Freetown Food Forest
Karlyn Fendya
New York
The Farm
Freetown Food Forest is a woman-owned and operated micro farm modeled after European market gardens. The farm grows a diverse range of annual and perennial crops. Nourishing people, improving soil health, and connecting community are the guiding principles of the farm.
Using intensive crop rotation, the farm grows all of its annual produce in 85 permanent beds that have a total growing area of about 1/2 acre, with perennial crops throughout the property. The farm grows over 40 different crops and well over 100 separate varieties. Our growing practices are both ecologically sound and designed with your health and safety in mind.
FFF is not certified organic; however, the farm's practices are of the highest standard, and are devised with the health of you, the soil, and the local habitat in mind. The farm does not use synthetic chemical herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers. Using minimal tillage, cover crops, crop rotation, mulch, and compost helps to preserve and enhance soil structure and health. Improving the soil improves the health and vigor of plants, allowing them to better take up nutrients and fend off pest and disease attacks. Supporting and protecting the local ecosystem keeps natural predators around to mitigate pest issues and further protect plants.
The Project Funded
With the For Farmers grant, Freetown Food Forest will purchase a Paper Pot Transplanter. This tool will help greatly reduce time spent transplanting beds and freeing up time for other activities. The farm already uses several time and labor saving tools such as a Jang seeder, Farmer's Friend greens harvester, and a farm-built vacuum seeder. All of these tools help to maximize time and effort so the farm can grow as much food as possible with limited space and just one solo farmer!
Project Impact
By receiving this grant and purchasing a transplanter, I will be able to streamline another process that is time consuming and back breaking. I farm alone, and so every task falls to me. The faster I can accomplish each task, and the less energy it takes from me, the more I have to give to other jobs. All the time and energy saved translates into more food for my community, and more sales outlets I can offer.
