The Hub - Regenerative Farm

• Transparency
• Relentless Curiosity
• Humble Character
• Respectful Open Communication
• Entrepreneurial Mindset 
• Continuous Learning & Improvement

Mission

• Faith 
• Self 
• Family 
• Community

• Gratitude
• Authenticity
• Credibility
• Collaboration 

• Honoring Historical relevance.
• Respecting Family significance. 
• Incorporating Sustainable Living Principles
• Providing economic benefits to local communities 
• Building trust with all actors in the value chain 

• Supporting collaborative efforts with the local community

Purpose

Vision

The Farm Model is based on a combination Sustainable, Organic, and Alternative Agricultural practices.  

• Traditional vs. modern farming
  Traditional farming focuses on local sustainability, cultural heritage, and low environmental impact. I am interested in a limited amount of Modern farming technological advancements.  Local Community driven.  I am not prioritizing global market demands, and high productivity. 
• Precision Farming vs. Traditional Farming
  Traditional farming uses visual assessments and knowledge to monitor crops, and limited precision farming using drone technologies.  I will not be investing in technology such as sensors and satellite imagery to provide data on crop health. 
• Indoor vs. outdoor farming
  Plants grown outdoors get their light from the sun.  I will not be expanding to plants grown indoors that need artificial lighting. Indoor farms also need energy to power heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. 
• Lessons Learned Agriculture
  This is an opportunity to reflect on the property.  This means accounting for the conditions of the soil, water, forest, and fields. 
  • Regenerative Agriculture is knowing how to recover and cure:
    • Past Governmental Recommendations 
    • Past Environmental Practices 
    • Create Native Riparian Areas to stop erosion 
    • Focus on Water Sources and Pond Elevation for irrigation
    • Focus on Soil Health 
    • Focus on Holistic Crop management 
    • Focus on Supporting Pollination
    • Plan for Companion Planting
    • Development of Composting Practices 
    • Encouraging Good insects
    • Allowing Wildlife to return 
• Merging Lessons Learned with New agriculture technology
  New agriculture technology uses technologies like biotechnology, automation, smart irrigation, and precision agriculture to increase efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. 
• Modern farming methods
  Some popular modern farming methods include hydroponics, vertical farming, aquaponics, and precision farming. These will come in time as soil and water is the first step. 

The Bible often compares the Christian life to running a race, highlighting the perseverance, discipline, and faith needed to reach the finish line. The scriptures offer wisdom and encouragement for believers striving to follow Christ wholeheartedly, even through life’s challenges.  “This is my command—be strong and courageous!  Do not be afraid or discouraged.  For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  - Joshua 1:9

Values

• The development of fertile soil through no till, native planting and continuous composting.
• Reduce erosion and secure clean water by developing riparian areas and creating a series of pond and creek ecosystems from the springs that are present on the property. 
• Expand the food sources in the forms of a Vegetable Victory Garden, Spiral Herb & Tea Gardens, Orchard & Guild Systems, Field no-till Row Crop Farming.   
• Collaborate with Small Business to develop community shared expertise. 
• Host Events to events to teach and tour Regenerative Farming Practices
• Host opportunities for RV’ers to pay to stay and experience the events, visit the farm and learn from the educational experiences. 
• Continue to develop relationships with the people and farming community networks to ensure a sustainable knowledge base of ideas and proven concepts. 
• Expand the farming practice to rotational grazing with Chickens, Pigs, and Cattle to create clean food systems and revenue from pasture raised, no pesticides, no pharmaceuticals, clean food sources.  
• Lean operational model of shared farming practices and local labor. 

The How

Goals

Target: 
This is a new business built on the foundation of a Family Farm. 

