Newsletters: May - June 2007

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Local Spotlight-Spring Song Farm

By Bobby Dixon

Cargo shorts with a beach-floral print are not the first item of clothing one might picture a farmer wearing. Conventions aside, there is no reason why cargo shorts shouldn't be worn by a farmer. The multitude of pockets are very handy, cotton fabric is perfect for the permanent summer that is Florida's climate, and the screen-printed blossoms on the zipper pockets are pleasing to look at. Maybe this is why I have always seen Jeff Baptist delivering his produce in these shorts. It might also have something to do with the fact that he grows and delivers his own produce, distributes produce from other farmers, is the father of three, and runs Spring Song farm right outside of Gainesville. A man as multifaceted as Jeff Baptist almost requires floral cargo shorts.

Taking into account the many roles Jeff plays, comfortable shorts just make sense. It's a plain and simple kind of logic that dictates many of the farmer's moves and choices. The archetype of the no-nonsense farmer transcends surfer chic when I talk to him over the phone. "It just makes sense," he tells me when talking about how he has been scaling down his time on the road to spend more time on the farm. One of the many reasons for this scale-down is fuel prices, especially when you drive a 2000 Chevy Express model van, a vehicle not known for fuel efficiency.

It is in this van that Jeff expertly stows his dozens of Sterilite thirty gallon tubs filled with his farm-grown broccoli, head lettuce, and green kale. He also transports organic tomatoes and watermelons he's picked up from other farmers in this van. It is the same van that pulls up to New Leaf Market every Tuesday-he has been delivering to New Leaf since 1989-and he delivers some of the freshest organic produce available in the Tallahassee area. It is fresh because the produce from Spring Song farm has not been out of the ground for more than twenty-four hours before it is delivered to market.

The freshness is a result of what Jeff calls a "custom harvest." The process works as follows: produce buyers call Jeff up and place their order; over the next two days the Spring Song crew harvests only what they need to fill the order; then the order is delivered. Since he is the primary deliverer for the produce, Spring Song's deliveries cannot be anywhere further than a few hours drive from the farm. Tallahassee is as far west as Jeff drives and Gainesville is as far East. The combination of freshness and regional availability means the quality of this product is of a caliber that larger distributors find difficult to match.

Jeff's role in the produce industry in North Florida however is also dynamic. In addition to picking up and distributing tomatoes and watermelons, Spring Song sells its own produce to larger produce distributors, as well as to a few different restaurants and natural food markets. If anything, Mr. Baptist's farm is a touchstone for Florida's produce industry. His well-rounded business is evidence that he is an expert in quality.

The principle of quality is one of the reasons he began organic farming. Jeff describes his early days farming and getting to know produce truck drivers. One of his first experiences with organic produce was the result of a mistaken case of apples that made its way onto the wrong truck. "I bought a miss-pick case of apples," he tells me over the phone, "and was going to try and sell them-bit into one of them, and it was one of the best apples I had ever had." This apple introduced him to the world of organic farming. "Organic fruit is way, way better than anything," he declares. He avoids using chemicals due to the fact that it is harsh on his soil and would require a longer turn around for his harvest. He tries to use more animals in his work, instead of tractors, and tries to use their manure for fertilizer.

Spring Song farms sits on twelve acres of land, eleven of those acres are used for planting. Spring Song has a staff of four, not including Jeff, working year-round-possible because of Florida's climate. Plus, on occasion, his oldest son is put to work. It is here where more of the farmer in Jeff comes out. "It's good for him," he says in a mild tone, "to get off his butt and work." But Jeff is the last person to come off as task master. He is interested in raising high quality offspring too. His appearance may convey that he is a relaxed person, which he is. But ultimately he does believe in the benefits of hard work. "I don't think he notices it, but I can see a change in him. And it's a good change."

Nothing will change the fact Mr. Baptist provides Tallahassee with some of the freshest organic produce one can get in a retail setting. He has been growing organic for thirty three years and has spent twenty three years at his current location. He has been delivering to New Leaf for eighteen years. But Mr. Baptist's focus is not quantitative as much as it is qualitative. After talking to him a few times and seeing what he provides, it is clear Jeff Baptist is a real asset to the New Leaf community.