Transcript andyhildaonly comp.ppt

Organic Farming
With A Disability
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Andy and Hilda Byrd
Whippoorwill Hollow Organic Farm
Overview
•Whippoorwill Hollow Organic Farm
Overview of our farm
• AgrAbility in GA
Our involvement with the AgrAbility in GA Program
• Organic Farming
What is organic farming, advantages for someone with a
disability, how to start an organic farm
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Who we are
Andy Byrd
Hilda Byrd
• Co-Owner of
Whippoorwill
Hollow Organic
Farm
• Co-Owner of
Whippoorwill
Hollow Organic
Farm
• Grew up in family’s
grocery business –
Byrd’s Grocery
• Youngest of 9 who
grew up in a
farming family.
What we did not
grow, we bought at
Byrd’s Grocery.
• Have always been
interested in
farming
• Peer Support
Coordinator for
AgrAbility in
Georgia
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Whippoorwill 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 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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Animals
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Greenhouse
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Agritourism
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Local Farmer’s Markets
Decatur Farmers’ Market
Wednesday 4-7pm
Morningside
Farmers’
Market
Saturday
8-11:30 am
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Restaurants
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Special Events
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Overview
• AgrAbility in GA
Our involvement with the AgrAbility in GA Program
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Organic Farm in GA
• Technical Assistance
Small Organic Farm Looking to Grow
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)
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Organic Farm in GA
• Technical Assistance
Assistance to help others visualize
expansion ideas for the farm
AgrAbility in GA Staff assists
with initial sketches
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Organic 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 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 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 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 GA
• Technical Assistance
Ability to do chores
independently on the farm
AgrAbility in GA staff are in process of developing
automated garden tools to be used for pruning.
Coit Custer from Maryland
AgrAbility comes to GA to
assist us. He brings
equipment for Andy to test
drive.
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.
Begins process with
Vocational Rehabilitation.
Currently working with VR
on driver rehabilitation.
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Overview
• 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?
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?
Environmental Factors
Health reasons
Tastes are optimized
Enjoyable, fulfilling lifestyle
Providing a source of food that makes people
healthier
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Advantages For Someone With a Disability
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
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How 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 Organizations
There are state and national organic organizations that have a lot of
information. Most have an annual conference.
Do your research
Use 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 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 forages
Research humane processing facilities available
Equipment:
Assess the type of farming equipment you will need for your operation.
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Resources
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: 541343-7600
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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Resources
Seeds:
Seeds of Change
Address: P.O. Box 15700
Santa Fe, NM 87506-5700
Phone: 1-888-762-7333
website: www.seedsofchange.com
Johnny’s Selected Seeds
Address: 955 Benton Avenue
Winslow, ME 04901
Phone: 207-861-3900
website: www.johnnyseeds.com
Peaceful Valley
Address: P.O. Box 2209
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Phone: 530-272-4769
website: www.groworganic.com
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Contact Information
Whippoorwill Hollow Organic Farm
3905 Highway 138
Covington, GA 30014
www.whippoorwillhollowfarm.com
[email protected]
678.625.3272
AgrAbility in GA- 1.877.524.6264
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Conclusion
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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