Three Springs Community Farm

Our farming practices include Biodynamic, Organic, and Permaculture methods. We give our deepest consideration to stewarding the land sustainably for all its inhabitants and beings. Seeing the farm itself as a living, self-contained being leads us to respect and support the varied landscapes at Three Springs Community Farm, including forests, meadows, wetlands and streams, rather than carving out as much farmland as possible. Producing as many inputs as we are able to on-site supports the being of the land to develop its own personality. Animals, both wild and domesticated, are an important part of this being, defining its boundaries, enlivening its fertility, and reducing fossil fuel derived inputs. From the birds that soar overhead, to the raccoons, foxes, possums, bobcats and coyotes that roam in the night, to the wood rats that build elaborate forest homes, we respect our wild inhabitants, while ensuring the safety of our domesticated stock with proper fencing and guardian animals. Rotational grazing of our herds using solar electric fencing ensures our pastures and orchards are fertilized and renewed. More carbon is sequestered in the earth through ideal grazing rates and animal density per area. Feeding the animals from the land, as opposed to buying in hay and feed, is a goal we will continuously work towards. Alternative feeds that store well, such as root vegetables, pumpkins and winter squash, will be combined with seeds such as corn, flax and sunflower, and farm-grown perennial and annual fodder to make balanced dry-season animal rations, while grazing provides for the bulk of the nutrition needed throughout the rest of the year. Providing our CSA community members with nutrient dense food filled with vital life forces, while maintaining the health of the land, is our primary farming goal. Our foundational farming practice is making compost on site from animal and farm waste, with regular applications of the Biodynamic compost preparations (yarrow, chamomile, dandelion, oak bark, nettle and valerian). Compost made from animal waste provides the intensive fertility needed for vegetable growing. The growth of vital and healthy crops is aided by applying the Biodynamic field sprays throughout the growing season (horn manure, horn silica and Equisetum sprays), as well as through applying high-quality, organic amendments such as Azomite (trace minerals and silica), oyster shell flour, and compost teas and ferments. Following the moon cycles in our farming activities ensures the ideal development of plants and crops. In farming we continuously take from the earth. This is simply a fact that cannot be denied. Biodynamic practices help to restore balance and vitality as we receive the earth’s bounty.

Bodega, California