“This is what we’re about: We plant the seeds that will one day grow.” - Oscar Romero
Teter Organic Farm is an outreach mission of Noblesville First United Methodist Church which grows over 40 varieties of mixed vegetables, fruit, and cut flowers on eight acres of Certified Organic land. The farm also includes 80 acres of woodlands along the White River, 20 acers of hay, and boasts a 30 hive apiary. Our mission is to increase access to healthy food for the vulnerable and provide ecological education while building relationships and community.
Teter Organic Farm commits to provide equitable and sustainable access and opportunities for all people regardless of race, creed, socioeconomic status, gender, physical ability, or orientation. We understand that resilience and safety are the result of intentional action and seek to be a force for healing in the food system and our community.
Ruth Teter was an active member of the Noblesville First United Methodist Church. As a girl, Ruth enjoyed living on this 120-acre farm along the White River. Her father, Arza, and mother, Ada, were well known and respected in the Noblesville Community. Ruth’s older brother, Earl, earned a wide reputation as a stunt driver with a group called “Lucky” Teter’s Hell Drivers. He was killed in an accident in 1942 in what was to be his last performance before he was to join the Army during World War II. Ruth was an excellent piano player and accompanied several musical groups. She worked for the Central Engineering Co. of Indianapolis for many years rising to the position of Secretary-Treasurer. Upon Ruth’s death on August 12, 1981 this farm was left to Noblesville First United Methodist Church to be transformed into a retreat as a memorial to the A.W. Teter family. In 2016, Pastor Aaron Hobbs was inspired to add an Organic Farm as a community outreach to feed mind, body, and spirit.
Ruth's brother, Earl "Lucky" Teter, was a famous touring stunt car driver in the 1930s and 1940s. Starting in 1934, Lucky and his "Hell Drivers" toured throughout North America (and even Cuba) bringing never-before-seen car and motorcycle stunts and precision driving to the public.
Teter was famous for driving one-handed while holding a handkerchief with his left hand out the driver's side window. Eventually, Teter's Hell Drivers grew to 60 drivers with hubs in Indianapolis, Atlanta, and Langhorne, Penn. He was the owner of Ken Fowler's car that finished 19th in the 1937 Indianapolis 500, and also briefly owned Langhorne Speedway outside of Philadelphia, now the home of Sesame Place Amusement Park.
On July 4th, 1942, the 41-year-old Lucky Teter arrived at the Indiana State Fairgrounds for what he announced would be his last show prior to closing down in support of the war effort and enlisting in the Army. Earlier in the day, he successfully made three World Record extending jumps - beginning at 135 feet. For his fourth and final jump that evening, Lucky chose to jump 150 feet over two Greyhound buses parked end-to-end. Before the jump, he dedicated it over the PA "To all servicemen everywhere."
Some in the crowd reported that they could hear the motor missing as he accelerated his bright yellow 1938 Plymouth onto the launching ramp. Lucky Teter's car came down just a few feet short of the landing ramp, and he was tragically killed.
CLICK HERE to check out the documentary, Lucky Teter and His Hell Drivers.
Our logo pays tribute to the Teter 
family and their desire to spread joy and goodwill to all people.
Meet Farm Manager Katy Rogers
Katy is an Indiana native who has worked in agriculture and the food system from soil to plate. She has held a myriad of positions on farms from the midwest to the southeast. After spending two years at Purdue studying agriculture, she changed programs and earned her BA in Political Science from IU. Since that time she has run a CSA from her farm, served as a volunteer coordinator, campaign manager, communications director, advocated for ethical food systems, and managed a farmers’ market. Her television show, Katy on the Farm, serves the southeast by educating viewers about local food systems and sustainable agriculture.
Why we grow - Because we believe everyone deserves to eat healthy food, we grow certified organic produce for local food pantries, food banks, and feeding programs, as well as, for a 140 Household CSA and various farmers markets, including our home, Noblesville Farmer's Market.
How we grow - We are USDA Certified Organic by OEFFA (The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association). All of our produce is locally grown using sustainable growing practices and without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. We utilize cover crops, compost, and other natural soil amendments that contribute to healthy soils and healthy food.
We grow on 30" raised beds in standardized 100' rows.
Bees & chickens - We have a 30-hive apiary filled with happy bees who help pollinate on the farm and produce honey, too. We also are home to 34 ISA Brown laying hens who provide eggs for a local feeding program.
Join us on the farm - We offer farm tours and farm stays, environmental education, host outdoor weddings, retreats, corporate outings, and family reunions. CLICK HERE for more information.
Check us out
- CLICK HERE to see our Master Plan, 2020 Highlights, & Financials
- CLICK HERE to see our interview in Edible Indy magazine.
- CLICK HERE to read the article in Noblesville Magazine (pages 23-24) about Tara and her Girl Scout Gold Award Project with our Teter Chickens.
Tools & supplies - We appreciate all of those who help us grow healthy produce for our community.
- Seeds: Johnny's Selected Seeds, High Mowing Seeds, Territorial Seed Company, Osborn Seed
- Starting Mix: Seed Catapult from Ohio Earth Food
- High tunnels: Nifty Hoops
- Recommended publications: Growing for Market magazine, The Market Gardener by Jean-Martin Fortier, The New Organic Grower by Eliot Coleman, No-Till Organic Vegetable Farm by Daniel Mays
