A group of four farmers is finding out about strength in numbers.
The Bishop Sunny Ridge Farm, Lovely-Parr Garden & Farm, Terre Verde Farm and Zephyr's Eden Micro Farm are now working together as
Four Winds Farm Co-op. Jennifer Parr says they decided to join efforts since together they could offer more variety to their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) customers and each had something a little different to offer.
At Bishop Sunny Ridge Farm, Lisa Bishop grows a large variety of garden vegetables, berries and herbs. She also has laying hens. Her farm features homemade preserves and baked goods all made with local produce.
Tamara March-Vispi, from Terre Verde Farm, has a large variety of produce and canned goods that helps customers enjoy locally grown produce throughout the year.
On Zephyr's Eden Micro Farm Michelle Quinn’s specialty is heirloom fruits and vegetables the others don’t have. CSA customers also will partake of lettuce, onions and beans from her farm, among other offerings.
Lovely-Parr Garden & Farm not only features produce but a wide variety of herbs and spices. It also recently became certified through the voluntary Michigan Agricultural Education Assurance Program, that helps farms prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks.
The co-op has a large barn at 7566 5th Street in Mattawan where CSA shares are pulled together. The farmers also are creating a shop there. Each also regularly attend area farmers markets.
The farmers also bonded over their common interest in growing in an environmentally sustainable way. A number of them are
certified naturally grown farms -- they don’t use any synthetic herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, hormones, or genetically modified organisms. CNG livestock are raised mostly on pasture that has space for freedom of movement.
Their experience has led them to offer to teach other women what it takes to get their farms going. March-Vispi says that each of them had been approached by other women asking for details about farming, but many were hesitant to proceed. The women decided to offer workshops where they can tell how they deal with questions regarding legalities, ordinances and neighbors. They also can discuss support for farmers.
Right now they are testing the public's interest and will proceed once enough have indicated they would attend such events. To find out more about the training contact
March-Vispi.
Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Sources: Jennifer Parr and Tamara March-Vispi
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