How I Started Farming

I had the traditional childhood experience of forced labor in the family gardens. This led me away from the earth into academia; upon my exit I found myself living in New York City. While living there I worked at an herb store and a food coop. These experiences helped me see the link between health and diet. I decided to come back to earth and returned to Central Missouri in 1991. I have been gardening on my father's farm ever since. In 2003, my wife and I bought a farm eight miles north of Columbia. I planted an orchard and started growing flowers and vegetables. The farm came with an immense number of perennials.

Why I Farm Organically

I learned that you really are what you eat. If we poison the land and water, then eventually we poison ourselves. My years in the garden have taught me that if I feed the soil and let the balance of nature reemerge then many of the pest and disease problems will be alleviated. I do not claim to have it all figured out, but the gardens keep getting better. I have gardened without the use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides since 1991. In fact, I do not even use a lot of products accepted by organic standards. I use cover crops and mulch, I pull a lot of weeds, and I smash a lot of bugs. One of the reasons I refuse to spray my crops is that in 2005 I became a father. This gets to the heart of the matter; we are left with the legacy of our forebearers, it is not a pretty picture. If we are to be responsible stewards of the land, then we must analyze our actions from the eyes of our grandchildren.

The Menu

Garlic * Shallots * Onions * Leeks * Green Onions * Sweet Corn * Popcorn * Okra * Sweet Potatoes * Eggplant * Cherry Tomatoes * Tomatoes * Hot Peppers * Sweet Peppers * Potatoes * Green Beans * Dry Beans * Peas * Purple-Hulled Peas * Pumpkins * Cucumbers * Melons * Cantaloupe * Summer Squash * Winter Squash * Lettuce * Spinach * Mesclun * Mustard Greens * Chard * Broccoli * Cabbage * Cauliflower * Radish * Beets * Turnips * Herbs * Pears * Plums * Apples * Cut Flowers *

In coming years I will be adding: Asparagus * Horseradish * Raspberries * Blackberries * Strawberries * Rhubarb