The seeds for Sozo Valley Farm were planted in 2010, when Amy and Jason partnered with Seed St. Louis to revive three defunct community gardens. The "Opportunity Gardens" saught to bring the opportunity of good work, employment, fresh food, and beauty to north St. Louis. With the help of many volunteers, we got the gardens going, and two of them lived on after we couldn't continue managing them.
As the idea of Sozo Valley Ranch developed, agriculture became a vital part of that vision. Jason read a book on permaculture (working with natural systems to produce food), and fell in love with the idea of stewarding creation. Soon the whole Calahan family knew this is what they wanted to do. Since then, they've been learning as much as possible, attending classes and working on various farms. They both are mentoring with established farmers.
Sozo is a greek word that is often translated as "saved" in the New Testament. However, it carries ideas of wholeness, refuge, and freedom. In old Greek translations of Psalms, it is the cry of people asking God to make them safe.
We are still in the early stages of establishing the farm. The farm is located on 5 acres of old pasture, surrounded by 20 acres of woodlands and Hopewell Creek. We've plowed and tilled about 1/8 acre, and got cover crop seeded. We hope to have garlic in the ground by the end of 2026, and start growing tomatoes, greens, and flowers in the spring. Over time we'll implement more perennial crops, like berry bushes and fruit trees. We'll learn from the land what grows best here and how to work with the ecosystem.
Eventually, the farm will have a dedicated well, hoop houses, and other infrastructure, and the Calahans will be moving onto the ranch. We'll begin hosting various community events, like nature classes, gardening workshops, and maybe even some concerts.
Jordan Grimm of Grimm Family Farm, for loaning us the John Deere Tractor and plow.
Matt Zimmerman, for being the most encouraging person I know.
Curtis and Sarah Millsap, of Millsap Farm, for your continued guidance and hospitality.
Kimby Decker, of Edges Wild Farm, for your generous mentorship.
Rosie Willis at Fresh Starts Community Garden, for making a place for us.
Tyrean Lewis at Heru Urban Farming, for being such an inspiration.
Known and Grown STL, for all the education, support, grants, and community.
Seed St. Louis, for getting us started, and continuing to provide valuable education.
New Growth for providing the farmer mentorship.
Earthdance Organic Farm School, for being my favorite place to be in St. Louis.
Our families, for giving us a love of nature and care for our neighbors, and never making us feel crazy.
To all our friends who have listened to us ramble, given us ideas, and been there when we needed it.