Located in Galena, Missouri in the heart of the Ozarks, the farm, which officially took root in 2011, is run by David and Terry Quick. The couple’s daughter, Alisa Welch, and son-in-law, Russ Welch, play a pivotal role in day-to-day operations, and their three children — Dusty, Dawson and Bristol – lend a hand. Terry’s mom, Pauline Hedrick, also pitches in to make the farm a true family affair.
The family’s lineage points to a strong background in farming and gardening, but more recent generations had been working in a different trade: construction. That all changed in 2008 when the economy began to slow.
“We were looking for something at that time that’s economy-proof,” says Alisha Welch. “People don’t always need a concrete patio, but people always need to eat.”
The family considered various business models and farming techniques before deciding that hydroponic growing was the way to go. The ability to grow off-season, and in particular the space saving efficiency of hydroponic farming appealed to them.