Mary Rohlfing
Board Member

In 2004, I gave up a 12-year career as a tenured Associate Professor of Communication at Boise State University to become a farmer.  Some folks questioned why I'd give up the security of the academy for the uncertainty of the farm.  I had a lot of reasons, but three mattered most.  First, my partner and family are supportive and good-humored.  In addition, I've a loving and patient group of friends.  Second, I am serene when I'm "on the farm."  Working with the soil, I'm happy and alive; that matters in choosing a career.   Third, I had a generous and brilliant mentor in Rural Roots Board of Directors President, Diane Green.  Were it not for her encouragement and my attendance at the November, 2003 Rural Roots conference in Coeur d'Alene, ID, I am not sure I'd be a farmer today.  At that conference, I met people who were living my dream, and they willingly shared resources, stories, advice, and blessings.  I left the conference knowing that by staying close to Rural Roots and the people I'd met in Coeur d'Alene, I could stop dreaming and start farming.  

In 2004, I carved a half an acre out of our land and founded Morning Owl Farm.  We're located at the base of the east Boise foothills overlooking a lazy stretch of the Boise River, just outside of Idaho's capital city.  On our little farm, we grow over 35 different types of vegetables in our raised bed system; enough to feed approximately 20 CSA member families.  Because we have room to grow, this year we'll also offer subscriptions for herbs, turkeys, cut flowers, and duck eggs.  In the future, we look forward to harvesting paw paws, apples, kiwi, quince and lots of berries, too. 

As I enter my second year being grown by farming, I am honored to be a member of the board of Rural Roots and act as the organization's treasurer. 

I hope you'll take advantage of our programs and desire to see others succeed in creating sustainable food systems and meaningful lives. 

Visit my website at http://www.morningowlfarm.com