As we celebrate this month, our third Farm Hippie birthday, we find it so easy to reflect on all the amazing things that have led us to where and who we are today. We can get swept up in the romanticism of following our dreams sometimes. The celebrations, the support from all around, and even the everyday motions that drive us to seek that next happy moment inside Farm Hippie. The thing though, is that sometimes in those happy-seeking moments, we forget that it’s the obstacles and adversity that truly help define us and our mission. Our growth isn’t only in the fun and easy breezy days, but in the lessons we learn and feats we overcome.
2019 was a *HUGE* year for us. For a recap, be sure to check out last month’s blog HERE. Our soft opening had run smoothly a month leading up to the grand opening. In those weeks, we were able to make the necessary tweaks, place more vendors in the store, and fill the needs we didn’t know we would have. We had planned a great community party to ring in the grand opening on August 17th, 2019. We were clueless. Not in the business of opening a business, but in the fact that we were not prepared for the number of people that were ready for us to officially open its doors.
We served, what felt like, thousands of customers that day. The line was constant and booming the entirety of that opening Saturday. We had to assume the party was going well outside because there was never a moment we could step away to enjoy the festivities. That night, we were in tears with joy from the outpouring of support and the ease of the “I hope they like and accept us” tension. We slept very, VERY well.
Everything just continued to smoothly operate, like it was meant to be. Our vendors were settling, we were all finding our groove and roles, and the store was already growing. On October 17th, 2019, we were shaken to our core. The very being of what we were trying to accomplish at Farm Hippie, shook. All our efforts, hard work, and innovative ideas were under attack. Surprise attack, at that.
Our groundwork was already laid. I’s dotted, Ts crossed, attorney fees paid, all proper paperwork filed and approved. We were the first indoor farmers market to operate in the way we did in the Tulsa area (Although we thought at the time were the only in the state and beyond. We had certainly never heard of such a business up to this point). We were a registered farmers market, and although we raised a few eyebrows in the Ag Department, we were set. Until that day the Health Department discreetly arrived to tell us we could either purge all our ideas of being a farmers market and the way we operated with our home-based food products OR close our doors. By doing so, we would lose 50% of our vendors, and those vendors who depended on us would lose all the hope they had finally found inside Farm Hippie, not to mention lost income for all. As a two-month-old business, either option was devastating.
So we were faced with a decision. And it wasn’t even a hard decision. We chose to fight because that’s just who we are. Ash always says, “We didn’t come this far to only come this far.” We finished out the day, called for an emergency vendor meeting that evening, then made the announcement to the public. We complied by pulling all home-based food off the shelves. Within the next few days, Carrie Beth had drafted a petition, which gained thousands of signatures and the attention of the press, and the rest is history.
https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/new-farmers-markets-taking-a-huge-hit-from-longstanding-health-department-rules
Throughout the ordeal, more and more antiquated home-based food laws were uncovered. More and more advocates were on our side, and opposition fewer and fewer. With fellow farmers markets, home-based food producers, consumers from all over, local legislators and senators on our side, and the Institute for Justice aiming to share our story and advocate for the change, eventually, a bill was drafted and taken to the State Capitol.
It was an uphill battle, and a scary one at that, but giving up is something we have never done nor will ever do if what we’re doing what we know is right. Senate Bill 1785 won unanimously. The bill passed through the House and Senate, and what we are, a “Farmers Market Hub” was defined, which allowed our home-based food producers back into our store. What’s more, is that it became much bigger than that, and in 2021 the Food Freedom Act was signed by the Governor and is now in full effect.
https://ij.org/press-release/oklahoma-soon-to-become-one-of-the-best-states-in-the-nation-for-homemade-food-businesses/
https://www.newson6.com/story/5e35b987fcd8ef694720c1e3/collinsville-farm-hippie-owners-work-to-get-farmers-market-law-changed
Today, when meeting with new potential home-based food vendors who say, “Because of the Food Freedom Act, I’m now able to do this…” unaware aware that it was Farm Hippie’s battles that they’re able to say that, Ash and I secretly gave each other high fives in knowing that something amazing came from our obstacles. Something bigger and better than us. And because of that something, real people can make real livings by doing what they love, just like us, which is truly what our focus has always been– helping our community to grow, prosper, and encourage the spirit of self-sustainability. Every day is a grateful day.