Inspiring Conversations with Taylor Humphreys of Adobe Farms

Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Humphreys.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in Colorado Springs for most of my life, but I always spent my summers at my father’s farm in Missouri. This gave me a deep appreciation of the city I grew up in but also the lifestyle that comes with Midwestern farming.

After high school, I decided to pursue a degree in Agricultural Systems Management and I moved to The University of Missouri, to do so. Once I finished my degree, I knew I wanted to take the expertise I had learned and apply it to an area I believed could use more farming in the community, my hometown, Colorado Springs.

I found a piece of land just outside of Pueblo West and started my off-grid farming adventure there. I still live in the Springs and commute back and forth. Now I’m producing and selling organic and locally grown heirloom produce, exotics, and house plants.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth is definitely not exactly how I would describe it but it has been fulfilling. The biggest challenges at first mainly pertained to the off-grid style of the farm. Getting the well refurbished and getting water was a huge challenge that I did not have a lot of experience with but getting it done made it that much more rewarding.

The next issue I faced was an invasion of locusts. Unfortunately, they wiped out my crops two years in a row but growing from that and coming up with some integrated pest management techniques I learned from my school years, I was able to mitigate the problem this year.

The final struggle I’ve had to adapt to is the extremely short growing season here in Colorado. By starting plants indoors I’m able to get a head start and use my makeshift greenhouse to allow my house plants and exotics to thrive, no matter what the temperamental Colorado weather is doing outside.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Adobe Farms?
At Adobe Farms I strive to provide a unique farm-to-table experience where you know exactly where your food comes from. The organic techniques utilized promise a healthier and more conscience-based experience with your food.

Although right now we sell exclusively to restaurants (shout out to Ephemera in Colorado Springs), we are hoping to keep expanding for the foreseeable future until we are able to offer products to individuals as well. If you would like to help us out in the meantime we have a good stock of house plants and exotics for sale at all times.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
As far as farming goes I get most of my information from the OG’s as I call them, but I do love to listen to a good Joe Rogan Podcast while I’m working in the fields.

Pricing:

• $10 Houseplants
• $20 Exotics

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @adobefarmsco