Laura Davis farms about two-and-a-quarter acres of vegetables at Long Life Farm in suburban Hopkinton, Massachusetts, with her husband, Donald Sutherland. Laura started farming after she was laid off from her 30-year career in the medical device business, and she and Donald farm full time, selling their produce to a CSA and two farmers markets.
Laura was attracted for farming through a passion for soil science, and has put a lot of effort into re-mineralizing her soils. We discuss her approach to improving the soil in order to improve her crops, and the reduced insect and disease pressure she’s seen on her farm as a result. Laura also shares her experience with a recent foray into no-till production.
Laura is also an organic certification inspector, and we discuss the ways that being a certified organic farm from very early on fit into Long Life Farm’s business strategy. Laura shares her tips for record-keeping and staying in your certification agency’s – and your inspector’s – good graces.
Laura was attracted for farming through a passion for soil science, and has put a lot of effort into re-mineralizing her soils. We discuss her approach to improving the soil in order to improve her crops, and the reduced insect and disease pressure she’s seen on her farm as a result. Laura also shares her experience with a recent foray into no-till production.
Laura is also an organic certification inspector, and we discuss the ways that being a certified organic farm from very early on fit into Long Life Farm’s business strategy. Laura shares her tips for record-keeping and staying in your certification agency’s – and your inspector’s – good graces.
Sponsors
Vermont Compost Company: Founded by organic crop growing professionals committed to meeting the need for high-quality composts and compost-based, living soil mixes for certified organic plant production.
BCS America: BCS two-wheel tractors are versatile, maneuverable in tight spaces, light-weight for less compaction, and easy to maintain and repair on farm. Gear-driven and built to last for decades of dependable service on your farm or market garden.
Farmers Web: Making it simple for farms, farm cooperatives, and local food artisans to streamline working with wholesale buyers. Lessening the administrative work that comes with each order helps producers create a more successful relationship with their buyers and can help them work with more buyers overall.
BCS America: BCS two-wheel tractors are versatile, maneuverable in tight spaces, light-weight for less compaction, and easy to maintain and repair on farm. Gear-driven and built to last for decades of dependable service on your farm or market garden.
Farmers Web: Making it simple for farms, farm cooperatives, and local food artisans to streamline working with wholesale buyers. Lessening the administrative work that comes with each order helps producers create a more successful relationship with their buyers and can help them work with more buyers overall.
Quotes from the Show
Soil science really was, for me, an eye-opening experience, because it's something that we don't know a lot about. We’re flying to the moon, but we don't know more than 5% to 10% of what we should know about our soils.
Seeing the USDA organic label on our sign, definitely gave people confidence in the fact that they could trust us to feed their family. That was very important as brand new farmers.
Seeing the USDA organic label on our sign, definitely gave people confidence in the fact that they could trust us to feed their family. That was very important as brand new farmers.
Show Links
Laura referenced her adherence to the Albrecht model of soil health and nutrition.
Long Life Farm uses a brix refractometer to evaluate the effectiveness of their soils program and the health of their plants.
Laura is particularly fond of the collinear hoe from Johnny’s Selected Seeds.
Laura received her organic certification inspector training through IOIA – the International Organic Inspectors Association.
Laura is the president of the board of directors for the Massachusetts chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA-MASS).
Laura is a big fan of U-Mass Extension’s Vegetable Notes, a newsletter about what’s happening in the world of vegetable crops in Massachusetts.
Long Life Farm uses a brix refractometer to evaluate the effectiveness of their soils program and the health of their plants.
Laura is particularly fond of the collinear hoe from Johnny’s Selected Seeds.
Laura received her organic certification inspector training through IOIA – the International Organic Inspectors Association.
Laura is the president of the board of directors for the Massachusetts chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA-MASS).
Laura is a big fan of U-Mass Extension’s Vegetable Notes, a newsletter about what’s happening in the world of vegetable crops in Massachusetts.
Transcript
The transcript for this episode is brought to you byEarth Tools, offering the most complete selection of walk-behind farming equipment and high-quality garden tools in North America; and byRock Dust Local, the first company in North America specializing in local sourcing and delivery of the BEST rock dusts and biochar for organic farming. And byLocal Food Marketplace, providing an integrated, scalable solution for farms and food hubs to process customer orders – including online ordering, harvesting, packing, delivery, invoicing and payment processing. Additional funding for transcripts provided byNorth Central SARE, providing grants and education to advance innovations in Sustainable Agriculture.