Short Term

• 2023

  • Set up the Garden Design and Trellis Infrastructure and began collaboration with small businesses with planting and harvesting vegetables in the year one Victory Garden! 
  • Year two expansion planning for the larger design and expansive planting of evolving Victory Garden
  • Expanded planting of Blueberry Plants
  • Changed grape methods and management to create new growth and grape production. 
  • Planted seedlings and cultivated new growth planting areas. 
  • Planted perennial plants and bulbs to encourage a pollinating ecosystem.
  • Planted ground cover to begin replacement of non functional grasses. 
  • Hired Labor to support me in the  caretaking of the Seedlings, Native Trees, Fruit Trees, Bushes, Shrubs, Vegetables, and Herbs. 
  • Year one health check - soil & Water Riparian Area analysis - the 500 plants are thriving at rates well above typical growth standards.  
  • Pond riparian preparation that included the excavation to remove invasives, clean the pond edge, invested in ground cover and rock & stone to prevent erosion, and create a sustainable spillway.
  • Repurposed Granary (outbuilding) to become part of the Pond RV Haven for guests. Including a deck and dock for recreation area for dry camping (self contained) short term RV guests and Event Hosting. 
  • Barn Restoration - expert guidance for a 7 year plan. Began with cleaning inside and improving the landscape to route water and moisture away from the barn. 
     
• 2024
  • Started by cleaning up the farm buildings and areas inside and outside to make the property more attractive.
  • Removed older fencing and Installed new fencing to ensure safety and protect  working companion animals. 
  • Partnered with the team from Tioga County Soil and Water and the Department of Forestry to assess the property and plan for future improvements to the farm and the regenerative practices for soil, water, plants, animals, and forests.  
  • Cleaned Creek bed to improve water source and flow management
  • Planted a 500 tree riparian area around the creek guided by Tioga County Soil and Water Team.
  • Installed 3 RV electric hookups and became a 5-Star Host through Boondockers Welcome / Harvest Hosts.  
  • Repurposed Shed (outbuilding) to become part of a RV Haven for guests. 
  • Built a deck and recreation area for RV guests and Event Hosting. 
  • Set up the Victory Garden Design 
  • Planted the beginning of an Orchard and Plant Guild area for companion planting, to encourage fertile soil, well drained soil, pollinators, and reduce diseases, and insect and critter infestation. 
  • Business Infrastructure to include Operational Name, Logo, Website, and Communications Platform to launch January 2025. 
     
• 2025 ~ Go Live March 31, 2025
  • Website Launch
  • Social Media and email campaign
  • Educational Video and Links to learning
  • Spring planting of the Pond Riparian Area that will include 600 trees, bushes and shrubs. Again, guided by Tioga County Soil and Water. 
  • Begin Transformation of Hay Fields to nurture the soil and begin crop production. 
  • Barn - year 2 Infrastructure 
     
• Mid Term  2026 - 2030
  • Restoration of the historic farm house into a traditional design with a renewed energy efficiency to support a mindful regenerative model.  
  • Growing Products 
    • Orchard:  17 Fruit Trees with individual Tree Guilds to 50 Fruit Trees 
    • Field:  Planting 10 Acres of Rows 12’ on Center and 4’ Wide to redistribute to 30” wide Beds with 24” wide (or less) pathways 
    • No Tillage / Chemical Fertilizers / Pesticides / Herbicides 
    • Planting Constantly, with interplanting
    • Using Cover Crops (White Dutch Clover  or Native Mustard)
    • Crimper / Roller between rows 
    • Tither
      • Tithers are typically battery-powered and work gently to protect the soil and microorganisms. They are often used in no-till practices to preserve soil structure and fertility.
      • A tither is a tool used to prepare soil for planting by mixing and blending the top two inches of soil. 
    • Seeding, Transplanter Tools
    • Possible Hoop House Potential for Chicken and Pigs winter residence 
  • Producing Protein Products
    • Rotational Grazing Broilers or Laying Hens 
    • Rotational Grazing Piglets
    • Rotational Grazing Beef
  • Event Collaboration & Hosting
    • Regenerative Farming Events
    • Homesteading Events 
    • Small Business Events
    • Veteran Support Events
    • Student Support Events (FFA and Skills USA) 
    • Indoor Event:  Barn Restoration to replace siding, doors
  • Historic Restoration of remaining out buildings (original spring house and outhouse) 
     
• Long Term 2031 - 2040 
  • Riparian area maturity. 
  • Meadows and Pollinators maturity. 
  • Food Security with protein sources: chicken, eggs, beef, pork as part of Rotational Grazing methods. 
  • Regenerative Farming Events
  • Homesteading Events 
  • Small Business Events
  • Veteran Support Events
  • Student Support Events (FFA and Skills USA) 
  • Barn gathering and new ways of using barns to gather and build.  Woodshop aspirations. 
  • Maintenance and Care of buildings.
  • Ongoing effort and maintenance to ensure  soil, water, plants, and animals are thriving.