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ŽIVÁ FARMA/THE LIVING FARM - FROM THE FARM TO THE JAR

From NYC to Moravian countryside. That’s how the story of our farm started two seasons ago. Since then we have been growing and now it’s time to set up a kitchen to can our fresh produce. Please help us to package the energy of the sun into the jar.

Author: Živá farma

EUR 15,234
pledged of EUR 13,233

115%

115% completed

303 contributors pledged

Ecology, Food, Education

Šanov, Jihomoravský kraj, Česko

All or nothing. Project finished on Dec 20, 2018 at 12:10.

Show all rewards

How it started

It’s summer of 2015 in warm New York. We are standing together in front of a stand at one of the regular farmers’ markets. My recurring thoughts every time we are at the market are there again: “That’s unbelievable, they really have grown all this. With their hands. And now they are selling it to the people in the city. Fascinating. What does it look like at their place? And what is it like to make your living from farming? I don’t get it.” When I look at these smiling people selling us fruits and veggies that they had grown from seeds, I feel great admiration. So it was there, far away beyond the Atlantic Ocean that our dream was born.

It’s spring of 2017. We are standing on a freshly plowed field planning our first sowing of the season. We are farmers. I still can’t believe it. But the intoxicating smell of the fresh soil, the touch of wind on my face and a glimpse at the horizon reassures me that I am not dreaming.

We established Živá farma in early 2017. It was barely a year after we had moved from NYC to Southern Moravia. And since then, it has been one crazy ride: an immense number of hours spent in the field and in the greenhouse, neverending research of literature, YouTube and other sources, thousand of sown seeds and hundreds of transplanted plants. We nursed our first crops, got to know the joy of having sold the first farm shares, enjoyed smiles of our customers. There was sweat and tears, we managed a sea of documents for the organic certification and various authorities, pulled out mountains of weeds and experienced great worries during the long summer droughts...

And we also experienced THAT feeling. The feeling of freedom, the feeling that everything we do makes sense, that everything falls into place and that we are exactly where we are supposed to be. We became farmers.

Now, at the end of our second season, we are still not experts. But we are wiser, more experienced and we feel that it’s time to develop our story further.

At the turn of the year, we bought a hundred-year-old building of the former local school. Some people would rather tear it down than bother with remodelling it, but we were charmed by its soul. We are starting to give it a new life and we decided to build a kitchen for canning our produce. Our vision is bigger than just the farm kitchen though...

What is our goal?

We are The Living Farm. “Living” because through what we do, we want to support various beneficial organisms living naturally in the soil. At the same time, we wish that the farm itself is a living organism that steadily develops itself. And we invite you to be part of this.

We invite you to take part in the life of our farm. You can follow us remotely via the farm newsletter and watch the farm flourish. Or you can come a little closer and together with us experience THE feeling, when there is only here and now. You will experience authenticity. Make connection to the food that comes onto your table.

We invite you to reestablish your relationship with the soil. We perceive soil as a valuable resource that we want to nurture and take care of. We spread the values of organic farming. We don’t want to just grow. We want to take care of the land, of the ecosystem and the nature that we are responsible for. That’s what keeps us going. We are an island of organic approach in the sea of conventional farmers.

We are not a school, but we believe in the power of learning and possibility to work and create with one’s own hands.    

Join us to remember what is it like to touch fresh fragrant soil, to return to the roots, to work physically in fresh air.

We invite you to make a community together, a community of people who care about how we treat nature and the Mother Earth. 

From the Farm to the Jar Project

We feel that the next step in the life of Živá farma is opening up to its surroundings. At the same time we are returning back to our original idea that our farm is not only a farm, but rather an educational space for personal development where both of us, who work on the farm regularly, and those who visit it, learn.

At this moment we offer fresh produce, mainly on markets and through weekly farm shares. Our boxes smell good, they are fresh, full of vitamins and the produce is picked just a short time before it gets on your kitchen table. But what is fresh doesn’t last too long…

Already during our trips around the world we collected inspiration from other farms and we always liked the idea of processing our own produce directly on the farm. And that’s how our current idea of building a farm kitchen started. A kitchen that will allow us to keep the flavors of our produce into the off season and to broaden the offer of organic local products that you can buy.

What will be funded from the money we collect:

  • Building material - tiles, paint, new door

  • Stainless steel furniture - sink, tables, shelves (second hand whenever possible)

  • Professional stove

  • Big fridge to store fresh produce

  • Crowdfunding campaign costs

What if we collect more than the goal amount?

