Today we’d like to introduce you to Trish and Jack Stone.
Trish and Jack, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Growing up in South Texas, garden-fresh food was always in season. My father is a farmer. So, I grew up praying for rain, or no rain, depending on the year. Years later, our oldest son developed food allergies to corn. I was advised by his doctor to start cooking fresh food from scratch. Soon, I found myself growing my own food in the backyard, studying cookbooks and learning a new way to eat. I joined the Coppell Community Garden, and soon my hobby gardening got out of hand. I teamed up with my partner and now husband, Jack. We expanded my small operation over to SW Fort Worth, where our farm is located today. Jack seemed impressed with my hobby and convinced me to consider turning it into a small business. With his partnership, support, and hard work, we have turned our little 2-acre plot into a small, sustainable farm. We offer fresh, seasonal fruit, herbs, and vegetables. We do not use chemicals, pesticides, or synthetic fertilizers on our plants. Just rainwater, soil, sun. This winter, we transitioned into low-till, regenerative farming, using cover crops, old fashioned tools, and soil solarization, or occultation, to help us improve our soil health.
We are a special needs family. We have three sons between us. Nate, Jackson, and Cru. Jackson, the middle son, has Autism. Cru, the youngest, has Cystic Fibrosis. We feel the special needs family is an underserved, overlooked group in our society. We currently support two special needs families with free produce. We know our support will not fix everything for these unique families, but, it might make dinner-time or the grocery bill a little easier to stomach. I’m the daughter of a farmer who has become a farmer, trying to make a difference.”
Last year, we decided we need a new outlet to expand our business. We considered renting a property and opening a small store. Eventually, we landed on building a customer trailer into a rolling farm stand. You can find us at multiple locations in the Fort Worth area, and west of town, Aledo, Weatherford areas. We post our schedule every week on our Facebook page; Stone’s Throw Farm Co@fb.com.
In addition to our products, we now make pickles and jams. Times, we partner with other small, local farms, like us, to offer more products in our farm stand, beyond what we grow. We also partner with local ranchers and artisans to offer grass-fed/finished beef, pasture-raised chickens, eggs, heritage breed pork, salsas, baked goods, and local honey.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
We have been growing produce for five years now. We learned much about water. It’s power and importance. Rain is great, but when it washes out your seedbed, you have a problem. This led us to learn more about soil conservation and improvement. We are always learning about pests. There is always something new out there that wants to eat your crop, from deer to grasshoppers to viruses and mildews. How do we deter them? We have learned much about crop rotation, companion planting, and timing. For example, plant your squash late in the season to avoid the pests we have here in North Texas that are impossible to deter, such as squash bugs. There are just a few examples of some of our challenges and obstacles. We have overcome some with experience, asking questions of our farmer peers, and trial and error.
Farm Stand Customers always want tomatoes. We are constantly educating our customers on seasonality and the difference in our products versus what you will easily find at the grocery store.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Stone’s Throw Farm story. Tell us more about the business.
Last year, we decided we need a new outlet to expand our business. We considered renting a property and opening a small store. Eventually, we landed on building a custom trailer into a rolling farm stand. You can find us at multiple locations in the Fort Worth area, and west of town, Aledo, Weatherford areas. We post our schedule every week on our Facebook page; Stone’s Throw Farm Co@fb.com
In addition to our products, we now make pickles and jams. Times, we partner with other small, local farms, like us, to offer more products in our farm stand, beyond what we grow. We also partner with local ranchers and artisans to offer grass-fed/finished beef, pasture-raised chickens, eggs, heritage breed pork, salsas, baked goods, and local honey.
Planting a seed, caring for it, watching it grow into a plant, produce flowers, then food never gets old. To me, it’s like you are creating something. It takes planning, patience, care, research, to eventually get to the reward, which this week, will be beautiful cantaloupes ripening.
This next year, we look to expand the philanthropic side of Stone’s Throw Farm Co. We would like to become more involved with special needs folks in our area. We would like to host work days out on the farm for them to learn about food and growing it. We are making plans for an outdoor break-area to offer shade and restroom facilities. We have regular stops at Clearfork Farmer’s Market in Fort Worth, Mid-Cities Community Market in Hurst, Acton Local Market, Three Danes Bakery in Fort Worth, Aledo Farmer’s Market.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
There certainly is some luck in farming. Especially in the form of weather! Our North Texas climate can be pretty harsh on gardens. Sometimes, it’s a matter of one degree on the thermometer when it comes to frost damage!
Luck also plays a part in being at the right place and right time. Through networking, we have been able to visit some great neighborhoods and events in the Fort Worth area. We have met some wonderful, supportive individuals who have helped us grow and gain more exposure in our little part of the Metroplex.
Contact Info:
- Website: StonesThrowFarmCo@fb.com
- Phone: 4695028963
- Email: stonesthrowfarmco@gmail.com
- Facebook: StonesThrowFarmCo@fb.com
Image Credit:
Mike and Katie Beitler of The Brand MVMT
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