Today we’d like to introduce you to Cathy Sullivan.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Cathy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was in the traditional medical field. I was trying to be as healthy as I could. I studied natural health and nutrition as I continued, I found that true Health begins in the soil.
Healthy soil yields healthy plants and healthy people these are there are no shortcuts so I began attending classes on growing locally soil science fruit and vegetables in our area.
Building the soil rotating crops crafting cover crops composting all of course without the use of chemicals fertilizers herbicides I was a member of toga which is now which is tufco it was the Texas Organic Growers Association. I am a Master Gardener in a master composter and in 1997.
I found a little farm outside of Houston purchase to grow things lots of people with similar ideas and I planted peaches and pears and plums and pomegranates and apples and mulberries blackberries herbs several kinds of citrus and 17 pecan trees and some vegetable goats and a few local sustainable small farmers markets.
There were no local farmer’s markets at that time and it was a short-lived market. Then in 2004 the movement and this really started several markets began and I have been selling at Farmers Markets weekly sent I’m still trying to promote health and sustainable organic or better growing
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Well, I’d say that it was kind of a bumpy road actually it took years to build the crowds you know of buyers and gather vendors that complimented each other. I prefer small or market so it was you know what had to find the right mix for me and have met many wonderful Farmers along the way, weather plays a big part in what is available at the markets and the last three years have been harsh heavy rains and days of freezing and we’ve had them hard freezes down to 17 degrees can I wear South and we like our Citrus and citrus doesn’t like to be below 26 degrees.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about SullivansHappyHeartFamilyFarm – what should we know?
Kind of spoke of my company maybe if it’s at the first question. Okay my main crop is a chicken and duck eggs and I’m most proud of the variety of fruits vegetables and nuts that I grow without chemicals and I’m still my main focus is on bringing a very healthy product to help people be healthier in this day in age of chemicals everywhere it’s important to me.
What sets me apart is I actually go to the farmers market and I know what’s growing in my field and can tell them what’s coming up the trials and tribulations of farming which is such a Gamble. I have been doing this for a few years I really enjoy talking to my customers it’s meeting their children watching them grow and seeing their faces when the first figs of the season come out or the best cherry tomatoes or are talking about what’s planned for the coming season and telling them to thank you for coming each week
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I grow a quality product in quality soil I am constantly learning and studying so that I can be healthy or myself and provide healthy food for others
Contact Info:
- Facebook: Farm Stand at Petrol Station
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