Outside the shade of the farmstand, the three acres of fields at Southgate are a feast for the eyes. Zinnias nod at the ends of neat rows of perfect green lettuce heads. Among lush patches of flowering banana trees, happy volunteers flock to the farm on weekends, digging and weeding to their hearts' content. "Starting a volunteer-for-food-and-knowledge program has helped to build a community around a garden of great food," explains Luca. His personal philosophy for farming demands creative thinking: a diverse vegetable growing business on a shoestring budget using only organic, sustainable methods. No chemicals!

He continues: "For me, art is inseparable from farming, a creative problem-solving job. This year I'm creating more of a gallery space at the farmstand for our customers to enjoy. We're also expanding our farming efforts to farmland on the south shore, and renaming the business: ARTfarm."

With ARTfarm LLC starting up in early 2009, the Gasperis hope to achieve increased diversification, habitat conservation for birds, and expanded opportunities for artists and farm apprentices. Luca's wife Christina, also an artist and writer for Art Fusion Magazine, adds, "We envision art and agriculture merging... livestock grazing among tree crops in an outdoor sculpture park, and reclaimed greenhouses repurposed for arts and performance events... it's exciting!"

Luca grew up on St. Croix on a Senepol cattle ranch where his father Kiko was employed. As a boy, Luca raised rabbits and chickens, and helped his father with a small vegetable garden. Luca began exhibiting his paintings professionally at the age of 14. He received a Bachelor's degree in Fine Art at Parsons School of Design in NYC, and came back to St. Croix to live and merge his passions for fine art and farming in 1999. Luca was hired to manage Estate Southgate Farms in 2000. Now the owner of the business, he continues to supply restaurants and farmstand customers with highest quality fresh produce.

ARTfarm (Southgate) is located across from Cheeseburgers In Paradise. Contact Luca at 514-4873 or stop by during a farmstand: Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 - 6pm, or Saturdays from 9am - 12.