Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanna Thornton.
Hi Joanna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Over a decade ago, I made a career shift into agriculture, inspired by my long-standing passion for gardening since childhood. Just like my plants, I began to flourish in this new venture. The year before the pandemic I started collaborating with my fellow farmers to collectively build a business that meets the needs of small farms here in northern Michigan. In 2022, we officially formed a cooperative of agricultural producers, helping one another while growing exceptional produce for our community. As a founder I embraced the roles of CEO and general manager, taking pride in representing this farmer-owned cooperative. Writing grants can be an effective method to enhance farm productivity, and one reason why we established the co-op. Recently, I took the initiative to write a grant for the cooperative and successfully secured funding for the first one I submitted. Helping farms and farmers thrive is what gets me throwing the covers back in the morning!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The challenges of a cooperative are the challenges of every democracy treating members equally. Fairness and equity are foundational but take time to cultivate, just like the finest produce. We are still learning and growing along the way, but we embrace the cooperative model because of it’s inherent strengths.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Over the years, we have focused on cultivating close relationships with our customers. By delivering fresh produce directly to their doors, we create greater access to local food. We care deeply about how our food is grown and the nutrition it provides to sustain us. Our passion for regenerative farming endures through the challenges and uncertainties of what farming is- quite the gamble.
The Torch Lake Cooperative is owned by nine different farmers, offering marketing and distribution services to over 25 additional farms and local food producers. Together, we cultivate a wide array of vegetables and fruits, as well as meat, cheese, eggs, baked goods, and value-added products. Supporting one another through the ups and downs of farming has transformed our perspective on what is achievable and empowered us to thrive.
As a farmer I have been able to specialize in what I grow best—garden starts, cucumbers, eggplants, peppers, zucchini, and tomatoes—rather than attempting to do it all, which can lead to spreading too thin and burning out. This shift has positively impacted the daily operations of all participating farmers. By collectivizing essential but time consuming tasks and marketplaces, we have improved our ability to farm efficiently and joyfully, all while striving for regenerative land stewardship, sustainable practices, and high-quality food.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Agricultural producer cooperatives represent a time-honored business model that has been practiced for centuries, simply because we are stronger together. This cooperative approach addresses the over-monopolization of our national food production and aids small family farms in achieving sustainability. Although creating trusting relationships among business owners requires time and effort—unlike the conventional owner/employee model—the benefits are profound. Once established, this structure fosters growth, sustainability, and an invaluable camaraderie for those navigating the notoriously challenging and stressful agricultural profession. I anticipate that the trend toward consolidation and monopolization in agriculture will continue over the next decade. However, those passionate about cultivating their small family farms will thrive by banding together in networks, supporting each other, setting an example, and continuing to nourish local communities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.torchlake.coop or https://www.torchlakecoop.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/torchlakecoop
