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meet
Ted Sanford
As a California transplant in the 1950s, Ted's passion for living off the land was ignited during several summers spent completely off the grid in the woods of Mendocino.
His journey took him across the globe, starting as a deckhand and rising to the rank of Master on some of the largest sea-going vessels. The combination of his maritime career and his early experiences in California's forests fostered a deep-seated passion for self-sufficiency.
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This passion found its true home on a 70-acre woodlot in Exeter, Rhode Island. For the next 30 years, Sanford Farm operated entirely off the grid, powered by the sun and wind, while Ted worked as a marine pilot, navigating large commercial ships into the ports of RI and CT.
Ted's story is one of dedication, resilience, and a heartfelt commitment to living sustainably, passing on these values to future generations.
Working at sea for years in an isolated and often dangerous environment taught me the importance and benefits of living off-grid and embracing a self-sufficient lifestyle. For decades, we've been able to run this farm using the electricity we produce, and passing these valuable skills down to my sons has been the most rewarding part of this journey.
TED SANFORD, FOUNDER
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