Rachel Tayse is a woman, beginning, and small-scale regenerative farmer. She owns the Harmonious Homestead Farm, a 2-acre property converted from a lawn into a farming space. She incorporates growing vegetables with permaculture concepts. Though having a family agricultural history, Rachel came to farming from culinary exposure. In 2012, she bought her property so she could grow her own food. Rachel shares her farming space with other farmers in a community effort. She also visits and volunteers on other farms to learn and improve her practices.
After observing and talking to Rachel, a neighbor stopped using chemicals on their lawn. She has also used her farming space as an educational venue for young children. Most important to Rachel is community relationships and support which has earned her multiple funded community projects. Her favorite farming activity is seedling planting which gives her joy and excitement. Rachel says farming is a valuable work for human culture when it is done sustainably. Rachel is an advocate for policy change that improves climate resilience and reduces those practices that continue to exacerbate the effects of climate change.
“Ifyoudriveoutonmajorroadsorsmallerroads,you mostlyseecornandsoybeanproductionandpeoplethinkthat’s what farmingis,andtheygenerallyfeelgoodaboutthat.And I’malmostmovedtotearsinthewinter,whenIsee manyof thosefarms,justacresand acresoftotallybaresoil.”
