What's New on the Farm?

 

Just thought I'd send out an update on farm life since it's all been about the disappointment of the City's dismal failure to do what the community asked and approve our re-zoning. 

Life does go on, as it has to. 

While our CSA enrollment is way down this year, likely due to all of the drama and uncertainty on top of a less than stellar summer growing season, is my guess, I'm still growing food. I've got a lovely younger farmer here helping me now, as well,  she is growing her own crops for her own uses, as she learns working with me. I've been teaching her to drive the tractor, use drip tapes for irrigation and succession planting. 

It's what I envisioned to a large degree going forward. Passing on the knowledge and experiences I have been fortunate enough to acquire over my lifetime. We have some pretty fun conversations - she seems to laugh a lot - maybe I should look into stand up and simply describe various life events? 

I guess you could say my journey has been anything but ordinary. I mean I started out like any normal kid, I guess. Then, I moved pretty far from home, which was the first out of ordinary thing I did. But I was not in love with winter weather and I was ready to move to a warmer place. 

Down here, I ended up finding the cutest little "house in the woods" of south east Dallas, where I spent many years and held many different jobs. Eventually, I ended up here where I am now, and farming, and of course that's what the majority of our chats are about. 

How I never intended to become a farmer. That all was unplanned. But, as I've said many times, it's been the most gratifying "job" I've held. And if my school of hard knocks lessons can help someone else, it's worth all of the messes, cuts and bruises, miscalculations and mistakes. 

Buying this land was just meant to be an investment during a time when I was preparing for my eventual retirement.  I never dreamed how attached to the place I'd end up becoming. Nor, that I'd end up living here. But here we are! It's made for some interesting chats. 

So this week while planting and watering and weeding, among other things, we've been talking about how cool it would be if a non-profit organization could take over the place and create a permanent base for several local food-oriented groups. That would mean selling to them, instead of some commercial developer sure not to take as much care about the trees, the land and the natural environment. 

I hear all of the time about different groups that have to pull up stakes and move their operations - over and over again. It's not only expensive, but it's disheartening to watch all of the work put into a place left behind. Community gardens, the infrastructure that can't be moved, and all of the work put into the soil of growing and livestock operations. It's not at all like packing up some office into boxes. 

So how much better would it be for each of say, two or three groups to come together with their missions and divvy up the place - under one parent organization that could act as a sort of property manager for them? They'd have a board made up of some new people, some folks from each of the existing boards and hire an independent director. They'd each pay into the parent organization to fund the (part time, so it's not a drain on the funds), director - maybe a retired and experienced person. 

That would free up the individual directors to run their organizations and not worry about collecting rent from any vendors, paying property taxes and utility bills, etc. They'd handle capital improvements, too. Perimeter fencing, the bones of the farm house restoration like plumbing, windows, exterior, insulation. 

One group could then could finish out the inside and turn the old house into a market store/coffee shop and use it also to hold classes, feature local artists, artisanal foods, etc. Another group that focuses on livestock husbandry could use the vast pasture for small livestock/chickens - and, it would create an opportunity to launch a mobile "processing" facility, too. Small farms need access to small processors. And there's plenty of room for portable office space!

Of course agri-tourism would be a big part of the income - seasonal long table dinners, field trips - both for kids and adults.   Cooking classes, growing classes, and so much more. I used to do much of this when I started out - but you know, it's hard when you're also the only one to plan and execute it all - ON TOP of doing all of the growing. 

So, my advice came with a warning not try to do it all on one's own. I've been a serial entrepreneur I guess you could say, so it never really crossed my mind to become a non-profit. But I can now, looking back, see the benefits of spreading the work out over many people who have a vested interest. 

I've had lots of folks volunteer over the years, that's for sure. But most of the planning and coordinating was on my shoulders. I sometimes wonder how much more good Eden's could have done with a board and team behind it. Now it is time to pass on the baton and I'd love it if it was to someone who dared to see. 

