Natural Farming
Natural farming is about accepting that the complexity and function of a natural ecosystem is greater than our ability to re-create one. The role of a natural farmer is simply to observe and assist.
A simple way to explain natural farming is to look closely at the real purpose for farming the land. In conventional farming the primary purpose is to generate produce for humans. Sadly, this means that at some point elements of nature will be compromised and the positive impact on the environment will never exceed the commercial value of the farm.
The primary purpose for natural farming is to create a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem. This ecosystem can create food and shelter for abundant flora and fauna. Only when this first goal is achieved do we begin to think of harvesting for human consumption; nature always comes first and the land we are so lucky to farm, does not exist primarily for us.
This very simple shift in values has a profound impact on farming practices and the surrounding environment.
Everything we do on the farm is done by hand. The use of machinery reduces the farmer’s sensitivity to the intricacy of nature. By hand, things are done slowly, giving you time to respond to your surroundings.
We do not manipulate the soil structure. No tilling, turning or cultivation. No raised beds, terracing or paths. The natural soil structure is a well designed complex form, developed over hundreds of years and plays a crucial role.
The majority of our farm is unirrigated. Excessive irrigation tends to accelerate nutrient absorption which leads to deficiency, increases vigor which creates the need for pruning or trellising and upsets the balance of the ecosystem welcoming pests and disease.
Periods of dryness are essential in our climate. The reproductive cycle of some plants rely on a dry period for seeds to lie dormant in the soil during a hot summer. Nutrients in the soil are preserved through dehydration and available when moisture returns. During varying levels of moisture content different bacteria, fungi and insects work together to breakdown organic matter and produce a broad spectrum of nutrients.
We do not use any external additives to our ecosystem, which includes organic or inorganic fertilizers, composts, manures, herbicides or pesticides. Everything we need comes from within our farm or as a bi-product from our kitchen.
Instead of making compost, organic matter from our kitchen and our farm is spread as mulch. Mulch provides far more benefits to our ecosystem than humus, which is essentially fertilizer: moisture retention, weed suppression, food and shelter for insects, microclimate for bacteria and fungi, slow release of nutrients to plants and dispersion and germination of seeds.
The most flavorsome, nutrient dense plants are grown in soil with a broad spectrum of nutrient types in low, balanced levels. Just like creating a healthy diet for ourselves, balance, diversity and moderation is key.
We currently have chickens and a horse grazing our paddocks. Their manure is spread with our mulch to inoculate bacteria, add nutrients and diversity.
We promote open pollination and save seeds from every crop. This allows our plants to evolve and adapt to our farm and modern climate. Over the years our garden has developed some delicious and hardy varieties of fruits and vegetables.
When we taste these plants in their most simple culinary form we consider the individual details of the ingredient: flavor, taste, complexity, length, texture, appearance, aroma, temperature and finish. We then ask ourselves, what of these things do we enjoy, what is interesting or exciting?
When nature is allowed to fully express itself, it’s creations are beyond anything we could imagine. All we aim to do is bring that beauty onto your plate.
