Solstead

The new drought report just dropped — over 80% of Texas is in it again. Yikes.

TBH, it's not surprising, but it’s still heavy.

I’ve been thinking a lot this week about how Edible Future needs to meet this moment — not just by growing food, but by designing systems that hold water, hold nutrients, and hold up when things get dry and weird. Which, let’s be real, they often do now.

Which is why I'm leaning into both ends of the spectrum:
- Vertical farming, because hydroponics allows us to grow year-round using 90% less water (can you say sound investment?)
- And biology-first soil systems, because healthy soil literally holds the line during drought ( I managed a grant-funded research study on how regenerative land management conserves water, and spoiler - IT DOES)

& though EFF isn't on land yet. But here’s what I'm focusing on this week:

✅ Advisory team outreach
✅ CSA structure planning
✅ Freight farm research (and pricing again)
✅ Website edits before launch
✅ USDA paperwork re-do
✅ Reading up on dryland food forests… again
✅ Fundraising schedule
✅ Merch launch planning (I'm way too excited for this lol)
✅ Investor Cycles + ROI models

The work is slow, but steady. But it’s all adding up in the best way possible.

If you’re someone who’s been through this cycle of dreaming, planning, adjusting — I see you. It’s a lot. But it matters.

This week, we’re sharing what it looks like to start a farm with nothing but grit, spreadsheets, and a growing pile of dreams. From creative financing options like Steward and Slow Money to the team we’re assembling (because no one builds a farm alone), the journey feels equal parts daunting and exhilarating.

For now, I’m nurturing the small systems I already have—hydroponics, compost, and my ever-busy vermiculture project. Each step forward feels like a quiet rebellion against the way things are.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to chase a farming dream or felt the pull to reconnect with the land, this post is for you. Let’s keep digging, dreaming, and building something rooted together. 🌿

📝 Read the full post here: https://ediblefuturefarm.substack.com/p/in-between-energy-winter-dreams-and

In-Between Energy: Winter Dreams and Building a Farm Team Notes from a Cold Porch: Building Tomorrow's Farm Family, One Cup of Cacao at a Time

Woke up this morning with my brain already spinning.

School drop-off done, coffee’s barely touched, and I’m staring down tax season chaos—but all I can think about is water (and no, it’s not because my lips are chapped or that I ALWAYS forget to drink water)

If you’re trying to buy farmland—like me—or even dreaming of starting, what’s happening in Oregon right now should have you paying attention. Farmers there are fighting for a basic entry point: access to water. The cost of land with existing water rights is skyrocketing, and without changes to the system, new farmers—especially socially disadvantaged ones—are going to be priced out completely.

Oregon’s domestic well rules currently block small farms from irrigating and selling what they grow, and a compromise bill to allow limited irrigation has been stalled. No debate, no hearing, no movement. It’s frustrating because this isn’t just Oregon’s problem—it’s a preview of what could happen in other states if we don’t take action.

This hits home for me here in Texas, where water issues are already complicated. If access to water becomes another barrier, how do we expect the next generation of farmers to even start?

If you’re in Oregon, please reach out to your lawmakers. The fight to protect small growers and community food systems is one we all need to watch. Here’s where to start: https://secure.everyaction.com/7LyW6-heFkKjjgBgmOvoNA2?emci=ce53a015-e6d1-ef11-88d0-0022482a9d92&emdi=a44d220a-f4d1-ef11-88d0-0022482a9d92&ceid=7144009

Without water, none of us can grow crops or dreams.