In the mean time, we've planted transplants of collards, cauliflower, broccoli, even a late crop of summer squash, peppers, eggplant and a cucumber plant we hope to get some goodies off of before a hard freeze. We've seeded bush beans, arugula, lettuce, and peas. And our other remote farmer has been working on getting the high tunnel in shape for our winter growing. He's a much more experienced grower and pretty much just does his own thing, but we're glad to have him around when he's here - he uses his BCS to till up land for us when we need it and has been gracious with letting us use some of his supplies. He's like the Batman of small farming - he's got all the cool toys! 

I just popped about 20 eggs into the incubator after discovering a nest that would never have survived the small night time critters that frequent the place. My back yard is a highway for skunk, opossum and raccoons - and this little white hen was RIGHT in their path.  So, I'll help her out and see if we can't hatch them for her inside where it's a lot safer. 

We've got more starts in the little "seed-house" that'll be ready to transplant in a few weeks. I've got some garlic to order from @Texas Tested Seeds, and I got my onion slips pricing in this week, too. 

And then it won't be long before it's time to start tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and artichokes.  The growing cycle continues whether the City Council lets us build starter homes or not. And we have spaces available in our CSA so if you've been thinking about how to help support this little local farm - sponsoring a local family or buying a CSA membership for yourself is a great way to start! 

Badger, our calendar dog, needs to get over his fear of loading up in the truck because he's due to go see the vet. And we have a couple of cats that are due for check ups as well. I wonder if my large animal vet who comes to treat the horses would do all of the animals at once? That would save a lot of anxiety on poor Badger. He wouldn't even climb up in the cab - for a piece of STEAK! 

He got to meet one of my friends the other day and was making silly faces when she was trying to take a selfie with him. He's like the Mrs. Kravitz of the farm you see - he's got to keep an eye on everything all of the time - so he wouldn't focus on the camera lens. hahaha But he's a keeper, just the same. 

So, that's just a little update on what's rattling around my head and been going on here at the farm.  I hope your getting your fall garden in, too. Growing your own is one way to help take the edge off the grocery bill and be assured of how your food is grown.  

 

Eat Your Food - Naturally!

Farmer Marie 

Fighting the Good Fight

Dear Friends of Eden's,

I sent out the following email to supporters on my Pioneer Grove mailing list, and to my CSA members last night. 

Dear Friends of Eden's,

 I want to thank each of you who stood beside me and supported the vision for Pioneer Grove. Your encouragement, contributions, and your belief in creating something lasting and good for our community means the world to me during this incredibly difficult situation.

 Despite the best efforts of a professional development team — including urban planners, engineers, architects, and marketing specialists — who presented an application for rezoning that met every requirement, as you know, the Balch Springs City Council voted against our request - at a meeting held without formally notifying us, the applicant.

 This was a project designed to bring much-needed City revenue, affordable single family starter housing, new small business opportunities, and preserve much of the green space and the farming tradition our neighbors have come to enjoy. Yet the Council, providing no tenable or legitimate justification, chose to block it.

 As the old saying goes: you really can’t fight City Hall - and win.

Many of you also know I pursued legal counsel after learning of the vote. My attorney, initially quite optimistic at our chances, (because the logic of the circumstances certainly spoke to our favor), in an effort to gain the best winning strategy, consulted with other lawyers more specialized in municipal and zoning law. The consensus was sobering: even though the Council clearly appeared to have acted in bad faith, never even formally notifying us of the last two meetings nor the outcome - It was suggested that the courts would be unlikely to intervene on our behalf.

 At best, a judge might be convinced to order a “do-over”. And that would likely only put us back before the same hostile council that sabotaged this project in the first place. Or, more likely, the case would be dragged out over several years - and many more thousands of dollars, with the City still likely to prevail. I cannot justify spending

other people's funds, in endless, costly battles against insincere bullies with political immunity, expecting a different outcome. I have, therefore directed my attorney to discontinue pursuing the case at this time.

