New Moon Farm...Past, Present, Future
New Moon Farm was born a decade ago to two people with a dream and a 100 X 100 foot garden plot. 2010 marked a milestone - it was our tenth year of organic farming here in this region of North Carolina. It also marked the passing of the very special man who was the heart and soul of New Moon Farm...my husband, Dave.

Over our years at the Farm, Dave and I achieved many of the goals we set for ourselves when we first returned to N. C. from Oregon, back in 1999. Originally, our plan was to "homestead" and grow our own organic food and to live a simple life and be as sustainable as possible. Our goal was to become as self sufficient as practical and to live a sort of modern "pioneer" life. We reached those goals many times over. We went from growing organic food crops just for our family to growing heirloom and gourmet varieties, and making them available to our community.

Our dedication to the principles and tenets of sustainability and organic growing never waivered and we were very proud of what we accomplished over the last decade. New Moon always used 100% organic methods and we were first certified organic in 2003. New Moon expanded considerably over 10 years, from that original "kitchen garden" plot into the thriving, active farm that it became. We were an active presence at local farmer's markets for a number of years, as well as establishing one of the first CSAs in the area over 11 years ago.

With Dave's death came another personal tragedy - the end of the original New Moon Farm Organics as it was known for those first 10 years. The reins of control of the land where New Moon was located reverted back to Dave's family and so New Moon was no longer allowed to operate in the Mount Ulla location. If New Moon was to continue, I would have to start all over from scratch, in a new location 40 miles away from the original farm and that is exactly what I have undertaken.

The essence New Moon moved with me, to a new location in Lincoln County. The spirit and dream of two people who were as passionate about what they did as they were about each other will always be reflected in whatever incarnation remains of New Moon Farm. During his long illness, Dave and I talked a lot what might happen in the future for New Moon. Together, we made a decision that New Moon would continue for as long as either both or one of us is able to make it so and I move forward with that always as my goal.

I know that Dave would want me to look on this as an opportunity, instead of a hardship but it is not always easy to see things that way. This grieving process has been harder than I ever imagined it could be. The pain of not having my best friend beside me is sometimes hard to deal with and I do my best to remember only the love and happiness we shared. That helps. I want to be like the mythical Phoenix, rising from the ashes of a tragedy and into a new life. I even renamed my new incarnation New Moon Rising for a while, to remind me of what I am trying to accomplish now. That never felt exactly right and so I have reverted back to the original name, New Moon Farm.

Wanting something very badly doesn't make it happen. It takes a tremendous amount of support, hard work and resources and there have been many times, especially over the last year, when I didn't think I could go on. But I refuse to give up because the only way I will survive is if I do this for Dave, for us. Finding inspiration in what went before has given me the strength to persevere. And because I am also tremendously fortunate to have the love and support of many wonderful people, I know that eventually I will succeed.

So, now you know what is going on with New Moon Farm. I hope that you will continue to support New Moon in 2012. I remain optomistic that I can do what I have set out to do. One thing for sure is that I plan on continuing to strive to do what I have done for the last 10+ years... provide amazing, fresh and healthy food for ourselves and our neighbors. I honor Dave's memory by dedicating all of my efforts and energies into continuing the work that meant so much to the two of us. New Moon has always been a testament to the power of love and hopefully, will continue to live on in its new incarnation.

Best regards, and as always many thanks, to all our friends and supporters from the last 10+ years. As I move forward, I hope you will remember Dave with fondness and remember how much he cared.
Suzanne