Hello! My name is Shauna and I'm trying to help two fantastic gentleman. Michael and Daniel have an organic farming business called Richert/Phillips farms markets. They have been growing produce since 2000 for farmers markets as well as some wholesale. In 2009 they became certified organic. They love what they do and it shows not only in the high quality products/veggies/fruit they produce, but also in their constant smiling! They are two of the most positive, upbeat humans I know...which is saying alot as they have just (and are continuing to) experience the most devastating thing to happen to their farm to date. They lost 95% of their crops from the torrential rains that flooded their land a few weeks back (I have included pictures of the damage below). The plants and vegetative fruits were fine and ready to be picked before the flood but after being submerged they started to rot very quickly and it killed the plants as well.

I want to include just a little overview of exactly what this means in the words of Daniel and Michael....

"Many people think that farming is nostalgic and a simpler way of life, but the reality is this... Starting in November, the next year's season is being planted. In December supplies are being purchased. January is relaxing. In February the greenhouse is opened and plants for the field are being propagated, which continues until sometime in April. In April the field work, greenhouse work and the planting of potatoes and onions start. By mid May the field work takes over and planting is in full swing. June is chalk full of weeding, more field prep as well as secondary planting. In July some of the harvesting starts and the days get long and hot. They are 12 to 14 hour days that are well into the 90's. The heat index at the end of July and August is 100+. Profit does not start until some time in mid to late August after all these months of preparation and hard work. The lose of all these crops is simply unimaginable. To have worked so hard for so long and lose so much is beyond devastating."

The have gone through every conventional avenue to get the assistance needed to continue to live their passion and grow their organic food. Unfortunately, they have come up empty handed in each case. They depend solely on the income from the farm to survive so without our help they will not be able to continue. They are more than willing to talk to anyone who would like more information or just to get to know them a bit. They are truly wonderful people and deserve every opportunity to live their dream and continue to provide so many people with amazing organic produce with a smile! Please help if you can! If we all give a little it will help out a lot! And please share! share! share! so we can reach as many people that are willing to help as possible!! Thank you so much in advance for all of your help! And many blessings to you all!







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