Phase 1 - Lucky Leaf Farm, COMPLETE

What seems like a long, expensive, struggle, has come to an end and we're now in our new greenhouse at the "farm".   We're having a hard time coming up with the appropriate name... it's always been the 5-acre "lot" that we bought a few years ago - it's not yet a farm, but it's so much more than just a greenhouse.   We've got a long list of plans for this site... our little micro-farming project.  But for now, it's a luxurious, self sufficient, fully operational greenhouse that we're proud of, that will allow us to quadruple our microgreen business if needed, while expanding our product line with small "pocket gardens".   Gone are the days of bumping into each other... gone are the days of "backyard" deliveries and pick-ups.   Though we have requests for other products already - and our "old" greenhouse will be reconfigured to fulfill those orders (flowers, winter tomatoes, baby lettuces and herbs).  All in due time...

Here's a chronicle of events for this project - goals for future, and accomplished tasks:
Step 1:  Build a new greenhouse, that can accommodate our projected growth and expansion needs.  CHECK
Step 2:  Design a landscape plan that will allow for optimal use of this forested property, with "pocket gardens"  and recreational uses... we have hills, we have a creek, we have natural flora (trees, ferns, bamboo, etc), and we have natural fauna (turkeys, deer, and many critters... don't forget Otis, but he spends his time in the creek).  CHECK
Step 3:  Develop a "phased approach" for reconstructing this property, one phase being our home-site construction (longer term goal).  The first phase of this plan will be to try to utilize the fall planting season (we're under the gun already). 
Step 4:   Find the team to help... running a microgreen business is full time - we're looking for labor, planting, clearing, moving dirt around, etc.

We have much to do!  But check out our greenhouse pictures - this was the biggest "step" since we had raw land, and brought in all necessary utilities, driveways, gravel/fill, etc.

BEFORE:   Used structure out of Shelby, NC

AFTER:   From 5-acres of fallen trees, to a sunny patch of zen.

Flowering Buckwheat in a sea of  "greens"

Everything is growing beautifully as you can see...

We love the results - refurbished structure out of Shelby, NC, and everything else was purchased locally - equipment, flooring materials, even the sidewall plastic and endwal polycarbonate.   The only thing t hat we had to acquire from afar was Eva, our highly intelligent greenhouse manager.  More on Eva later, she deserves a post all of her own... and the folks over at iGrow ought to pay me for spreading the good word.

Special thanks to RAFI-USA for helping us kick-start this project!   

Buy Local - It's Just Better!

Great article about the Farm-to-Fork revolution (I'm not comfortable calling it a concept when it's already so far beyond that...).  We love our customers that were mentioned in this article - great job!
http://www.gastongazette.com/articles/farm-58579-restaurants-farms.html

Microgreens in SavorNC Magazine

I got an email from Elizabeth... a writer for SavorNC Magazine.  She stated that their writing an article about Lucky Leaf and needed a quote from me.    My first thought was "just a quote?" - usually there's an interview, site visit, etc.  I asked her where the rest of her content was coming from and her response was, "there's plenty of info about Lucky Leaf already published for me to pull from".   Blushing...
I'm tickled that A)  People find my company interesting enough to write about, B) the name has spread further and faster than I had ever imagined, and C) I'm still having so much fun with my job, my customers and my team. 

Here's Elizabeth's write-up:http://www.savorncmagazine.com/blog/teenage-flora/

Cabarrus Couny - Leading the Way

I agree with my good friend Aaron... I'm witnessing the movement towards a more sustainable county first hand.  I'm a part of it as a food producer, as well as a food consumer.   We as a family have made great strides towards living and eating more sustainably - Encouraging our friends and neighbors to do the same.   Our children are growing up knowing where there food comes from (they're aware - not saying we're perfect, but they know when they've got a local carrot in their hands... they also look forward to our own harvest each week).   Great article, great book, great leader in the local food movement - thanks, Aaron!
http://www.cabarrusedc.com/index.php?cid=51433&src=news&refno=493&category=Government&curlid=5690

Light at the end of the tunnel...

Breaking Ground:   Started this weekend with heavy equipment, clearing a driveway, chopping cedars to be used for fencing, and clearing enough area for our greenhouse.   Punching a hole in the overgrown brush and dead trees makes room for ample sunlight to help our microgreens thrive in their new home!   

Greenhouse clearing at the end of a very long driveway

 
Some of these vines were 8" wide, wrapping around otherwise healthy oak trees.  We'll continue widening the driveway, and moving fallen trees around this week, then leveling the greenhouse pad - bringing in gravel and whatnot.   Then the greenhouse will be delivered - any takers on assistance with raising it???

