Written by Fair Farms intern Grace Callahan
We’d like to give a special congratulations to Andrea Davis-Cetina of Quarter Acre Farm: 2022 will be her first season farming on land that she owns. Andrea created Quarter Acre Farm more than 10 years ago on a quarter acre lot (get it?) way out in California after graduating from Hampshire College with a degree in agriculture. She grew up in Harford County, so her move to Greensboro is a return to her roots. If you are like me and detached from the nitty-gritty details of farmland access, you might be wondering: 1) how a farmer can be a farmer without owning land, and 2) how and why a farmer would move her farm across the country. Andrea’s journey as a farmer clashes with the image of a farmer that I assume many of us carry – a white man in overalls and a straw hat surrounded by cornfields, cows, and red barns. This static stereotype doesn’t encourage us to consider people like Andrea: young, passionate growers who don’t have access to land or capital and must lease farmland – which often leads to relocation every few years. We’re lucky that Andrea landed in Maryland.
Andrea grows certified organic heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, peppers, tomatillos, sweet potatoes, and garlic using regenerative growing methods: no pesticides, herbicides, or petroleum-based products. In early spring she sells a variety of herb and vegetable seedlings for the home gardener who doesn’t want to start from seeds- you can join the mailing list to be notified when seedlings become available this year. If you’re new to gardening, Andrea suggests starting with seedlings. Once plants reach seedling age they are more likely to reach maturity and produce healthy fruits. She suggests tomatoes as a first crop because they are hardy and rewarding. This year Andrea plans to sell seedlings and produce at the Easton Farmers’ Market starting in mid-April.
You can also look forward to Quarter Acre Farm EATs this spring. Andrea’s husband Juan Carlos is an excellent chef, and when the couple moved to Maryland they started selling breakfast tacos and quesadillas at the market in addition to Andrea’s produce. When the pandemic hit and they could no longer sell prepared food, they focused on selling their pre-packaged pico de gallo and guacamole. Andrea’s husband buys tomatoes from her whenever they are in season. This spring they plan to bring back the breakfast tacos and quesadillas in addition to their dips, so keep an eye out for them if you visit the Easton Farmers’ Market. Andrea is looking to hire a customer service star to help sell tacos and quesadillas on Saturday mornings. If you are interested, check out the job posting.
We’re so grateful to Andrea for taking the time to talk with us. If you catch them at the farmers’ market this spring make sure to wish Andrea good luck as she moves onto her new land!
Check out their Facebook page and Instagram @quarterafarm!