Guiding Principles

As small-scale growers inspired by the principles of “slow farming” and “slow flowers,” we align our methods with the natural rhythms of the land and our lives. By observing and adapting to the ever-changing needs of our environment, we strive to make choices that sustain and enhance the farm’s ecological health for generations to come.

 

With this philosophy as our foundation, we are dedicated to the following:

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• Treat the soil as a living system, feeding it with compost, cover crops, mulch, and organic fertilizers. Techniques such as crop rotation and no-tillage practices keep the soil alive, thriving, and full of potential.

• Welcome the wild—birds, bees, butterflies, and all creatures that call this farm home—by cultivating an environment where biodiversity flourishes.

• Work with nature, not against it. Pest management relies on physical and biological methods, avoiding even organically certified pesticides because they can harm the balance of the ecosystem.

• Save seeds from plants that thrive on our land and support breeders committed to increasing genetic diversity and ensuring open access to these vital resources.

• Embrace our role as caretakers of this land. We employ conservation practices that protect soil, air, and water while fostering a reciprocal relationship: as we care for the land, it cares for us.

• Use energy mindfully, focusing on conservation and renewable sources whenever possible. As we move toward an all-electric operation, we seek agricultural models that are energetically self-sufficient, recognizing that sustainability cannot come at the cost of other ecosystems.

• Protect every inch of green space, seeing it not as empty land but as a vital refuge for life of all kinds—big, small, and even microscopic.

• Understand that true wealth isn’t always monetary. Slow farming offers rewards beyond measure: sharing flowers with our community, growing food for our table, and finding joy in meaningful work.

• Approach challenges as opportunities, each one an invitation to innovate, adapt, and grow more resilient.

• Create a farm that is more than a place—it’s a learning environment. By experimenting and sharing what we learn through conversations, writing, and workshops, we invite others to join us on this journey.

• See visitors as collaborators in our story, valuing relationships over transactions and building community through every interaction.

• Strive to be stewards not just of our farm but of the air, water, soil, and energy that sustains us all. Our focus on low-cost, low-tech systems ensures that what we learn and create can be easily replicated by home gardeners, community growers, and small farmers.

• Believe in the power of flowers to connect, inspire, and heal. They remind us to slow down, find beauty in each day, and recognize the interwoven threads of life that bind us all.

• Take time to notice the hum of bees, the growth of roots, and the changing light. These small moments carry the weight of purpose and joy.

• Live each day with gratitude for this land, this work, and the opportunity to make a difference—one small, thoughtful act at a time.

 

This manifesto is a reflection of our love for the land, our commitment to sustainable practices, and our belief in the power of connection. We aim to create a farm that inspires not only those who visit but also those who carry its lessons forward into their own lives.