RTB Farming Philosophy
Since our inception, RTB has been a restorative farm that doesn’t utilize synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilizers to raise our crops. We use minimal machinery, only what we must, to pick and care for what we grow. Nature has been our teacher; what works for her works for us.
“We strive to work with nature, not against it. We are dancing and not wrestling with our ecologicalsurroundings, and we are constantly adapting ourselves and our practices in line with our values and a philosophy of respect for our interdependence.”
– Benoit Azagoh-Kouadio, RTB Garden Manager
The Method
Under the direct management of Garden Manager Benoit Azagoh-Kouadio, RTB uses holistic farming methods derived from permaculture, biodynamic, and soil remineralization perspectives. When RTB says permaculture, we mean a way of interacting with the land that seeks to regenerate rather than extract; to nurture biodiversity through agricultural practices that restore the soil and ecosystem. Taking the biodynamic perspective means we only use natural, organic materials in our farming – never synthetic chemicals that can leach into groundwater or poison and degrade our soil, which ultimately impacts the food that is grown in it. With soil remineralization, we’re looking to revitalize the earth we plant in by: limiting fields to one crop per season; making sure our planting beds’ soil networks have plenty of time to rest and repair in between seasons; using naturally-derived rock minerals and animal- based amendments; and through our farm-made animal and plant-based compost used as natural fertilizers. These methods provide macro and micronutrient cycling and increase beneficial soil microbial activity, adding to its overall health. RTB has never used synthetic chemicals for fertility or weed management.
The Seed
Our farmers start the vast majority of our plant material from seed. We also engage in seed saving, keeping a certain amount of seeds from this year’s crop to use next year. As a Center for Restorative Community, we support local initiatives to maintain regionally important heirloom crops and breeding projects to create new varieties which are better adapted to our region.
Here at the farm, we are thoughtful about what we plant; we think about the entire lifespan of our perennial and annual crops to decide which are the most beneficial – to both humans and the environment. We invest in a diverse range of perennials, like cane fruit berries, asparagus, medicinal and culinary herbs, and multi-use tree crops. At the same time, we are selective about which annuals we choose to plant, emphasizing those crops and varieties that are naturally adaptive and resilient in our prevailing agricultural conditions, ones that do not need to be sprayed with ecologically detrimental synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. This includes those plants within our integrated agroforestry alley cropping system. Directed by seasonality, we grow and plant primarily what can be naturally cultivated during each season and what is in demand from our communities. For efficiency, economy, and ecological consideration, the extent of our seasonal extension cropping is limited to several unheated fieldhouses. We purposely opted for this so we can be intentionally sustainable with our practices.
The Upkeep
Believe it or not, how you upkeep, or cultivate, your growing beds affects your soil and what you grow. In addition to natural compost applications, our approach to soil management and upkeep includes routine use of green manure cover cropping strategies which adds organic matter, builds structure and fertility, and reduces erosion. For this, we also focus on both low-till and no-till ground preparation. Through our agroforestry work, we are integrating perennial crops within our soil management approach, and crops which help to increase both soil stability through their root structures and provide substantial, long-term increases in soil organic- matter content. This sustainably allows us to upkeep our soil without wearing it out.
In our cultivation practices, we use exclusively mechanical techniques for weed suppression. This means that for the vast majority of crops, we use hand-tool-based strategies. Occasionally, in larger row crop areas, we use small, tractor-based cultivation. But the majority of work on this farm is done by hand! Our farmers work hard for every plant that grows, and for this we are filled with gratitude. For weed suppression in our fruit tree orchard and other perennial plantings, we make extensive use of locally- procured wood chip mulches – a direct by-product of local arborists – which, in addition to weed occlusion, provides an ongoing source of organic matter, nutrient release, moisture retention, and soil microbial and mycorrhizal inoculation.
Pest Management
In managing insect pests in our crops, RTB makes the choice to rely on a combination of nature-based approaches.The first of these is plant-health-based strategies inspired by the research of John Kempf of Advancing Ecological Agriculture. By first targeting optimal plant health (through soil health), we are able to reduce the likelihood of attracting insect pressure and damage. To support plant health, we emphasize diversity in our plantings. This encourages overall crop resilience and creates a thriving agroecosystem that interacts with fauna to attract and reinforce sources of natural, ecological pest control.
In our cultural practices, we choose varieties and crops that are specifically bred to be more resilient, adaptive, and resistant to pest attack, to further limit the need for outright interventions. We also make use of exclusion netting and row cover as baseline, mechanical strategies to limit pest damage. In rare cases, and only as an absolute last resort, will we consider utilizing naturally-derived, OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) approved spray applications, being careful about the timing of these applications to avoid any overlap with daily pollinator activity.
We also do not and will not use any synthetic commercial pesticides or sprays for mosquitos or ticks on our properties. For example, Elements Learning Collaborative, our sister non-profit and edupreneur at our main property, uses a simple and effective garlic oil repellent spray for the environs of their school, while rotating a flock of chickens who feed on a variety of insects, including ticks. We provide all of our farmers and volunteers with a robustly effective essential-oil based tick repellent spray from YaYa Organics, and diligently practice strategies to reduce both tick and mosquito breeding habitat conditions.