 I’ll use the remaining funds to cover the cost of appealing the steeply rising property taxes recently levied on the farm. Commercially zoned property is not afforded the same exemptions and considerations as regular residential, and valuing old, aging barns at the unrealistic rates they have, is making the taxes ridiculous. This is an agricultural operation that doesn't even operate a commercial business out of those structures. So, the same attorney said he will work on getting the taxes adjusted more fairly. And thank you to those who have graciously instructed me to use your contributed funds "as needed". I assure you, they'll go to improve things while we're still here.

 Real Food, Grown with Integrity

While the property remains on the market for sale, the ground that has fed so many for nearly 20 years, can continue to do so until such time it sells and we are required to vacate. Not to create false hope, but once a hostile council majority is no longer in place, if the property has not received a viable offer, we could potentially look into the feasibility of re-applying - if my team is still up for it at that time.

 Working to extend the farming opportunity to other farmers was always part of the project's plan. To the extent that I can, I'll continue to work to make that happen. Farming skills transfer to wherever they're applied.

 So, as I am able, and for the foreseeable future, I will continue to grow food for Eden's CSA members, (yes, we can take on a few more members for the upcoming fall and winter season). Now with the help of other growers here regularly, this should be less strenuous on me physically. We do hope, also, to open Eden's farm stand in the future, making our farm's surplus produce available to our local community again.

 The Losses are Great

The Pioneer Grove project was about preserving green space, providing starter homes, supporting small businesses, and continuing the work of feeding and connecting our community to the land. I'm saddest for the countless future generations that may never know this place for its rich history and beauty.

 The project was not about a personal win for me, yet losing this fight is still hitting really hard — not just for me, as it would have provided me a secure retirement, but for the team who worked so diligently to bring my vision to fruition. All of you who shared this dream with me, please know we did our very best. Despite the false allegations of wrongdoing on my part by members of the Council, my team and I did things the right way — honestly, and with integrity — just like I grow the food here that has fed members of Balch Springs and the greater DFW area since 2008.

 We didn’t lose this because our application was flawed, or because of valid concerns about firetruck access — there is room — or hypothetical traffic jams. We have held public events here, including a certified farmers market, for over 10 years without any issues.

 Let's be clear, we lost because of politics, falsehoods and small-mindedness.

 That’s a bitter pill, but it doesn’t erase the value of what we tried to build or what we have done here for nearly 20 years. I've heard from many of you urging me to just do "what is best for me". While I appreciate the sentiment, that's hard to accept when I was trying so hard to do what could have served everyone, including me, but was kept from doing so for no good, valid reason. It just seems so senseless. I'm beyond frustrated - I'm furious.

 I will look for comfort in knowing that we stood on the right side of truth, honor, and possibilities - working to create a brighter more sustainable future for those who come after us.

 I hope those with the power of voting in this town will remember the actions of these "leaders" come election time. This was NOT the will of the majority of this community. We again thank former Mayor Dr. Carrie Gordon and sitting Councilman Vincent Gabriel for their positive support of the project. Thank you also to the Planning and Zoning Commissioners who, even though they may not have felt personally Pioneer Grove was their cup of tea, saw the vision and benefits for the greater good it would have brought.

 From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all for believing in Pioneer Grove, in this farm and in me. Your strong support has reminded me that there are still people willing to fight for good things. And that matters to me more than I can express.

 With Gratitude,

Farmer Marie

Update on Fight for The Future of the Farm at Eden’s

Update on Fight for Pioneer Grove at Eden’s Garden CSA Farm

I have a bit of news to share. It’s been a minute, but there hasn’t been much to report—until now.

This week, the court granted us an extra 30 days, which our recently secured attorney—hired thanks to the generous support of folks like you who believe in our cause—will use to strengthen our case and ensure Pioneer Grove gets the fair consideration it deserves.

