Growing Microgreens and Love at Country Greens Farm

Five years ago Ron Ross and his wife Barbara started gardening for fun and to lighten their grocery bill. Barb, a yoga instructor, certified health coach and personal trainer, introduced Ron to organic foods in 2014 and he’s never eaten the same since. After “watching a ton of YouTube videos,” their farming dream became a reality. “Seeing someone else's garden or farm is and was so inspiring.” The couple decided this is the life for them after just one season five years ago. “Farming is the ultimate and best job I could think of and something that I was a natural at with little effort,” says Ron.

But it took him four years to come to the realization that he could do it full-time. “I had it in my head that I needed to be successful at other jobs, save my money for 30 years and then buy 100+ acres in my 50s and start farming. Luckily, last year I had a change of heart. I was watching a guy I like on the internet and he said this, which woke me up: ‘Once you start doing whatever it is that you enjoy doing, or your dream, you will realize in that moment that you should've always been doing that.’” That motivated Ron to quit his job and garden full-time.

Lucky for us. Ron and Barb now have a young, thriving farm named Country Greens in Burns, Tenn. They focus on microgreens, which have four times the nutrition of “adult-sized” greens. They have a website and beautiful crops to sell and will grow more as the seasons change. They plan to be at many farmers markets, including 12 South Farmers Market for the 2023 season.