Growing in Place Community Farm is a 21acre farm operated as a not-for-profit CSA (community supported agriculture). 1996 was its first season growing a diverse, chemical-free assortment of vegetables, herbs and flowers for a membership of about 80 households. Beside the approximately 4 acres (i.e., six 100 ft x 150 ft gardens) under intensive cultivation, 10 acres are in commercial grain and 2A in a tightly planted orchard of apples, pears and cherries.
The CSA operates with a paid farm manager and the contributed labor of the membership. The underlying objectives are two-fold; to increase the awareness and responsibility of both farmers and eaters toward each other and the natural environment and to create a sense of place and community around the production, distribution and consumption of high quality, locally grown food.As a concept, sustainability requires the continual management of local resources, both ecological and human, to increase social and biological diversity, soil health and self-reliance.
A mixed flock of domestic birds (12 Chinese White geese, 3 Barred Rock hens and a rooster, 2 African geese and a moscove duck) were used to weed vegetable beds, tomatoes, potatoes and peppers in particular. Unfortunately, the wet weather and entanglement in the net fencing were responsible for the death of all the geese. The chickens, by contrast, would not be contained by the electric fencing and the rooster began to attack CSA members. While the chickens did assist some in weeding and tilling, it became apparent that without someone dedicated to managing the birds, monitoring their behavior and attending to their needs on a daily (or twice daily) basis, the birds would not be effective pest managers.
webmaster