About White Lotus Farms

The idea for the White Lotus businesses evolved organically, over more than a decade, as members of the Tsogyelgar Buddhist Community explored ways to live creatively and according to Buddha's teaching on Right Livelihood*. Many members of the community enjoyed working in our collective kitchen garden and educated themselves in the best methods of organic gardening through a lot of trial and error. Our cheese maker took classes in cheese making, just for fun, and then visited some of the best creameries in the country. Our head baker apprenticed and worked in artisanal bakeries to learn the craft of bread making and improve upon it. Another community member attended pastry school. An Ayurvedic practitioner began an in-depth study on the use of botanicals in skin care. Our herd manager learned everything one needs to know for keeping goats. These efforts resulted in an abundance of goodness, more than our community needed, and allowed us to make significant donations to Food Gatherers and other charities.

 Over time it became clear that we had enough skilled and hard-working people to start a business, so in 2011 the White Lotus Bakery, Creamery and Farming businesses were started. We started with one small table at our farmer's market and things have progressed from there. Over the years, we have made connections with and offered help to other farmers and businesses that we value and were able to keep many farmers afloat during the pandemic. We greatly enjoy the opportunity to offer Ann Arbor and its surrounding communities, delicious, unique, and lovingly made food and self-care products. We are so grateful for our wonderful employees and loyal customers. Our customers are truly the best!