Michigan Farms

We're finishing up a few rest days in the big city of Chicago, but I wanted to be sure to post about the farms we visited while we were still in mainland Michigan. We loved Michigan, and a big part of that for me was seeing so much food production as we pedaled.

Michigan is a big food crop state; it ranks #1 in the nation in blueberry and pickling cucumber production, #2 in squash, celery, and fresh market carrots, and #3 in apples and asparagus. We saw fields and fields of squash, passed by quite a few asparagus fields (in the fern stage- we were a bit late in the season for asparagus), and saw plenty of berry and tree fruit farms.

The farms we stopped at, though, were a different sort all together. 

Daybreak Dream Farm: East Jordan, MI

Daybreak Dreamfarm is in its first season, run by my friends Kelly and Patrick. I did trail work with Kelly through an AmeriCorps program in 2011, based out of Washington state. Kelly and Patrick are enthusiastic about growing real, fresh food in a sustainable way, and they've hit the ground running in their first season: they have 2 high tunnels, a patch of cut flowers, a fenced in area with a whole slew of vegetables, a flock of chickens and ducks, and a vision for expansion in the coming season.

Indigo Cherry tomatoes in one of the high tunnels

Densely planted lettuce looking quite happy after a morning rain

It was chilly and rainy the evening and following morning when we were at their farm, so I didn't walk away with my usual cache of pictures. I was excited to see all of the work my friends have done in the one short year they've been on their land, and excited to hear how happy they are to be doing what they're passionate about. They have their hands full right now, but are already talking about what areas of their land will come into production next year. This year, they sold their produce and eggs at the Boyne City and Harbor Springs markets, both twice a week. We'll see what they get up to next year! It was such a pleasure to reconnect with them and hear about everything that goes along with starting a farm.

Groundswell Community Farm: Zeeland, MI

We biked up to Groundswell Community Farm as a handful of employees were leaving for the day, chatting, smiling and with vegetables in hand. Katie and Tom, co-owners of this 7-acre farm, have been on this muck soil (very high organic matter) land for about a decade, growing veggies for a 160-member CSA and a few farmers' markets.

Beets! Nice for their greens and their taproot

Left to right: high tunnel, brassicas, alliums

​They grow an incredible variety of vegetables here (for instance, they grow ~25 varieties of peppers and over 40 varieties of tomatoes!) and prioritize sustainable practices, healthy soil, and well-compensated farm employees. 

One new thing this year: sweet potatoes in their high tunnel (a passively-heated covered structure, as seen in the picture above). Sweet potatoes need a long, hot growing season, so they're interested to see if a high tunnel gives enough additional heat compared to bare ground outside. 

Brussels sprouts- the farm crew chopped off the top of the plant and stripped the lower leaves to channel the majority of the plant's energy toward producing the lovely, big brussels sprouts we know and love.

No plastic trays! They have a special tool they pack potting soil into that pops out these bricks, pre-dimpled and ready for seeds, diminishing their consumption of plastic.

Katie, during the pre-show farm tour, explaining their use of reusable weed cloth instead of one-time-use plastic mulch. It reduces weeding and can be used many years in a row.

Kale, looking more like palm trees after multiple pickings of lower leaves

Paul had a quintessential farm setting for the show. The recumbents fit right in...

Green Wagon Farm: Ada, MI

What does Groundswell Community Farm grow besides produce? Farmers! 

Chad, co-owner of Green Wagon Farm, worked at Groundswell Community Farm years ago before deciding to start his own farm. Though he and Heather have been growing and selling produce since 2010, this is only their 2nd year on their current 20-acres.

Baby kale plants- so cute!

The farm is well thought-out and tidy, as was obvious during the pre-show farm tour. Heather and a couple farm employees led us around the farm, explaining practices and answering questions from CSA members, friends, and other folks who joined the fun. It's obvious that sustainability is of utmost importance to them, and that they truly care for their land, employees, and food!

Heather, Chad and the farm employees start their work day with a delicious shared breakfast, courtesy of Heather, who also happens to be a trained chef. Quite a few of their employees have spent two or even three seasons working on the farm, and I'm sure the wonderful cooking helps with their retention rates. A new dish to me: sautéed radishes in cayenne and honey. Radishes will never be the same.

Between the crop rows, a living mulch of oats and clover protects the soil, fixes nitrogen, and keeps down the weed pressure. Frequent mowing keeps the living mulch in check.

Modified bikes: two-person, pedal-powered weeder! Lie on your stomach on the board, put your feet on the pedals (or the ground), look down, pull weeds.

Modified bikes: hand carts to transfer veggies from field to wash station or storage.

Beautiful evening for a farm show

As a backdrop, the outdoor wash station, attached to the barn. A work in progress, but pretty amazing to already have this structure in the second season on this land!

A wonderful group of folks came out to the show- we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!

We said goodbye to Michigan a few days ago and are now leaving the Chicago area behind. We'll miss Michigan, but are excited to see what Illinois has in store for us! We'll let you know soon.

Jen Tillman