We’ve come a long way,
but our why hasn’t changed.
CHAPTER 1
Our Bright-eyed Infancy
Way back in 2010 in sunny California, Missouri…
Nearly 15 years ago, smack-dab in the middle of the state, Matt and Eleanor Tiefenbrun (that’s us!) started Buttonwood Farm.
With chickens, turkeys, a couple beaglemutts (who came with the farm), and a big, wild dream to grow food and feed people (just STL, those early years) from real, living, breathing pasture, things started off humble.
But we thought that was the way food ought to be done.
We still do.
And we’ve learned lots.
That it takes a village, for instance. Or in our case, a community and food scene that are game to support your small business in all the ways that matter, and a team of devoted people.
We’re still learning lots, truth be told.
But we've also assembled an exceptional team, significantly broadened the variety of products we offer, and are looking forward to watching it all continue to unfold. ‘Cause there’s definitely more to our story.
CHAPTER 2
An Awkward Adolescence
You know when your feet are too big and you trip over ‘em?
Looking back, that’s about how things felt, figuratively speaking, from about the start of things to 2015 or so. Wobbly, and growing faster than we could gracefully keep up with. Not that it kept us from trying.
We’d bought the farm across the street, gotten a bit of press(!), begun to work extensively with the local Mennonite community as growers, built a big ol’ red barn for storage and packup, and added eggs to the line!
By 2016, working all the hours bootstrapping every last thing, and having become parents(!), we finally realized we needed consistent, full-time operational help to support the monster business we’d created.
So after a single deliver-along interview, we hired Logan Solomon (our real live unicorn of operations and logistics), who saved our sanity and still provides that service today.
In fact, for quite a while that was just what the doctor ordered!
Growth happened (Looking at you, KC, Jeff City, and Columbia!), but we had the personnel to support it—what a concept!
CHAPTER 3
Working Smarter
Things were good! But it was time to get serious, and start thinking farther ahead.
Next thing we knew, it was 2023, and things had continued to grow, and had again gotten bigger than our small team could manage comfortably.
So we began to seek experience and wisdom beyond our own minds and indeed more hands to help make it all happen as well.
Fortunately, we found just the thing in the pillars of the little community where it all began, assembling a deeply knowledgeable board. And, having finally also added a genuine sales position and hired a couple folks dedicated to packing and delivering, we had assembled the team of our dreams.
Plus we’d broken ground on our snazzy new headquarters with lots more cold storage, more egg-prep capability, and lots more space to stretch our wings.
It felt so, so nice to be right-sized again!
CHAPTER 4
Going Whole Hog
Adding a bunch (like a lot!) more products and another region…
What’s all this about more products? Well here’s what happened:
We have these friends, Preston and Megan, whom we met when they took over from Andy Ayers at Eat Here STL. They’re just great, and our businesses were always complementary, so one day while chatting we realized we really oughta just get married merge our businesses!
So we did.
We up and became one, and Eat Here STL took our name, so we’re all just a big, happy, Buttonwood Farm family now! We combined households, and now have a home in STL, along with our home in Mid-MO, and we just couldn’t be happier.
So that’s how the Buttonwood Farm product line now comes to include basically every whole-food that can be raised in the area. And how come our dreams are bigger now than ever.
Plus, we now deliver to Springfield!
CHAPTER 5 (the here-and-now)
Bigger Britches,
Same Why.
A lot has changed as we’ve grown, but not what matters.
We still believe in chickens, turkeys, beaglemutts, and the importance and value of local food.
And we—our whole Buttonwood Family—still think our big, wild dream to grow food and feed people from real, living, breathing earth was and remains worthwhile. And now, with the expertise and products we’ve gained along the way, we’re better equipped to realize that dream than ever.
See, our big wild dream has grown up over time! The same big idea, like fine wine, is now even fuller and bolder with a few years’ maturity and knowledgeable care.
We’re dreaming bigger than ever, also now endeavoring to streamline the complicated logistics of local food between other farmers and chefs, making the process simpler and more efficient for all parties, thereby fostering the local food scene as best we can.
So now we’re pursuing that big(er), fully fledged dream.
If you’re into it, follow our journey and support the cause by growing great food and/or supporting (or even becoming!) a purveyor of our products—they’re an OUTSTANDING bunch of grocers, restaurants, and CSAs. And they, you, and our growers are what make our world go round.
Hey there, local food lovers!*
We love the good people (like farmers, chefs, and you) who make what we do possible, and are always looking for new and interesting products and partnerships.
So if you’re into growing, serving or even just eating tasty foods, and have a question or comment, you’ve come to the right spot!
* Chefs + Purveyors: Ask us about our weekly wholesale list!
