plows, plants, and
pizza
Using a plot of land he purchased next to his restaurant, Matt Klabacka of Townies Pizzeria wants to share the culture of planting and harvesting with the next generation. BY JULIE SIMMONS PHOTOS COURTESY OF TOWNIES PIZZERIA
R
aise your hand if you’ve driven by Townies Pizzeria on T.J. Courson Road and wondered what is going on with the land next door. If you guessed a garden, you guessed right, but the genesis of this patch of dirt isn’t what you might expect. Meet Matt Klabacka, who some of you know as the owner of Townies Pizzeria. What might be news is that he’s quickly building a local brand as Farmer Matt. “I grew up working on a farm in Wisconsin, and my mom always taught me that gardening is good for the soul.” Matt will be the first to tell you that these days he is ready to preach the same message to anyone who will listen. “The hours I spend in the garden are absolutely the most satisfying of the week,” he says. Matt and his wife, Angie, raised three boys, who are now all in their 30s. Matt has fond memories of teaching his sons to garden and he is proud that they are carrying on the tradition with their own families. When Matt acquired the plot of land next door to his restaurant, he knew this was a
unique opportunity to act on his passion of inspiring the next generation to take up gardening. “I am a farmer who just happens to know how to make pizza,” says Matt. “What I really want to do is share the gardening experience with the community; that is what our garden is all about. Sure, we will use some of the produce in our kitchen, but we are growing this garden teach and to give back.” Today, Farmer Matt is inspiring students from Fernandina Beach and sprouting future farmers with his new Plows, continued on the next page
33 AMELIA ISLANDER MAGAZINE • MARCH 2022
www.AmeliaIslander.com
