Carlson: What’s the origin story of Choctaw Fresh Produce?
Snow: There was a man, Mr. Dick Hoy, who was the manager at the Tribal vocational rehabilitation program, where we grew flowers for the landscaping at the Tribe and resort. I always said he should grow organic. He would say, “Nah, I don’t want to do that.”
Then, the executive chef at the resort asked the question, “Why can’t some of the produce for the restaurants be grown by the Tribe on Tribal land?” That set the ball rolling with economic development and finding funding. So, one day Mr. Hoy came to me and said, “Are you ready?”
I was shocked that we were going to grow organic in Mississippi. It took us three years to get one farm certified organic, because we’re used to our tractors and pesticides. Once we started following the rules and regulations, all five farms were certified quickly.
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