This land was suffocating itself with overgrowth and vines

 

Almost see the  excavator at the far end, making it's way to the greenhouse pad

Also in our discoveries on this property - we've found that part of it was orchard (peaches and cherries)... we've managed to salvage a few, clear some room for them to flourish, and hopefully keep them around for future pickin's!    The peaches aren't very big (golf ball size) but I think we'll have a small crop this year... the cherries have been donated to the many birds though.   

And Away We Go!

Breaking ground on the expansion project next week!   We're moving our operation to the "farm" - a 5 acre micro farm in Cabarrus County.   Phase 1 - greenhouse construction... this can't happen soon enough - we've been growing at capacity for some time now, putting new customers on a sort of 'waiting list' until we have more space to grow for them.    Taking out fallen trees, low cedars and brush, and clearing a driveway and a construction pad for the 2500 square foot hot-house. 

 
Phase 2 - perenial crop production, mushrooms, and cold crops in the fall (low tunnels, baby lettuces mainly).   Phase 3 - laying hens (though I'm not nuts about dealing with animals, this will have to be Marc's project), and Honey Bees.  We're working with Cultivatis for planning and design...and all of this is being supported by RAFI-USA - we were awarded a grant to assist with preliminary construction costs.   More details as they come!

Lucky Mix : Because You're Lucky To Eat It!

This sums up our Lucky Mix Microgreens.  Our Lucky Mix is our flagship mix - it's what we hit the streets with, it's what we sell the most of today.  We sell to 30 restaurants/hotels/grocers in the Charlotte area and almost every one of them orders Lucky Mix every week (amongst the other 40 microgreens we offer).    Microgreens, when done correctly, are delicious, and more nutritious than any other vegetable combo out there.   It's estimated that one ounce of our Lucky Mix is the nutrition equivelant to 3 CUPS of cooked broccoli.   Yes, 3 Cups!   More details here:
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/livinghomefamily/916195-224/microgreens-can-pack-even-more-nutrition.html
 

Our Visit with Johnson & Wales University

Lucky Leaf Gardens was invited to JWU-Charlotte to teach the students about microgreens.   We held two sessions, both were filled with the inquiring minds of J&W's future culinary geniuses - I could see their minds working as we talked about the different flavors, colors and textures that microgreens have to offer.   These students are now equipped with the information needed to make good choices in regards to purchasing, storing and using microgreens (basically I told them that Lucky Leaf is the best so don't look any further).  

2nd session - Johnson & Wales University... popcorn shoot fans

 

 

Show-Kitchen

In between classes, I was connected with a sophomore who is also named Kate - she was kind enough to guide me through J&W's impressive campus.   Each room had it's purpose and each class was full of students who are truly passionate about their studies.   My favorite room was the "Show Kitchen" - felt like I was on the set of a Food Network show...complete with a hide-a-wall that opens up to a viewing room (the left wall).    Very cool.

 

Campus Garden, and future home of their Greenhouse

 Luckily, the weather was fantastic, so Kate led me to the campus garden, which by far - deserves much more press than it's getting.   There's a group that manages the garden, in hopes to provide the campus with a variety of produce and seasonal greatness.   This completely urban, eco-sustainable garden is equipped with many (many) rain barrels and a automated irrigation system... they've even got their own bees (Cloister manages this, I believe, nice local guy)... look closely - the small white box in the far back/right - there were swarms buzzing around outside during our visit.   There's not much growing yet, but just wait.  In the works, a campus greenhouse - now we're talking!   Lucky Leaf was invited to help the University get started with a small run of microgreens to use in the exercises and small events.   Being asked to assist with this program by such a prestigious culinary institute is truly and honor.  Where's the dirt?  Let's get started!

  

Microgreens on Live TV

Thanks Chef Labarre - Galway Hooker in Huntersville!   I love it when chefs realize that our microgreens are so much more than just a garnish! 
http://www.wcnc.com/charlotte-today/Party-on-St-Patricks-Day-118173784.html

Charlotte area microgreens making the font page!

Great article in the Cabarrus News.   Even Jack and Molly made the story this time!
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/03/16/2131550/tiny-plants-help-business-to-grow.html

Farm To Fork - Charlotte

C'mon chefs - let's do this!   Sign up now, and we'll grow our custom microgreens for the month of May!
http://www.carolinasfarmtofork.com/

The Power of Microgreens

Who knew that these tiny little greens would feed the motivation to succeed in life, and achieve your goals?   This is a fantastic article about a fellow microgreen grower, a dear friend, and the inspiration to kick-start my own business here in the Charlotte area. 
http://www.slolifemagazine.com/meet-your-neighbor/48/meet-kara-wood/

A New Crop of Farmers

A fascinating trend.  We're seeing this here as well - especially with unemployment rates rising, people are getting back to their roots and finding a way to make a living doing what they love.   This is how and why we got started with our amazing microgreens @ Lucky Leaf Gardens.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/06/us/06farmers.html?_r=2&hp

Mobile Microgreens

This is fantastic!   Not sure how harvesting and storage would work - but it gets 5-stars for ingenuity!  Those Canadians are awesome.  So who's willing to give it a shot here in Charlotte...go ahead and strap some microgreens to your bike.   I'll be willing to donate the materials.  :)  

http://www.ecoactionteams.ca/pub/contest/how/winners/meghan_kelley/

ANA Conference Review

What a great event - fantastic group of people!  We met some interesting folks that bring all aspects of running a farm business to light.   It was emphasized once again, how important the local food movement is.  The Dept. of Ag offered new ideas and incentives to get businesses to work with local food providers - I think they're on the right track with this one!    There were also speakers who coordinated a panel to review social media (mundane topic, but I always find myself flocking to see if there's anything new out there).   Most farmers are not on board with this type of activity - not surprising since the average age of a farmer is 60 years old.   Amazingly, social media as a HUGE part of our business at Lucky Leaf Gardens - can't get by without it!    By the way - are you following our facebook page:  Lucky Leaf Gardens... or Twitter: @MicrogreenGirl?      I'll be sharing a few links within the next few days... links to blogs, farms, or NCDA pages that seem interesting / beneficial.   Exciting times here at Lucky Leaf - rolling out a few new programs to get our products into hands across the state.  Stay tuned!

Indoor Gardening, sometimes not ideal...

Call me crazy, but I don't know a restaurant that would prefer "manufactured, sun-free vegetables".  Our philosophy is to incorporate "mother nature" in every way possible.   Sure, we cheat the elements by growing in our sunny, warm greenhouse (which averages 68 degrees, in the winter, without additional heat)... and sure, sometimes we grow crops "out of season", like our fantastic micro cilantro or popcorn shoots in the winter.  But our core beliefs are to grow it in the dirt, in sunlight.  We used artificial lights for 2 days last year.   

So that's why this article is amazing to me.  Apparently - not everyone thinks like we do.  Go ahead chefs, line-up to get your $90,000 lettuce machine.  Or just call Lucky Leaf Gardens to get your charlotte area microgreens and lettuces, grown the right way.  Full of flavor, nutrition, and a glorious shelf life.

http://www.maximumyield.com/news.php?news_id=104&start=0&category_id=1&parent_id=1&arcyear=&arcmonth=

Spring CSAs

CharlotteFresh has a great post reminding us that spring CSAs are kicking off soon.   Ask around to find the best CSA for you.  You can find Lucky Leaf's Microgreens in the Know Your Farms CSA (Daivdson) and the Fresh From The Farms CSA (Rock Hill).   If you would like to have access to our brilliant microgreens in another CSA, let your CSA manager know.
Check it out:
http://charlottefresh.wordpress.com/2011/02/04/fresh-opportunity-2011-csa-sign-ups/

Campus Greenhouse

Not necessarily about microgreens (but it could be), and not necessariliy about Charlotte (but close enough @ Duke University).  Check out this campus garden!
http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/11376806/article-A-farm--for-starters?instance=main_article&sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d5849b87492bd14%2C0

Inspiration for all of the Home-Growers

A great little article about how one person eats fresh, home grown veggies in the winter months.   Nothing better than eating your own produce on a cold February morning!

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/home_garden/stories/2011/02/13/snipping-leaves-is-indoorsy-pursuit.html?sid=101

ANA Conference

Join us at the Agritourism Networking Association's 2011 Annual Conference.  This year's conference is themed "Taking Local Beyond the Farm".   Lucky Leaf Gardens will attend as a member and a panelist - our panel's discussion focuses on marketing your niche farm products, probably the most difficult part of operating an agricultural business.   Other topics include:  Marketing the Local Food Movement, Telling your Farm Story and more.   It's February 17-18 at the Little River Golf  Resort, Carthage/Moore County.   We'll post a synopsis here, for those who can't make it. 

Not only will this event be exciting, but it'll be the first time that we're leaving our fabulous microgreens alone for the night!  Luckily they're being cared for by very capable hands (and luckily, they're nice and cozy in a climate controlled greenhouse).  We'll be back in Charlotte in no time at all!

Click here and scroll to the bottom for the ANA conference agenda.