When Marine Sergeant Colin Archipley is confronted with rising water prices, retiring farmers, and stretched food supplies – he sees opportunity.
Following three tours in Iraq the decorated sergeant purchased a three-acre farm in southern California with his wife Karen. Dubbed “Archi’s Acres” it evolved from 200 neglected avocado trees to a certified organic, hydroponic farm that supplies avocados, kale, and basil to grocers.
Along the way, many lessons were learned, among them how to use resources wisely...
“Here in San Diego we have some of the most expensive water in the world. So incorporating systems that not only had a minimal environmental impact was important to us, but it has also made us more competitive.”
Archipley found working with plants restorative. In an effort to help other soldiers transition into farm life, in 2007 he launched the Veterans Sustainable Agriculture Training Program in collaboration with Cal State.
The six-week course, approved by Camp Pendleton’s transition assistance program, includes training in business, irrigation, hydroponics, high-value niche crops, and financing. Archipley’s motivation?
“We don’t need to get into the causes of climate change, but if you ask any farmer particularly here in California it’s a very real thing. Another issue, there (are) more people now than ever to feed. When you look at all that, like the USDA does, it’s a huge problem the nation faces.”
He sees these challenges as opportunities, and his program has already helped prepare more than 100 vets for careers in, as he puts in, “protecting our food security.”
Photo, taken on April 13, 2012, courtesy of the USDA via Flickr.