ORGANIC FARMER OF THE YEAR

Linda Halley and Richard de Wilde of Harmony Valley Farms in Viroqua, WI were named “Organic Farmers of the Year” at the 2003 Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference. Halley and de Wilde were honored in the first annual award recognizing innovation in organic farming, excellence in enhancing farm resources, and the ability to inspire others in the organic community.

Established in 1985, Harmony Valley was one of the first certified organic farms in Wisconsin, raising certified organic vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers on 70 of the farm’s 200 acres. They market directly to local and regional retailers, wholesalers, at farmers markets and through a 440-member Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) group.

Harmony Valley is a family owned, diversified farm located in an isolated valley in southwestern Wisconsin. The farm's silt loam fields are high in organic matter, humus and biological life. They receive green cover crops, generous amounts of compost and rock powders. Vegetables are grown and harvested with care. All products are certified by the Midwest Organic Services Association.

To control pests, Harmony Valley provides perennial habitat and nesting sites to raptors, song birds, bats, wasps and beneficial insects. Their latest research involved studying disease suppressive properties of soil amended with compost. They are dedicated to organic farming and believe strongly that it produces the highest quality, best tasting food while protecting the quality of our water and wildlife. Harmony Valley hosts numerous people on tours of their farm each year.

Linda Halley has moved on to become general Manager of Fairview Gardens in Goleta, CA. Linda is responsible for overseeing personnel, marketing, and production. Linda previously co-owned and operated Harmony Valley Farm in Wisconsin, a diverse certified organic produce and Angus operation.

The Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens is a California non-profit organization that was established in 1997 to preserve and operate Fairview Gardens, the historic farm where our products are grown. Founded in 1895, Fairview Gardens is considered by some to be the oldest organic farm in southern California, and is now preserved in perpetuity through an agricultural conservation easement.

Fairview Gardens is situated in the midst of a growing suburban community in coastal southern California, surrounded on all sides by tract homes, shopping malls, and suburban thoroughfares. As a highly visible agricultural parcel in a dense suburban environment, Fairview Gardens plays a unique role in the community, providing its neighbors with food, educational and cultural events, open space and a connection to the land. The farm also demonstrates the economic viability of small farm operations, and the potential of small, regional farms to feed their communities.

The mission of the farm is: "To preserve the agricultural heritage of this 100-year-old farm; to provide the local community with fresh, chemical-free fruits and vegetables; to demonstrate the economic viability of sustainable agricultural methods for small farm operations; to research and interpret the connections between food, land, and community well being; and to nurture the human spirit through educational programs and public outreach both on and off the farm."