Meet Alec Spear | Farmer/Founder/Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alec Spear and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alec, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process when I started my farm was born out of the desire to help my community through nourishment. The way I see it, most people in my local community are deprived of basic nutritional needs systematically. I want to combat this by making organic, locally grown microgreens, fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms more accessible. I also struggled to find a way of farming that made sense to me, especially in the American West where water and land are quickly dwindling resources, hence my micro farm. all produce is 100% organically grown, from certified organic seed, and prioritize heirloom seed whenever possible. My hope is to empower the people of my community, by creating access a healthier life, and doing it in the best way possible, from both a sustainability perspective and that of community outreach.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
So I originally gained my knowledge of farming from the most basic knowledge from maintaining a small garden growing up, and the rest was learned from books, the internet, the few folks I knew who gardened or studied plant science, and what I could bring over from my experience in the cannabis industry as a grower. I think when it comes to Mile High Mycro Farms, I’m most proud of HOW I do things. I do my best to make donations to the community food fridge when my produce doesn’t sell in the store, reducing waste and ensuring my food is eaten, not composted. I deliver everything by bicycle or transit, trying to reduce carbon emissions. Sponsoring community events by donating to silent auctions, or raffles. And these are little tiny things, but I think it’s what makes the difference, quit trying to show people you care and just care. I’m not a well established brand in Denver, but I know once people hear about the farm, and try it’s products, they’ll see that not only is it organic and sustainably grown and packaged, and cheaper, but that there is more love, and care, and thought and passion and effort, from the person down the street with almost no resources, than ANY large, commercial producer, It seems like if they grown sustainably, it’s not organic, Or maybe it is, but then it’s packaged in plastic, or transported, causing a ton of carbon emissions, I just think there’s only one right way to do this, and so, while it may take me a lot longer to get there, But when I do, it’ll be the best, because that’s what my community deserves.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ooh, okay so first off, I gotta say, Denver is the place to keep it local, there are so many great companies and restaurants that make denver such a colorful place to live, but most specifically I spend my time on East Colfax Ave, I really love it. Great places to get a drink, like BarMax, St. Paul Tavern, and Hooked on Colfax (also my favorite coffee spot) Some of my favorite places to eat are Padoca and Sweet Rice Cafe over on 11th and Jersey. Tessa Delicatessen, omonoeia Bakery, Goombas, and most importantly, you HAVE to get some of the most amazing mochi ever made by Taeko-San Takeout.
Other than that, there the Denver Sie Center, they have amazing films from around the world to go watch, starting soon, you can go to the City Park Farmer’s market on Saturday, and then just spend the day at one of these amazing Denver parks!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Wow that’s hard for me to even start because I feel as though my path has been paved with blessings, I give a lot of credit to the women in my life, and of course the first person I’d have to shout-out is my Mom. Literally none of this would have been possible without her, she is my number one fan, and she has never not been there for me when I needed her. And her mom, my Mimi, is the same way, they are sunshine, even on dark days,

I have to thank my Nana, Carol Spear, for giving me my love of food, and really to just love and find joy in feeding others., she was truly an unrivaled role model.

I’d also have to thank Joan Coonprom, she first sparked my interest in microgreens a few years ago during the pandemic. She really helped to cement my interest in vegetable cultivation, and was always so supportive and helpful.

I would also like to say a special thank you to Evette Preston, not only did she nominate me for this interview, but she has provided an affordable retail space for my farm, and is constantly supporting through promotion and events, and now, is also providing a space for the farm itself, right on Colfax Ave in Denver.

There are honestly so many more people but these women are the most notable, not only for the reasons above, but for the overwhelming inspiration; these women’s strength know no bounds, and through it all they were able to accomplish what they set out to, all while taking care of their family and community.

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