Joannée DeBruhl, Stone Coop Farm
Having A Purpose

Aging is tough for anyone; everyone one handles this natural process of life differently.  Research from some of the most renowned medical and educational institutions all point out that “having a purpose” in life as we enter these aging years could hold wonderful physical and mental benefits that can only help us navigate through this aging process easier.

Joannée DeBruhl is a perfect example of a woman, now in her fifties, who only recently tossed herself into another dimension of life leaving the competitive insurance world as a salesperson.

Joannée found herself laid off in 2009 after 21 years in the insurance industry.  During that summer, she coordinated a small co-op company garden project for Gleaners Community Food Bank with her church.  She found it to be the most fulfilling summer of her life.

With a great deal of support from her husband Perry and faith in her newfound passion, Joannée attended a Michigan State organic farmers training program.  As fate would have it, she met Shannon Rau who had earned her degree in the Pacific Northwest for biology with an emphasis on ecology and evolution.

We hear the term “green thumb” – all of Shannon’s fingers are green!  Together, Joannée and Shannon, along with the support of Shannon’s father, community business leader Tom Rau, have developed what might potentially be the crown jewel of organic farming in Michigan, based right outside of Brighton.

Today, Stone Coop Farm can be seen on weekends at the Brighton and Howell farmers market.  More important is that the farm has become a habitual weekly stopping location for families from the area.  Because of the four hoop houses, the farm can supply produce eleven of the twelve months in Michigan.

“The winter growing months in our hoop houses offer a unique opportunity to grow some of our best produce with explosive flavor, rich in organic ingredients like nothing you can find in a store.” Joannée explains.

When asked Joannée if this is her purpose in life, she responded, “its funny how we get to where we are in our life.  It has not been an easy journey, but I would not trade one step along the way.”
 
“Knowing I can fulfill a young mother’s desire to have fresh, organically-grown vegetables so she can make fresh baby food for her baby, well, nothing makes me happier.  I would not trade this for anything in the world.” said Joannée.

To learn more about Stone Coop Farm, visit their website http://www.stonecoopfarm.com/