In 2017, after several years of research and ideation, Atul Patidar flew back to his hometown to convince like-minded individuals to join the agriculture movement of bringing the next impact to farmers’ lives.
Start a Company
Living in New York City. Became interested in "slow food". Read every book on the politics of slow food, and became obsessed with being aware of what I ate.
Still living in New York City, I took my agricultural education to the next level. I started growing plants on my fire escape. I started meeting with NY City Urban Farmers, and I started taking long bicycle rides to farms within a 350 mile radius of the City. I was meeting farmers, learning about agriculture, watching more movies, reading more books, and getting involved in farmers' markets.
Connected 2000+ partners
Early in the year Kate and I embarked from New York City by bicycle headed West. Over 5,500 miles from NY City to Seattle to San Diego we visited many farmers' markets, family farms, and craft breweries (can you blame us?). That experience was invaluable. We grew even closer together, we learned a lot about farming in America, we made a lot of connections, and we developed a great story. We truly were the FoodCyclists.
Market expansion Asia
Kate and I apprenticed for a whole season on a farm in Connecticut. On 93 acres we grew enough for a 200 person vegetable CSA, I raised my own flock of chickens, we helped raise pigs, and a 30 head of grass-fed beef cattle. We learned a a great deal while working on the farm.
New achievements
We moved to New Milford, CT where we are today on FoodCyclist Farm. In the beginning of the year we took a course on financial record keeping for farmers through Cornell Small Farms. We planned the farm, Kate got a job teaching, and we starting growing. Chickens and herbs year one. We also are/were growing as a family (depending on when you are reading this) with the birth of our daughter in July 2013.
Market expansion Asia
Kate and I apprenticed for a whole season on a farm in Connecticut. On 93 acres we grew enough for a 200 person vegetable CSA, I raised my own flock of chickens, we helped raise pigs, and a 30 head of grass-fed beef cattle. We learned a a great deal while working on the farm.