Meet Austin Martz | Dream weaving New-age agricultural food producer

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

Hi Austin, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I am a dreamer and an Idealist. I have also worked in the “natural and organic” food sector for almost a decade. Starting my own business was the only way I knew to be able to produce the level of quality that I know needs to be, in our food system.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art form is in agriculture and growing good food. I have a passion for not only growing the tastiest food available, but with the greatest nutrient density available. My passion has led me to sourcing unique, heirloom varieties of produce, and seeking out the best way to present them to everyone.

No, being a farmer is not easy. It can be at times if you have a true passion for it, but only when you hold onto the notion that farmers are “the true optimists”. Always planting seeds for the future, and hoping everything that was prepared will come to fruition when it’s ready.

Professionally speaking, I came to be a farmer by working for one of the major organic food retailers, and learning that although this food had a higher price-tag, it doesn’t always mirror a higher quality food. The food system NEEDS change, and the only way we can do that is to rediscover how we do things. Food, as a basic human right should be nourishing sustaining and abundant. Period. If it does not satisfy this basic human right, then we still have work to do.

Awesome Acres hopes to change that. By starting with our local community, we aim to provide fresh food, the way it was intended. From there, we will educate, inspire and to always push the boundaries of bringing food back to a place that we can all know is taking care of our center of survival.

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.
If you could spend a moment in time in Colorado Springs, sit back and simply imagine Awesome Acres. As you fly into Colorado Springs Airport, you look due East, opposite the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Rolling hills decorate the landscape as you pass through the main entrance and living memorial that has supported Awesome Acres’ conception through local and charitable support. Geodesic greenhouses start to crest into view as you drive along the fruit-bearing, treelined driveway.

You approach your destination for the week; a mecca of food, health and understanding. Greeting you in the solar covered carport is your personal liaison and visionary Austin Martz. Austin has made such a welcoming space, using his experience as a Master Gardener with CSU and expertise as a greenhouse designer to showcase how we can all benefit from closed environment agriculture to bring fresh healthy food to all of those who walk the earth.

As you pass through the main greeting center, you notice two softly rounded domes. One dome opens to a familiar store front, showcasing an assortment of fresh produce and local offerings from surrounding farmers and food artisans. The other dome invites you to taste, smell and experience first hand the true reason for this amazing food sanctuary; the finest seed to plate restaurant Colorado has to offer.

After a fresh and awe inspiring seasonal meal, you are led to the piece de la resistance, four sprawling acres of greenhouses that are home to the countless verities of culinary herbs, salad greens and perfectly curated veggies that supply the onsite restaurant community of Colorado Springs.

Although hermetically sealed for safety, each greenhouse consistently showcases the transparency of Awesome Acres with industry leading growing practices and research driven techniques. The tour continues aboard an eco-friendly rail ride that brings an audible version of the foundations of knowledge and scenic views that encompass this specific and beautiful property.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to recognize my entire family, my strong friend circle and the community of Colorado Springs. I have received only the strongest of support from each and every person I have talked to. Thank you all! They say that it takes a village to raise a child, and I believe the sentiment is true for starting a business and pursuing a dream.

Website: www.awesomeacres.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awesomeacres/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/awesome-acres/

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/awesomeacres.us/

Other: https://polarengraving.com/awesomeacres

Image Credits
Rebecca Martz