 This extension doesn’t mean the fight is over, not by a long shot, but it does mean we’re still in it—and that matters. I am no lawyer; all I did was secure a placeholder until I was able to find an attorney to take up our cause.

 

  

Your financial support has carried us this far, and we’re going to use every moment of this reprieve to push forward for a community vision that preserves green space and working farmland, creates starter homes real people can afford, and builds something future generations will be proud of.

On a hopeful note, I’m also meeting with a potential young farmer soon to explore ways to keep more of the land productive while we fight this battle—because no matter what, this land matters. Passing the torch to another generation of farmers, homeowners, and community members is what propelled this idea in the first place.

I still hope the City Council members that voted against it, come to realize that Pioneer Grove will benefit everyone in and around the city. This is not just for me to be able to retire - it’s a win for everyone around here. 

The obvious pettiness displayed by a few, needs to be put aside for the greater good. Regardless of what some Council members may think of me, working against the city’s interests because of a personal grudge is very short-sighted. 

I’m trying to do the right thing with this land, for this land - and the community that welcomed me and has supported this farm in many ways over the years. It would be nice to have a Council that recognizes that, instead of fights against me, for no good reason. 

If you’d like to help us maintain momentum, we don't know how long the fight will take, every bit of support matters and helps move the cause forward. Thank you for believing in this mission and standing with us when it counts the most.

Stay tuned—the next chapter in this fight is just beginning. In the meantime, fall is coming, and the farm will be busy as a bee with activity, planting the future cool-season harvest for our members. We hope to produce enough to set up a market-day stand—we shall see.

Marie
Eat Your Food—Naturally!

Falling Into Autumn

Even though the sun still feels hot and the rain is scattered and light in most cases - when we are lucky enough to get any - before too long, fall will be here. The rains will return (hopefully), and cooler weather will bring a welcome relief to the long, hot days of unbearable heat indexes.

That means most farmers are busy seeding trays, prepping their soil and ordering last minute seeds - maybe for a failed test batch - in order to grow what we call the "cool season" crops. Generally these are harvested from October through the holidays. With the crazy weather, we're never for sure, but those are the plans. 

Favorites like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, and other cool season favorites, replace the summer crops like tomatoes, squash, okra, peppers and melons. This was a strange year for sure, with the heavy rains dragging on late into the early summer, it wreaked havoc on many of our summer growing plans. But a late 2nd crop of squash, peppers ready to go in the ground and some short season cucumbers will hopefully make up for any shortfalls we had this summer.  

Here at Eden's, I've been planting for fall crops since 2008. It seems almost a lifetime ago that I began this journey of farming for my community. Farming is no joke. And some days, I feel the seriousness of it in every bone in my body. It is important work, whether it is on a large scale in the cab of an air-conditioned cabin  with GPS directed row, or on foot with a hoe and a rake, or somewhere in between. 

Growing food, fiber and protein is what makes the world go around. Without modern agriculture, many people would not survive. There wouldn't be enough food at the grocery store for those who can't or don't grow, and many of us would live without many things we've become accustomed to acquiring, such as coffee, flour, sugar, and the many fruits and vegetables we can enjoy year round - thanks to imports. 

I've only ever been to 2 places in this country that can pretty much grow whatever they need all year round, and even they import some items. We function as a collective of growers from around the country and the world to feed everyone. Even though "big ag" has taken some guff for some of its conventional ways, on a whole, farming is a well respected "job".  

But it's more than that. It's a way of life for many. Sure, some folks have a day job and grow in their spare time.  But those of us who farm full time understand some parts of life differently than most. We’ve had to face challenges that many who can rely on off-farm jobs to supplement their income will never know—hard decisions that aren’t just about producing crops—they’re about life-or-death consequences for the farmer’s livelihood and family.

