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.