Susan worked in a corporate job and longed to go back to farming she took a chance and bought her dream farm, quit her marketing job and leapt right in. Pan’s Patch is USDA Certified organic, Susan uses biodynamic organic farming practices as well. She Grass farms, no grain. Organic hay. She uses the “no-till” method, lots of mulch. Pan’s Patch also has a Certified organic greenhouse specializing in heirloom tomatoes, hot peppers, greens, herbs, winter squash. Susan has inspired many in our community with her belief that we are stewards of the land, and whatever we do with it must enrich it and leave it in better shape than we found it. She sells her produce and products at our local farmers market and is always willing to give people tips on gardening and organic foods.

The Himelick Farm, est. in 1893, has been around for six generations and has evolved into a successful CSA. But this is no ordinary CSA. In addition to organic herbs, veggies, flowers and pasture-fed meats, it serves a much broader purpose and more Holy mission on its 114 acres. Victory Acres is part of Victory Inner-city Ministries, a not-for-profit with the aim of providing healthy work and healthy food for inner-city Indianapolis residents. I’m not just biased because my family works on the farm and gets a share of bounty. I am truly in awe of the work and agri-experimentation I see being done there.