The Owners of Austin’s Beloved Springdale Farm Share Their Fondest Memories

Many of you reading this will no doubt have your own happy memory from Springdale Farm, but my favorite is our son’s second birthday party — a rowdy and sweaty group of toddlers running through the grounds, feeding the chickens, and “driving” their always-parked tractor. The ever-present owners, Glenn and Paula Foore, and their hard-at-work team couldn’t have been more gracious as we did our best to clean up the smashed-cupcake mess.

Glenn and Paula bought the property in 1992 as part of their landscaping business. The land purchase was spurred by a city and federal economic-development program with the aim of increasing business growth in East Austin. Later, in 2008, the couple started the front garden, and Paula says the whole thing “kind of took off from there.” By 2010 the Foores had built their own home on the property, cementing the Springdale Farm we laypersons are most familiar with. While it seems like a foregone conclusion now it is easy to forget how rare someplace like Springdale used to be – a farm in the middle of town committed to growing excellent and sustainable produce for anyone interested.

Whether you were a casual weekend visitor roaming the garden or a food-world pro arriving to the farm stand at first light, the property and its bounty were well-loved by all and will certainly be missed when they close this summer. Thanks, Springdale Farm, for working hard to show us there is a better way.