fresh. Regenerative. no till.
Enjoy seasonal produce from Kelly’s small family farm
Kelly's Farm is located in the Edna Valley about four miles down the road from Harmony House. She grows delicious and nutritious food in a way that works harmoniously with the local ecosystem through regenerative and no-till farming practices. The work is done by hand, without a tractor, pesticides or synthetic fertilizers in a market garden that builds fertile soil, which, in return, produces healthy plants and nutrient-dense food.
The farm produces a diverse variety of foods like fruits, veggies, microgreens, culinary and medicinal herbs, flowers and pastured eggs. A flock of sheep, which are rotationally grazed and bred each year, call the various pastures home. Keeping seasonal rain on the farm when it falls, has been a large objective from the beginning. By slowing, spreading and sinking that rain into the earth, we’re doing what we can to help recharge the farm's groundwater table. The farm was designed with extensive fruit orchards around these water systems. In addition to hundreds of fruit trees, we have also planted hundreds of other trees including timber hardwoods, California natives, riparian plantings, various hedgerows, and more all with the aim to provide shade, soil fertility and food for both humans and animals.
Why No Till?
Most farming practices, conventional and organic, incorporate some type of tillage into their planting routine. Tillage is the process of “loosening” the soil through plowing or ripping the soil’s surface- using the most iconic farming tool, the tractor. This can have dramatic effects on the physical structure and chemical/biological composition which essentially destroys the health of the soil. What was once a living system has been turned up and devoid of life that was there prior. Over time when the soil health is depleted, artificial nutrients (organic or conventional) must be applied in order for plants to grow. Artificial fertilizers require tons of fossil fuels to make, and have the potential to contaminate groundwater (drinking water) with toxic compounds. Fortunately, when you focus on the health of the soil and do not disturb it (with no-till farming) the ecosystem can work as a full and complete system, therefore all the essential nutrients for plants are naturally made available.
Why soil health?
Soil has physical, chemical, and biological components that all work together to create a healthy environment in which we grow our food. By focusing on soil health through no-till methods, carbon is pulled out of the atmosphere and is held in the soil in the form of organic matter. The underground ecosystem is a key component for nutrient cycling between microbes and plants. Microbial activity is the main driver of food for our plants, without it essential soil nutrients plants cannot grow. The structure and mineral composition are equally as important as the biological component and all three work together in harmony to create a healthy LIVING SOIL.
While this approach may take a little extra time and effort, we truly believe it's worth it. The reward is bringing food to our community that is alive, just like the soil that produces it. Our aim is to elevate the overall health of our community by providing high quality produce and products. We're committing to our community for generations to come by growing plants in living soil, raising healthy livestock, recharging our groundwater and planting trees.
We hope to see you at the Farm Stand! Click here for current hours and days of operation.
