Our Story: From a Bakery Meeting to a Family Seed Farm

The Heart of the Farm

Care of the Earth Community Farm is, at its heart, a family story. Though we are community-focused, we are family-owned and operated by us, Megan and Lalo Allen-Lazaro with our children, Evan Shea, Eila, and Elias.

Our journey began in 2005 when we met in a bakery. Megan was studying sociology and economics at Vassar when she discovered a passion for the land in 2003. Lalo, who grew up farming, found his love for the soil renewed after meeting Megan. In 2009, we moved back to East Tennessee to start Care of the Earth Community Farm in Corryton, TN.

Why We Grow

For us, "Care of the Earth" isn't just a name; it’s a mission built on three pillars: caring for the land, our community, and our family. We wanted to build a life centered at the farm, one that cherishes and renews the earth while providing fresh, nutritious food and seeds for our local community.

Today, we cultivate 14 acres of our 30 acre farm in the shadow of House Mountain, just northeast of downtown Knoxville. We care for our land intentionally, increasing biodiversity, protecting water, and ensuring our soil stays healthy for generations to come.

The Birth of 3 Pajaritos Seed

The seeds you hold in your hand are the direct result of our work on this land. We named our seed brand 3 Pajaritos (Three Little Birds) as a nod to the next generation—our children—who are growing up alongside these plants.

Every packet we offer is more than just a product; it is the result of decades of farming and a piece of our on-farm research and breeding program. We don't just sell these seeds; we trial them, adapt them, save them, and breed them right here in our Tennessee soil. We are Certified Organic through Oregon Tilth and Certified Real Organic by the Real Organic Project, which means we go beyond national standards to ensure our heirloom and open-pollinated varieties are resilient, flavorful, and chemical-free.

Planting a Legacy

When you choose 3 Pajaritos Seeds, you aren’t just buying from a store; you’re building a relationship with the people and the place where your food begins. You are supporting a small-scale farm dedicated to sustaining the spiritual and practical roots of organic agriculture.

We hope these seeds bring as much life and joy to your garden as they have to our family farm.

— Megan, Lalo, Evan Shea, Eila, and Elias