www.farmagain.com organic farming with a disability andy and hilda byrd whippoorwill hollow organic...
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www.farmagain.com
Organic Farming With A Disability
Andy and Hilda Byrd
Whippoorwill Hollow Organic Farm
www.farmagain.com
OverviewOverview
•Whippoorwill Hollow Organic Farm
• AgrAbility in GA
• Organic Farming
Overview of our farm
Our involvement with the AgrAbility in GA Program
What is organic farming, advantages for someone with a disability, how to start an organic farm
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Who we areWho we are
Andy Byrd
• Co-Owner of Whippoorwill Hollow Organic Farm
• Grew up in family’s grocery business – Byrd’s Grocery
• Have always been interested in farming
Hilda Byrd
• Co-Owner of Whippoorwill Hollow Organic Farm
• Youngest of 9 who grew up in a farming family. What we did not grow, we bought at Byrd’s Grocery.
• Peer Support Coordinator for AgrAbility in Georgia
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Whippoorwill Hollow Organic FarmWhippoorwill Hollow Organic Farm
We bought the farm in November of 1997 in Walnut Grove, GA. It was overgrown and upon clearing it, we found crops that the previous owner had planted in the 80’s.
We started with a pick your own blueberry operation in 1999.
In 2002 we certified 10 acres and started an organic fruit/vegetable production.
Started a community supported agriculture 2006.
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Around the farmAround the farm
As the farm started developing, I decided to layout the vegetable area in 4x4 beds with a 2 foot walkway in between the rows.
In order for me to roll between the rows to observe the crops, I made a 3 foot walkway between every third row.
The soil in the walkways in put onto the rows forming the raised bed.
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AnimalsAnimals
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GreenhouseGreenhouse
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AgritourismAgritourism
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Local Farmer’s MarketsLocal Farmer’s Markets
Decatur Farmers’ MarketWednesday 4-7pm
Morningside Farmers’ Market
Saturday 8-11:30 am
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RestaurantsRestaurants
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Special EventsSpecial Events
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OverviewOverview
• AgrAbility in GA
Our involvement with the AgrAbility in GA Program
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Organic Farm in GAOrganic Farm in GA
• Technical Assistance
Assistance to help others visualize expansion ideas for the farm
Develop a realistic business plan to achieve growth expansion
Ability to do chores independently on the farm
(including administrative work)
Small Organic Farm Looking to Grow
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Organic Farm in GAOrganic Farm in GA• Technical Assistance
AgrAbility in GA Staff assists with initial sketches
Assistance to help others visualize expansion ideas for the farm
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Organic Farm in GAOrganic Farm in GA• Technical Assistance
Assistance to help others visualize
expansion ideas for the farm
Student selects farm as senior
project. Creates master design
for the farm
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Organic Farm in GAOrganic Farm in GA• Technical Assistance
Develop a feasible business plan to
achieve future growth expansion
Begins process of putting ideas into a
business plan. Starts determining cost of
future plans and prioritizes projects.
Works with AgrAbility Staff and UGA’s Small Business Development
Center.
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Organic Farm in GAOrganic Farm in GA• Technical Assistance
Ability to do chores independently on the farm
Receives training from Tech-Able (non-profit agency specializing in assistive technology in Conyers, GA) on using Dragon Dictate.
Enables Andy to answer e-mails for farm website and do some bookkeeping.
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Organic Farm in GAOrganic Farm in GA• Technical Assistance
Ability to do chores independently on the farm
Students at UGA and Community members volunteer to build and decorate raised flower beds. Beds are placed at a height for the Andy’s wheelchair.
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Organic Farm in GAOrganic Farm in GA• Technical Assistance
Ability to do chores independently on the farm
Coit Custer from Maryland AgrAbility comes to GA to assist us. He brings equipment for Andy to test drive.
Begins process with Vocational Rehabilitation. Currently working with VR on driver rehabilitation.
AgrAbility in GA staff are in process of developing automated garden tools to be used for pruning.
AgrAbility in GA staff use a combination of small scale garden tools with a StrongArm used for fishing to enable Andy to do tasks in raised garden beds.
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OverviewOverview
• Organic Farming
What is organic farming, advantages for someone with a disability, how to start an organic farm
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What is organic farming?What is organic farming?
Organic farming is growing fruits, vegetables, and other crops without relying on synthetic pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, or fertilizers.
Organic animal products and free range animals are produced and raised free of hormones and
antibiotics on organic land in a humane way.
This does not mean that you do not feed your soil and that you cannot control weeds or pests.
There are many natural ways to maintain your farm.
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Why Eat and Grow Organic?Why Eat and Grow Organic?
Environmental Factors
Health reasons
Tastes are optimized
Enjoyable, fulfilling lifestyle
Providing a source of food that makes people healthier
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Organic Production is growing 25% every year.
Equipment is not as large or expensive
Diversified Marketing (i.e. on the farm, local farmer’s markets, local restaurants, agri-tourism, internet, state, national, global) *to market as organic, certification is necessary
Niche Markets (flowers, lettuces, heirloom vegetables, etc.)
Value to product ratio is higher
Smaller acreage is good for accessibility and management
Advantages For Someone With a DisabilityAdvantages For Someone With a Disability
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How to start organic farmingHow to start organic farming
Find A Mentor Find someone who already has an organic farm. Try to volunteer at a farm or job shadow an organic farmer for a period of time.
Join Organic OrganizationsThere are state and national organic organizations that have a lot of information. Most have an annual conference.
Do your researchUse the web, talk to others, libraries, etc. to research organics
Work with a University, Extension and/or the Small Business Development Center to develop a business plan.Check feasibility of business idea and projected growth
Start Small Start with something you know and love … grow from there.
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How to start organic farmingHow to start organic farming
Land: The land for organic farming has to have no synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers applied to it for 3 years. You will need to determine the soil types on your farm by having a soil sample taken. This will establish which amendments the soil will need. Develop a crop rotation and cover crop plan.
Crops:Decide what crops you will grow and in what area of your farm.Decide what you market will be. Certified organic seeds and plants are required.
Animals:Research breeds that are good grazers (heritage breeds)Set up grazing areas for rotation.Select foragesResearch humane processing facilities available
Equipment: Assess the type of farming equipment you will need for your operation.
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ResourcesResources
Certifying Agencies (check your area) www.ams.usda.gov/nop/CertifyingAgents/Accredited.html
ORMI (Organic Materials Review Institute) Address: PO Box 1158 Eugene, OR 97440-3758 Phone: 541-343-7600 Email: [email protected] website: www.omri.org
Informative websites and magazines:
Georgia Organics- www.georgiaorganics.org
Acres USA- www.acresusa.com
Growing for Market- www.growingformarket.com
Mother Earth News- www.motherearthnews.com
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ResourcesResources
Seeds:
Seeds of Change Address: P.O. Box 15700 Santa Fe, NM 87506-5700 Phone: 1-888-762-7333 website: www.seedsofchange.com
Peaceful Valley Address: P.O. Box 2209 Grass Valley, CA 95945 Phone: 530-272-4769 website: www.groworganic.com
Johnny’s Selected Seeds Address: 955 Benton Avenue Winslow, ME 04901 Phone: 207-861-3900 website: www.johnnyseeds.com
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Contact InformationContact Information
Whippoorwill Hollow Organic Farm 3905 Highway 138
Covington, GA 30014
www.whippoorwillhollowfarm.com
678.625.3272
AgrAbility in GA- 1.877.524.6264
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ConclusionConclusion
The challenges of Farming with a Disability can be overcome by team work,
determination, special adaptations, and the desire to succeed!
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