Rooted in Love Jonah Tabb and Teter Organic Farm’s commitment to feeding the mind, body and spirit

Rooted in Love

Jonah Tabb and Teter Organic Farm’s commitment to feeding the mind, body and spirit

words: Julie K. Yates | photography: Lauren McDuffie

Tucked away in rural central Hamilton County and bordered by the White River, Teter Organic Farm is a small slice of agricultural heaven. As an outreach of the Noblesville First United Methodist Church, the farm strives to provide nourishment not only for the body but also the mind and spirit. Under the direction of farm manager Jonah Tabb, the land supports several multifaceted yet interconnected endeavors and remains grounded in its vision to serve the community.

Gift of Land

Although owned by the church since 1981, the land has only been growing vegetables for the past three years and just finished its first year as a certified organic farm in 2018. The property was acquired when a member of the congregation, Ruth Teter, bequeathed it to the church. For many years, rustically beautiful Teter Lodge and a four-unit cabin that sleeps 28 people were enjoyed by the membership.

“She never was married and didn’t have any children to leave it to,” explains Pastor Aaron Hobbs, director of farm operations. “She wanted the legacy of her family to be remembered by donating the land to the church for fellowship and retreats.”

In 2015, Hobbs had an experience that led to an inspiration. While participating in a leadership program, he had the opportunity to visit a church-owned organic farm in Vancouver, Canada.

“The farm we visited was remarkably similar to Teter and I saw possibilities for not only serving the community but also making it economically sound,” remembers Hobbs.

When Hobbs returned home, he consulted Indy Urban Acres, which in 2016 provided the first year’s seedling transplants. That year the farm was able to donate 10,000 pounds of produce to area food pantries. Hobbs knew, however, the church needed to hire a full-time farm manager—someone who not only had knowledge of best organic growing practices but also had the personal qualities that fit in with the mission of nurturing the soul as well as the body.

Leadership for the Farm

“We were lucky to find Jonah,” says Hobbs. “A church member had a relative who knew about his work as farm manager and horticulture career instructor at the Putnamville Correctional Facility near Green Castle, Indiana.”

“I was at Putnamville because of a desire to find something meaningful to do with my life that involved agriculture,” says Tabb, who at the time was not looking for another job. “They had an amazing greenhouse where inmates could spend time working besides taking classes. The horticultural work gave the men a peaceful setting to work out problems.”

Tabb’s career path up until that time had been twofold; it started out with desire to help those in need but along the way he developed a passion for organic farming. He began by working for a nonprofit organization that rehabbed houses in post-Katrina New Orleans. He was exposed to small farms in vacant lots in the Lower Ninth Ward. From there he began a series of jobs ranging from intern, to farm hand, to farm manager in Florida, Arkansas, Virginia and Illinois. While in Illinois he earned an associate’s degree in agriculture from College of Lake County, which enabled him to be selected for the job at Putnamville Correctional Facility. After learning about the position at Teter Organic Farm, he realized it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.

Expanding the Vision

Tabb began working as full-time farm manager in January 2017 and, under his guidance, programs have evolved that not only fight food insecurity in Hamilton County but also build a sense of community. The manpower that runs the farm comes from over 90 volunteers, many of which are nonmembers of the congregation. During Tabb’s first year these unpaid workers made it possible to supply 12,000 USDA servings of produce to food pantries and banks. And produce and eggs are donated to Dinner’s on Us, a weekly dinner for the disadvantaged in Noblesville.

In 2018, 52 families bought community-supported agriculture (CSA) harvest subscription shares. When they arrive at the farm to pick up their box of vegetables, they can walk on a trail to the White River, enjoy the children’s playground and also visit the pick-your-own herb garden and admire the butterflies in the Peace Garden.

The farm also sustains itself through diverse income streams. A plant sale opens the season, produce is sold at the Noblesville Farmers Market and hayrides as well as farm tours are offered. Events spaces for family reunions and weddings are booked. Another fundraiser is the Farm to Table dinner where guests enjoy a gourmet meal.

One of the most important facets of the farm is educational opportunities like Scout troops, school groups and garden clubs where students can visit and learn about topics such as the watershed, composting and honey bees. Plans are in the works to offer a camp on the farm grounds in the summer of 2019.

“I have seen some of the unruliest students get off the bus, but become attentive and absorbed once they are out in nature,” marvels Tabb.

Building Community

For Hobbs the vision of Noblesville First United Methodist Church, “Rooted in Love, Connecting People, Planting Seeds of Hope,” has certainly come to fruition at the farm.

“I often have better conversations with people when we are working side-by-side outside than I do in my church office,” he says.

Tabb agrees. “People have different gifts to give and there are many ways to volunteer besides only working in the greenhouse or gardens. When they get off their cell phones and away from technology, a sense of community is built.”

Teter Organic Farm | 10980 E. 221st St. | Noblesville 317.318.3169 | TeterOrganicFarm.com

Julie K. Yates is a freelance writer and food blogger from Fishers. She enjoys sharing the stories of individuals who pursue culinary-related experiences. Visit her blogs at YatesYummies.com and OrangesAndAlmonds.com.