Our farming practices
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We grow everything according to the USDA organic standards. The word "organic" is a legal term controlled by the USDA and requires third party verification of our growing practices to use it. The regulations require the land to be managed organically for three years before a certification may be issued. During these three years of organic management, we are called "transitional organic." We are in the final months of this transition and hope to be certified this year! What is Organic? Organic farming is a whole system approach to producing food. We consider the effect of our farming practices on the land, the food, the local community and the wider environment (including Tumbling Shoals Creek!). Here at Tumbling Shoals Farm we focus on building healthy soils for healthy plants, encouraging biodiversity on the farm, natural plant nutrition, natural pest management through crop rotation, diversity and natural pest enemies.
The most common question we get is "what do you do about the bugs?" In our organic system, we try to maintain a balance that keeps pest popuulations at a minimum. Organic is not simply substituting organic sprays for conventional sprays, but rather preventing problems by promoting the health and balance of the whole system.
Integrity is a large part of our farm system and we try to be as transparent as possible when it comes to how we grow your food. Come out to the farm and see how we do it! Also feel free to contact us with any questions, comments or concerns you might have.
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