Breaking Ground.

Hey there, Neighbor!

Dad and I on the farm last spring.

Luke Grigg, here - also known around here as the little brother who always has a camera in his hands!

On behalf of my entire family, I want to say, “Welcome!”

Welcome to the land of my parents, and my dad’s parents, and his dad’s parents, too - Grigg Farms. Yup, that’s four generations (and actually going on five, now! I can’t keep up!).

There is so much history to be told in the pages to come about this little plot of land, centered smack-dab in the middle of Washington state. (And I cannot wait to take you on that journey!) There are also quite a few of us in this Grigg-bunch, so expect to see a few voices popping on here every now and then to share a little news and spread a lot of joy.

- I started this website to build bridges. -

For the last 10 years, I spent the majority of my time living away from this beautiful place. I lived in Peru, Israel, Wisconsin, and even Los Angeles. Throughout my time, I’ve noticed an interesting phenomenon that takes place no matter what culture you grew up in - the majority of this planet has a real disconnect between where their food started and where it ends.

It wasn’t until I left here that I realized that not every kid grows up digging their fingers in the dirt of their father’s adult-sized sandbox. That not everyone gets thrown into a tractor before they know how to drive. And that certainly not everyone grows up with their only neighbor within two miles being their grandmother.

There is a unique culture in farm life that many people haven’t had the chance to experience. And maybe you are one of those people.

Yet, for the majority of those who haven’t experienced farm life, it isn’t due to a lack of interest or effort… it’s due to a lack of connection.

It is so easy for a member of my family to venture off our land and into a big city (or even moderately-sized town), to partake in all that it has to offer. However, the reverse of that proves to be quite often more difficult.

How does one effectively create connection, communication, or dare I say, even friendship when their start didn’t come from a farm, a field, or even a town small enough that everyone knows each other?

This website is just my way of trying to open that door. The door that has always been open, just possibly a little hard to find.

- I started this website to build a platform. -

I wanted to create a space where farmers, (like my dad), farm workers, and farm families could use their voice.

If there is one reaction I have noticed in my time bringing person after person to our farm, it’s that many people need only a day here to realize how different of a lifestyle farming truly is, how much it requires from those choosing this profession.

Farming is not a normal job. I dare say it isn’t a “job” at all, no, but a lifestyle.

These men and women choose to sacrifice a great deal for the chance to feed this planet. I just don’t know if there is a platform out there that brings that reality, that lifestyle, to the light.

I can’t remember the last time I heard representation of what happens on a farm actually presented by a farmer. Or the last politician from a farm town, or even a small town, I heard speak about farm life?

The reality is that the numbers are few, if any.

Is it not disheartening to know that so many people have never interacted directly with this person that is so essential in their life?

I don’t presume that farmer’s voices need to be the first in line, but I do believe they are important, especially in these trying times. The epidemic is raising up a need for people to understand where their food is coming from, as well as how.

We need a way to connect with our farmers. To bridge a gap between their produce and our food.

In the end, I believe that by getting to know your farmer (no matter where you come from) you will be getting to know your friend.

So no matter if you’re from here or there… welcome to the farm, neighbor.

Blessings,

Luke Grigg