So... What is Sustainable Farming?

If a person were to Google "What is Sustainable Agriculture," you would find something like this as the answer: A sustainable agriculture is one that, over the long term, enhances environmental quality and the resource base on which agriculture depends; provides for basic human food and fiber needs; is economically viable; and enhances the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.

Yeah, that sort of sums it up. I could be done writing now and you would have a vague idea of what we are trying to achieve here at Gnarly Oak. But, of course, I'm not going to leave it up to Google to tell you how we really feel.

For us, there is really three big ideas behind the sustainable techniques we use here. I will start with the first and biggest motivator for our approach: Take Care of Our Earth. As the term "sustainable" implies, our goal is to use practices that protect the Earth and don't cause future harm. But, as you've probably started to notice, we like to push the envelope a little bit. We'd like to take it one step (or 117 steps) further and not just strive for "sustainable" but throw ourselves towards "regenerative." We want to regenerate the Earth by the things we do. I'm not sure how much you get outside, but if you stop, look, and listen... the Earth has it figured out and humans are stupid. No offense to anyone, we are right there with you. What I'm saying is that the Earth has everything it needs to grow everything we need to grow. It just means a shift in our thinking and a little more elbow grease.

So, what do we do to make sure we are working towards regenerative? Here is a quick run down of just a few things we do on the farm:

• No chemical fertilizers or pesticides EVER: Chemicals are a short-term fix that are bad for everything and everyone. And yes, we will lose crops to a pest attack - for sure. It has happened and it will happen. Last year for example, we picked off over 2,000 Rose Chafer beetles (pictured), by hand, from our apple trees, basil and potatoes, and with our sandy area, they'll be back. But each year, we get creative and with the use of row covers and children (hehe), we can overcome and not use any chemicals.

• Composting: We compost food scraps, yard waste and animal manure to use as natural fertilizer that enriches the soil and promotes micro and macro organisms.

• Crop rotation and companion planting: Every plant has something different to offer and with rotating and planting allies, the plants use each other to grow healthier, naturally.

• Rain water collection: Nothing makes crops happier than rain water and collecting and using the moisture that the Earth naturally gives us seems like a no-brainer.

• Promoting the good insects: Most crops need to be pollinated in order to produce the food we eat and we believe in natural pollination which is many times done by insects! Bees, butterflies and even hummingbirds are our friends and we plant varieties just for them! We like to think of our farm as the "Chocolate Ox" of the pollinator world.

The second concept around sustainability is, bettering society. Have you ever paid attention to the way you feel after you eat something that is good for your body? And how about the way you feel after you eat something terrible for you? Your body craves goodness and when you feel good, you do good. So, if we can create a local food source that provides healthy, body-loving food, well, that creates a sustainability all it's own. It creates a local society that has fewer health problems, clearer brain function, and if we really want to push it, takes this concept and pays it forward with the abilities each person has. I'll bet you a dollar, that if you feel good, you might play with your kids more, or take your dog for more walks, or help your neighbor mow the lawn. Small things = big things!

Okay, you've made it this far... what is the third big motivator around here for regenerating this land? You haven't guessed it yet? It is pretty easy. I'm going to give you two more seconds to guess. Well of course, it is our kids. And your kids. And those kids over there. This one is crazy straight-forward and it goes like this: the way things are headed now, we are burning out our planet. And our kids don't deserve that. So, get on board and find a local food source. Whether it is from this farm, or one of our other amazing local farms (meat and produce), food co-ops, or CSA. Most of us growers are in this together and just want to see local food become the standard now and in the future. Let's regenerate together!