If we collect more money, we will be able to hire help to share some of the workload. This way we would have more time for field work, which there will be plenty of in spring :).

Project schedule (2019):

  • Jan, Feb  - building work

  • Mar, Apr - cabling, tiles, interior equipment

  • May - purchasing of furniture and appliances

  • Jun - final inspection and launch

If we are successful, it will bring us more stability and it allow us to invite more skillful hands to share this beautiful work with the soil.

Who are we?

We got to know each other in NYC where Libor worked on construction and Eva in education. We connected on our passion for volunteering, activism, art, creativity and finding new ways how to live more authentically. The DIY (Do It Yourself) approach is very dear to us. We are both interested in alternative systems of production, education and the functioning of society. 

What’s next?

We believe that together we can create change. And we don’t want to just talk about it, we want to do something. That’s the most important learning from the first two seasons of running the farm. We want to grow real food for real people, and we want to be able to co-create the whole process from seed to the final product. We also want to open our unique experience to other people. From the very beginning, we have been surrounded by amazing support from our customers and we feel that because of how we produce and who we are, we create something bigger than just a seller-buyer relationship.

The work of a farmer is tremendously difficult and often unpredictable as we are influenced by the weather, pests, climate change and the bureaucratic system which is primarily suited for big agro businesses. But we are staying positive as it’s said that only the first seven years are the most difficult :D.

And because of all of this, we would like to invite you to create Živá farma together with us. We don’t want an anonymous investor. We want you, we want to build a living community, real and honest relationships.

Join us and help us fulfill the beautiful mission of a farmer - stewardship of the land and loving development of this entrusted piece of nature.

If you believe, as we do, that changing the understanding of the role of a farmer is possible, support us. If you, as we do, have big dreams, we belong together.

And what can your support look like concretely? You can support us by:

  • purchasing one of the rewards

  • sharing our campaign on your social media

  • telling our story to your friends

  • visiting us at the farm or joining one of our activities

  • letting us know how we could collaborate or what you could help us with

  • and most importantly, cheering on us from wherever you are :)

Thank you!

Eva and Libor

Project links

Comments

Choose reward for your contribution

  • sold 35
    I Support You!

    I am glad that you exist. I am simply your fan. I want to support your enthusiasm and courage. With my contribution, I am becoming part of a community of people who care about the Mother Earth and in what state we leave it for the future generations.

    If you want, there is an option to increase the donation amount in the next step.

    Reward delivery: not specified

    EUR 3.97
    (CZK 100)

  • sold 36
    I want to hear from You

    Do you want to know what is happening at our farm? What do we deal with in the given season?

    Each month we will share with you news from the farm, pictures from the field, and we will show you what is working well and also what we struggle with, what makes us happy and what we are currently working on. This way, you will continuously be with us.

    The newsletter will have 2 language versions, Czech and English and you will get it monthly from January to December 2019.

    Reward delivery: in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 9.93
    (CZK 250)

  • remaining 5 from 30
    Calendula is my thing

    Calendula officinalis: one of the wonderful herbs from our fields. It has healing and magical powers and it's up to you how you will make use of them.
    Dried blossoms of the highest quality can be used for making homemade cosmetics,  your own herbal tea blend or added into a bath. A hot bath tub with calendula in the height of winter - that's a must!

    This calendula was grown at our farm and it is certified organic. 

    You will receive 30g of dried calendula flowers.

    Includes subscription to monthly newsletter.

    Shipping within the Czech Republic is included. If you want to have this reward shipped abroad, please add 50 CZK/2 EUR in the next step.

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 13.91
    (CZK 350)

  • sold 18
    I cook according to the seasons

    Four times in 2019 you will receive a selected recipe from us that we tested ourselves. It will use ingredients that are currently in season in our part of the World (Central Europe). 

    We provide the inspiration, but what you make is on you :). We are looking forward to the pictures of your creations. How about inviting your friends and cooking together?

    The newsletter for 2019 is also part of this reward.

    Reward delivery: in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 15.90
    (CZK 400)

  • remaining 6 from 50
    I love bees

    Bees are a beautiful natural symbol of community. In their role as pollinators they play a crucial role for good functioning of our ecosystem. They are radically dissaperaing in the past years.

    That's why we decided to dedicate a piece of land at the farm to them and create a blooming meadow (blooming all season). You can contribute by purchasing the seeds that we will then sow for you. This way, you will become part of the this community meadow and you will contribute to the preservation and protection of the critically endangered pollinators. 

    We will send you a picture of the newly established meadow and its inhabitants during 2019. 

    And the newsletter from the farm every month as well. 

    Reward delivery: in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 19.87
    (CZK 500)

  • remaining 1 from 2
    I want "Courage"

    Would you like to hang on your wall one of the hand made prints by the famous  Bread and Puppet theater in Vermont? 

    Bread and Puppet is  politically radical puppet theater which uses smaller, bigger and huge puppets to reflect on injustice and inequalities. The name Bread & Puppet is derived from the theater's practice of sharing its own fresh bread, served for free with aïoli, with the audience of each performance to create community, and from its central principle art should be as basic as bread to life. 

    The print "Courage" is about 11x17 inches (28x43cm) big.

    Shipping within Europe is included, as well as the 2019 farm newsletter :). 

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 27.82
    (CZK 700)

  • remaining 2 from 2
    I want "Bread"

    Would you like to hang on your wall one of the hand made prints by the famous  Bread and Puppet theater in Vermont? 

    Bread and Puppet is  politically radical puppet theater which uses smaller, bigger and huge puppets to reflect on injustice and inequalities. The name Bread & Puppet is derived from the theater's practice of sharing its own fresh bread, served for free with aïoli, with the audience of each performance to create community, and from its central principle art should be as basic as bread to life. 

    The print "Bread" is about 11x17 inches (28x43cm) big.

    Shipping within Europe is included, as well as the 2019 farm newsletter :). 

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 27.82
    (CZK 700)

  • remaining 10 from 30
    I will enjoy organic jam from the farm

    You will receive the first batch of jams made of fruits grown at our farm. This goodness will be the result of the all season long love and care for the trees and plants, careful harvest in the summer and hand processing without artifical coloring and chemical conservatives in the newly established kitchen.  

    Who wants three jars full of sun from Southern Moravia? 

    You can also expect the newsletter from the farm every month of 2019.

    You can collect your reward at the farm or we can deliver it to you when you order one of the weekly veggie & fruit boxes. If you want to have it shipped to you, please add 100 CZK/4 EUR for shipping within the Czech Republic or 220 CZK/8.8 EUR for shipping abroad  in the next step and include your address in the comments. 

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 29.80
    (CZK 750)

  • remaining 55 from 115
    I will adopt a tree

    Having your own tree? Great! Planting it is one thing, taking care of it is another one. Become a sponsor of one of our fruit trees planted in the new orchard of old species and we will foster for it with love and care.

    It will carry your name and if you want, you can come take a look at it, sit underneath it and absorb its energy.  In the coming three years, we will send you an e-mail twice a year to let you know how the orchard is doing and which trees started to bear fruit. 

    And of course, you will also receive the newsletter about what's happening on the farm each month of 2019. 

    Reward delivery: in over a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 39.74
    (CZK 1,000)

  • remaining 1 from 1
    I want 'The Earth Wants YOU!' package

    Earth-alujah! Legendary New York City based activist, performer, and author Reverend Billy is joined by the Stop Shopping Choir to present The Earth Wants YOU! These are activists who sing. Directed by Savitri D., this radical performance community, sometimes called "The Church of Stop Shopping," serves up its angry defense of the Earth. You can feel their arrest-risking work in the streets in this powerful book. For the better part of the 21st century, they have spread their message, from Occupy Wall Street to the St. Louis offices of Monsanto (and the police station in nearby Ferguson, Missouri) to the stage at Joe's Pub at the Public Theater in New York, and out into arenas opening for Neil Young.

    The Earth Wants YOU! package includes a book which is signed and dedicated to the friends of Živá Farma,  a digital copy of the album, 3 stickers and a patch.

    Shipping within Europe and our farm newsletter is included.

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 43.71
    (CZK 1,100)

  • remaining 5 from 8
    I will make my own flower bouquet

    Would you like to become a florist for half a day, learn how to create beautifully looking bouquets with local flowers and make one right away? Then our workshop at The Living Farm organized with our friend flower farmer Řezanka is just perfect for you! 

    We will meet at 9am at the farm in Šanov and talk about how to pick, store and take care of flowers so that they stay fresh as long as possible. We will check what Jana from Řezanka brought from her field and then we will pick some extra flowers at the farm or in the nature close by. After an introduction into flower bouquet making, you will get the chance to make your own bouquet and then take it home with you :). 

    DATE & TIME: Sunday July 14, 2019, 9 - 13hod

    The price includes all materials for the workshop as well small refreshments and the 2019 monthly newsletter.

    You can receive this reward as a gift certificate via e-mail before Christmas :).

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 49.67
    (CZK 1,250)

  • remaining 10 from 21
    I am in it with You

    You will be with us, forever. Every time we or others enter the farm kitchen, we will be reminded by your gift that we are not alone. 

    There will be 21 donor tiles in the kitchen - you can purchase one and then suggest the design for it. Will it only carry your name? Or a picture? Or something totally different? We will leave it up to you to decide how you want to remind us that we are not alone - there is no limit to your imagination.

    And we will be with you throughout the year 2019 as you will receive the monthly newsletter from the farm. 

    Reward delivery: in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 59.61
    (CZK 1,500)

  • remaining 3 from 5
    I want a handmade pouch with carrot print

    Farming is not the only thing we do. Outside of the main farming season Eva likes to make beautiful and practical hand made pouches. And this one is very special, made just and only for this crowdfunding campaing. 

    The pouch is made of fabric that was printed with a stamp that Eva made herself. It has a fun colorful lining and you can use it to store and carry your jewelry or other small things. It is about 15cm tall and 20cm wide. 

    This is a limited addition and we only have 5 pieces available. Each of them a little different, each an original. Who wants one of these beauties at home? :)

    Shipping within the Czech Republic is included. For shipping abroad please add 6 EUR in the next step.

    You will receive subscription to the monthly newsletter with the pouch.

    Reward delivery: on address, in a week after the Hithit project end

    EUR 59.61
    (CZK 1,500)

  • remaining 1 from 2
    I am going to hang the Seeds on the wall

    This is a unique treasure we brought to you from the US, kindly donated to us from The Beehive Design  Collective.

    Two color letterpress print at approximately 13" x 20" is called  SEEDS The True Currency of Life.
    Cranked by hand on the Beehive's antique Vandercook SP20 press.

    Signed and numbered on thick, off white, high-quality Crane Lettra archival paper. Design slightly embosses into the thick fluffy paper giving a tactile quality to the image.

    Shipping within Europe is included. Together with the poster you will also receive the 2019 monthly newsletter from our farm.

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 59.61
    (CZK 1,500)

  • remaining 17 from 21
    I will make my own jam

    We will spend a great afternoon together and we will teach you how to make a homemade jam. From whichever fruit. First, we will wander into the field to harvest ingredients of the highest quality and then we will start with the creative process.

    Not only will you be leaving with a sweet goodess and new skills and knowledge, you will also spend a fun day in the company of others passionate about good quality food. And who knows - maybe you will make some new friends. 

    We will announce 3 dates for the workshops in the summer of 2019. 

    And the farm newsletter? That you will get as well. 

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 79.48
    (CZK 2,000)

  • remaining 1 from 5
    I will become farmer for a day

    What is it like to be a farmer? How does our day look like and what can be done on the farm? You will come early in the morning and we will meet in the fields :).

    We will sweat together, chat, eat and at the end of the day, you will see how much we managed to do together and what a great feeling it is to see the physical result of your effort. We will show you the true reality of a farmer's job. In the evening, we will make a fire, have dinner and then you will spend the night at the farm. 

    If you are a couple, please increase the price by 2000 CZK/77 EUR to 5000 CZK/192 EUR in total in the next step. 

    The monthly newsletter is part of the reward as well. 

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 119.21
    (CZK 3,000)

  • remaining 3 from 5
    I want to hear Your story live

    We will come over to you and share our story live. How is it to move from NYC to Šanov in Southern Moravia and start farming? What do we most enjoy about it and what is somewhat hard? Inspiration for everyone who dreams about more sustainable agriculture. Storytelling between dream and reality. 

    So who are you going to invite to join you? 

    And from the beginning to the end of 2019 you will also receive our newsletter. 

    We are ready to travel within the Czech Republic, but we can also make this happen remotely. Let us know if you have an idea how we can connect ;).

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 198.69
    (CZK 5,000)

  • remaining 3 from 3
    I support You and I live in abundance

    I will support a good cause because I believe in what you do. I still remember my beginnings and I know what is it like. I will be happy to receive 2 hand written letters from you in 2019 in which you will let me know how is it going with the realization of your vision of sustainable agriculture and community supported business.

    At the same time, I will sponsor one of the three crucial components of your kitchen’s equipment:
    - a fridge to store fresh produce
    - a kitchen robot to process it
    - and a stove to cook tasty jams and other products

    In addition to that, I will also receive the monthly 2019 farm newsletter via e-mail.
     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 794.75
    (CZK 20,000)

  • Sold out!!
    I will make myself a cup of rose hip tea

    If you take a closer look at the picture of the school in the photo gallery, you will notice bushes with red treasures in the front.

    We gently and patiently harvested rose hips in October and then we dried them. So that you can enjoy a delicious cup of rose hip tea during long winter evenings. Did you know that rose hip is packed with vitamine C and it can serve as prevention against flu and cold? On top of that, ours is charged by the South Moravian Sun and it carries the essence of freedom with which it spreads all over the school garden :).

    You will receive 150g of  dried rose hips.

    And the newsletter from the farm? That's part of this reward too.

    Shipping within the Czech Republic is included. If you want to have this reward shipped abroad, please add 75 CZK/3 EUR in the next step.

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 17.88
    (CZK 450)

  • Sold out!!
    I want to grow my own flowers

    Have You ever dreamt of a bouquet made of flowers You grew youself? Now is your chance to fulfill this dream :).

    In collaboration with the flower farm Řezanka from Znojmo we have prepared a  gift set of 12 packets of flower  seeds that were grown in a way sensitive to Mother Earth. The only thing you need to do is sowing them in the spring and then enjoying their beauty later in the year.

    The seeds were grown and donated to us by our friend Jana who is a flower farmer. In addition to that, one of the packets will contain seeds of our flowers grown at Živá farma. 

    Shipping within the Czech Republic is included as well as the newsletter from the farm in 2019.

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 25.83
    (CZK 650)

  • Sold out!!
    I want "Thanks"

    Would you like to hang on your wall one of the hand made prints by the famous Bread and Puppet theater in Vermont? 

    Bread and Puppet is  politically radical puppet theater which uses smaller, bigger and huge puppets to reflect on injustice and inequalities. The name Bread & Puppet is derived from the theater's practice of sharing its own fresh bread, served for free with aïoli, with the audience of each performance to create community, and from its central principle art should be as basic as bread to life. 

    The print "Thanks" is about 11x17 inches (28x43cm) big.

    Shipping within Europe is included, as well as the 2019 farm newsletter :). 

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 27.82
    (CZK 700)

  • Sold out!!
    I support independent journalism

    The Silenced Majority: Stories of Uprisings, Occupations, Resistance, and Hope

    You will receive a signed copy of the book dedicated to supporters of the organic farm Živá Farma by Amy Goodman and Denis Moynihan.

    Amy Goodman is a multiple New York Times best-selling author and the host and executive producer of Democracy Now! a daily independent global news program airing on more than a thousand television and radio stations. It brings reports on Agriculture,  GMO,  Global Warming,  Food and other War and Peace affairs.

    Shipping in Europe and farm newsletter included.

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 43.71
    (CZK 1,100)

  • Sold out!!
    I will enjoy a dinner with you

    We are offering you our time. And a dinner in addition. We will meet and create memories together. We can talk about farming, courage, ours and yours dreams or about anything else. 

    When and how will it happen? That we will figure out together. Cooking together at yours or ours place? Or do you prefer the idea of a summer picnic in the grass? Maybe, we will come up with something entirely different :). 

    This reward is for one or two people. 

    And the farm newsletter is also part of it for all of 2019. 

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 99.34
    (CZK 2,500)

  • Sold out!!
    We will enjoy a relaxing weekend

    For two nights, we will give you shelter in our beautiful caravan in the garden. One day, we will have lunch together or open a bottle of wine or juice by the fire. And the rest of the program is up to you.

    Would you like to wander around the farm and watch it grow? Or would you rather discover the beauty of the surrounding landscape? Walk to Hraběnčina studánce (a spring in the forest), take a bike ride to Znojmo or the train to Mikulov? And how about the thermal spa a few kilometres from us just behind the Austrian border? There are abundant options :). 

    Our caravan ideally accomodates 2 people (shared bed), it is equiped with a shower, toilet and a little kitchen. We will look forward to hosting you between June and September 2019, concrete date to be agreed on. 

    And on top of that, you will receive our newsletter every month.  

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 238.43
    (CZK 6,000)

  • Sold out!!
    We are a like minded organization

    You are our fan and you want to become our main sponsor. 

    In fall next year, you will receive 100 jams from the farm with your company's logo. You can use it as original gifts for your employees or business partners. 

    We will also introduce your company in January's edition of our farm newsletter which you will of course receive the entire year. 

    You will be invited to the opening of the kitchen as one tenth of it will be actually sponsored by you.

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 1,311.35
    (CZK 33,000)

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