Fibonacci Farm: Growing Resilience and Community in Central Oregon

In the heart of Bend, Oregon’s high desert, Fibonacci Farm is more than a place where food grows—it’s a testament to perseverance, community, and the love of the land. Founded in 2021 by Aaron Stubbs and Lauren Rasmussen, Fibonacci Farm operates on 1.65 acres, producing organic vegetables and flowers for their neighbors while building a meaningful connection to their environment.

The Journey to Farming

Lauren and Aaron didn’t start out as farmers. For years, they worked corporate jobs in New York City, disconnected from the land and the kind of lives they wanted to lead. They left the bustle of Brooklyn in search of something simpler, more grounded. Their move to Oregon was a leap of faith that brought them closer to their values.

“We spent decades not farming, working traditional jobs, and realized that wasn’t what was important to us,” Lauren shared. “We wanted to focus on the bigger picture—on the environment, on food access.”

This drive to reconnect with the earth and their community led to the founding of Fibonacci Farm. The name itself, inspired by the Fibonacci sequence—a mathematical pattern where each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers, often seen in the arrangement of leaves, flowers, and shells—reflects their deep respect for the patterns and rhythms of life.

Farming in the High Desert: Beauty and Struggle

Farming in Bend is not for the faint of heart. With only one frost-free month last year, frequent wildfires, droughts, and extreme heat and cold, the high desert challenges farmers at every turn. For Aaron and Lauren, these conditions have become both a test of resilience and a source of pride.

“We love farming here because of the challenges it brings and how it makes us better farmers,” Lauren said. “But it’s mandatory to have greenhouses. Without them, there are crops we wouldn’t even be able to grow.” With the help of their greenhouses and innovative techniques, Fibonacci Farm produces a variety of vibrant crops, from juicy tomatoes and crisp cucumbers to leafy greens and fragrant herbs. They also grow sweet root vegetables like carrots and beets, along with colorful flowers that bring life and beauty to the farm. Each harvest reflects their commitment to quality and resilience, even in the high desert’s demanding conditions.

These greenhouses, along with no-till farming and sustainable practices like using cover crops, are essential to their success. They’ve learned to adapt, often under difficult circumstances. Lauren recalled one year when an irrigation canal breach left them without water for over a week. Despite the setback, they discovered their crops were more resilient than expected—a lesson in both nature’s strength and their own ability to adapt.

Building Community Through Collaboration

For Lauren and Aaron, farming isn’t just about growing food; it’s about building connections. Collaboration with other small farms in Central Oregon is key to their success. Next season, they’re partnering with Boundless Farmstead for a shared CSA program. By dividing responsibilities, they can better manage crop risks and provide a more diverse selection to their members.

This sense of teamwork isn’t just practical—it’s deeply rewarding. “We’re taking away the competition and focusing on helping each other succeed,” Lauren explained, reflecting on how collaboration strengthens their community. That same spirit drives Fibonacci Farm’s commitment to accessibility. Their CSA program offers customizable shares and flexible pickup times to fit different schedules and needs. They also donate surplus produce to local food banks, ensuring that nothing goes to waste.

Farming as a Labor of Love

The rewards of farming are often intangible. For Aaron and Lauren, it’s in the relationships they’ve built—with their customers, their community, and each other. Lauren spoke about the joy of hearing from customers who rely on their produce for its health benefits, including those managing serious illnesses. “There’s this sense that we’re contributing something meaningful,” Lauren explained. “It’s rewarding to be part of our community in this way.” 

There’s also the satisfaction of overcoming the odds. As first-generation farmers without inherited land or resources, Aaron and Lauren have built their farm from the ground up. “We’re making it work under the most extreme, difficult circumstances,” Lauren said. “It’s hard, but it’s worth it.”

Fibonacci Farm is more than a place to grow food. It’s a symbol of hope, resilience, and the power of local agriculture to nourish both people and the planet. Stop by their website to learn more about their CSA program and see how Lauren and Aaron are making a difference in Bend’s high desert.

Special thanks to Shawn Linehan for beautifully capturing Fibonacci Farm. Explore more of her work here.