Jolene Yates is something unique to us at Blooming Health Farms. If you've ever stopped by the Weld Community Credit Union, you may have met her warm smile and helpful nature. And while she's a pro at what she does, Jolene is also a crucial part of our farm family, affectionately known as Blooming Health Farms' first female chicken pimp—Madam Jolene Yates.

Our paths first crossed when we joined the Greeley Chamber of Commerce. Jolene approached me, sharing her dream of retiring on a farm in Nebraska with her husband, Marty. But not just any farm—a farm that needs aquaponics. From that moment on, Jolene became more than just a supporter; she became a raving fan of our mission.

Jolene doesn't just talk about what we do; she lives it. Whether serving breakfast at our Cakes & Eggs 2024 event or striking up conversations at community gatherings, she's always finding ways to spread the word about our farm and connect us with new opportunities. She's the first to shout across a crowded room about our work, always putting in a good word and making connections that matter.

One of my favorite memories with Jolene is when she brought her sister to Alpha Site for a visit. She couldn't wait to show off our chickens, aquaponics systems, and the youth programs we run. With her infectious enthusiasm, she proudly gave her sister the grand tour, sharing our mission and the impact we're making. 

And then Elliott handed them a glass of water, but not just any water...

Elliott, always the gracious host, simply wanted to ensure our guests' comfort. As Jolene and her sister accepted the glasses with smiles, they took polite sips before pausing, holding the glasses in their hands like they were pondering the mysteries of the farm.

It was a blazing hot day like we get here in Colorado, so after awkwardly watching them not drink, I couldn't help but ask, "Elliott, where did you get that water?"

He turned, confused, "From the fridge, why?"

I realized out loud, "oh no, that was salt water meant for the Kim Chee!"

Before I could explain, Jolene chuckled, "Oh, we thought it was some weird farm thing you do, so we just trusted you."

I grabbed their glasses and tossed the water into the chicken yard. We all burst out laughing, the kind of laughter that bonds people in moments of unexpected absurdity.

With the salty surprise behind us, I shifted the conversation to the latest happenings at the farm, and that's when I first mentioned the term "chicken pimpin'" while in the company of others.

Jolene's eyebrows raised curiously like a kung fu master questioning their student.

"Chicken pimpin'? What on earth is that about?"

I explained how we had started renting chickens to people who wanted fresh eggs but couldn't commit to owning hens full-time. This sparked a flurry of questions and answers from someone proud of this new solution for Blooming Health Farms. I told her how I had reframed the term "pimp" in the most unexpected way—giving people access to sustainable, local food while helping our justice-involved youth learn entrepreneurship.

Ever quick-witted, Jolene leaned back with a grin, twirled her arms around her body, and said, "Well, gather me up a bunch of feathers, make me a boa, and call me Madam!"

That was the moment we knew we were on to something. Jolene wasn't just a supporter; she was one of us—fully invested, ready to wear her feathered title with pride. This gave me the courage to put it up on our website and not back away from growing food AND growing people.

The saltwater debacle was just another quirky chapter in Blooming Health Farms' journey, reminding us that often, the best connections happen when things don't go as planned.