FERGUSON – Local, organic farm school, EarthDance Farms, is beginning its 11th season of providing local restaurants, farmers markets, and schools with organically grown greens while teaching the community about growing their own food.
“Small scale farming is becoming a hot topic,” Jena Hood, assistant farm manager for EarthDance, said. “This farm is situated on the longest running farmland that is chemical free, west of the Mississippi.”
Originally established in 1883, the farmland belonged to three generations of the Mueller Family. In 2008, the farm began its first year of operation.
EarthDance currently provides to various local restaurants, SLU, the Ferguson-Florissant School District, Ferguson Farmers Market, and Tower Grove Farmers Market. During the winter season, the farm delivers bi-weekly; when peak season begins, deliveries will be made weekly.
The farm offers a six-month apprenticeship program that teaches adults of all ages how to farm and garden organically. They also offer workshops year round and often host school groups.
Beginning on Saturday, March 16th, EarthDance will be at the Ferguson Farmers Markets from 9:00 am to noon.
“EarthDance Farms is building something that is impacting and influencing people daily,” Anne Schweitzer, spokesperson for EarthDance, said. “There is so much to learn with a community. It is a good experience with good food.”
EarthDance Farms receives a lot of free resources from the community and tree trimmers. The farm also makes a compost purchase each year. (photo by Danielle Mae Franklin/Clayton Times)
Companion Planting spot at EarthDance Farms. Companion Planting is the process of having a main crop with a secondary crop planted in between each main crop in order to maximize the available space. (photo by Danielle Mae Franklin/Clayton Times)
Levi High Tunnel at EarthDance Farms. This high tunnel is the longer of tow tunnels at the farm. The tunnels lift and lower to provide optimum temperatures for the crops. (photo by Danielle Mae Franklin/Clayton Times)
Greenhouse at EarthDance Farms (photo by Danielle Mae Franklin/Clayton Times)
EarthDance Farms uses tarps to help protect the soil and prevent erosion. Farm managers, apprentices, and volunteers work a lot to help improve the soil through the practice of reiterative agriculture. (photo by Danielle Mae Franklin/Clayton Times)
Fruit Trees, a native to the state of Missouri, at EarthDance Farms (photo by Danielle Mae Franklin/Clayton Times)
Jena Hood, assistant farmer at EarthDance Farms, cleans greens before delivery in the Harvest Room (photo by Danielle Mae Franklin/Clayton Times)
EarthDance Farms has nearly 14 acres of land and is using about 1.2 acres to grow greens and veggies for the 2019 season. (photo by Danielle Mae Franklin/Clayton Times)
EarthDance Farms is currently growing kale, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, scallions, ground cherries, turnips, radishes, beets, and more. (photo by Danielle Mae Franklin/Clayton Times)
EarthDance Farms is currently growing kale, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, scallions, ground cherries, turnips, radishes, beets, and more. (photo by Danielle Mae Franklin/Clayton Times)
EarthDance Farms is currently growing kale, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, scallions, ground cherries, turnips, radishes, beets, and more. (photo by Danielle Mae Franklin/Clayton Times)
“Health Begins in the Soil” artwork by Legos School 2016 (photo by Danielle Mae Franklin/Clayton Times)
