Growing Practices
What is "no-till"?
We are a "no-till" farm, meaning that we have never tilled the soil here. While we are lucky to live in a loam-rich creek bottom, this method merely mimics mother nature and can be implemented anywhere, with almost any type of soil.
We use hand tools to cultivate the soil, and we layer with composted manure and cover crops to build the composition.
We utilize state of the art hand tools designed by Eliot Coleman and other market gardeners such as the Tilther and the Jang Seeder. These tools changed our life as we were, for many years "sprinkling seeds with our fingertips" ...
But why???
Because we seek to preserve the minerals in the soil which are lost with excessive tilling. Weeds are also kept to a minimum, which is essential for any farming operation, but especially when it's a small family business working to make ends meet.
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FacebookWho We Are
For as long as we can remember, healthy food has been a major priority for us. We have learned of the wild herbs and edibles of the land, traveled America backpacking and hiking, and ultimately became small-scale farmers trying to keep an anchor in tradition in an ever-progressing modern world as we began creating a family of our own.
We are living and growing food the same way our grandparents and great-grand parents did and it is only in the modern day that we give it a name such as "no-till", "organic", "chemical-free", etc. We just grow food. We grow a LOT of it. Thousands upon thousands of pounds of food are grown on just one acre!
We seek to live in harmony with the Earth, growing healthy food and bringing light and beauty into the world. We never use synthetic chemicals or fertilizers on our crops or our land. We strive toward responsible land stewardship and community building.
Heirloom Classics & Gourmet Oddities for Every Palate...
Crops
Whether you seek juicy, tart tomatoes just like the ones grandpa used to grow- OR a tender nutrient-packed kale for your smoothies, we have what you are looking for.
Some of my favorites are Shallots, myriad Radishes, Snap Peas, sweet French Carrots, Gherkin Pickling Cukes, Costata Romanseco Zucchini, Purple Asian Beans, Sweet Potatoes, Italian Parsley, Eggplant, Poblano Peppers...
CSA
If you'd rather sleep in on Saturday mornings or you just want to connect with your local farmer- consider joining our CSA membership. Pick up your weekly share of the harvest on the farm, conveniently packaged for you.
Now Offering Deliveries
How to order: If you are near Nashville, Columbus or Bloomington, Indiana- send us an email or check our Facebook page for a weekly update of what we have for sale. Set up a time to conveniently pick up your produce order.
If you are in Cincinnati, Chicago or Louisville, we are now delivering to pre-approved buying club members who can meet a group minimum purchase amount. Use the online ordering/SHOP page on this website to place your order when it is your city's week.
Animal Husbandry
We raise a small flock of Heritage-breed Shetland sheep. Originating in the Shetland Isles of Scotland, this breed of sheep is especially dear to us as it is not common and is also a breed or close relative of a (now extinct) breed our ancestors likely raised...
The sheep are carefully rotated on grass during the warm months, and supplemented with non- GMO grain and fresh local hay. This helps them thrive and grow beautiful wool which is used to spin into yarn on a spinning wheel. The wool is also sometimes processed at a local mill. It is gently sheared each spring and used for weaving shawls and rugs.
The wool is also dyed bright and muted beautiful natural colors using flowers and herbs from the land as well as botanical extracts.
Goats for milk and chickens for eggs also dwell happily at Schooner Creek Farm...