Meet the Team: Beth Turner

Welcome to our monthly blog series: Meet the Team. Each month, we will share an interview of one of team members! We hope you will enjoy these!

This month we’re interviewing Beth Turner!

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Alexandria, Virginia. I was very much a “suburbs-of-DC” kind of kid. My mom was an ER doctor and my dad worked for the federal government. 

What did you do before you came to farming/Good Soil Farm?

Before working for the McGinleys, I was having babies and homeschooling them! Before that, I also worked as a receptionist, paralegal, flute teacher, catechist, and transcriptionist. In addition to helping the McGinleys with their social media, I also shelve books at the library.

What inspired you to become a farmer?

I’m basically living vicariously through the McGinleys, who are the real farmers, because the piece of earth I tend is measured in square feet rather than acres. Thanks to my mother-in-law, however, I have an iPhone and I know how to use it. I’m delighted to support the McGinleys, whose farming vision I love. 

What are some things you didn’t expect to learn that farming has taught you?

Watching the McGinleys farm has taught me that God’s love is extravagant, even when no one is looking and no one appreciates it. Watching the McGinleys farm has taught me that community is essentially nourished in physical spaces, around food. And watching the McGinleys farm has taught me that yes, I probably can give just a little bit more. 

What do you hope to accomplish through farming?

I want the world — the dirt, microbes, plants, animals, and people — to be made new through the faith and farming of the McGinleys.

How has your role at Good Soil Farm evolved in your time here?

I used to just post photos and a little bit of text on the Facebook page, but I have since added taking photos, listening to agriculture marketing podcasts, learning how to use Instagram, reading articles about regenerative agriculture, and inviting others to tell me what they think about all of it! I’ll basically try whatever they ask me to do. I also spend a lot of my free time and prayer time considering how to do all of this even better. 

Most memorable Good Soil Farm experience?

I remember the earliest days of the CSA, when vegetable pick up happened under a tent. One day there was a massive thunderstorm right at pick up time that nearly blew the tent away! The barn has been such a great addition to the farm. 

What’s your favorite animal on the farm? And why?

I like Valiant, the McGinleys’ cat. I love how he rubs his cheek on the bumper of my car to mark his territory when I show up. Yeah, you do kinda own me.

Favorite hobby?  Or favorite things you like to do when not working? 

I have seven children, three chronic illnesses, two part time jobs, one full time job, a significant volunteer commitment, and zero hobbies! I do derive a lot of pleasure from watching my kids play baseball, though. I’ll sing in the choir at church if I have enough time to practice.

Favorite food?

My favorite food is and always has been lasagna. I think Garfield comics had a big impact on me in this regard.

Favorite dish you like to make with a Good Soil Farm item?

My favorite dish to make with Good Soil Farm food is allllll the salads! Channeling my sister, who never follows the recipe, I also enjoy throwing a bunch of the late season vegetables into a pot with a bunch of tomatoes to make a sauce that is really never the same twice. 

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