One of our real concerns is the prospect of local farmers who do not share these same ecological values, choosing to use pesticide sprays that will adversely affect the local microecology, our own agroecological systems, and the health of our farmers through cross-spray drift.
RTB is not only committed to using the highest standard of ecologically concerned agricultural methods on our properties, it is in fact a part of our mission to model nature.
To be 100% clear, RTB does not and will not use synthetic chemical pesticides. They are harmful both short- and long-term to surrounding soil, ecology, and people.
Organic and Beyond
The general understanding of the term “organic” is food that is produced without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers or genetic modification. In other words, food which has not been intentionally poisoned. At RTB we believe this is an essential and important aspect of producing healthy, life-giving food. However, we don’t believe that nourishing agricultural practices can simply be defined by what they are omitting.
The original meaning of the term organic agriculture–and the meaning that we subscribe to here at RTB–refers to organic matter and the practice of adding life-based plant and animal materials into the soil. These materials decompose and feed the soil microbial web, sequester carbon, nourish healthy soil structure, and increase the soil’s ability to hold onto key nutrients and retain moisture. This is not a process of omission; but rather, a process of actual nourishment.
Official USDA organic certification requires that foods are grown and processed according to federal guidelines addressing factors like soil quality, animal raising practices, pest and weed control, and use of additives. For small farmers, organic certification through the USDA is a significant process and can be prohibitively expensive. It can also restrict farmers from using their own on-site compost and other full-circle soil amendments. Meanwhile, large industrial organic farms may be certified as organic, but because soil practices are minimal, this food can remain minerally and nutritionally deficient.
For these reasons we–and some other small farms–choose not to be certified organic, and rather focus our resources and energy on utilizing the best practices for nourishing our soil. Healthy soil is what gives us healthy food. We strive to nourish the soil, plants, and animals that nourish us in return.
“There are so many layers to understanding animal systems. I’m in an intimate relationship with land and water and weather and everything.”
–Geoff Kinder, Livestock Agriprenuer
Livestock Farming
Animals are central to land management at RTB, and each animal participates in many aspects of farm life. Chickens eat weeds and pests, create fertilizer, and produce eggs and meat. They also play an important part in our educational services. Farm dogs protect gardens and livestock from pests and predators; they also provide snuggles. Every animal is valued for its special presence and its many roles.
Most of the livestock at RTB is owned and managed by independent agripreneurs. Geoff Kinder manages cows and pigs through his business, Paradox Acres; Hannah Wylie and Tyler See manage goats through their business, Goatbusters; and Joshua Swaye of Swaye Family Farm raises pigs, chickens, and ducks.
Most of the animals at RTB are born and bred right here, and complete full life-cycles within a very small range of the farm, with full access to pasture and sunshine. We are lucky to live within fifteen miles of a trusted, USDA- certified slaughterhouse. All meat is steroid-, hormone-, and antibiotic-free.
Cows and Pigs
During the growing season, Geoff rotates his cows on pastures throughout the farm and abutting conservation land. As the cows graze, they maintain and fertilize pasture grasses, which promotes soil health. During the winter, Geoff feeds the cows hay. He harvests hay each year from RTB and land within a mile of the farm. Geoff works with conservation organizations to coordinate haying in a way that protects nesting birds and maintains bird habitat.
Geoff’s pigs live outdoors year-round, where they have access to soil, rain, sunshine, shelter, and bedding. Most pigs live in close family units with their litter mates. Geoff feeds them a mixture of pasture, non-GMO grain, hay, brew grains from Moby Dick Brewery, grass clippings, and food processing discards from the farm. Pigs transform scraps into compost and help till garden beds.
Goats
During the growing season, Hannah and Tyler rotate their goats on pastures throughout the farm and local community. The goats are born and raised at RTB and divided into small working groups that primarily focus on clearing brush and invasives. Some groups are hired by local individuals and institutions to perform their goatscaping duties as Goatbusters. As browsers, goats are adept at finding and feeding on a variety of plant species, ensuring a diverse diet and providing the added benefit of depositing natural fertilizer wherever they go. Every year a few goats are taken to Meatworks to be processed into sausage and other cuts of meat. Goat meat is one of the leanest and healthiest forms of meat available and is widely consumed around the world.
In the winter, the goats spend more of their time in the barn, where they stay warm and munch on hay. Tyler and Hannah supplement their diet with minerals, organic feed, sprouted grains, and certain food processing scraps from the farm. Kidding season begins in late January, when the addition of baby goats brings a burst of brightness to the winter months.
Farm Tours
We strive to be as transparent as possible with our complex way of farming and the best way to understand ‘our ways’ is to come for a farm tour! If you have questions about our farming practices or want to join us for a tour, please email us at: info@roundthebendfarm.org
