Megan Marini

Megan Marini jokingly refers to her place of business as a “hippie” farm, but the straight rows of perfect lettuce evoke nothing of the laid-back nature usually associated with hippies. Every variety glistens with health, from shiny red leafs to fluorescent greens.

Calliope Farm combines the communal idealism of the '60s with the timeless practicality of hard-work, and know-how. This is a cultural gathering place for the community and a business that produces healthy, sustainable, and beautiful food.

Megan, who started out as one of those volunteers, is an inspiration to young people in the community. “Learning to grow my own food has empowered me to become a healthier, more productive, and more independent resource in my community. Young people in the community see us and say, 'These kids are doing it. Why can't we?'”

Megan initially worked for another local organic grower, Kirsop Farm, where she says she learned everything she needed to know about growing “a quality product.” After volunteering with Calliope, she was inspired to run the farm with a deeper focus on operational sustainability, so she completed Enterprise for Equity's business training program and wrote a business plan in 2005 when she was just 22.

Calliope Farm offers membership in a CSA which provides families with 22 weeks of delicious, super-local, super-fresh vegetables and herbs, from June to October. This year Calliope Farm will supply Capitol Clubhouse (a non-profit that helps people with mental health issues) with locally-grown organic produce for their meal program. You can order now for shares next year or go directly to the Olympia Farmer’s Market on Saturdays and Sundays and purchase Calliope's heirloom tomatoes, unusual varieties of garlic, brilliant salad mixes, and other vegetables and herbs that grew their entire lives less than five miles away.