Growing Simple: The Story of Old World Garden Farms

In 2010, wanting to slow down, simplify, and become more responsible for the food on their table, Jim and Mary Competti began Old World Garden Farms. Their goals were simple. To build the farm with recycled materials when possible, grow food without the use of chemicals or pesticides, and create the entire venture with zero debt. And most importantly - to have FUN doing it! This book is their story of just how they accomplished that dream! Starting from scratch, they worked together to convert an overgrown 3 acre field into a thriving organic homestead that now produces over 75% of their family’s food. They have done it all on a budget - including a barn and chicken coop constructed at near zero cost from recycled and reclaimed materials. Each and every day, more and more people from every walk of life want to simplify and de-clutter their lives, perhaps grow their first garden, preserve their own food, or raise a few chickens for their own eggs. They want to eat healthier, cut out preservatives - and learn to be responsible for their own food and life choices. The problem - they don’t know where to begin! In 2012, they created a website to document the entire process. With over 18 million views and 100,000+ followers from 235 countries around world - it has now become a go-to source of inspiration for those wanting to slow down and live a more meaningful and simple life. Growing Simple not only covers their unique story of creating our little ＂farm＂ - but serves to teach, inspire and share the tips, hints and tricks that were learned along the way. From gardening, cooking, canning and preserving much of their own food - to using recycled materials like pallets and reclaimed barn wood to rebuild and create everything needed along the way, all the while using a zero-debt philosophy.

In 2010, seeking a way to become responsible for the food on their table and to simplify the typical life of 2 full time professionals balancing careers and a family Jim and Mary Competti began Old World Garden Farms. Starting from scratch, they worked together to convert an overgrown 3 acre field into a self-sustaining farm that could feed their family and their soul. Their only requirements were to build the farm using recycled materials when possible, grow their food without the use of chemicals or pesticides, and create it all without going into debt. Most important of all was the mantra to always have fun in the process. They now grow nearly 75% of their own food, while raising chickens, keeping bees and maintaining a fledgling orchard and vineyard planted in 2013. In the process they have used reclaimed and recycled materials to build everything from their barn, chicken coop, compost bins and more. In early 2012, they created the website oldworldgardenfarms.com to document the entire process for others looking to do the same. The website has grown in just 3 short years to over 16,000,000 visitors and 125,000 followers from over 223 countries around the globe. Their first book, Growing Simple is set to publish in May of 2016 chronicling the story of how the couple created the farm and website from scratch and lived to write about it! In addition to their work at the farm, Mary holds a degree from The Ohio State University and works as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist. Jim is a graduate of Ohio Northern University and is a Marketing Director for a regional firm based out of Charlotte, North Carolina.＂