A Whole-Farm Approach

As we pursue our goal of building a successful farm business, we want to make sure that future generations will have the same opportunity. Our agricultural practices minimize the environmental impact of our farming operation and promote the long-term health and stability of the whole farm ecosystem. 
"The earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship. We cannot say that we love the land and then take steps to destroy it for use by future generations."           - Pope John XXIII

Our Approach to Soil Management

Soil is more than just the "dirt" in which we plant our crops. It is a complex community of minerals, nutrients, bacteria, fungi, and other living (and dying) organisms. In fact, soil is the most biologically diverse part of the earth. Good soil is the lifeblood of a farm, so we place a lot of emphasis on practices that improve the quality of our soil.
  1. We DO NOT use synthetic fertilizers. They provide a "quick fix" instead of treating underlying issues. Over time, reliance on synthetic fertilizers can degrade soil quality and create an increasing cycle of dependence.
  2. We use a customized blend of organic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers contain essential micronutrients that are often absent in their synthetic counterparts. They also release their nutrients more slowly, which is gentler on plants and soil life.
  3. We amend our soil with regular applications of finished compost. Quality compost increases biological activity and promotes soil diversity, feeding many of the soil organisms which support plant growth. It also improves soil structure, improving water penetration and root formation. 
  4. We plant soil-building cover crops. Clover, buckwheat, rye, and other crops are grown in the "off-season" to help prevent erosion, fix nitrogen, aerate the soil, and suppress weed growth. They can be incorporated into the soil as a "green manure" to add organic matter and nutrients to the soil.
  5. We practice reduced tillage. Tilling can destroy soil structure and kill the organisms living in the soil. We utilize a permanent raised bed system to minimize soil compaction and reduce the need to till our soil. 

Our Approach to Pest/Disease Management

All farmers need a plan to deal with the various insects and pathogens that affect the crops we grow. We utilize a broad-based approach, called integrated pest management (IPM), to protect our crops, while minimizing risks to both people and the environment. The specifics of IPM can vary from farm to farm, but at Keelboat Farms, we adhere to a core set of strategies when it comes to dealing with pests.
  1. We take preventative measures . We select varieties that are resistant to the diseases and pests that we are most likely to encounter.  Our planting schedule is designed to avoid growing certain crops when pest pressure will be the highest. We also practice crop rotation to help break pest and disease cycles. 
  2. We let nature do it's thing. Mother Nature is pretty adept at keeping pest populations in balance when we stay out of the way. We grow native wildflowers and "companion plants" near our vegetable crops. They attract beneficial insects that prey on the bad bugs and help keep them in check.
  3. We establish a threshold for action. The mere sighting of a pest does not always warrant a response. As long as pest populations remain at a level that does not cause crop failure or economic loss, we are are content to leave well enough alone. Once the pest population exceeds that threshold, we must take action to control (but not necessarily eradicate) the pest.
  4. We consider the whole spectrum of solutions. We always start with the least invasive methods of control, like insect netting, hand picking pests, or removing diseased portions of the plant. Next, we might utilize bio-controls, like micro-organisms or parasites that target specific pests and pathogens. As a last resort, we may choose to employ natural insecticides and fungicides that have been approved for organic production.
  5. We DO NOT use synthetic pesticides. We don't put anything on our crops that we would not feed to our own family, and pesticide residues are near the top of that list. Synthetic pesticides can kill non-targeted organisms, like beneficial insects and soil organisms, as well as pests, upsetting the balance of our farm ecosystem.

Our Approach to Resource Management

Natural resources are not an unlimited commodity, so we do what we can to use them responsibly. We favor a bio-intensive approach which focuses on the long-term sustainability of the entire farm system.
  1. We minimize our farming footprint. We use techniques that focus on achieving maximum yields from a minimum area of land. Intensive spacing, vertical growing, succession planting, and other practices allow us grow everything we need on less than 2 acres of cultivated space.
  2. We conserve water. Growing thousands of pounds of vegetables takes a lot of water, so we try to make the most out of every drop. Our garden paths are designed to function as mini-swales, which hold rainwater that would otherwise run-off and be wasted. Most of our crops are watered with drip irrigation, which puts the water near the root zone, where plants can utilize it.
  3. We conserve energy. Most of our farm work is done with hand tools and small-scale equipment, like our Grillo walking tractor, which reduces the amount of fuel we need to use. We employ alternative energy sources whenever possible, such as solar fencing to keep deer out of our vegetable plots.
  4. We preserve wild spaces. For our farm ecosystem to be healthy, we need to take care of all of it, not just the cultivated areas. We spend a lot of time removing invasive species, planting native trees and wildflowers, and enhancing wildlife habitat on other parts of our farm. We also have several "sanctuary" areas that we leave alone, so that we can sit back and observe nature at work.
If you would like to see our farm operation, we will be holding several on-farm field days and volunteer work days this spring. Contact us for more information.