Community Farm of Ann Arbor

I had the pleasure of getting a tour of the Community Farm of Ann Arbor on the fourth of this month. Community Farm, now celebrating two decades of serving Ann Arbor, is truly the vision of successful non-corporate farm.

Anne and Paul (featured below) use what’s known as biodynamic techniques to farm. Instead of chemical applications or large farm equipment, Anne and Paul depend on the vast diversity of their farm produce and soil enriched with fantastic compost from their two cows and other small livestock to nourish their plants and create a balanced system. Combined with the other important input - a lot of human attention and care - the farm fosters some fantastic produce and lots of life. (That's Ally on the far left with Anne of Community Farm on the far right at a local food event on U-M Campus, Jan 2007)

Community Farm is named such because it is run as a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), in which individuals or families support the farm by purchasing a share of the harvest before the season starts. Ann and Paul use that money to fund several interns and whatever the farm requires (seeds, building materials, etc.). In addition to getting a food share, the CSA share owners have plenty of opportunities to experience the farm, from working hands-on in the fields to visiting the animals that form an integral part of the operation. Lots of families use this opportunity to teach their kids about nature and farming.

They make a conscious choice to use natural materials such as wood seed starter boxes instead of plastic – both for their ability to better balance moisture and air for growth, as well as the fact that wood will break down into harmless substances, whereas plastic will go to waste or take millennia to degrade.

Community Farm welcomes volunteers, and it’s a short drive to just outside Dexter. They've got a great rope swing in the barn, and the cows are a comedy in themselves. Get out there this summer and see sustainable faming in action!

Community Farm of Ann Arbor

Comments

Hey, folks -

I've started a wiki to help people figure out where name-brand food comes from, and to find local sources of ethical/sustainable/organic food. You can see it and add to it at http://foodorigins.wikispaces.com/ .

Posted by: espring at April 11, 2007 12:51 PM