Today we’d like to introduce you to Sasha Miller.
Hi Sasha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I’m Sasha Miller, a forty year old immigrant that grew up mostly on the East side of Cleveland, and has lucked out along a squiggly life’s path. In my early 30s, life culminated quite serendipitously, with an opportunity to take a sharp left turn & start something new. I was daring, and followed a radical passion to help create a place in NEO that resembled all of my favorite places I’ve seen around the world. A vibrant & inclusive community, with a resilient passion for eating well & embracing nature. Lots of laughter, good music, who could ask for anything more?
Some examples of what led me here. In my undergraduate studies, I spent time researching with intentional eco-communities in Australia; for my Master’s degree I researched the relevance of local food systems for local economic development initiatives; & most significantly, I’ve spent my adulthood researching all of my food options for eating well for my health, my community’s health, and the planet’s health. And now, with all of these experiences under my belt, how can I be an agent of change?
I decided to start a farm, a permaculture farm in NEO. We (my husband Jimmy & two kids) looked for farmland for a few years. So, I submitted a daring proposal to Countryside & National Park Service, to implement a permaculture farm on a 12-acre ridge in the CVNP, right next door to some bustling suburban communities. In August 2016 we moved to our new farm, Purplebrown Farmstead, with the goal to demonstrate what farming might look like, so it can attain all of these goals for eating well–for our meals to nourish the consumer, the community & the planet.
A few years of farming, and making ourselves at home in this new-to-us community, starting a CSA, vending at farmers markets, the pandemic hit. In spite of challenges, we found an opportunity in this crisis, for ourselves & for some of our farmer friends. We began to expand offerings through our Farm Stand, and received really positive feedback from the community throughout 2020. We had over 12 producers, and hundreds of shoppers throughout the summer season. By the end of that year, we knew our old little barn couldn’t keep up. As things would have it, we found a perfect location in the heart of Peninsula, to expand our farm stand into a full blown Farm Store in 2021.
We now offer products from over 40 Northeast Ohio producers at Purplebrown Farm Store, many of whom are certified organic, and are women operated. We offer fresh foods to satisfy any local foodie’s needs for the week’s meals or just a snack while visiting the Park, or even a gift for a friend for a special occasion.
At the farmstead, we are continuing with our farming plans–growing a resilient diversified fruit orchard. This story will keep growing!
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?
My approach to challenges is that I stopped seeing the limitations, & began to see the opportunities. Someone wise once said, Don’t fight. And so, I’ve been carving out a path that lends itself to building solutions, instead of fixing problems. When looking for a farm to start, there were many struggles that at the time could have seemed insurmountable. But, in the end I’m confident we ended up on the right piece of the earth for us to farm. In farming, you also have to learn to deal with the ups & downs that nature and everyone else throws at you. For example, the rain dissuades customers from attending the market, the drought or endless rain affecting crops, the pigs getting out on Mothers Day, that kind of thing. I learned to develop resilience to external stress through good personal care & discipline, & faith that things are always fine, even if they don’t seem so.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Purplebrown Farmstead, our goal is to demonstrate how our 12-acre farm can be a sustainable family enterprise that’s good for the earth and valuable for the community. We are growing a diversified fruit orchard, using a permaculture design. We raise pork, mushrooms, eggs, herbs, veggies and flowers as part of our holistic system. We grow & make natural hard cider. We also host events & offer educational workshops.
Purplebrown Farm Store is an outgrowth of our successful farm stand at the farmstead. It serves as a community space for local residents and CVNP visitors to connect with local agriculture and be a convenient place to pick up curated essentials representing the best of Ohio agriculture. The Farm Store provides a market for our own goods and those of other Northeast Ohio sustainable, organic and regenerative farmers and makers. Working in partnership with over 40 farms & makers, we offer produce, dairy, meats, grains and pantry items, everything you need for your weekly groceries. There are also snacks and drinks from B Certified and other carbon neutral producers.
A core value that drives our work for all purplebrown enterprises is to build community around an ecological ethos. We don’t compromise on this, and I think it’s what sets us apart but also makes us integral to the community. Stop by! Thursday — Sunday, 9:30-7pm.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
The passionate foodies & the nature lovers of NEO give this region its vibrant culture. That’s my favorite part. They are what ensures the special places in the region thrive.
My least favorite part about the region is the lack of sustainability-related infrastructure. For citizens it’s hard to be green — to recycle, to commute without a car, to support the local food economy. But, not to despair, it’s an opportunity for us to start something new together 🙂
Contact Info:
- Email: purplebrownfarmstore@gmail.com
- Website: www.purplebrownfarmstore.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purplebrownfarmstore/
Image Credits
Sasha Millerr
