This document outlines the experiences of Seb Ramirez and Bethany Klapwyk in starting their organic farm business called Zocalo Organics. It details their educational background including internships on organic farms, how they initially rented land and acquired their own land. It discusses the importance of community support through fundraising and volunteer labor. They identify needing more support for land access and succession planning, expanded policy support for small farms, and increased funding and training opportunities to help more new farmers start businesses.

1. Getting Started

Strong community ties,
interest in the natural
world

Strong interest in food!

Attracted to tangible
effects and results

Community building
element

CSA cycle completion

2. Education

Inspired by Headwaters
program

Full season internship at
Ignatius farm

Attended Fleming
College Sustainable Ag.
Program 2011

Holistic Management

Incubaternship at Green
Being Farm 2012

Rented land

3. Land Aquisition

Rented land to start
business 2013

Had profile on Farm-
link

Several “leads”

Community call out!

4. Succession

This has been critical
to our success!

Momentum

Adding on to
someones legacy

5. Financing

Received “new farmer loan” from FCC

Kickstarter campaign

Family support on down payment/own savings

“Turn-key” operation critical to our start up

6. Community support

Zócalo manifestation

Family and friends
support/skills

Help with harvest

7. What do we need?

More effort on land
succession

Comprehensive policy
(chicken quota, support for
growers at markets)

Capital cost grants/cost
sharing (seed funding)

Farmer training programs
more widely
promoted/discussed with
younger audience

Shift stereotypes/paradigms

8. Get in touch!
Seb Ramirez and Bethany Klapwyk
Zocaloorganics.com
zocaloorganics@gmail.com
Like us on Facebook!