If there's a bad season, it would surely mean some major problems. String a few bad seasons together,  it could mean financial ruin for many farmers. We're not running our farms as a loss leader for a larger portfolio, nor do we have a second or third income to fall back on. This is not hobby farming for us. It's what pays the mortgage that allows us to continue to farm, to continue to pay the mortgage. 

Helping to minimize the risk of farming, is what birthed the CSA movement, many decades ago. And while there have always been a variety of  ways to organize a CSA operation, the idea of helping to minimize the risk to the farmer with subscriptions by the community, is the common thread. The farmer puts in the time, labor and know-how and hopes for the best when it comes to weather. The members divide up the cost of running the farm between themselves, and in turn split the harvest - be that what it may. 

Eden's Garden CSA Farm has never required its members to work in any way. We have offered work-share options and from time to time, folks will take me up on the discounted membership in exchange for weekly work on the farm. But it's been a long time since I've had anyone come every week for a few hours to help plant, pick, process, weed and such. We have had a lot of fun over the years. 

We all begin to slow down, sooner or later. That is why I've been looking for a way to retire, while allowing what has almost become the last CSA in the DFW area to remain intact. It is surely the longest running. I love that families have grown up coming here. New families discover it and bring their support, and families outgrow or move away, too. I've met hundreds of people through this farm and it has been my honor to grow food for each and every one. 

It is a shame that due to changes in city policy, I can no longer host other farmers. But I've also missed not even having enough produce to harvest to sell the extra myself for the public at a market stand, in some time. I just am not physically up to the longer hours and labor it requires to grow the surplus. 

So, I've been thinking about offering up a section of the farm to someone who wants to break into farming, but doesn't have the space. Maybe they've got the desire, and the strong back, but nowhere to grow more than a small garden - if even that. 

If you know of such a youngster who wants to start earning a living off the land, send them my way. I will be happy to visit with them. Serious inquiries only. This is not an offer for community garden space to grow a couple of plants and stop in once a week. Neither am I offering any kind of lodging. I do not have the availability any more. The shop has become a shell of its former self and houses the barn cats at night to keep them safe from coyotes. But that's about it. 

 

At some point, I still hope that the City of Balch Springs will realize what a golden opportunity Pioneer Grove will be, and I'll be able to open up much more than just a section for folks to farm. For now, I've got about 2 acres set aside, maybe more if you're willing to do some fencing, to keep the border horses out. I have split it up into several sections.  There is one other farmer here and he also has a section. He hopes to grow for chefs, mostly.

We have a large high tunnel and a smaller frame that can be relocated to the back growing area and used for winter growing. Just add plastic. We can work through the logistics of equipment and supplies, I have resources and we have some on farm that are shared. I can provide a place to grow and serve as a mentor or a sounding board in exchange for some help with the heavier parts of the job and part of the harvest. The bulk will be theirs to sell. The details can all be discussed and worked out. My hope is that this opportunity will find someone looking to professionally farm. I quit my farm job 5 months after I broke ground. I've really never regretted it. 

But I think it is time to find a way to shift the baton, so to speak - pass on the hoe, if you will. I know how valuable a working education can be. I've taught myself pretty much everything along the way. You Tube and reference books are great, but getting your hands dirty - nothing beats that.  And I look forward to seeing some new ideas, because I have not changed much in the nearly 20 years I've been doing this. 

In the meantime, I have been doing what most farmers are doing this time of year, and as I've done since 2008 - planting flats of fall crop seeds, getting ground ready to plant in, and here at Eden's,  welcoming in new members to my CSA. 

I do have a few memberships open, so if you're interested in either a full share, or a working share, please go to the website and follow the CSA info link for more information.  Pay for your fall share ASAP (it was due in July), and start sharing in the harvest with us starting in October.

If you're a gardener, it's time to get busy! Fall tomatoes should be in the ground if you're growing them, and if we're lucky, harvesting a second round of squash and peppers is not out of the question, either. Order your garlic. And soon, I'll have onion slips available for pre-order. I don't know about spuds yet. I'll keep you posted!

