Rising Stars: Meet Adriana Karagozian of Johnstown, CO

Today we’d like to introduce you to Adriana Karagozian.

Hi Adriana, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always had a connection to the Earth and food. Throughout my life, there have been times when that connection was loud and screaming at the door to come in, and other times, when it was just a whisper and easily ignored. In 2022, I had finally separated from a toxic marriage and was left, sitting in my bedroom, wondering… “What do I do with my life now?” You know, now that it’s 100% mine… I knew I wanted to do something farm-to-table. I wanted to share my love with the world through the food that I create, my art. I started just dipping my toe in to test the water and instantly got a few catering gigs that led to more. That same year, I had noticed a posting on a local community bulletin board for a “Master Farmer” at a private residence in Loveland. “I mean, I’m no ‘Master Farmer’,” I thought. But it was worth a shot, and I got the job. The benefactor at my current farm allows me access to all the produce that he doesn’t use before I then donate it to the Larimer County Food Bank, the same food bank I needed assistance from when I had begun my divorce journey only a year before. I fell in love with working the field and wanted to integrate it somehow into my business. It was then that my best friend suggested, “Why don’t you build farms for people? No matter how big or small, based on their nutritional needs, in the space they have?”
“Brilliant!!” I thought. And thus, I found my calling. Today, we have over 10 clients that have a quarter acre or more for my creative outlet to shine. We have built these farms from the ground up. Literally, from soil treatment into beautiful, thriving, reawakened ecosystems that help restore the Earth, while creating a beautiful, serene space that homeowners can find sanctuary. We also have several clients with small spaces, like balconies or patios that we utilize the vertical space to create enchanting farmscapes.
In addition, the same farm that took a chance on me just a few years ago, is the major supplier of our locally grown produce that creates the incredible dishes that we cook at From Scratch Farm to create memorable and elegant, seed-to-supper catered food experiences. Whatever we don’t grow, we source locally, contributing to the economy and community here in Northern Colorado.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing is ever smooth, even when it is. Looking back, I think our company has had it pretty easy. We have grown exponentially year after year, as we are providing a service that no one else is. That being said, there have been times of significant hardship, either with soil composition, pests, or logistics. It’s a long road to getting to a point where the company just runs itself, and ideally, for any business owner, that is the goal. Doing what you love without all the craziness and chaos. There are times when I just want to throw my hands up in the air and say “Fuck it! I’m not doing this anymore.” But I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. There is nothing I love more than what I do right now, even in those intense moments. It seems so trivial, but sometimes, I have to remind myself to take it one step at a time.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
So here’s the elevator pitch…

At From Scratch Farm, we are a complete seed-to-supper company. We cultivate seeds, tend to the soil, and grow all the organic ingredients that we use in our catered food experiences. What we don’t grow, we source locally, ensuring you get the freshest food for your event. Anything we have left over, we donate to our local food banks, because everyone has the right to farm fresh, high quality food.

We also design, build and install farmsteads in your backyard based on your nutritional needs and aesthetic taste. We offer DIY or full complete custom builds to meet you at where you are at right now. Wherever you need help, we are there to educate with our one-on-one classes, group workshops and public events to inspire sustainability at the source and restoring your connection to Earth.

So that is the elevator pitch, and this is the rest…

Currently, we are working on acquiring grant funds to build an apprenticeship program of “Master Farmers” and “Master Cooks” across the NOCO area. We also are looking to franchise and have received grant money to begin that venture. We specialize in creating food based landscapes, so integrating native flowers into farms, where food can be not just a source of nutrition, but a beautiful plant that offers design and elegance to your backyard. We believe that we can save the world from world hunger by showing people how to create their own food and sharing it within their community. We are most known for our incredible catered food experiences, as memorable emotional plates that take you through a series of flavor profiles. I’m most proud of the designs and builds we create in people’s backyards, transforming a blank canvas into a rich tapestry of plants, and aesthetically beautiful paths and boxes fit to your needs. Creating habitats for pollinators, and birds, bringing your backyard back to the ecosystem it needs to thrive.

We are different from other companies, because some companies teach and help you grow, but don’t create the food experiences like we do. Other companies cater farm-to-table, but don’t grow their own food, only source it locally. But we take you the full journey from seed-to-supper. Other companies hire and house their own irrigation specialists, and/or soil specialists. We understand that there is more than one way to skin a cat, and that everyone has their own unique specialty. So instead of hiring on our own in house specialists, we collaborate with those that have that unique knowledge in the area. This allows us to not have competitors, only collaborators. We don’t have any competition. Truly.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I’ve taken sooooo many risks throughout my journey with From Scratch Farm. The biggest is letting go of the day job, and committing fully to you and your business. It has been scary and a little rocky, but it has been the biggest reward for me. I wake up every morning knowing that I get to do what it is that I love, every day. Not many people have that luxury. And no matter how long it lasts, I will forever be grateful for this opportunity that I have given myself.

I think the hardest part of risk is fear. We are fearful of losing everything as business owners, so taking a risk can seem like we are playing with fire. But the truth is, we all need to face our fears at some point in order to grow, no matter what happens. The bigger element to risk is asking “Is this in my highest and greatest good?” If the answer is yes, than go for it. If not, then don’t risk what’s not necessary to do so. I think we often feel so pressured as business owners. But if we remember that everything will happen in it’s own divine timing, that we are exactly where we need to be right at this very moment, then we can stop, take a breath and a beat, and make decisions from a space of nonreaction, non-desperation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://scratch-farm.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/scratchfarmcolorado
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/From-Scratch-Farm/100089485614306/?checkpoint_src=any
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScratchFarm