The Organic Farmer of the Year Leadership Award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to support and advance organic agriculture and trade at the farm level. Receiving that honor this year is April Jones Thatcher, owner of April Joy Farm in Washington state. April Joy Farm is a direct to market certified organic farm growing more than 200 varieties of vegetables, fruits, flowers and herbs on its richly bountiful 24 acres, alongside a grazing group of goats and donkeys devoted to the restoration of soils and a 70-bird flock of Animal Welfare Approved certified poultry.
April started her farm from scratch by herself in 2006 and has been organic from day one. From the beginning, April wanted her farm to connect closely with the community it serves, and all products from the farm are sold directly to families through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. An engineer by training with an MBA, April established an apprentice program in 2017. She has partnered with other organic farms and businesses to expand their markets and her CSA offerings. She recently co-founded the Farm to Heart Initiative which is currently providing organic produce to 60 local children in low-income families free of charge. She and her husband Brad, who joined the farm in 2012, are full-time farmers with no off-farm income.
“I deeply appreciate the opportunity to be a voice for America’s small acreage, organic farmers. Our contributions to the public good are repeatedly overlooked and minimized,” said April. “Organic farming is a dynamic, inspiring career -- one that challenges me every day to blend my technical and project management skills with my creative spirit and passion for working with natural systems. Organic farming is a very personal way for me to keep showing up for my land and community.”
