Story & Lesson Highlights with Anna Chaney

We recently had the chance to connect with Anna Chaney and have shared our conversation below.

Anna, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I am walking a path for sure and sometimes I find myself wandering off the path. The universe seems to guide me back one way or another and sometimes it’s more like a strong push back. Ever felt like that? You’re revving up your engines, press on the gas, and go full speed ahead and then, you see a shiny object over there and you find yourself stuck in a deep rut off the side of the road. Well, that rut, may have saved your life or simply guided you back to the road before you strayed off beyond the point of no return.

One year and four months ago, I decided it was time to find another place, a better place more aligned with my values; a place where people believe in things like land preservation, regenerative farming, homesteading, open space, nature-based medicine, cleaner air, more aligned people. This thought and action came upon the heels of a 5-day detox retreat in the mountains of upstate New York with one of my mentors and his program, “Grow a New Body”.

So, feeling on top of the world, I drove back to our farm in southern Maryland, jumped on a plane, landed in Memphis, TN, rented a car and spent 24 hours looking at properties. After a whirlwind trip of over 2500 miles by plane and rental car, I made it back home and as I walked up the steps to my house, at almost 2am, something tragic happened.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! I’m Anna Chaney, a 13th generation southern Maryland native. I love Maryland’s natural resources and am deeply connected to the land and to the Earth. My ancestors included a lineage of farmers amongst many other trades and as the founder of one of Maryland’s premier regenerative agriculture farms, it is my honor and pleasure to have this opportunity to share some of our story with you. Not only is it in my blood to have a strong motivation to protect the farmland and tributaries of Maryland, but, life’s experiences have inspired me to dedicate my life to creating a healthier world. A healthier world is one where every human is connected to their inner healer and lives vibrantly. At Honey’s Harvest Farm, we practice the principles of permaculture and grow medicinal herbs and nutrient dense food (fruits, nuts, and berries) in living soil to offer the most nourishing food and medicine possible. Our practices include connecting to the essence of all life on the farm and we aspire to connect all of our farm visitors to Mother Earth herself.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I was supposed to be, I was very connected to the land and animals. I grew up in the woods, worked on farms, and played the piano after school. I loved spending time in the garden with my grandmother and kept that love for the rest of my life. Then, I was under the impression that farming was for poor people, and I was to be a college graduate working for a big D.C. based company, holding a mortgage, and working at least one, if not two full time career positions. And so, my concrete world began for the next three decades.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
I feel as though I have had many defining wounds and one of the latest ones was actually a physical wound. I took a freak fall and crushed my left foot and had surgery resulting in four metal plates and 24 pins in my 6.5 shoe size foot. I am extraordinarily energetic, active, and always on the move. This defining moment taught me that it’s important to remember who we are, to reconnect with our essence in the quiet, slow moments to become even more present and effective in the world. I was catapulted back onto my journey of Earth connection and the energetic world that has brought physical, emotional, and financial healing to me over and over in my adult life. I was told by a mentor, coach, and teacher many years ago that once on the energy healing path, we cannot stray, as life can become quite challenging if we do. She was 100% correct.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Since my industry spans agriculture and health, as a regenerative farmer and functional nutrition practitioner and energy healer, I feel there is a universal lie in these two industries. The lie is one that affects each and every human living on Earth today. This is the lie that we cannot feed the world without chemicals. The incessant use of glyphosate, paraquat and many other herbicides and pesticides is 100% unnecessary. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. The works of leaders like soil scientist Dr. Elaine Ingham, regenerative farmers, Gabe Brown and Joel Salatin, Rodale Insitute and so many more prove that not only can we grow more food for less cost and less human resources, but, the food will be nourishing, healing, and energizing for humans and the eco-systems. When we grow food conventionally, we create disease through genetically modified foods that are unrecognizable to the human body and foods that deliver pesticides and plastics into all life, all of which is devasting to the health of the worlds fauna and flora, including humanity itself.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
I think if I were to retire tomorrow, our customers would miss a safe place to obtain clean, healthy food, medicine, knowledge, and a space for like-minded people to visit with one another, local farmers, fishers, bakers, chefs, artisans, musicians and more. They would miss our First and Third Sunday Markets and the welcoming vibe and healthy products found in our farm store.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.honeysharvest.com
• Instagram: @honeysharvestfarm
• Linkedin: Anna M. Chaney
• Facebook: @honeysharvestfarm
• Youtube: @honeysharvestfarm

Image Credits
professional images by Mike Busada photography