For the last few years, I’ve been furiously creating. Creating recipes, business plans, marketing material and campaigns, writing constantly, crafting music and poetry and nurturing a long play RPG for my sons and our friends. Every piece of my life’s been touched by the act of creating lately, mostly in parallel.  I surprised myself the other day as I marveled that none of these creative projects have careened into the others thus bringing one of them to an end in some way. In my younger days, they always seemed to do just that. One project would yield its existence to the more important ..read more

Last week we were honored to be awarded the Value Added Award from the MSU Product Center for this year’s Making it in Michigan event. The Director of Michigan Department and Agriculture and Rural Development, Tim Boring delivered our award onstage at the event. Here is a link to an article from MSU regarding the award.  https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/fat-baby-hot-sauce-recognized-with-the-msu-product-center-s-2023-value-added-agricultural-product-award ..read more

This year we are getting our field plants started in a professional greenhouse setup with our new partners. I had the pleasure of chatting with Jordan from Dekker Bros Farms and discuss some shared passions. On Farming: Nate: Describe some of the ways that your connection to farming has influenced the way you approach your business. Jordan:  We’re motivated by the passion and heart that we have for this industry. We’re convinced that this is what we’ve been called to do. We’re grateful every day for the opportunity to serve others with the plants that we grow. I believe all of this gives ..read more

A couple of months ago we found ourselves in a bit of a conundrum and at the worst time. Tick, Tick, time just running away as we debated whether to get our starts going in the space we were in at the time or try to truly up our game and find a greenhouse to partner with. Tick, tick, tick. All of this debate (foot dragging) was really centered around whether or not we were cool with opening up our business to new partnerships. We weren’t sure whether or not this early on if we should be trying to take that step. Most of the debate internally was really about whether or not we wanted outsiders ..read more

Michigan chili growers who grow outside in gardens or in fields are very busy this time of year. Inside we’re getting our starts ready and either have germinated or are germinating what will, hopefully be, healthy, fruitful plants. Whether it's 25, 250 or 2500 starts, we have begun fussing and fawning.  When no one is watching we cross fingers, say prayers, think about our karma, and beg the universe to allow these leafy little babies to push a teeny green stem up through soil or fiber or whatever new tech we’re trying this year. We fret under grow lights in cramped quarters or in large o ..read more

Hello everyone! My name is Nate Mehren, reluctant spokesperson and one of the fatter babies. We turn the corner on our second year in a full sprint dedicated to our chili starts and an already very busy calendar of live shows. We also thought this might be a great time to start these little chats. With no delusions that anyone desperately wants to hear what's rollin’ around in my skull, I will endeavor to remain cogent, entertaining and most importantly, brief. To that end, let me simply remind you to check back here every now and then and you’ll find either the musings of a madman or thoughts ..read more