Meet Stacie Vanags | Urban Farmers, Regenerative Gardeners, Ocean Activists

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

Hi Stacie, what role has risk played in your life or career?
My husband Chad and I have generally always been risk takers, long before we met as we navigated our single lives, but also collectively after we got married. Traveling to third world countries to explore, jumping out of airplanes, switching careers, trying entrepreneurial ventures etc.

But our latest endeavor building Teaquila Farm has been one of the most significant risks we’ve taken together. First and foremost, we made an offer on a house in March of 2020. While the world was frozen waiting to see what happened, we were buying our first house in Southern CA, a dilapidated fixer upper that needed a ton of work. We saw opportunity and while it felt like an enormous risk, we jumped.

We were excited to finally have a place to call home after decades of apartment hopping, but beyond that we were excited about stewarding the land, a 1/2 acre in the city of Ventura about 10 minutes from the ocean. We share a vision to build an urban farm, learn about regenerative gardening, have some crazy farm animals, build biodiversity for the pollinators and wildlife, and invite in community to have more meaningful conversations on why it’s important to take care of the environment, and how you can design your own magical little space in your backyard.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m choosing ‘other’ because this career path or stage of my life isn’t clearly defined yet, and I think that’s the beautiful thing. We often present things to the public, social media, our friends or family once they are established or successful. Chad and I are in the very early stages of building Teaquila Farm and we’re letting nature be our guide.

Professionally, I’ve spent the past 18 years working in corporate mental health and most recently digital caregiver support, but what I’ve realized is that what’s on my resume and what I’m doing in my spare time is all related.

I get my hands in the soil as a way to nourish my mental health. I didn’t grow up in a family of gardeners, and I didn’t properly get my hands in the soil until I turned 40. Urban farming, growing our own organic vegetables, making a connection to the soil, building for biodiversity, it’s important to our own mental health and to the environment.

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?
Since we live in Ventura, CA, we’d head straight to Mondo’s surf break for a quick lesson. After getting our gills wet, we’d head to Spencer McKenzie’s for some local tacos.

Next up would be a drive up the coast to Santa Barbara which is only about 30 minutes north, to a cozy little wood cabin restaurant nestled in the mountains called Cold Spring Tavern.

We may fit in some horseback riding in Ojai, the botanical gardens in Ventura and a lot of walking about town.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I served as Chapter Chair for Surfrider Foundation in Los Angeles from 2018-2020 and this group was an incredible inspiration to me in so many ways!

Surfing started out as a fun hobby to try in my 30’s, but developing a relationship with the ocean turned my life upside down in the best way possible.

To take this one step further, there were two documentaries that jumpstarted our current project called Teaquila Farm. Huge shoutout to The Biggest Little Farm and Kiss the Ground!

Website: www.teaquilafarm.com

Instagram: @teaquilafarm

Linkedin: Teaquila Farm

Facebook: Teaquila Farm

Youtube: Teaquila Farm