Huffman Family Farm is a ten-acre property snugly located in the heart of an old Choctaw neighborhood, off of SE 29th and Orchard. It has been “in the family” for decades but only recently developed by hand and cultivated naturally to become the fertile farm and grant-funded community mecca we all know and love. Kathleen and Lucinda are the familiar faces behind this magic, and they recently opened their doors for a community wide tour. This hospitality comes naturally to them, because they frequently host farm events with a variety of aims. As Kathleen put it, they value initiating conversation over teaching classes. They sell delicious, organic fruits and vegetables, of course, and provide space for other local vendors to sell, too. Farm guests can hunt for honey, fresh bread, local coffee, and much more. But at its heart, the property seems to be about people and creativity. The marriage of science and art, all infused with purpose, and you notice it everywhere. Come with me.

We parked on Orchard road and walked toward happy voices, along the wide, winding driveway, beneath a canopy of beautifully wild Oklahoma trees. We already felt some magic in the dark, moody June morning, with a thunderstorm brewing, but immediately I felt something more. Do you know that particular sensation of pure creativity hovering around you? I felt that vividly. Hand-painted signs, castoff metal art pieces, upcycled treasures, serpentine garden beds, and explosions of color and texture everywhere. Without an agenda or clear direction, I stood still. The place immerses you in beauty with a million possible places for your eyes to rest. Before going further, I felt my first urge to cry.

One large metal building with open doors and a driftwood arbor beckoned me. It was an immense workshop. Filled to the gills with art supplies, works in progress, finished pieces, and dozens of well-curated collections of anything beautiful and interesting you can imagine, it was like exploring an artist’s brain in 3-D. I did explore and snap a few photos, but soon it felt terribly intimate, intrusive.

I moved to the next room, where our hosts had set out tables filled with products from other local vendors. Iced coffee, pastries, fresh honey, and jellies with fresh sourdough bread were available for everyone to enjoy. Around the corner, there was a small, artsy kitchen where we could skewer bright, juicy tomato samples. Two large refrigerators held fresh produce for sale. A germination-harvest chart was displayed on a white board. People milled around, introducing themselves and chatting about their favorite parts of what they had seen so far.

Then they invited us outside for a tour.

When I say that the entire property tugged at my heartstrings and brought me to the brink of tears, I am not exaggerating. Every curve entranced me. Every new space we happened upon, both indoors and outdoors, had a theme and often a hand- painted sign to match. Kathleen and Lucinda have woven purpose and whimsy into everything, and it shows. It all vibrates with such palpable Love.

Walk through the heavily mulched pathways, from garden to hoop house and from meadow to fallen tree trunk, and you will see wildflowers cohabitating with gladiolus. Bumblebees feasting on bee balm. Specialty four o’clocks. Outdoor rooms bursting with tomatoes and patty pan squash. Crepe myrtles. Casual herbs and flowers fill in wherever the pine trees allow enough sunlight. Wild grapes reach across the aisle to adorn a rusted sconce. There are places to sit and talk. Places to simply breathe deeply and absorb. Places to collect food. Places to give thanks, as I did silently the entire time we were there. Art and food and beauty everywhere.

As we chatted with Kathleen, Lucinda, and more of their guests, I got fairly

emotional. My husband said to someone nearby, “She has found her people.” Ha! It’s true.

How inspiring to see all of that good energy poured into just ten acres of otherwise average Oklahoma farmland. Woods, actually. Just ten acres previously smothered in Bermuda grass and cedars. Kathleen and Lucinda have massaged it gently into a place.

They have created an aspect of heaven on earth, and I feel so lucky to have seen it. I plan to return as often as possible, and you should too.

Marie Wreath

2400 Orchard Rd Choctaw, OK 73020

405-519-2498