmer: We believe farmers should have livable hours and livable wages; Good for the people: We believe in bringing our produce to market at an affordable price and making fresh, nutritious food available to as many people as possible, regardless of income.
Our overall goal is to fill year round, long-term positions with people that share our vision and want to take a responsible role in building Lake Divide Farm and our community. We are eagerly endeavoring towards our goals and seeing success and rewards along the way.
Our overall goal is to fill year round, long-term positions with people that share our vision and want to take a responsible role in building Lake Divide Farm and our community. We are eagerly endeavoring towards our goals and seeing success and rewards along the way.
Helen's farm journey:
We are a first generation family farm. I fell in love with growing food because of the satisfaction of an honest days work along with the joy of doing something constructive and tangible for our community and the environment. We believe in food equality, that farming is an essential profession, and that producing food doesn't have to abuse the natural world. We plan on forging a business that affords us, and those who work with us, a living wage, while making nutrient dense, fresh food available to all members of our community.
The abridged version : Helen farmed in New Jersey for four years on leased land before deciding to buy a farm in Michigan. In 2016, we found a farm in Jackson County and began the arduous process of moving everything and making the Michigan house livable while maintaining our farm in New Jersey.
We are a first generation family farm. I fell in love with growing food because of the satisfaction of an honest days work along with the joy of doing something constructive and tangible for our community and the environment. We believe in food equality, that farming is an essential profession, and that producing food doesn't have to abuse the natural world. We plan on forging a business that affords us, and those who work with us, a living wage, while making nutrient dense, fresh food available to all members of our community.
The abridged version : Helen farmed in New Jersey for four years on leased land before deciding to buy a farm in Michigan. In 2016, we found a farm in Jackson County and began the arduous process of moving everything and making the Michigan house livable while maintaining our farm in New Jersey.
Helen on the Wild Side of Lake Divide!
Photo by A.E. Scott Designs
Although we made a crash landing in December of 2016, we hit the ground running. We got our organic certification. We built a greenhouse, three hoop houses, two walk in coolers, and a wash station. We joined four farmers' markets (attending five per week), Argus Farm Stop (a grocery with farm direct supply), and developed wholesale connections. We donated a bunch of fresh produce through Food Gatherers. We doubled our production area from 2.5 acres to 5.5 acres.
The farm has continued to evolve. We have moved states, survived a pandemic, had to children (both still under 4), had surgery, and restructured our business from a partnership to a sole member LLC.
In Lake Divide's current iteration, we are managing 18 acres for production, and grow vegetables and fruit on 5-10 acres. Below are our plans for 2025 and we couldn't be more excited about
Our plans are this year.
We will continue working to provide season-round healthful produce to our community. We continue to work alongside the each other and nature to try to participate in the great game of life. It is our deepest hope that we can bring health and joy to our community.
In Lake Divide's current iteration, we are managing 18 acres for production, and grow vegetables and fruit on 5-10 acres. Below are our plans for 2025 and we couldn't be more excited about
Our plans are this year.
- Attending Detroit's historic Eastern Market. We go most weeks through the winter and every week once May rolls around. We sometimes even attend their Tuesday markets. We aren't heading to any other markets this year.
- Growing food for Stockbridge Community Outreach, a community building and support organization right in my own town. I have been trying to figure out the best way for our farm to contribute to the health of our community and this may be it. In the coming weeks, I plan on putting up a gofundme to raise the money to offer vegetables to Stockbridge Outreaches's weekly food distribution. I am still working out details. If you want to be involved, or have any good ideas, please don't hesitate to let me know.
- We will continue growing food for the Greater Lansing Food Bank. Last year we delivered to them every other week from June onward, culminating in thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables available at food pantries. The Greater Lansing Food Bank is an awesome organization dedicated to distributing food to as many people in need as possible. They are a food pantry for food pantries! We are proud and grateful to work with them.
- Contribute to Collaborative CSA programs of The Farm at Trinity (Ann Arbor) and Allen Neighborhood Center (Lansing.) Both of these organizations are community minded and oriented towards health and healing through a connection to growing and eating nutritious food. We have worked with Allen Neighborhood for several years and are now adding in The Farm at Trinity.
- Clare is raising egg laying chickens, right here at the farm! I have never been involved in animal husbandry (besides these doggies haha) so I am excited and offering as much support as I can.
- Tyler and Hailey are starting their own farm! They are still figuring out where they will be selling this year but check out their website here: Turnip The Beets Farm! They still plan on moonlighting at Lake Divide, never fear, you haven't seen the last of them yet!
- Continue planting pollinator habitat throughout our farm. By the end of 2025 we will have just under 1.5 acres in native plants!
We will continue working to provide season-round healthful produce to our community. We continue to work alongside the each other and nature to try to participate in the great game of life. It is our deepest hope that we can bring health and joy to our community.