Farming for Our Future

Story and photos by Andrea Haines

The world can look pretty large when viewed from the eyes of a child; imagination and promise of a prosperous future can inspire one’s heart and mind. When Levi Sellers of Boonsboro, Maryland, set foot in “the land” of Epcot at one of Disney World’s theme parks, he witnessed a glimpse into what was promoted as the “future of agriculture” on a tour exposing plants connected to fish tanks. It wasn’t until Levi reached his twenties that he realized that particular “future” hadn’t happened yet, and quickly got to work.

Family owned and operated, South Mountain MicroFARM is the world’s first of its kind, growing leafy-green produce and cannabis for hemp production, all in an aquaponics system with fish-providing nutrients. “We have all seen or heard a shift of focus from mass-production breweries to microbreweries nationwide,” explains Levi. “The same shift is occurring within our food industry as well.” The theory behind micro-farming is to do more with less while protecting biodiversity, limited resources, rural communities, and individuals’ health.

Growing up on his family’s bison farm, his love for agriculture inspired a desire to learn more about his interests of sustainable farming, aquaponics, and controlled-environment agriculture. “I had the chance to help some friends start a hydroponic store in Colorado and leapt at the opportunity,” he explains. “It was there I learned where nutrients for hydroponic production came from (mined and manufactured, sometimes petroleum-based), and had a desire to find a way that this method of cultivation could be performed more organically.”

Levi soon figured out the concepts of aquaponics, realizing his passion for a career in the “future of agriculture”. Armed with a certificate in Controlled Environment Agriculture and Aquaponics Systems from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, I felt I was prepared to pursue my dream,” shares Levi. “After five years of pitching the idea to my parents, Mark and Billie Jo Sellers, and the sale of my family’s recycling business, we all decided to take on the project together.” Levi had been working on the aquaponics project for 14 years in planning, but their facility has been operational for the past six years.

His parents’ support, combined with the financial backing from Farm Credit, gave Levi the opportunity to build greenhouses and elevate production. “Farm Credit has helped us receive the funding we needed to make this project happen from the beginning,” he shares. “Through the Farmers on the Rise Award, we are able to begin the process of our vertical expansion, allowing us to reach a broader market with our health-promoting products.”

Levi’s parents help with the operation on a daily basis. Billie Jo handles the customer service part of taking orders, inventory control, and bookkeeping. Mark, when he’s not working fulltime elsewhere, helps with maintenance of the equipment and construction for new projects. “Besides contracting the build of our greenhouse, my father and I built all of the cultivation systems within the structure. I could not have done it without their help,” he states. A family tradition he and his “better half” Brittany are already instilling in their fiveyear-old daughter, Sedona, is including her in the process of farming. “She loves learning about the fish and helps with small daily chores,” he shares.

Farm Credit loan officer Kelli Wilson has worked with Levi and his family for years. “We initially worked with Kelli on another farm project, and she has been wonderful. We chose Farm Credit because they understand the needs of farmers and the value farmers add to the community,” says Levi. Kelli shares, “There was not a lot of information about aquaponics systems at that initial timeframe. Farm Credit did a lot of research, but it really came down to the Sellers providing us with an excellent business plan.

The plan has been to, “provide the highest quality products to improve not only the health of our customers, but also the community and eco-systems that surround us,” notes Levi. “Due to the organic source of nutrients (fish), we are able to provide a more nutrient-dense product that, without the use of harmful chemical fertilizers and pesticides, could help the customer achieve health and wellness.”

The crops take up the converted nutrients, allowing them to grow while cleaning the water for the fish. This all occurs in a closed-loop system and the water cleaned by the plants is returned to the fish, full circle. Levi’s plan has been to provide leafy greens to consumers, a highdemand food source. They are also farming and harvesting a variety of fish called Tilapia. “Our products are sold hyper-local to preserve the freshness and quality,” he shares. “Local grocers, markets, restaurants, and home delivery services are our main outlets for our products.”

As they expand their production system, they are incorporating multi-layer vertical rack systems with the $10,000 award from Farm Credit. “Over the past few years, we have researched this system design in our greenhouse facility and have found that it allows us to increase our production in a smaller square footprint,” shares Levi. “By incorporating horticultural LED technology and control from Scynce LED, we are able to be even more efficient with our vertical production.” This technology allows the plants to grow with richer colors and more density.

Levi not only leads the family-run business, but is an innovator in this field of interest as a researcher and voice for microfarm operations. “For the past two years, I have been a voice for small farm operations and hemp producers while serving as a representative on the Maryland Agriculture Commission, which I was appointed to by Governor Larry Hogan,” he shares. “Over this time, I have also testified against several bills that were aimed at limiting ‘the right to farm’ in the state, and have been an advising member of the Maryland Hemp Coalition.” Levi has also mentored interns on their farm, sharing sustainable and regenerative practices. “Currently, I am waiting to hear if a research proposal I have submitted to the Northeastern SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) has been accepted,” he notes. “This will allow me to further investigate how the benefits of the diverse microbiome from aquaponics could have on soil fertility and health for hemp production.”

Levi hopes to be able to share this information with other farmers in the region to help them implement this technique to improve the sustainability of farm operations and provide another option for fertilization over chemical-based fertilizers that are seeing an elevation in price. “As we grow our business, we plan on continuing our relationship with Farm Credit and look forward to developing that relationship further,” shares Levi.

Why is Levi a farmer on the rise?

“He is on the cutting edge of technology and is happy and excited to share their work with others. He does an excellent job of educating consumers on how and where their food is produced. He is truly an ag advocate — I’m proud to be a part of the family’s journey.”

—Kelli Wilson, Farm Credit loan officer

Learn more at southmtnmicrofarm.com and visit them on Facebook: @SouthMountainMicroFARM and Instagram: @south_mtn_microfarm