David Falkowski comes from a family who have farmed out east for generations. He grows his own mushrooms right here in Bridgehampton, and their healing properties are beyond belief. I had heard of him for many years, knowing other talented members of his family, but was always curious about his mushroom oils and hemp products. This year, David opened up his own OMO Apothecary in Sag Harbor selling all of his healing products and herbal supplements made from the mushrooms and hemp grown locally on his farm. I’d never truly believed in these natural remedies, but oddly a day after visiting the shop, my neck went out, and I was suffering in excruciating pain. I couldn’t move at all, and just the day before I’d been in perfect health. I had my OMO CBD oil and rubbed it on the areas where I felt stiffness and pain, as well as took droplets to dissolve under my tongue. Within 24 hours of using David’s products the pain had disappeared as of it were magic. Needless to say I’m now in love with these oils, and use them every night for aches and pains. There are so many incredible finds at OMO, I highly suggest going and stocking up.
How many years have you been in business?
Open-Minded Organics has existed since I started it in my backyard back in 2003.
How did you get your start and what was your initial inspiration?
My initial inspiration was Paul Stamets, he is literally the man who took mushroom cultivation out of the closet, he’s written a book on how mushrooms can save the world.
What do you provide that others do not who are doing similar things?
The original premise of Open Minded Organics was with mushrooms, but we’ve always been a wellness company from the beginning. As Paul Stamets says, mushrooms are the magicians of the soil. Mushrooms are the ones who recycle organic matter, and if there is a way for us to be mushroom farmers who cultivate gourmet and medicinal mushrooms cycling nutrients and organic matter into the planet...well, that’s at the core of everything we do here. Open Minded Organics has worked through the years to include produce and now our hemp products, but at our core we are always conscious of the environment and the wellness of people.
Do you plan on going it in other directions?
I think with our current endeavors, where we entered into the hemp market in the last couple years, exemplifies how we are always exploring new avenues.
How does Open Minded Organics have a positive impact on its clients?
Last year we started bringing some of these newer hemp products to the market, there was literally a handful of people that said thank you and that they were grateful it was us who got the license and were bringing these products to the market. At that time we had over a decade and a half of relationship to the community and had established a rapport and respect of bringing high quality products to the market. So that’s where the community benefits, we already have an ongoing dialogue with the people who are now engaging in new endeavors.
What is your favorite part about your job?
The favorite part about my job is that every day is different. I have a non-extinguishable wanderlust. I get that from my grandfather on my mother’s side.
What are some of your favorite local spots, where do you go to relax?
I would say the farm itself is our sanctuary, all of us who work at Open Minded Organics always say if we did not have this special little place we would not manage to exist here. But besides that, we like to share when other people come to our area, and we want to act as a concierge, a tour guide, or a gracious host to places like Mashomack on Shelter Island, The Walking Dunes in Montauk, a place called The Stairs - but I won’t let you know where that one is.
I know you have a five-year-old daughter who enjoys helping out on the farm, tell me about that?
Yes, we grow very clean and we are also very intellectual in our approach, so we are always here to answer questions. being a father and a farmer myself, we are inherently a family friendly place for sure.
It’s very important for people to create sacred and protective spaces in their lives. That’s what we have done here, and I think that’s what people appreciate about Open Minded Organics.