Atina and Martin Diffley, certified organic produce growers.
Who are we and why do we do it?
Lovers of soil, kelp, water, seeds, plants, compost, bio-diversity. We both love to be outside, where we can see and feel the weather. We love to feed people. To see the food we produce nourish and delight them. The miracle of plants growing. The absolute incredibleness of putting a seed in the ground and with moisture, warmth and nutrients, plants of endless diversity are the result. The entire cycle of life. Soil - water - air - seeds - weather - growing plants - insects - nutrients - human interaction - food - compost - returning to the earth to begin the cycle again. This we find exciting and inspiring.
And...................... we love to feed people.
MISSION STATMENT
To grow the highest quality, certified organic produce for the local Twin Cities market in a manner which leaves our soil in better condition and health than when we began farming and to market our product in a manner financially equitable for both grower and consumer while maintaining a healthy personal life for ourselves and our families.
Gardens of Eagan is a fifth generation family farm, in operation since 1857. We began growing organic vegetables in 1973 and received organic certification in 1974.
We currently care for 120 acres. Approximately 35% of this acerage is in bio-diversity habitat. Of the remaining acreage we strive for 70% fresh market produce / 30% green manure fertility building program. In the Twin Cities area we sell direct to, 10 natural food co-operatives, 2 natural foods stores, Lunds/Byerlys , 3 wholesalers and our own roadside stand in Eagan.
"How we eat determines, to a considerable extent, the way the world is used."
-Wendell Berry
MOSES 2004 Organic Farmer of the Year!
Congratulations to Martin and Atina Diffley, Gardens of Eagan,
Many of us have known Martin and Atina Diffley for several decades. Back then, they stood out as exemplary organic vegetable growers with their innovative marketing ideas, use and adaptation of mechanical equipment, experimentation with cover cropping, green manure crops, and compost, and just through the sheer size of their operation. They are one of the longest certified organic operations in the United States, having been first certified in 1975.
Over the years, Martin and Atina have experimented with diverse cover crops such as Andean lupin beans, African cowpeas, triticale, sorghum sudan grass, and varieties of rye and vetch. Erosion is minimized by maintaining cover on almost all fields throughout the winter months. One of Martin’s inventions is a unique side-delivery manure spreader to sidedress compost and other nutrients in a 2’ wide swath.
Martin and Atina have had first hand experience of urban sprawl when the 5th generation Eagan farm Martin was renting from his family was sold to make lots for suburban houses. For several years, they had to farm on rented land located in 10-12 different locations within a 30-mile radius, while their newly purchased farm completed the transition process to qualify for certification. They currently farm 140 acres near Farmington, certified by International Certification Services.
The Diffleys worked with the Land Stewardship Project to promote awareness of the importance of land preservation in urban areas with regular appearances in the news and creating a documentary film, “Turn Here – Sweet Corn”. They have also published articles in trade publications, such as Growing for Market. They have been very active in the cooperative store movement in the Twin Cities, with many years of in-store consumer education and marketing local, organic food.
Martin was instrumental in establishing organic standards in Minnesota. He volunteered many hours, working with the Organic Growers and Buyers Association (MN’s first certifying agent) in a variety of roles and was even an organic inspector for 4 years.
They are regular speakers at organic farming and vegetable production conferences. Many of you have heard Martin speak on farming equipment. They have hosted numerous field days, sharing their wealth of knowledge with many others. They have helped Hmong and other immigrants by providing jobs, helping connect them to equipment to start their own farms, and even selling land to help new farmers begin their own farms. They have inspired and educated many young people on organic vegetable farming through their on-farm intern program which was the first in the Midwest.
As you can see, Martin and Atina embody the sentiments of the MOSES Organic Farmer of the Year. We thank Martin and Atina for their years of stewardship, dedication, hard work, creativity, positive thinking, sharing, and most of all, providing people with healthy, nutritious food.
Atina and Martin Diffley
25498 Highview Ave.
Farmington, MN 55024
Phone: 952-469-1855
Fax: 952-469-2504
E-Mail: atinagoe@frontiernet.net
