Cultivating agroecological reciprocity in Appalachia

The Gardens

We grow a dense yet diverse number of vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers in an organic no-till system that we began building in 2020 to replace the pre-existing lawn. We utilize drip irrigation, rain water catchment, and natural fertilizer sources to promote the long-term integrity of the soil and natural resources. Our lot is 0.25 acres tucked into an area directly between the city center and nearly 200 acres of conservation land.

In 2021 we spent the year farming at a beginning farmer incubator where we learned a great deal about intensive production. View the report.

Soil Health

One of the hopes for our urban homestead is that it can illustrate how possible it is to be self-sufficient on very little land. One of the ways that we achieve this is by prioritizing biologically-rich, naturally regenerating soil. We do this through both our practices but also by how we amend the soil and feed the plants.

The Apiary

We have a small hive yard where we keep our honey bees using traditional langstroth hives. In Spring of 2023, after a few years of classes, endless reading and studying, we purchased our first nuc. They are the perfect addition to the homestead, bringing both beauty and endless intrigue. This season our primary focus is on supporting overall colony health and vitality as they prepare for winter.

The Covey

We have a free-to-forage 'quaviary' where our covey enjoy life in a more natural habitat than what is customary when raising coturnix. They contribute manure, eggs, and enjoyment to the homestead. They are an excellent urban poultry option as they are small, quiet, and less messy than chickens when managed intentionally. Our Jumbo Brown Quail are of the James Marie Farm bloodline that we hatched ourselves. We intentionally chose this bloodline because of their gentle disposition and resilient genetics.

In the Kitchen

The best part of homesteading is what we're able to make out of all the effort that goes into growing high quality ingredients. Homesteading is the perfect companion to homemaking (which, call me old-fashioned, I'm quite fond of) because you're able to use the freshest, raw ingredients straight out of your own rich soil to make the most beautifully nourishing foods. When you invoke your own creative talents to make the things you want or need the appeal of mass commerce fails to make any sense at all.

In the Home

The garden is rich in beautifully healing and comforting materials that we transform into things for ourselves and our home. The process of planting, cultivating, harvesting, and processing is just as valuable to our well-being as the end product. There's more than enough abundance available for us while leaving the majority in the garden for the insects and wildlife that need it as much as we do. Some of our favorite medicinal plants are lavender, comfrey, nettle, calendula, elderberry, lemon balm, rosemary, oregano, sage, echinacea, plantain, and violet.