Presenters: Matt Ballard, Full Plate Farm; Keith Shaljian & Kate DeMayo, Bountiful Acre
We can build strength in the sustainable agriculture movement and our foodshed by partnering with companions who share the vision of a cooperative future. This on-farm intensive features two Southern Alamance County market gardens that blend perennial systems with nutrient-dense vegetable production. The hosts guide attendees through three dimensions of a dynamic garden: soil fertility, perennial plantings, and cooperation.
In the morning at Bountiful Acre, attendees hear and see from Keith and Kate of Bountiful Backyards about their steps in getting started with a market garden, now in year three. Leaning on their thousands of plant installations since 2007, they go deeper into their unique and effective soil-building processes, including vermicompost, foliar feeding, and indigenous microorganisms. All of which leads to drastically reduced incidence of pests and disease/disorders in the garden.
After lunch, participants visit Full Plate Farm to provide examples of how these two farms cross-pollinate on perennial planting strategies within and around the market garden to move towards more reliance on both perennial food crops and flower insectary areas to reduce work, inputs and insect pressure. Nearly a whole acre of assorted fruit bushes, brambles, and trees blend with practical permaculture practices, including pasture-raised broiler production. Woven throughout the day, the farmers discuss the importance of cooperative economics and the early lessons learned through aligned tool sharing, labor trades, and joint business ventures. Participants leave with an understanding of how farmers can create partnerships that sustain and invest time and energy toward present and future fertility, achieving short-term success and building toward long-term farm income stability, revenue, and ecological regeneration.
Registration: $135 | $95 for CFSA Members | $75 for Students & Veterans
Registration price includes the cost of lunch.
