It Started with a Five-Year-Old’s Ambition
In 2003 at the age of two-years-old, Troy Walsh had an adult-like desire to be a cupcake baker and shop owner but he didn't get his chance at it until he was five.
At five, a home school project gave Troy his opportunity; a season of location at a local Farmers Market, selling his freshly baked dog treats created from his recipes. Shortly following the end of this market season, his dog treats became sought after in local and surrounding area pet supply retailers.
Chickapea Farms grew to provide many different green lifestyle products which over the years have been sold in over 300 retail locations, and ordered from all 50 states, Guam, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
Chickapea Farms is a small homegrown Michigan business, that is family owned and operated. We believe in local supporting local - we buy from Michigan, we primarily sell in Michigan, even though our products can be found nationwide.
We continually strive to provide a product worth its cost and value to a consumer's hard-earned money, while also providing the consumer with a conscience of being a good steward of the planet.
We handcraft in mass production without machines or on buttons, just lots of elbow grease and strong back bones. We also practice green product life-cycle management (taking the whole product lifecycle into account) in everything we do, with a focus on the use of renewable resource materials to eliminate as much fossil fuel need as we can.
Troy and his products are recognized across country not only by consumers, but also by retail buyers and large expo/festival production companies. Largely known for his product's quality, Troy is also known for his genuine care, enthusiasm, tenacity, and authenticity toward his business, business relationships, and consumer satisfaction.
Indigenous and Amish Influence
Enriched by the wisdom and knowledge shared with us by the Lakota and Amish, and as we reside in the vast wilderness and beauty of northern Michigan beneath the Milky Way, we are ever mindful of the deep respect we must hold for our Uni Maka (Mother Earth).
Both cultures have an innate biocentrism, which, in their understanding, means all living and non-living beings, as well as all the elements, are interconnected, each as important as the other, with none above or below. Therefore, every choice we make today impacts not only everything in the present but also the next seven generations.
Drawing from Indigenous and Amish teachings and skills, we are constantly working to reclaim and adopt their practices into our lifestyle, work, and products. We encourage and teach like-minded individuals how to make daily choices, no matter how small, that empower them to be their best stewards, positively affecting the healing of Mother Earth.
As our journey deepens, it has become clear that the path forward is not just one of personal practice but also of shared learning and community building. We are actively setting a course to invite and welcome like-minded individuals who wish to embrace this knowledge to our land in northern Michigan. Here, in partnership with our Lakota and Amish family, we plan to create hands-on experiences and workshops. By learning and teaching together, we hope to further integrate these profound teachings into the daily lives of others, strengthening the community's connection to the land and to each other.
Origin and Meaning of our Name
"Troy's Treats" was Troy's original chosen business name, but as he and his little business grew and began to expand, he wanted a name that could also grow and hold sincere heartfelt meaning, the same as what he put into his intentions and products.
In tribute to his Grandmother, and her Mother, "Granny", he chose our family word of "Chickapea". This word came about on account of Granny's thick southern drawl, as we all thought that was what she had nicknamed all us young ones.
But, you see, the original word she was using was an old southern slang word, one would call something that represented love or created endearment. We just never got the correct pronunciation, as we were unfortunately too young and too full of energy to stop long enough to get it right. We just accepted it as we fell in love with what we heard come from her smiling lips.
Over time, this misinterpretation became part of our family’s language, and now, for us, 'Chickapea Farms' embodies that same sense of love and endearment, especially as we remember our late, Granny.
