Organic Farming With A Disability

1. Organic Farming With A Disability Andy and Hilda Byrd Whippoorwill Hollow Organic Farm

2. 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 www.farmagain.com

3. Who we are • Andy Byrd • Co-Owner of Whippoorwill Hollow Organic Farm • Grew up in family’s grocery business – Byrd’s Grocery • Have always been interested in farming • Hilda Byrd • Co-Owner of Whippoorwill Hollow Organic Farm • Youngest of 9 who grew up in a farming family. What we did not grow, we bought at Byrd’s Grocery. • Peer Support Coordinator for AgrAbility in Georgia www.farmagain.com

4. 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. www.farmagain.com

5. 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. www.farmagain.com

6. Animals www.farmagain.com

7. Greenhouse www.farmagain.com

8. Agritourism www.farmagain.com

9. Local Farmer’s Markets Decatur Farmers’ Market Wednesday 4-7pm Morningside Farmers’ Market Saturday 8-11:30 am www.farmagain.com

10. Restaurants www.farmagain.com

11. Special Events www.farmagain.com

12. Overview • AgrAbility in GA Our involvement with the AgrAbility in GA Program www.farmagain.com

13. 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) www.farmagain.com

14. Organic Farm in GA • Technical Assistance Assistance to help others visualize expansion ideas for the farm AgrAbility in GA Staff assists with initial sketches www.farmagain.com

15. 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 www.farmagain.com

16. 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. www.farmagain.com

17. 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. www.farmagain.com

18. 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. www.farmagain.com

19. 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. Begins process with Vocational Rehabilitation. Currently working with VR on driver rehabilitation. 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. www.farmagain.com

20. Overview • Organic Farming What is organic farming, advantages for someone with a disability, how to start an organic farm www.farmagain.com

21. 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. www.farmagain.com

22. Why Eat and Grow Organic? Environmental Factors Health reasons Tastes are optimized Enjoyable, fulfilling lifestyle Providing a source of food that makes people healthier www.farmagain.com

23. 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 www.farmagain.com

24. 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. www.farmagain.com

25. 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. www.farmagain.com

26. 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: 541-343-7600 Email: infor@omri.org 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 www.farmagain.com

27. Resources Seeds: Seeds of Change Address: P.O. Box 15700 Santa Fe, NM 87506-5700 Phone: 1-888-762-7333 website: www.seedsofchange.com Peaceful Valley Address: P.O. Box 2209 Grass Valley, CA 95945 Phone: 530-272-4769 website: www.groworganic.com Johnny’s Selected Seeds Address: 955 Benton Avenue Winslow, ME 04901 Phone: 207-861-3900 website: www.johnnyseeds.com www.farmagain.com

28. Contact Information Whippoorwill Hollow Organic Farm 3905 Highway 138 Covington, GA 30014 www.whippoorwillhollowfarm.com whippoorwillholf@bellsouth.net 678.625.3272 AgrAbility in GA- 1.877.524.6264 www.farmagain.com

29. Conclusion The challenges of Farming with a Disability can be overcome by team work, determination, special adaptations, and the desire to succeed! www.farmagain.com

30. Thank You !