Permaculture:
"Permaculture is a word we have coined for an integrated, evolving system of perennial and self perpetuating plant and animal species useful to man." -Bill Mollison & David Holmgren (inventors of the concept of permaculture). Permaculture involves using practices and species that nature has already proved practical and sustainable. Every part of a permaculture system works together; plants, animals, ideas, concepts, and humanity all interwoven like a basket.
Local and Sustainable:
This is the guiding principal behind the entire farm. The Markwith brothers believe that they can create a network within the community in order to provide the majority of produce to Gloucester County, from within Gloucester County. Once they prove it is possible, they will begin on their quest to fund and educate similar programs throughout the United States of America.
Community Support:
Markwith Farms will depend on community support, their dream would not be achievable without the backing of their peers. Support goes both ways though; Markwith farms will be very largely involved in the community. Field days, agri-tourism, seminars, and other educational endeavors will allow customers to know what it is that they are supporting and want to spread the word of the Farms good deeds.
Polyculture:
Going along with Permaculture, this term just means that there will be hundreds of species on the farm all interacting with each other. Diversity will be important not only in species, but also in cultivar choices within species. Markwith Farms hopes to one day harbor an extensive seed bank.
Organic:
Markwith Farms looks at this word under a higher lens then most; for them it means life in its purest form. Markwith farms will harness the power of Mother Nature without refining it and integrating it into a conventional system. The will leave her be and allow her to do what she does best: live and let live. The only entirely man made part of the system with be the drip line for water; Markwith Farms will be on the look out for drip line that is produced with renewable resources.
No-till top down soil building:
This is one of the most crucial (and most unconventional) practices of the Farm. Sure it looks nice to see a field full of freshly tilled dirt, but the benefits of tilling don’t extend far beyond that. Tilling destroys the soil structure, and brings the two things you want in your subsoil to the surface: beneficial bacteria and weed seeds
Integrated Pest Management:
This practice is another way to harvest the power of Mother Nature by careful planning. This will be achieved by planting plants that attract beneficial insects and repelling negative ones, providing nesting spots for insects like parasitic wasps, and visual and audial aids to deter larger animals. These practices will eliminate the need for chemical pesticides.
Beekeeping:
Honey bees are one of the most beautiful and amazing creatures on the planet and are also an integral part of a strong permaculture system. The more flowers that are pollinated, the more fruit and vegetables that will be produced. The also offer bonus products like honey and beeswax as well and are able to operate with little to no intervention.
Cover cropping:
If soil is left bare, nutrients will leach farther down through the soil until eventually it is to deep for the roots to reach. Cover cropping will eliminate this issue, by constantly having something growing on the soil, nutrients will be held where they are needed. When harvested, the cover crops can be left in place in order to act as a mulch.
Composting:
This will be Markwith Farms main source of nutrient additions. Anything living that is not eaten will be added to the compost pile and transformed into the rich dark soil remediator that will prove crucial to the farms soil. Customers will also be encouraged to bring in their kitchen scraps for the farms compost pile with discounted produce depending on the quantity of scraps they bring.
Drip irrigation:
By applying water directly where it is needed (to the soil) the farm will save loads of water and eliminate the disease issues related with overhead irrigation. Markwith Farms will be on the lookout for a way to provide sub-terrainian irrigation using sustainable materials, but for now, they will have to use a long lasting plastic strip.
Energy Practices:
Although reducing the carbon footprint of the food system is the Farms main goal, they also hope to offset by using sustainable energy resources. They intend to invest in the normal green energy infrastructure like solar, wind, and possibly hydro. They also have a few unconventional renewable energy resources ideas they hope to experiment.
"Permaculture is a word we have coined for an integrated, evolving system of perennial and self perpetuating plant and animal species useful to man." -Bill Mollison & David Holmgren (inventors of the concept of permaculture). Permaculture involves using practices and species that nature has already proved practical and sustainable. Every part of a permaculture system works together; plants, animals, ideas, concepts, and humanity all interwoven like a basket.
Local and Sustainable:
This is the guiding principal behind the entire farm. The Markwith brothers believe that they can create a network within the community in order to provide the majority of produce to Gloucester County, from within Gloucester County. Once they prove it is possible, they will begin on their quest to fund and educate similar programs throughout the United States of America.
Community Support:
Markwith Farms will depend on community support, their dream would not be achievable without the backing of their peers. Support goes both ways though; Markwith farms will be very largely involved in the community. Field days, agri-tourism, seminars, and other educational endeavors will allow customers to know what it is that they are supporting and want to spread the word of the Farms good deeds.
Polyculture:
Going along with Permaculture, this term just means that there will be hundreds of species on the farm all interacting with each other. Diversity will be important not only in species, but also in cultivar choices within species. Markwith Farms hopes to one day harbor an extensive seed bank.
Organic:
Markwith Farms looks at this word under a higher lens then most; for them it means life in its purest form. Markwith farms will harness the power of Mother Nature without refining it and integrating it into a conventional system. The will leave her be and allow her to do what she does best: live and let live. The only entirely man made part of the system with be the drip line for water; Markwith Farms will be on the look out for drip line that is produced with renewable resources.
No-till top down soil building:
This is one of the most crucial (and most unconventional) practices of the Farm. Sure it looks nice to see a field full of freshly tilled dirt, but the benefits of tilling don’t extend far beyond that. Tilling destroys the soil structure, and brings the two things you want in your subsoil to the surface: beneficial bacteria and weed seeds
Integrated Pest Management:
This practice is another way to harvest the power of Mother Nature by careful planning. This will be achieved by planting plants that attract beneficial insects and repelling negative ones, providing nesting spots for insects like parasitic wasps, and visual and audial aids to deter larger animals. These practices will eliminate the need for chemical pesticides.
Beekeeping:
Honey bees are one of the most beautiful and amazing creatures on the planet and are also an integral part of a strong permaculture system. The more flowers that are pollinated, the more fruit and vegetables that will be produced. The also offer bonus products like honey and beeswax as well and are able to operate with little to no intervention.
Cover cropping:
If soil is left bare, nutrients will leach farther down through the soil until eventually it is to deep for the roots to reach. Cover cropping will eliminate this issue, by constantly having something growing on the soil, nutrients will be held where they are needed. When harvested, the cover crops can be left in place in order to act as a mulch.
Composting:
This will be Markwith Farms main source of nutrient additions. Anything living that is not eaten will be added to the compost pile and transformed into the rich dark soil remediator that will prove crucial to the farms soil. Customers will also be encouraged to bring in their kitchen scraps for the farms compost pile with discounted produce depending on the quantity of scraps they bring.
Drip irrigation:
By applying water directly where it is needed (to the soil) the farm will save loads of water and eliminate the disease issues related with overhead irrigation. Markwith Farms will be on the lookout for a way to provide sub-terrainian irrigation using sustainable materials, but for now, they will have to use a long lasting plastic strip.
Energy Practices:
Although reducing the carbon footprint of the food system is the Farms main goal, they also hope to offset by using sustainable energy resources. They intend to invest in the normal green energy infrastructure like solar, wind, and possibly hydro. They also have a few unconventional renewable energy resources ideas they hope to experiment.