Go get your hands dirty and eat Your Food - Naturally!!

  Farmer Marie 

Badger The Calendar Farm Hero

Well, I had a little fun this week - I entered, and won, (3rd) a /Great Pyrenees/photo/calendar contest! 

I'm not so sure it was as much about the photographs as it was the stories of the dogs, so I'm lucky to have struck a chord with some very generous folks who voted Badger into 3rd place with their donations to the TGPR. But if I do say so myself, it's not a bad shot of our resident farm hero, proudly standing guard over his Gulf Coast sheep flock. OK, so there's only 4 of them, but hey, it's his flock. Plus, of course, there's Smoke, our aging Icelandic, and our ever changing flocks of chickens, shop cats, horses and, me - none pictured. 

It was all for a very admirable cause. The Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue organization uses an annual calendar contest as a way to raise money that pays for typical vet bills like spaying and neutering, as well as the quickly escalating medical bills that can come with many of these sweet fluff balls who come in sick, injured and sometimes, close to death. Every dog can't be saved, but by golly, they're going to save the ones they can! 

Many of the dogs that come in end up as cushy, spoiled couch dogs - which is just fine. Sadly, many of the dogs rescued out of shelters or found abandoned and roaming, are guardian dog failures. Not every dog bred and born to be a livestock guardian, has the right temperament to do so. Some chase their charges - which can lead to injury or worse, especially if the charges are fowl. It takes a very special temperament for a dog - who's instinct is to give chase to feathery, flighty things that squawk when you squeeze them  - to overpower that instinct and remain calm.  

But just because a dog wants to do what comes naturally to it, doesn't mean it shouldn't be loved. We've still got some old-fashioned minded folks out there who don't give those dogs a chance to become an excellent family dog. Which is a shame, because as the hundreds - maybe thousands - of rescue families would tell you - they can make excellent family dogs! They are usually low energy, laid back and sweet. Their bark may sound formidable, but they're what is often called, a gentle giant with their family. 

They adapt to new family members well, often get along just fine with feline siblings and do not require the same kind of high energy exercise that many more high-strung breeds often do.  They don't eat as much as you might think - they are a LOT of fluff, and even though they are a large breed, you don't want them to become too heavy or joints and bones could become an issue. Badger eats about 4 cups of dry kibble a day. And sometimes, he skips a meal! Usually, that's because he's found a new hiding spot for eggs.... ahem. 

Badger, as you know if you've followed the farm over the years, came here several months after I had to put down Bear, my first LGD. Bear, and his former partner, Molly, both came through the TGPR family. One of their volunteers did excellent matching 2 dogs to my needs for protection on the farm. Susie, being a homesteader herself, knew the temperament I needed and while we had one dog on visitation that didn't work out, as soon as Bear lumbered out of the back seat of her car, I knew he was going to be great - and he was. (Well, till he hit the tyrannosaurus x phase - AKA the terrible twos till 3 or that light flips on, phase.)

Molly, already 3, had been fostered on a working farm, too, the former FFA dog to a youngster, she had been trained to sheep and exposed to chickens, also. They made a great team and had some wonderful adventures together. Bear retired to the house, eventually, after Molly passed on.

Badger's story allowed him to skip the whole foster home period. I happened to see his momma's plea to rehome him due to his sire being a big ol' bully to her sweet natured year old pup. Truly, it is not unusual for there to be family squabbles in litters, and often the pups are sent off to avoid fighting. 

Badger hit the jackpot with his relocation because he eats in his own stall, so there is no one here to steal his food or push him around. He eased into his new role as top dog LGD very well and lords over the 3 acres he has access to like he was born here. He despises it when I limit his kingdom on farm share pick up days - or when a repair crew is coming. But there's not a squirrel, rabbit, skunk or raccoon of whom he doesn't have their number, and he has become buddies with the shop cats, (well, more or less), and he keeps the younger sheep from stealing Smoke's kibbles. The horses are pretty much forbidden territory - Off Limits! He was kicked as a youngster back at his first home, by a mini-horse he likely mistook for a playmate. The horses here are much bigger and while curious, he usually keeps his distance and is not allowed in the horse barn. I don't need that vet bill!  

