The Origin
After a decade of experience volunteering with the Center for Sustainable Living to certify residences, churches, and public spaces as Backyard Habitats through the National Wildlife Foundation, Juan Carlos Arango opened Sobremesa Farm in 2014 to practice organic, regenerative agriculture.
The permaculture farm has become a model for small-scale farmers interested in sustainable practices, such as carbon sequestration, rain-water catchment systems, and soil conservation. Named after the Spanish word for the period following a meal when people share stories and connect, Sobremesa Farm has welcomed people of all backgrounds to participate in ag workshops and learn about permaculture practices.
In 2022, Arango began a collaboration with Exodus Refugee to give new refugees to the Monroe County area employment opportunities. Sobremesa Farm along with Juan Carlos was chosen for the 2014 Minority Landowner Farmer of the Year, a two-time recipient of the Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation's Conservation Steward of the Year award, featured at Farm Aid 2023, recognized by the Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute as a 2024 Hoosier Resilience Hero and awarded the Indiana River Friendly Farmer Award in 2024.
To learn more about the farm, CSA, weekly market, or upcoming events, check out the website!
