What’s Growing at the farm? Our main goal with our small farm is to practice methods used before synthetic chemicals and monocropping entered agriculture. Although we don’t plan to become certified organic due to the cost, we strive to use all organic practices in our production. Some of our goals include:
- Systematically rotating the land used for different crops to break the cycle of pest pressure on our plants. This also will maintain and build the nutrients available in the soil.
- Using our chickens to produce natural fertilizer. (Unfortunately we don’t have chickens at the moment, but hope to again in the future!).
- Using mechanical methods of cultivation for weed control.
- We work to build soil organic matter by growing green manure/cover crops and plowing it under to feed beneficial microorganisms. This process also helps build soil nutrients.
- We use the least tillage necessary and avoid bare ground by planting cover crops to keep the soil in place and retain nutrients.
We’re working a little at a time to incorporate all of these strategies.
Here is what’s growing at the moment:
Fruits and Veggies
We also keep a small garden, including a strawberry patch, asparagus, and lots of summer veggies like squash, tomatoes, peppers, green beans, cucumbers, and onions. Right now it just feeds our family (and some friends when that zucchini gets out of control!). We hope to expand in the future.
Honey Bees
This is our newest adventure, starting in 2022! We currently have one hive and hope to have some honey next year!
Christmas Trees
Each spring we’ve planted 125 new seedlings – mostly Norway Spruce and Canaan Fir. They start out between 8″ and 20″ tall and with any luck they’ll be ready for Christmas in 8-10 years!
Firewood
We cut and split a few cords of hardwood—mostly cherry, ash, and maple—each year for our own firewood use and for sale. The trees we use have either fallen during storms or are standing dead. We hope to sustainably manage the forested acreage that covers most of our farm, preserving its resources and natural beauty for future generations. In addition to stacking and drying split wood, we’ve also had some beautiful cherry lumber cut from our logs.
If you want to stop by for some wood for your campfires or fireplace get in touch. We’re licensed by Summit County for firewood sales (license no. 540).
Small Grains
We’ve experimented with growing our own wheat for milling into flour. We’ve invested in a grain drill and antique combine to use in planting and harvesting, and hope in the future to expand to growing additional grains such as oats and barley. Plus, the fields make for some great wedding photo backdrops!
