What We Do
Regenerative Agriculture Principles
The Race Family Farmstead strives to protect the environment while creating delicious, nutritious foods.
No Tillage
- Sustains micro-organisms in the soil
- Maintains soil health
- Reduces erosion
- Decreases soil compaction
Maximize crop diversity
Perennial crops/plants
- Year-long root structures help maintain solid structure and soil health.
- Year-round plants keep the soil covered and protected from the elements, which in turn keeps the soil healthy.
INTEGRATION OF ROTATIONAL LIVESTOCK
- Rotation of livestock mimics nature, as animals do not stay in one area for long.
- Livestock produce manure, which naturally fertilizes the ground and creates great soil.
- Grazing animals also help to reseed the area.
- This rotation avoids undue stress to the land and keeps the soil, plants, and livestock healthy and happy.
Permaculture Principle
Permaculture is a multifaceted concept. In its simplest form, it revolves around biodiversity and the concept that everyone and everything on the farm work together in succession.
The same goes for a garden. Plants (fruits and vegetables) work together to create a self-sustaining environment. The most simplistic method is the “three sisters”. This method includes corn, beans, and squash. As the corn grows, it needs nitrogen from the soil. Beans add the needed nitrogen to the soil. In turn, the beans use the corn stalk to climb as they grow. The squash covers the ground around all three plants to act as a mulch and keep the weeds at bay. All three plants work together in harmony to thrive.