Know Your Farmer: Shakefork Community Farm Zoë Ziegler
stereotypes is so important. Women are the fastest growing sector of agriculture Kevin and Melanie Cunninham began currently, as well as people of color. And farming in Carlotta in 2009, in Northern next is challenging the idea that farmers California’s Van Duzen River valley. After are inherently going to be poor.” New many challenges and lessons-learned, farmers need to know that they can make Shakefork now has a bountiful oxen-powered a solid living. In regard to the market for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm fresh products, Kevin said, “there's farm as well as produce, broilers, eggs, beef, plenty of room because we're barely and turkey for the farmers’ market. meeting demand.” The competition is Under the guide of Holistic not between farmers, but is with larger Management – a framework for managing corporate food systems, and there is complexity on rangeland – they run three much opportunity for growth through operations: pastured livestock, produce, local economies. and composting, the last of which Kevin Kevin and Melanie both agree that said is a business in and of itself. “We believe the work is hard and requires a high that there is no agriculture without animal stress threshold, but with that challenge agriculture,” Melanie added. “In some way, comes flexibility, creative outlets, access you're going to involve animals, whether to quality food, and an active and outdoor you're raising them or not. We were both lifestyle. “I have so many interests,” said very motivated to forge this path to deeper Melanie. “But in farming, you get to hold sustainability, so part of that is having Shakefork Community Farm family: Kevin, Melanie, and son, Clyde. Photo: Geri Cuningham. space for the intersection of all these control over fertility.” By utilizing animal different [interests]. We're starting to be chains were disrupted by the pandemic, building waste and minimizing inputs to sawdust from a local middle aged, like, not the new kids on the block, relationships with local producers has become more mill, hay, and mineral amendments, they operate a [but] I still feel fairly fresh. There's still so much to relevant and urgent. mostly closed loop. learn.” The increase in interest by local consumers is Their grazing regime also impacts the ecology of Both seemed hopeful for the sustained interest mirrored by a continued upward trend in regenerative their rangeland. “Moving large ruminants on grass is in regenerative agriculture and local food systems. farming, locally and nationally. “We're seeing more the most ecologically friendly thing that I've done in Melanie reflected, “Maybe we're overly optimistic, of these [regenerative] practices,” said Kevin. “Maybe my life,” Kevin said. Using regenerative techniques, but I think that's a trait that you have to possess as not necessarily because they're great for carbon a succession of large ruminants (cattle, sheep...) a farmer. sequestration, but because it works, and it affects is followed by chickens, which spread manure and Looking toward the upcoming season, Kevin and the bottom line.” Farmers are seeing that improving feed on weeds and pests. Kevin and Melanie greatly Melanie hope for bountiful produce harvests. Due to the feed quality of their own fields saves them money improved the diversity of perennial grasses and saw the impending drought, though, they are preparing on hay and contributes to the sustainability of their increases in wildlife like snakes, birds, and insects. to reduce animal numbers for the first time, as less business. “The small market gardeners have always Additionally, they have expanded their stock yearly, water means less grass feed. Still, as daily county been innovative,” said Kevin. “But getting more of the on the same footprint of land, and constantly evolve COVID cases decline, both are hopeful to resume traditional animal agriculture on board is happening. their operation to ‘farm smarter’. relationship building with their community. Melanie Still, it could happen faster.” Like some small farms that use organic practices, is excited to see more joy amongst their customers, Indeed, with the climate crisis intensifying, and Shakefork farm is not actually certified organic, but and Kevin is eager to start farm tours again. “We the benefits of regenerative farming being proven “instead of certifying, we've chosen transparency,” pretty much have an open door policy,” he said. “If repeatedly across the nation, the transition is said Melanie. They believe that forging relationships people want to come and see what we're doing, they imminent. “It won't happen unless it has to, but we with your farmers is crucial to raising the collective are always welcome.” can hope that it has to,” Melanie said. “It's the only agricultural IQ and understanding our food systems kind of agriculture that will feed us. But it will require better. During the past year, as many supply more farmers.” Melanie and Kevin encourage new farmers to start small, and lease land first, but they also recognize the need to remove legal roadblocks, like ending the ban of on-farm butchering, to make farming more profitable. “If we want resilient food By Joel Mielke systems,” Melanie said. “We need people like us that are doing it professionally. If you can't make money doing it, you may burn out.” We also need to change the dominant stereotypes. Kevin remarked, “You say the word farmer, and usually the image that's going to pop up in your head will be predominantly male, predominantly Kevin and Melanie working with oxen, Joseph and Earl. white, and poor. Right? So, challenging those three
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Photo source: www.shakeforkcommunityfarm.com
ECONEWS JUNE 2021
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