Kachina Farms is a family-owned, Certified Organic farm that has been providing the Co-op with an amazing variety of fresh herbs and produce since 2010. Kevin and Melissa started the farm from the ground up, and have a wealth of knowledge about fresh herbs and how to use them. Their farm is very close by in Rincon, Georgia, which makes us lucky enough to be on the receiving end of their herbs and produce, straight from their greenhouses to our tables!
We posed the following questions to Kevin and Melissa so you could learn a little more about them, their products, and their farm.
When did you start farming?
In 2009 we built our first greenhouse to grow herbs for our own use and to experiment with a small business. In 2010 I was laid off from my municipal job and farming became my life.
What inspired you to farm using all-natural, sustainable methods?
We have always practiced organic methods in our own gardening. In the industry you can easily discover what residues and chemicals are in our food supply. Organic methodology incorporates a more natural approach to farming. This includes maintaining a healthy soil along with healthy plants. Becoming “Certified Organic” was just a matter of documenting all of our current practices.
What can you share with us about your products that we may not know?
Commercial farms are extremely large and do not allow for a hands on approach. Most farmers only see their crop from the inside of a large combine or tractor. Our farm is small enough to allow us to do weekly inspections of each plant. This lets us identify problems early and use natural methods to solve them.
What is the most challenging aspect of your work?
Timing. We always have to think about what we will grow two or three months in advance. This allows us to start our plants in our nursery and plant them when the weather conditions are right. Sometimes mother nature shows her power and brings a sudden cold snap. Plants that were growing vigorously are suddenly killed back.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your work?
There is something very satisfying about farming. You watch a patch of dirt spring to life and provide food that we can share with our customers.
Can you describe a typical day of work at your farm?
At 6am we hand water and inspect beds. Our herbs are hand watered because of the various moisture needs of so many different plant types. During this procedure, our plants listen to Rolling Stones, The Beatles along with a smattering of Kings of Leon. We spend allot of time weeding beds and seeding in the nursery. After that, it is onto fertilizing. Each greenhouse is fertilized once a week with worm castings or fish emulsion. Four days a week is spent harvesting for our customers. Sometime after all that we go home and cook dinner.
