“I want summer now,” said Freshwater Reporter contributor Nikki Schneider, when asked what to name her story. We think it’s the best description of this farmstand photo, taken by Z&N Farm co-owner Nicole Mezeske.
By Nikki Schneider
I was born in suburban Chicago and spent most of my life as a city girl. Growing up, I knew we had a farmers market on Saturdays but my mom would say, “I can get it cheaper at the grocery store.” We didn’t have a lot of money, so it made sense at the time. Her words stayed with me until last year when I moved to Bear Lake.
I discovered Z&N Farm on Facebook and fell love with the farm’s inspiring posts, pictures and story. I took a beautiful drive out to the family’s tidy, inviting farmstand southeast of Bear Lake and found the most amazing fresh produce. You can shop the stand or pre-order. Instead of a CSA (community supported agriculture), in which you pay upfront to get a “surprise” box of produce, Z&N provides an online order form. You choose exactly what you want, pay as you go, and pick up your selections from the farmstand … radishes, bok choy and other greens in spring; heirloom tomatoes, corn, watermelons and veggies in summer; pumpkins, potatoes, squash and more greens in fall.
This farm has changed the way I think about buying produce, farming and our Earth.
A little background about the name …
The “Z” in Z&N Farm is for Zachary “Zac” Mezeske, born and raised in Bear Lake. Both his grandfathers were well-known local farmers. The 6-acre farm is on the site of his Grandpa Bowling’s former cherry orchard. Zac prefers natural, organic growing methods he learned during his many years of raising crops.
The “N” is for Nicole, whose grandparents live in on a farm in central Maine. She has fond memories of her grandmother’s homemade maple syrup and jams and spending time among the farm’s chickens and horses. Through her education (social work/political science) and early work experience, she has developed a passion for community service and a desire to create a better world. Even more so since the birth of their daughter Willow. Nicole is the manager of the 2021 Elberta Farmers Market.
Z&N Farm is also known online as Zen Farm. In the farm’s logo, the ampersand between “Z” and “N” resembles an “E,” spelling ZEN. In addition to the Japanese offshoot of Buddhism, zen (with a small “z”) is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a state of calm attentiveness in which one’s actions are guided by intuition rather than conscious effort.”
I contacted Nicole in February to get answers to my most pressing questions.
FR: What is your favorite part of farming? The least favorite?
Z&N: There is so much to love about farming. We love to be outside, and we love to eat good produce. Zac loves the way a homegrown tomato tastes; he has a high standard for quality and hopes it shows in the produce we grow. We love being able to teach our daughter about how and where her food grows, and what it takes to bring it to the table. We love the way growing food connects us to our family, friends and community. The hardest part about farming is also part of what we love about it, the connection and commitment to the plants. The plants need us even when we are hot/ or tired. It is physically demanding and can be emotionally taxing, yet we continue to feel the rewards outweigh the difficult aspects of the work.
FR: You aren’t organic but sound pretty close. Please explain.
Z&N: We are not certified organic (yet), but we do follow organic practices. All of our inputs on the farm are OMRI listed, and we source non-GMO seeds. (Editor’s note: OMRI is the Organic Materials Review Institute, a nonprofit that establishes a list of products qualified to be labeled “organic” under the USDA National Organic Program. GMO is an acronym for “genetically-modified organisms” whose DNA is changed through genetic engineering. The farm does not use genetically altered seeds.) We utilize organic composts and amendments, earthworm castings, cover crops, crop rotations, and daily cultivation/weed removal. Following organic growing practices is more expensive – sourcing non-GMO seeds, (using) organic fertilizers ⸺ and also labor intensive (shoveling compost/lots of hand hoeing), but we believe that not only is organic produce safer for us to consume, it is safer for the land and all the creatures that live here.
FR: I know you supply produce for Yellow Dog Café in Onekama. Any other businesses?
Z&N: We have been so lucky to work with Yellow Dog Café from our very first year growing produce; we feel so fortunate to have the support of local businesses. In 2020, we started working with Iron Fish Distillery and the Bear Lake Food Pantry. Building these community partnerships and relationships has been such an honor. There is nothing more rewarding than knowing that people in the community are eating (and enjoying) the produce that we grow.
FR: Do you see a trend of younger families getting into farming?
Z&N: We absolutely see a growing trend of young farmers. I hope that we can be a part of redefining what it means to be a farmer. You do not have to own thousands of acres or have dozens of employees to be able to feed people within your community. You do have to be willing to work hard and long hours. You have to be creative, committed, dedicated, and always willing to learn. I think there are many young people who are searching for purpose, wanting life to have more meaning, and we are finding that, by digging our hands in the dirt and planting seeds of hope for the future.
FR: Gardening has become extremely popular during Covid. What advice would you give to a new gardener?
Z&N: We have always been strong believers in growing your own garden. Especially now when there is so much uncertainty in our food systems. For new gardeners, I really recommend following other farmers and gardeners on social media and Youtube — research, watch, learn – take advantage of the free resources available to you. There’s not ONE right way to do this; take the pieces that work for you and your situation. Be realistic about your growing space. If you get limited sun in your yard, then you might want to stick to shade-tolerant veggies and just buy your tomatoes from Z&N Farm. Utilize local planting guides/ farmer almanacs to learn about the best time of year to start your seeds and transplants. Don’t be afraid to fail. Every year … there will be techniques that don’t work out, harvests that fall short, bugs/weeds that take over and these are all learning lessons for the next season.
FR: What are your future goals? For instance, to introduce a new crop to the area, learn new techniques, etc.?
Z&N: We want to grow year-round produce. The greenhouse that we built at the end of summer 2020 will make that goal possible. Growing year ’round in our climate takes careful planning, planting and discipline, but can you imagine: harvesting (and eating) fresh greens when there is two feet of snow on the ground and it’s zero degrees outside!?
FR: What is your favorite vegetable? Favorite way to prepare it?
Z&N: Z&N Farm Heirloom Tomatoes, fresh out of the field, sliced and salted.
We have a long wait for those tomatoes, but there will be other goodness available. Visit the farm in a “few weeks” (per the farm’s May 3 Facebook post) at 9740 Chief Road, Bear Lake. Find them online at: www.zenfarmllc.com and on Facebook and Instagram. Contact them at: zenfarmllc@gmail.com or (707) 672-5118.
Contributing writer Nikki Schneider is a co-owner of Patina, a resale gallery in Onekama.
