What Transparency Really Means on Our Farm
Transparency is a word that gets used a lot in agriculture these days. You’ll see it in marketing materials, on social media captions, and on food labels. But for us, transparency isn’t a buzzword or a trend: it’s simply how we believe a farm should operate. As farmers, we’re already asking for peoples’ trust. You may not see how your food is grown every day, but you’re putting it on your table and feeding it to your family. That’s a responsibility we take seriously, and it’s why we believe in being open about what we do, how we do it, and what we stand for, whether online or in person.
No farm is perfect, and farming is rarely simple. Weather, pests, soil health, labor, and economics all play a role in the decisions we make every season. Transparency means being honest about those realities instead of pretending there’s one “right” or easy way to farm. When we share how we grow food, whether it’s our approach to animal health, composting, or pest management, we’re not trying to convince everyone to do things exactly the same way. We’re simply explaining why we make the choices we do. Sometimes those choices are based on research, sometimes on experience, and often on a mix of both. We believe people deserve real explanations, not vague answers or polished marketing language. Food systems are complex, and respecting our customers means trusting them with the truth.
Social media has become one of the main ways people connect with farms. It’s a powerful tool, but it can also create a filtered version of agriculture: perfectly staged photos, ideal weather days, and highlight reels that don’t show the full picture. We try to use our platforms as a window into real farm life. That includes sharing the good days and the challenging ones. It includes explaining why something didn’t go as planned, why a crop failed, or why a certain practice takes more time and effort than people might expect. Being transparent online means being vulnerable and showing the world our half finished projects and our ragged work clothes. Being transparent online also means being open to questions. We don’t expect everyone to agree with us, but we welcome thoughtful conversations. Curiosity is a good thing, and honest dialogue helps build understanding on both sides.
Transparency doesn’t stop when someone puts their phone down. It matters just as much when people visit the farm, talk to us at markets, or ask questions face-to-face. We believe farms should be places where people feel comfortable asking how their food is produced, even if the answers are complicated. When someone asks a question, it’s usually because they care. Taking the time to explain builds trust and strengthens the connection between farmers and the community we serve. We’re always learning, too. Conversations with customers often challenge us to think more deeply about our practices and how we explain them. Transparency isn’t a one-way street; it’s an ongoing exchange.
Being transparent also means being clear about our values. We care deeply about soil health, environmental responsibility, and producing food in a way that supports our local community. We believe agriculture should be sustainable not just environmentally, but economically and socially as well. That means supporting fair labor, continuing to educate ourselves, and making decisions that we can stand behind, even when they’re not the easiest or most profitable option in the short term. Not everyone will agree with every choice we make, and that’s okay. Transparency isn’t about universal approval; it’s about honesty.
At the end of the day, transparency builds trust. Trust between farmers and customers, trust in the food system, and trust that people are doing the best they can with the information and resources they have. We believe that trust is earned through openness, education, and conversation. Whether you’re following us on social media, visiting the farm, or buying our products, we want you to feel confident asking questions and understanding where your food comes from. Because when people know their farmer, understand their practices, and share their values, food becomes more than just something you eat.
