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

Hi Lindsey, what inspires you?
Nature inspires me more than anything else! Nature is my ever- changing teacher. When I am in need of a good dose of inspiration, a walk in the chaparral or a pine forest gives me everything I need and more. There are so many lessons to be learned from nature… natural landscapes that haven’t been disturbed make life look effortless. The way that different species work together in an ecosystem to care for each other, the soil, the water and the fresh air is a refreshing reminder that balance and health are possible and attainable if we as living beings listen to the messages around us. As human beings we could all learn a lot from simply observing Mother Nature. She is always finding her way back to homeostasis through patient intuition. As humans, I think we have lost our inherent ability to function in a constant state of peaceful balance, but Mother Nature reminds me that it is possible. Mother Nature inspires me to be a better human, a better environmental steward and a better teacher.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My career and life path really started during a trip to Nicaragua in college. A professor took a small group of us to Nicaragua to visit farmers and learn about their way of life. My eyes were opened to small scale agriculture in Latin America and I began to ask many questions about food globalization, fair trade, workers rights, organic vs conventional agriculture, etc. A part of the world had been shown to me that I did not know existed prior, and I was eager to learn more! After returning from Nicaragua, I knew I wanted to dive deeper into the global food system and the players involved in that system. After graduating from the University of Denver with a degree in Environmental Science, I spent a few months volunteering with AmeriCorps. Then I moved to Ollantaytambo, Peru where I worked with high mountain communities who were raising alpacas and llamas for their wool. Speaking Spanish was my biggest hurtle at the time! I wanted so badly to communicate on a deeper level with the Peruvians around me, but Spanish did not come easily to me. I was determined to keep trying though!

After leaving Peru, I went to Costa Rica for 2 years where I earned my Master’s in Sustainable Agriculture and Agroforestry. I finally got my Spanish down and was able to make real friends and have real conversations with classmates from all over Latin America. During my Mater’s program in Costa Rica, I was the only North American out of the 75 individuals in my graduating class. I learned many lessons as a minority during my program that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my life. My time in Costa Rica, learning amongst people from every country in Central and South America, and beyond gave me a perspective that I’m not sure I would have gained anywhere else! I also had the opportunity to work with rural Costa Rican farmers while completing my thesis work. This work opened up my eyes once more to a new way of life… I fell deeper in love with the rural farm lifestyle and my values and goals in life began to shift once more.

After leaving Costa Rica, I returned to my home state of Missouri where I spent some time working on an elderberry farm and then at the University of Missouri as an Extension Agent. Although my time back home was wonderful, ultimately I knew my heart was still in Latin America. After a few years in Missouri, I made the move to where I am now.. Tecate, Baja CA, Mexico, I have been the Education Director at Tres Estrellas Organic Farm and Garden for almost 4 years now! Here at Tres Estrellas, I teach students from all over the world about ecological farming and environmental stewardship! I work once again amongst a team of Latinos, and being a minority once more continues to teach me lessons about the way of the world and how important it is to be able to understand diverse cultures. Without a deep understanding and respect for another culture, it is very hard to function alongside of individuals from that culture. I continuously learn every day things about the Mexican culture that I did not know before. The production team on our farm has also taught me so much about traditional agriculture production methods… farming techniques and ancestral knowledge that is quickly disappearing and must be preserved. I feel very lucky every day to live on an organic farm at the foothills of Mount Kuchumaa, and to be able to teach others about a way of life that is disappearing but very much needed in our modern society.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Northern Baja CA is full of food, drinks, music, beach, mountains and adventure! If I were to take my best friend around the area where I live now, our first stop would of course be a tour of the farm that I work on. Tres Estrellas is a 240 acre piece of land, with 6 acres being cultivated with fruits, vegetables, flowers, chickens and goats! After the farm tour, a stop at El Cafecito would be a must… for a vanilla latte and a farm fresh salad!

Next we would travel about an hour south to the Valle De Guadalupe. Valle de Guadalupe is the most significant grape growing region in all of Mexico! The Valle has endless options for winery visits, five star restaurants and great night clubs for a little late night fun! A few days are necessary to really explore Valle De Guadalupe and all it has to offer!

A visit to Ensenada would also be very important when visiting Northern Baja. Ensenada is a coastal city with a lovely downtown full of cafes, shops and restaurants. There are several public beaches that line the city where you can find great waves to swim in, local beach snacks and gorgeous sunsets! A few dozen fresh oyster from one of the local restaurants would be a must before leaving Ensenada!

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’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my mom, Cathy Hethcote! From a very young age she fostered within me a deep love for nature, hiking in the woods and growing vegetables and herbs in the backyard!

Website: https://www.agricolatresestrellas.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tresestrellasorganicfarm/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-hethcote-0067981a/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.