Wow, y’all, I can’t tell you how touched I am to be featured on ALG’s meet my farmer post. Thank you, Kim!
It’s funny how life can move in a direction you never thought possible. Looking back now, I can say that it was getting involved in Augusta Locally Grown that ultimately brought us out here to this beautiful farm. I met Lisa Kessler through Augusta Locally Grown (The Kesslers started White Hills Farm 10 years ago. Lisa is amazing and I want to share her story with y’all one day, too). And I never would have met Lisa if Kim Hines hadn’t asked if I’d like to join her board of directors. So, thank you, Kim, for changing our lives!!!
IT’S MEET MY FARMER MONDAY!
Amy and Patrick Sutter are a match made in heaven. You need only meet them once to know: grounded, generous, soft-spoken Amy is the ideal partner for bubbly, big-hearted, big-picture Patrick. They’re a perfect fit for each other.
And – it turns out – they’re a perfect fit for White Hills Farm, LLC.
Amy and Patrick bought this 28-acre lavender farm from friends, Lisa and Ben Kessler, just five months ago. Amy says she still wakes up in disbelief that they live in such a magical place. “It’s amazing,” she smiles, more sunkissed than we’re used to seeing her. Patrick, too, seems right at home. He’s gladly taken on the double-career schedule that most small farms seem to require these days.
Getting their administrative ducks in a row has been an important first big step. Soon they will rebuild an inventory of some of Augusta’s most beloved locally-grown, value-added products: lavender-infused salts and peppers; herbal vinegars; hibiscus teas; rose petal sachets, just to name a few.
But if you know anything about Amy and Patrick Sutter, you know that there are much bigger things yet to come. As Augusta’s powerhouse couple when it comes to local foods, these two will bring a whole new flavor of agri-tourism to the CSRA like we’ve never tasted before. Remember when they cooked up a storm for the ESPN staff of College GameDay at the new Falcons stadium a few weeks ago? Remember when they took 10th place in the nationally sanctioned professional category at their second Banjobque a few years ago? Remember when Amy helped get Augusta Locally Grown off the ground almost a decade ago? These two Sutters don’t mess around.
White Hills Farm is a dreamy destination location and – yes – you should probably book that wedding now. But it’s also a place where people come to learn. Look for their upcoming Winter Gift-Making Workshops, October-December 2017. Held in their pretty harvest barn, these classes will be limited and spots will fill up fast.
As these lovebirds make their nest at White Hills Farm, the rest of us stand witness to their transition from local food activists into full-on organic farmers. Somehow, Amy says she’ll still make time to manage ALG’s On-Line Market at the AJCC. (Phew!!!) But she has decided that it’s time to step down from the presidency of our board of directors. Words cannot begin to express the gratitude our entire local farming community owes her for the years she has given to our efforts. Together, she and Patrick have boosted both our organization’s profile and our capacity while always keeping it lighthearted and fun. Somehow bacon is always involved.
Straw hats off to you, Amy & Patrick. You never fail to amaze!!!!
