Basia was born in Krakow Poland and came to the United States with her mother at age five, growing up mostly in Seattle and Denver, then moving to Kansas City as an adult. Her now partner lived in Northwest Arkansas and Basia fell in love with the nature and trails, “Everything is so green!” Her path from there to the CAFF Farm School was marked with speedbumps and uncertainties.
“I was drawn to the program and wanted to apply the first year but missed the deadline. I thought about applying for a CAFF Farm Apprenticeship but knew I needed some farming experience first or I wouldn’t get the most out of it. The farmer would have to teach me too much and I wouldn’t understand why I was doing things.” That was good thinking on Basia’s part. Having some farming experience is helpful for apprenticeships and the CAFF Farm School is designed for those with little to none.
As a child, Basia enjoyed helping with her mother’s perennial flower beds. Her only experience with growing food was a tiny urban vegetable patch, which involved trying and failing to grow her own tomatoes. But, Farming experience? She had none and wasn’t sure she even had the minimum required to tackle the program.
“I was also hesitant to apply because I was unsure that I wanted to farm as my forever career path. I kept thinking of it as all or nothing,” Basia recalls. She considered the program for a year or two and kept going back and forth on applying. Finally, a chat with CAFF Assistant Program Director, Heather Friedrich, helped her decide. “Now that I’m actually in the program I’ve realized that just because I complete it, doesn’t mean I’ have to own a farm or do it as a career. You can do this program and still be just a backyard gardener, or scale that up to whatever level you want. It’s valuable practical knowledge.”
In addition to farm production skills, Basia is learning to create a business plan and developing her entrepreneurial skills. “In the beginning, I didn’t expect to get as much out of that aspect of the program. But the business knowledge I’m learning could be applied to anything relating to food. So, I’m glad that I learned it. I’ll always have that knowledge and the ability to grow my own food, so I’m happy about finally applying for the program. My advice for others on the fence is to stop hesitating and just do it.”
Basia says several other people in her farm school cohort came into it with no experience. The instructors start at the most basic level with every course topic and she appreciates that. “Everything is thoroughly explained. I’ve never felt my lack of formal farming background experience has been an issue in this program.” Applicants complete a preliminary work session at the farm before committing so they can be sure it’s right for them.
Another obstacle for Basia is that she worked full-time while attending the CAFF Farm School. “It’s been a challenge time-wise, but the instructors are awesome and I can reach out to them for advice or help navigating my schedule.”
Prior to beginning farm school, Basia worked in various positions. She started thinking about what she really wanted to do with her life outside of work for more fulfillment. The result was following joy and that path led to farming. “Plants inspire me and I’m happier when I’m around them, so I followed that.”
Basia also loves being outdoors and cooking healthy food. “I was never one of those people who knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life. I’m still figuring that out, but farming brings together many things I love doing.” The program has given her an opportunity to explore options for building a business around her various interests.
Farm life for Basia is all about food. Growing it, sharing it, and cooking it. She cites a quote from a Michael Pollan book as a mantra she’s also adopted for herself, “Eat Real Food.” Access to all of the real food she’s growing is inspiring. There’s a whole new world of options to explore for sharing it with others. “In class, we’re always bouncing ideas off of each other.”
Basia is still forming her goals for farming but says “Flowers just scream beautiful life to me.” The top priority for now is to continue learning and gaining experience. Perennial cutting flowers are a strong interest along with medicinal herbs, permaculture, and maybe chickens. Another possibility is working on other farms in the future to continue the exploration. She can see herself having a farm someday. Completing the business plans in class has prompted thinking about everything she could create and there are a lot of options
Farming taught Basia to pay more attention to the seasons and experience them differently as she spends more time outside. “The connection to plants is on a new level after watching them grow from being put to bed in the winter. That’s what farm life is to me. It’s a slower different kind of life, lived outside, working with nature. I like having that slowness in my life.”
CAFF offers several programs, classes, and workshops for new and beginning farmers. The Center for Arkansas Farms and Food is part of the University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture. More information and applications are available at LearnToFarm.org
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