From Childhood Dream to Community Table

Joe Ulmer knew he wanted to be a farmer long before Overlook Produce ever existed. It was a childhood dream that stuck with him into adulthood. And now, that dream is growing row by row on his family farm.  

His favorite thing to grow? Tomatoes. And not just any tomatoes—local heirlooms that have become a customer favorite at his market stand.

(Ulmer supplies many of the heirlooms JHGS sells in the summer)

Like most good stories, this one hasn’t been all smooth sailing. Starting a farm comes with plenty of behind-the-scenes challenges, and Joe’s been through his fair share. Still, he kept showing up, learning, and figuring it out one step at a time. His advice for anyone thinking about getting into farming? “Stay persistent”.  

That same persistence is driving the next step for Overlook Produce. Joe’s looking to swap out seed oils for beef tallow products. He’s also considering adding eggs to give more variety to his stand.  

Running a business while raising a family is never easy, but as Overlook has grown, so has the support. Joe’s been able to bring on a team of managers to carry the load, so he can free up time to spend time with what matters most: family. At its heart, Overlook Produce isn’t just about what’s growing in the field. It’s about the people behind the product.

Interview by Joey Buscareno