Meet Bryan & Cindy Pruett | farmers, Appleby Community Farm

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bryan & Cindy Pruett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bryan & Cindy, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
We originally felt called to Nacogdoches, TX in 2007 to purchase and run a Bed and Breakfast. But because of an unexpected detour, God had time to direct our attention to farming. During that two-year interim, we were exposed to the serious problem that is industrial agriculture- beginning with but not exclusively through the culture-changing book, Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan. We became increasingly convinced that we should become part of the solution.

In 2009, along with Cindy’s parents, 9 acres were purchased in Appleby Community outside of Nacogdoches. We immediately began to farm – very ineptly, but God blessed our intentions and we had a remarkably successful first fall season. We sold fresh organic produce all fall and winter at the farmer’s market. The growing enthusiasm for local, organic food is overwhelming. What was at first simply a desire to follow God’s prompting has now become a sacred trust. We accept the responsibility of feeding as many families who are able financially and/or physically to be a part of the farm and as many as we are able that cannot.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a former teacher and machinist, we didn’t bring much to the table as famers. Everything we know and do on the farm was self taught – although we had books, seminars, eventually YouTube (!) and a few mentors. Learning this way was definitely a challenge, but our breadth of knowledge – not to mention grit – is unparalled.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We love that we’re a location that people often want to visit when in town, but we also have the lovely campus of SFA, a vibrant downtown, and a terrific music scene.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
We are so thankful for the many families that have come and gone throughout the years as customers and CSA members and especally the handful that have been with us from the beginning through the times of abundance and the hard times. We also couldn’t make it without the partnership of the SFA faculty who have graciously included us in their curriculum via field trips and volunteer opportunities – especially the Nutrition Department.

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