Bios
Contents
Atina’s Biography | Atina-Resume
Atina Diffley is an organic consultant, author, and public speaker. From 1985 through 2007, she and her husband Martin ran the Gardens of Eagan, an urban-edge, organic vegetable farm, which he started in 1973. Atina’s areas of expertise include post harvest handling, brand-name marketing, greenhouse management, and organic farming systems. She provides consulting services through their business Organic Farming Works LLC. Atina is the author of the memoir Turn Here Sweet Corn: Organic Farming Works, published by the University of Minnesota Press. She is a contributing author of the FamilyFarmed.org training manual, Wholesale Success: A Farmers Guide to Selling, Postharvest Handling and Packing Produce. For reflections, tips and decision-making tools subscribe to Atina’s on-line blog, What Is A Farm, at atinadiffley.com.
Martin’s Biography | Martin-Resume
Martin Diffley started the Gardens of Eagan, an urban-edge organic vegetable farm, on his 5th generation family land in 1973. One of the first certified organic vegetable farms in Minnesota, Martin has extensive experience in transitioning land to organic, innovative marketing, small and mid-size farm equipment, soil-based fertility, and organic weed and pest management. In 2008 the Diffleys sold the Gardens of Eagan name and equipment to the Wedge Community Co-op in Minneapolis. Martin now provides consulting services through Organic Farming Works L.L.C., owned with his wife, Atina. His current on-farm projects include, breeding organic seed corn, mentoring beginning farmers, and transitioning chemically farmed land to organic.
Additional Information
In 1989, when the 5th-generation Diffley family land was developed into a school and suburban housing, the Diffleys collaborated with Helen DeMichiel to create the award-winning documentary film, Turn Here Sweet Corn. Filmed in 1988 and 1989 on the original Diffley land in Eagan and in the surrounding community, the film focuses on the loss of greenbelt farmlands to suburbia. More video essay than documentary, it interweaves the specific story of the Diffley family and the Gardens of Eagan Organic Farm with an evocative contemplation about the future of family farming in a new era of rural culture. To learn more about the film or to purchase a DVD, visit www.thirtyleaves.org.
In 2006 land use issues arose again when the Diffleys received notice that the Gardens of Eagan was in the proposed corridor of the Koch Industries owned MinnCan pipeline. They formally intervened as parties in the route proceeding, permitting them to address the unique mitigation needs of organic farmers. In addition to legal intervention, the Diffleys mobilized an outreach campaign to consumers and other stakeholders. Over 4,500 public comments were received supporting protection of MN’s organic farms. As a result, Minnesota Pipeline Company agreed to implement what they believe is the first Organic Agriculture Mitigation Plan in the country applicable to pipeline infrastructure. This mitigation plan provides rights and protections for all affected organic farms in Minnesota and have since been applied to other MN. pipeline and power line projects. Since the implementation of the Minnesota Organic Mitigation Plan other jurisdictions in the U.S. have begun to require that agricultural impact mitigation plans provide protection to organic agriculture.
Awards and Recognitions
2008 Successful Farmer of the Year | EcoFarm | California
2008 Lawsuit of the Year | Minnesota Law and Politics | December 2008
2007 Cooperate for Community Award | National Cooperative Grocer Association Award
2004 Organic Farmer of the Year | Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Services
2004 New Initiative Farmer of the Year | Dakota County., MN. Award
