Mindful Farmer began as a part-time beekeeping operation in Texas, where Sean worked as an environmental scientist for several years. We started off with a few hives on rooftops in downtown Houston and quickly expanded out of town. During our time in Houston we enjoyed supplying honey and other hive products to area chefs and markets with a vision of inspiring thoughtfulness and consideration of where food comes from and how it is supplied. We also worked with and apprenticed under other area farmers to grow our knowledge and broaden our experiences. 

Fast forward a few years and we had the opportunity to step into sustainable agriculture full time in Central Arkansas. For several years Sean had the opportunity to manage several acres of organic vegetables marketing them wholesale across Arkansas, conduct on-farm research, provide technical assistance, and host workshops before eventually leaving to go full time with Mindful Farmer in 2021. Mindful Farmer's 2021 focus was the design, fabrication, and installation of custom greenhouses. That was just the start. In Summer of 2022 we launched our first round of garden tools designed by Sean. 

With Sean's background in ecology and experience on the farm and Melanie's background in nutrition, we clearly see the impact conventional farming practices have had on our soil, our food, human health, our communities, and ultimately the health of our world. Our vision is to empower, educate, and equip the next generation of producers. We see Mindful Farmer playing a key role developing appropriate technologies for small scale growers, demonstrating sustainable and productive techniques, and be a resources for supplies and inputs that are are difficult for small growers to source.

We believe our journey into sustainable farming has been God's calling on our lives. Within our family, we refer to our work as having Kingdom purpose, meaning that the decisions we make in our family, in our community, on our land, and in our business should be life-giving to the people and places around us. We want to see this world look a little more like heaven everyday. And what paints a better picture of Heaven than eating wonderful food at a long table in a thriving garden with people you love?. 

In the fields we strive to steward the land in such a way that soil is replenished, not depleted, ecosystems are built, not destroyed, and once declining wildlife populations flourish. This regenerative way of stewarding the land as caretakers leads to healthier crops, a healthier planet, and a healthier community of people.

In the kitchen we use traditional and evidence-based methods to create products that bring joy and health. Our recipes are developed with Melanie's knowledge of human nutrition and passion for food that just plain tastes good. When we can't source the ingredients directly from what our hands have grown, we strive to source from other local Arkansas producers with the same passion for sustainability. 

Instagram is our favorite place to connect! You can follow Sean for all things agriculture @mindfulfarmerarkansas and Melanie for evidence based nutrition, wellness tips, and Mindful Kitchen products @mindfulkitchenarkansas.

We are honored that you are here and hope you find health, resources, and inspiration as you follow along on our family journey.