In a world where anything your heart desires is a click away, places like Abbey of the Redwoods’ Sea Goat Farmstand bring us back to Earth. There is a strong emphasis on supporting local at this urban micro-farm. Eat local, buy local, and everyone in the surrounding community wins. In addition to growing fresh produce, Sea Goat’s mission is to reduce food miles on people’s dinner plates and lessen society’s dependency on industrial agriculture. It wants the farm and farmstand to help reconnect people to their place, the land, and each other, an agricultural model worthy of being replicated everywhere.
The farm’s dedication to the local community goes hand in hand with its regenerative growing practices: thriving land, nutritious food, and healthy people. Beyond being entirely chemical-free, other sustainable techniques followed on the ⅓ acre property include low-till, composting, vermiculture, and crop rotation. Free-range chickens also help with pest control and building soil. Sea Goat Farm grows various vegetable crops, such as lettuce greens, carrots, beans, beets, chard, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, spring onions, and more. Polytunnels give seedlings a head start early in the season so locals can enjoy fresh greens a little sooner. About 75% of the produce sold at the farmstand is grown on-site; anything else comes from organic and sustainable partners with operations close to Sea Goat Farm. Customers can purchase fresh eggs and bread, local seafood, soothing teas and organic coffee blends, and other artisan goods.
Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds run the farm. Helping out allows them to learn valuable gardening skills and hacks for becoming more eco-friendly and self-sufficient. Along with the volunteer opportunities, various events and workshops educate and empower people to learn the ins and outs of growing food and the DIY lifestyle. Not to mention a place to come together and get to know neighbours and like-minded people.
Sea Goat Farm also runs a small CSA program and online shop, making local goods that much more accessible to those who can’t make it down to the farmstand. Strengthening the local food economy isn’t easy, but it sure is rewarding.
Sara Patterson has dedicated most of her young life to growing healthy food and building a more resilient community. She runs Red Acre Farm alongside her mom.
Abbey of the Redwoods’ Sea Goat Farmstand is a thriving micro-farm that strongly emphasizes the importance of supporting local and reducing food miles.
There’s no doubt about it; nutrient lockout sucks. In this article, Everest Fernandez helps us tackle the problem in recirculating hydroponics systems.
Do you want to get the most out of your mushroom harvest? Our easy guide offers tips for preserving mushrooms so you enjoy this heathy food longer.
Adam Clarke shares his experience of growing microgreens, small and fast-growing greens that pack a substantial nutritional load and grow quickly.
Everest Fernandez thinks Rockwool is special and wants you to love it, too. Here, he explores how this substrate rises above other soilless growing media.
You can grow mushrooms in many ways but need a starting material. Phil McIntosh walks us through spore syringes, what’s in them, and how they’re used.
Old seeds still want to sprout; they just might be dormant! Xavi Kief explains seed dormancy and how to wake them up for proper germination.
Gardening on a budget? Trying to be more eco-friendly? Rich Hamilton guides us through how to safely reuse growing media. Two birds, one stone!
If you’re growing mushrooms at home, it’s helpful to understand the life cycle of the species you desire. Philip McIntosh explains mushroom mating types.
Living on a hillside has its perks but can make gardening challenging! Anne Gibson guides us through building terrace gardens on sloping properties.
If you love harvesting food and want to be more self-sustainable, a food forest is for you. Marci Babineau writes about building a wild orchard garden.
Growing plants can be physically demanding, no matter the size of your garden. Marci Babineau writes about how a yoga practice can help you prepare and recover.
Home gardeners play a vital role in the fight against climate change and disappearing foods. Jennifer Cole tells us how we can bring back seeds from the past.
As wildfires burn, gardens thousands of miles away feel the effects. Smoke and ash can negatively impact our plants; here’s how to help them cope.