 

He is also very photogenic. I love taking his picture - when he sits still for one. Usually I get his back end or a side shot as he's moving into or away from the lens. But I mean, just look at that face! How can I resist?  He's not a big licker, thankfully, so I'm not setting myself up for a face cleaning every time I stoop down to get a shot, but he does like to come be near me, so close ups are not common. He gets too close, too fast! 

But, I thought I had a few good shots to choose from and enter 1 and, well, we picked a winner! I used the one our FB fans chose and he took 3rd place - and that won him a month featured in the calendar! We picked June, since that's his birthday month. I'll find out later if he gets it. (The 1st place winner gets to choose first, etc.) But his gotcha day is in October, so we used that as our back up month if June isn't available. Either way, Badger will be smiling at ya from his page on the Texas Great Pyrenees 2026 Calendar! 

Thank you to all of his fans, fans of the farm, friends and family who donated and gave votes to Badger. He never would have won on my farmer's only salary, that's for sure. All of the proceeds from his entry fee, to every vote, go towards the rescue group. 

And I hope I was able to raise some new awareness for them, along the way. They're an entirely volunteer group, no 6 digit CEO, and there's no bricks and mortar home office. Everyone volunteers time, space and love. Fosters often drive hours to rescue and vet these dogs, before taking them into their homes, while they await the all clear and a furever home of their own. I felt great about beating the drum of this fine group of folks - and I hope you'll check them out if you're ever in the market for a new fluff ball friend, an LGD (they do have some that are fostered and vetted for this), as well as a place to support. A bona fide 501C3, your donations are tax deductible, and you can feel good about your money going to a good cause.

Marie 

Eat Your Food - Naturally!

A Tale Too Sad to Tell

Someone asked me if I'm writing a book about all of this. It would have to be a comedy, it's so unbelievable. 

 

How else could you explain that a farmer, who is looking to retire, yet doesn't want to just sell out their land to the highest bidder, offers of which have been pretty promising (well, before all of the tariff nonsense and now, potentially war), but instead pulled together a lovely, mixed use, sustainable development of small, quality starter homes sharing the land with an existing working farm and a redevelopment of the commercial area into a vibrant, artisanal small/micro business hub - only to have some bitter, former colleagues and opponents from prior political times - sabotage the application needed to rezone to a different 

use. 

It's the stuff tragedies are made of. 

Instead of the farmer retiring in peace, knowing her years of dedicated land stewardship will go on into perpetuity, she could be forced to sell to some stodgy commercial developer - 

 

who will bulldoze down the century old farmhouse, that just needed some TLC to restore her to her original beauty, flatten over centuries old native trees and prairies, pour concrete culverts over creeks and streams and shorelines of the pond and erect tilt-wall concrete warehouses - where 18-wheelers full of freight containers can pull in and out at all and any hours of the day and night. 

 

I mean what's the point? Who really wins here? The citizens of the community get more torn up streets. The neighbors adjacent to the once, serene, quiet and picturesque farm get noise, pollution and runoff. 

 

oh, I guess the mean girls win b/c as they see it, the farmer loses - as she takes the money from the sale and moves away to a place not much unlike that of which she helped design for her own community. 

Sure, she's sad that the land she loved was wasted, and that the town she embraced, served and was welcomed by gets ignored by their elected officials. But I can see a comic tragedy written out of the nonsense spewed in council meetings by people who have forgotten their jobs, and instead ridiculed, disrespected and accused people of impossible crimes and made up lies and BS scenarios that do not apply. 

Can't you? If it weren't so sad - it could be funny.  

This would not have happened if mature, responsible adults were in the room, but I digress. They WERE elected. 

