It is the co-op’s vision to support and strengthen community connections with our local producers — so here are their stories! In this Meet Your Producer series, we will highlight our neighborhood farmers, ranchers and producers so you can see and hear what they’re all about.
Maggie’s Farm
Barbara and David Clark
Lawrence, KS
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About the Producers
Barbara and David Clark started their garden in North Lawrence in the late 80s growing garlic, potatoes and sweet potatoes. Neither came from a farming family. Barbara earned a master's degree in archaeology and worked gathering data for cultural and environmental impact studies throughout the Plains and Southwest, while David, a stained glass artist, had started Redfield's Stained Glass in 1976.
“A wonderful neighbor told us about the quality of the soils in our area and through sharing mentorship introduced us to our first experience with ‘market gardening.’ We were greatly inspired by this sense of community and growing food for our local community became a primary focus,” said Barbara.
They knew they wanted to live a little more off the beaten path. In 1993, the Clarks bought acreage north of Lawrence. David built their home, their barn and a new stained glass studio. In addition to continuing to grow certified organic vegetables, they added 20 acres of wheat.
For 20 years, they also raised sheep for fiber. “I was first introduced to the textile arts; spinning and weaving during my time in the American Southwest. The textile history of the Navajo and Pueblo cultures were of great interest to me. David became interested in the value of on-farm-made compost to add to our soil’s fertility and the value of having sheep met both our interests and needs.”
About the Farm Today
The vision for the operation continues to grow. In 2015, the Clarks started shifting their focus to native flowers and creating pollinator habitat. “Climate change is a threat to all of us. You don’t have to look far to see the impacts on the environment,” said Barbara. “We’re trying to restore habitat, which is beneficial to every living thing.”
In 2019, the Clarks took 20 of their acres out of row production and began the reconstruction of a native prairie ecosystem. That year they became a certified Monarch Waystation, registered with Monarch Watch.
“We were motivated to begin this long process as we began to learn of the loss of this essential habitat for our local pollinators, Monarch Butterflies, birds and small mammals. We are encouraged to continue on this path as we see more and more diversity in the pollinators and wildlife that depends on this endangered ecosystem.”
Barbara and David supply the co-op with large purple asparagus in spring, native plant starts and flower bouquets through spring and summer, garlic in the fall and pollinator greeting cards throughout the year.
You can also find a few of David's stained glass pieces in the entryway at the co-op, a reminder of the many ways the Clarks' work has grown from their shared connection to the land and community, and the co-op.
