Wow! On Saturday, Oct 17, 2026 we hosted our first ever (hopefully annual) FARMRAISER: A Boots & Benefit Brunch. This event was specifically connected with The Collaborative, our 501c3 nonprofit at the farm. We cannot say enough good things about the event, the people who heaped love and support for The Collaborative.
To date, we have raised more than $21,000 of our $25,000 goal. Even more incredible than the number is what these donations will enable us to do this coming year and beyond. During the event, Chris and Katie were able to share some in depth information about The Collaborative, the development process and the impact this money will have on the upcoming year.
Here is some of what Katie shared during the event:
When we were choosing a name for The Specialty Crop Collaborative, we had a long, thoughtful, and at times difficult conversation about one particular word: collaborative.
It was important to us that we get that word right, because it represents so much of what we hope this farm will be.
We wanted this to be a place where people bring their unique gifts, experiences, resources, and abilities to the table. A place where we empower and advocate for people of all abilities, not simply by creating opportunities for people, but by building opportunities with people.
But we also knew that our vision could never be contained within the boundaries of these five acres.
The farm was always meant to be a starting place, not the destination.
We are sowing skills that our farmers can carry into their workplaces, their homes, and their communities. We are cultivating relationships that extend beyond the farm gates. And we are working toward a greater Sioux Empire where people of all abilities are not only welcomed into community, but recognized for what they contribute to it.
And I can't imagine a more beautiful illustration of that vision than the room we're sitting in today.
Look around you. Think about the varied abilities represented on our farmer panel, among our farmers and their families, our buddies, our volunteers, our community partners, and every one of you who chose to be here.
You have come from different places, with different experiences, gifts, and resources. Yet here we are, sharing a table, sharing stories, and working toward something bigger than any one of us.
This is the collaborative in action. This is the fruit of what we hoped to grow.
Our hope is that what begins here doesn't stay here. That the skills cultivated on this farm take root in other workplaces. That the relationships built here grow into friendships and partnerships across our communities. That the seeds of belonging planted here spread far beyond our farm gates.
Because we believe all people belong in all places at all times. And we believe that when we create communities where everyone has a place and everyone has something to contribute, we all grow.
As the name Collaborative suggests, Chris and I have never built this farm alone. We've been surrounded by people who have shared their time, talents, resources, and belief in this vision. But behind the scenes, much of the day-to-day work of building the infrastructure, developing the programs, and growing this place has rested on the two of us.
Raising $25,000 will help us take an important next step: establishing a paid Executive Director position, allowing me to dedicate my professional time and energy to leading The Specialty Crop Collaborative into its next, more sustainable season of growth.
Having an Executive Director in place means more than simply putting a salary toward work that's already being done. It means more time to strengthen our programs, build relationships with families and community partners, pursue grants and funding opportunities, develop sustainable revenue, and establish the systems and infrastructure needed for long-term success.
It also allows us to grow our board and leadership structure so that the responsibility of building this organization is shared more broadly, rather than resting so heavily on its founders.
Ultimately, this investment will help us move from a model that relies heavily on volunteer leadership and personal sacrifice to one that is more sustainable, strategic, and positioned for growth.
It's time for this collaborative to grow beyond the two people who started it.
Thank you for being part of this vision. Thank you for bringing your gifts to this table. And thank you for helping us cultivate something meaningful—not just here on the farm, but throughout the communities we call home.
We are deeply grateful and humbled by the generosity, encouragement, and belief you've shown us. And now, we invite you to dig in alongside us. To plant a few seeds, nurture what is already growing, and help us cultivate something that will continue to flourish long after today. There is so much more to grow, and we'd love to grow it together.