The Farm
Our farm is a no-till market garden. Our practices are all organic – we use no chemical pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. We also use no heavy farm equipment, and we do not mechanically till the soil. Instead, we focus on nurturing the life within the soil (“living soil” farming). This soil life - bacteria, fungi, protozoa, insects, and worms – lives in harmony with the roots in the soil. This symbiotic relationship results in crops that are disease tolerant and produce high yields of nutrient dense, flavorful fruit.
Resourcefulness & Resilience
We're all about making the most of what we've got. All structures, fencing, and landscaping elements on our property incorporate repurposed materials gathered from old barns and cabins we've deconstructed. We mill recycled and salvaged wood on site, and fabricate machinery using recycled metal.
We also aim to limit our overall dependance on outside inputs that can be disrupted by unpredictable global supply chains. We don't use chemical fertilizers to feed our crops (as hydroponic and traditional farming practices do). Nearly everything we need to grow healthy crops lives on the property (literally). If we need to buy something we can't make ourselves, we work with local suppliers.
Recycling & Composting
We use the Berkeley Hot Composting method to make compost from waste products such as chipped tree trimmings, weeds, crop waste, and kitchen waste. Worm castings from our vermiculture operation, biochar from our woodstove, and by-products from our chickens contribute as well. After initial hot composting, the mix undergoes a secondary process to facilitate fungal growth. The final product is a rich, fine high-quality organic compost that is free of pathogens and weed seed.
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Natural Farming
We incorporate Natural Farming practices (a.k.a. Korean Natural Farming). This involves our harvesting indigenous microorganisms using cedar collection boxes placed at locations on and around our property. We use the microorganisms gathered to inoculate our soil.
Location
Our property is located in beautiful Paradise Valley, Montana. We're low in the valley, in the riparian zone along the Yellowstone River. We’ve got rich topsoil deposited by the river eons ago, which has been excellent for growing crops - something we’ve been doing on the property for over 15 years. We’ve also got lots of trees and shrubs that serve as critical windbreaks and habitat for pollinators and other beneficial species.
