Boulder County Farmers Markets
“I feel super blessed to cultivate here.”
Matt Kuebbing, owner and only full-time farmer of The Jolly Radis, approaches the incredibly difficult job of farming with the relentless optimism and generosity that his farm’s name implies. The Jolly Radis is in Longmont on 17 acres shared with two other farms: Artemis Flower Farm and Speedwell Farm & Gardens. These three farms make up the Treehouse Farm Collective, a model that allows members to share the resources, experience and financial responsibilities of farming in Boulder County.
Kuebbing studied agriculture in school, but after a brief stint doing research for the United States Department of Agriculture, he decided he’d rather spend his time growing food on a farm than to study them in a laboratory.
After farming in Maryland and Virginia, he moved to Colorado and started working at Aspen Moon Farm. Over six seasons, Kuebbing gained immense knowledge and connections in the farming community. He managed the Niwot property of Aspen Moon Farm with Brett Matson, who became close friends and now owns Switch Gears Farm in Longmont. With an immense amount of knowledge and strong friendships in the community, Kuebbing was able to start his own farm in 2021.
Collaboration
It’s clear that Kuebbing attributes much of the success of his operation to the community around him. He knows who he can ask to borrow a mower or combine harvester when he needs it and doesn’t hesitate to return the favor whenever he can. He splits the rent with his fellow farmers at the Treehouse Collective, overcoming one of the toughest hurdles for Boulder-area farmers: finding and securing land.
According to Kuebbing, “it’s like a gift economy. We want to help each other. »
And he does what he can to help feed his community. It uses a “pay what you can” model in marketplaces, which allows customers to choose what they pay for its products. He donates whatever he can’t sell, and despite being invested in running a business, Kuebbing always prioritizes good food for good people.
Hopes and Dreams
Kuebbing is excited about the potential for grain farming in the future. He’s motivated to do so by perhaps the most relevant reason of all time: he really likes bread.
Along with a desire to farm and bake bread, Kuebbing also wants to get more involved in carbon farming. When you grow wheat or corn, there are a lot of plant residues that are not processed or consumed. These roots, stems and other organic matter remain in the soil and become carbon sinks rather than emissions.
As with everything, Kuebbing’s goals and dreams for his land and his career are based on strengthening our ecosystem, improving the health of humans and the environment on which his actions impact.
He hopes the Treehouse Farm Collective can expand to include plots of land for new farmers, a model of an incubator of sorts. Kuebbing is passionate about increasing the number of growers in Boulder County.
Talking to him is uplifting and inspiring, but his optimism and seemingly idealistic business model is based on his desire to prove that farming can be profitable work. Farming and getting good food on people’s tables are his passions, but he is also dedicated to improving the farming community around him to ensure it can be a livelihood for others.
Gratitude
Kuebbing feels grateful to cultivate here. We are grateful to be fed by him and the other wonderful farmers here. This holiday season is a great time to reflect on our appreciation for our farmers who work tirelessly to be gracious stewards of our land and put food on our tables.
Show your appreciation for our farmers by attending our last in-person market of the year: the Winter Market! Join us December 3 and 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont for a weekend of market celebration.
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