Last week we joined KnowYourFarms.com, which the Charlotte Observer describes as "a winter food club that acts sort of like a co-op and sort of like a local-food taxi service". This wonderful service connects small farmers who are committed to the sustainable production of real food within 50 miles of the greater Charlotte area and individuals and families who want locally-produced food during the fall, winter, and spring. Christy Shi, founder of this local food buying club, sent us a questionnaire so we can be added to their website's farm profiles page. Below are the questions and answers to help you get to Know Your Farm.

How long have you been farming? July 2, 2008 marked the 30th anniversary for Windcrest Farm. We began the greenhouse operation in 2004.

How did your farm get named? The day I bought the farm was rather breezy and the name just came to me.

Why do you farm? From the time I was a young child I have loved digging in the dirt. It nurtures me and in turn I produce plants and experiences that nurture other people.

Do you farm full-time? I farm full-time and help with my husband's general contracting construction company part-time.

How do you supply your farm labor? I am the only full-time farm labor and I am blessed with help from my husband Ray (a.k.a. MacGyver), our family, many farm friends, volunteers and working students who help on a part-time basis.

What is special about your farm? At Windcrest Farm we can offer fresh seasonal produce all year with our season extension hoop houses. We are one of only three certified organic greenhouses in North Carolina that grows heirloom organic vegetable, herb and flower transplants for home and other organic market growers. Our workshops and Farm Days give our customers an opportunity to see and learn how food is grown. The farm's diversification is an example of how small farms have operated for centuries. Our farm is a collection of recycled materials plus ingenuity.  For example, our 2 hoop houses and greenhouse were reclaimed and rebuild at our farm and our greenhouse benches are constructed from discarded ATV metal shipping crates; our germination chamber is a recycled freezer and the raised planting bed shaper was crafted out of an old bush hog mower frame.
 
What certifications / honors / awards have you or your farm received? I am a licensed General Contractor in NC and SC. Windcrest Farm is USDA Organic Certified and a NC Certified Nursery.

What is your long-term vision for your farm? We want to continue to grow our educational program as we grow our field, hoop house and greenhouse production. We have worked with a national youth camp program and a local private school to educate young people about sustainable agriculture through hands-on learning. Our adult students have included patio gardeners, aspiring market gardeners, NC Master Gardeners and chefs-in-training. We will continue to grow Windcrest Farm as a model and a resource for small sustainable food production.

What practices do you use to control pests, disease and weeds on your farm? As a certified organic farm, we use an integrated pest management system that is built on the principle of "know thy friends and foes". By understanding the lifecycles of pests and natural enemies, disease conditions, and weed propagation and by keeping ever observant, we use crop rotation, provide habitats for beneficial insects and pollinators, plant trap crops and use mechanical and biological controls to control pests, diseases and weeds.

What do you use to rejuvenate soil to keep it healthy and fertile? An old Chinese proverb says the best fertilizer for the land is the footprint of the farmer. We use a lot of footsteps to monitor how our fields are doing, plant cover crops (green manure) and spread on-farm produced compost to keep our soil healthy and fertile. We incorporate natural fertilizers, mineral supplements, biodynamic preparations and periods of rest into our soil management plan.

What are your thoughts about growing organically? I have followed the spirit, principles and practices of organic growing beginning with a purchase of J.I. Rodale's "Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening" in 1975. Today, I feel that the focus should be on "sustainable agriculture" of which "organic" is one part. Sustainable agriculture is local agriculture that nurtures the earth, the farmer and the community. Unfortunately in this day and time, not all organic items are produced through these sustainable principles.  We decided to become USDA Organic Certified despite the heavy overhead burden of paperwork and some of the controversies because even in a local market we cannot always be personally in front of our customers to tell our story. The USDA Organic seal gives our customer a level of assurance that our product meets a standard of production. We have always felt that organically grown food provides more nutrition and science is now proving that to be true.