It is the co-op’s vision to support and strengthen community connections with our local producers – so here are their stories! In this Meet Your Producer series, we will highlight our neighborhood farmers, ranchers, and producers so you can see and hear what they’re all about. Support local!
Two Sisters Farm
Ryan Eddinger
Lecompton, KS 66046
twosistersfarmks@gmail.com
About the Farmers
Ryan Eddinger has been farming all his life. He grew up on a 300 acre dairy farm in Illinois, and after moving around he finished law school at KU and settled in Lawrence. Somewhat to his neighbors’ dismay, he tore up his back yard turf and began planting vegetables. The experience working with his two daughters, Stella and Sophia, in their garden convinced him to find a piece of land and begin farming again on a larger scale.
Over 10 years later, Eddinger has two full time jobs, criminal defense attorney and farmer, though the goal is eventually to be farming exclusively. Meanwhile, the two sisters help around the farm and with their bi-weekly market trips. The farm’s logo (pictured above) was designed by Sophia when she was 5.
About the Farm
Two Sisters Farm began as a traditional outdoor farm plot, but a couple of years in they began working with hydroponics - growing plants without soil in a nutrient solution. There’s a variety of methods for hydroponics, but overall this technique boasts better plant growth, 10% of the water use of traditional agriculture, and increased control of the conditions for your plants.
“I like [hydroponics] for the efficiency. Labor, water, maintenance - all of those inputs are less. Outdoors you’re restricted to the seasons. And we’re on rural water out here, so the cost of growing outside would make this nonviable.”
Hydroponics does have its unique challenges, though. The first year, Eddinger says he had every problem you could have right out of the gate. He nearly quit all together. But, after getting through that first season, Eddinger says the key is paying attention and scouting the produce. Problems can be isolated quickly if spotted early.
Currently, The Merc Co+op is the farm’s only retail partner. In past years, you could also find their greens at a variety of restaurants in Lawrence, but with the pandemic those partnerships are on hold for now.
In addition to greens production, Eddinger grows other veggies outdoors to supplement his market stand in Overland Park. He also raises ducks and goats for milk, eggs and meat.
What has farming taught you, or what do you think you’ve learned from farming that you couldn’t gain with other professions?
For me, it’s a connection with place. I’m connected with it, I’m committed to it. When my time here is done, it will be better than when I came here - the diversity of the species, the land. And I’m connected to families. You’re feeding them, they depend on you. I’ve watched kids grow up at the market. That connection, and the connection to food and sustenance. It’s one of those foundational things, everyone needs it.”