 To be continued.....

 

Marie 

Eat Your Food - Naturally!

Next Steps for Pioneer Grove

We knew our project wasn't going to be everyone's cup of tea. But it was going to bring more quality, yet affordable starter homes to our community, reignite the commercial use by reinvigorating the Market Days with on site artisanal pop-up shops and the refurbishment of the century old farm house and nearly as old, barn. We'd expand the parking, improve the entrance, and create a real hub for the community as a whole. 

It was equally as important to me, to preserve as much of the land as possible; the old growth trees that the project would be named for, Pioneer Grove, and restoring the native prairie with its wild grasses, wildflowers, native trees & perennials. In the process, this meant cleaning up the invasive intruders and weeds that come with over-grazing and, quite honestly, a lack of grazing by bio-diverse species.  Horses will eat a lot, but there's a lot they will not eat, too. 

Over all this project is a win for everyone. The community, the city's tax base, the neighbors, the DFW area and future farmers and generations, would all see benefits from Pioneer Grove - from job creation to environmental beautification, and parkland expansion. I, would get to retire with dignity and knowing I'm leaving this place better than I found it - a Girl Scout oath I took a long time ago: an oath by which I still try my best to live. 

The team I assembled came in with pencils blazing and brains buzzing to put this idea on paper. Between the urban planning expertise, the development experience and the vision - it was bound to be cool. And, Pioneer Grove is. But it's still just on paper. 

We all really hope that changes. 

The community as a whole has come together and shown their support of this project and its founder in many ways. I'm honestly blown away by the passion shared by all of you. I seem to have hit a good nerve and it feels good. 

Many spoke passionately in support of Pioneer Grove to Council at meetings, sent notes of support, stopped by and applauded the plans during one of several on-farm tours at public meetings. There's been no one who has not thought this was going to be a good thing. Even, initially, Council seemed in favor. During conversations in meetings without objections, the lack of questions during briefings, and the full support of the Planning & Zoning Board - as well as the recommendation for the project and its mixed use zoning by staff. 

What changed? 

Who knows? 

But the community and beyond has come together to support the project's legal fund to defend the rejection by Council. The sabotage of our dream for a better future for this place, can not stand. The community has spoken and Council has given no solid reason to say no to this mixed use project when it has said yes to so many others - with much less, if ANY, scrutiny.  

I should be able to re-zone this land to make the best use of it - even the comp plan said mixed use was recommended. 

Details like driveway entries, circulation and even the negative, hypothetical issues that people dream up, are all worked out once the engineers do their detailed work - AFTER zoning, platting, surveying, etc. The engineers, and those familiar with the ordinances of the city, pull all of the details together and create lasting neighborhoods that leave a footprint of progress in a community. I may be new to all of this, but my team is not. They have done it dozens of times all across the country. I have no doubt in their abilities. They've got contacts with builders, contractors and lawyers - suppliers and everyone needed along the way for an undertaking like this. It's no small potatoes, but I've seen their work, they're recommendations and I know they can do this!  And Balch Springs deserves this. 

Pioneer Grove is a unique, but sensible approach that would address many issues facing our society today; Lack of starter housing, too many automobiles, need to travel for necessities/sundries and lack of green space. 

But the land has to be zoned mixed use to allow any of this to happen. Mixed use just makes sense. 

Today, I'll take an important step forward to help secure this dream of ours. I should have a better idea of the upfront costs, too. I never dreamed it would come to all this. But I'm honored to have so many behind me in this struggle.

Thank you all for every dollar that you've contributed thus far. I feel so much more empowered knowing my friends, neighbors, customers, and strangers alike, believe this is the right thing to do! 

 If you'd like to kick in a few bucks to help us get Pioneer Grove off the paper and into reality - here's the GoFundMe link. Or you can always Zelle the farm at our number - 2143483336 Thanks! 

 

Now, go Eat Your Food - Naturally!

 Farmer Marie