Faced with buying property to make good on their dream to farm, Michael and Jill Paine went to the bank for a loan with a solid business plan in hand. First the bank refused. And then upon further consideration, Michael and Jill were counseled to take the word “farm” off the loan application. That’s when Michael and Jill got the money they needed for their “country estate,” now know as Gaining Ground Farm.

This amazing story comes to life below. Michael’s first-hand telling of his experience trying to capitalize his new farm business is truly captivating.

Thanks to a new partnership with a local film company that produces Cooking Up A Story, a show about real people and their special connections to food and sustainable living, we’re able to bring Edible Portland stories to life in video format. Cooking Up A Story’s work is shot unscripted, and the stories are told in the voice of the subject.

They are tremendous new allies as we work to spread the word far and wide about the amazing people behind our very best stories. You can look forward to enjoying Cooking Up A Story’s great work throughout 2008 at edibleportland.com.

Read Michael and Jill Paine’s story as published in the Winter 2008 issue of Edible Portland here: Meet the New American (Zen) Farmer.