Sharon and Danny Boles both work full-time jobs not on their Christiansburg-area farm — Sharon as a paralegal and Danny as a long-haul trucker. About 10 years ago the couple began dreaming of ways to live a more grounded, settled life.

Sharon had long enjoyed growing plants and flowers, learning from her grandmother (who was one of 10 children) and later from her uncle, as she grew her gardens season after season. So the Boleses decided to give small-scale farming a try.

"Since we both still work full-time jobs, we decided on crops that don't require a daily harvest or refrigeration,” Sharon says. They chose to concentrate on raising garlic and lavender. They also grow potatoes and are always considering new crops to raise on their 11 acres. This year, for example, they’ll try butternut squash for the first time. Also this year, they are planning to expand their garlic products, making freeze-dried garlic powder and other garlic/spice mixes.

"One of our biggest challenges continues to be working full-time off-the-farm jobs, and still having enough time to devote to the farm, but we are getting more efficient each year,” Sharon says. "We are happy to be a part of the local food community!”

Find more information about Purple Cloud Farms on their Facebook page.

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