Our Story
We wanted to own a food business. The idea grew like a magic bean from our experience working together to build an elementary school garden. Although we weren't sure what the business would be, we knew that we wanted it to be grounded in community, promote soil and human health, and be sustainable as a 'second career.' We wanted to feed people good food and make a little money while we were at it.
And in 2015 when we sat down next to Don Womack at a Farm and Food Conference in Nashua, New Hampshire, everything fell into place. Don reached out his hand, the smell of garlic rising from him like morning fog, introduced himself as 'The Garlic Guy' and said he would teach us everything he knew about garlic.
We started working on our business plan on the drive home.
We called our business Backyard Garlic because that is where we started - growing garlic in our own backyards and in the yard of a generous neighbor with a patch of sunny land and a willingness to share.
In 2020 our backyard expanded when we bought land in Eliot, Maine. Now we grow garlic at the top of a meadow and peel, chop, dehydrate and package it our own licensed facility. (A converted 1940’s garage, it’s small but mighty!)
In June of 2025 Margaret said farewell to the garlic biz and hello to the next adventure in her life. From the beginning Margaret said she would “stay with Backyard Garlic for 10 years.” True to her word, as ever, she did.
Margaret’s letter to you:
“Dear Friends and Backyard Garlic Fans,
After much reflection and with mixed emotions, I’m writing to share that I have officially retired from the garlic business to explore new interests and adventures.
Rebecca and I are proud to be celebrating 10 years of growing Backyard Garlic together, and we are so grateful to have done it with the support of such an incredible community. I’m excited to share that Rebecca will continue to lead and grow Backyard Garlic—the business we’ve both poured our hearts into.
Thank you for your support, encouragement, and enthusiasm over the years. You’ve made this journey not only possible, but truly joyful.
Warmly,
Margaret”
The next 10 years will be an adventure for me and Margaret’s boots will never be filled, not really. Founders are, by their very nature, impossible to replace. And friends never are.
Margaret and I will continue to find ways to play (even if I will never keep up with her on the Ultimate field), and don’t get me started on Pickleball! But Bocce...um, I have a chance to win that game.
Stay tuned!
“Garlic does what we all strive to do… leave a strong impression and a hankering for more.”
