Fordyce Farm, LLC was established by mother and daughter team, Beth and Lyn. Beth grew up on a farm in the 1920’s, has grown organically all her life (Starting way before the word “organic” became popular), and continued to eat healthy food which has allowed her to reach the grand age of 96 while still digging in the dirt to grow those healthy things. Lyn grew up with Beth’s organically grown food, herbs, and flowers which helped her to know the exquisite taste of a real garden ripened organically grown tomato and many other great tastes and smells not found in the ordinary supermarket. Lyn also grew organic food and flowers at her own home, on a small scale, and kept longing for a small farm of her own to grow a larger diversity of plants.
In 2012 Beth and Lyn sat down to discuss the idea of pooling their money in order to accomplish their dreams together as a team and soon found the right plot of land which was purchased to start a small farm. This is how Fordyce Farm, LLC was born and it has grown a bit each year.
The property the farm is on was used for raising cattle many years ago and had an established hay field which was hayed for many many years. Hay continues to be produced off the back portion of the property. The field was renovated and nutrients added back to the land, thanks to Farmer Chuck from the Cozier Farm and Gale Mullreed who renovated and planted the field for us. No spray was used in this process, simply plowing, planting, and feeding. A local centennial farm owner, Bob Rockol, cuts and bales the hay and uses it for his cattle. We get cow manure and straw from Farmer Bob and horse/chicken manure from Farmer Chuck for our growing needs.
After the house was built we landscaped the yard ourselves with plants which we brought from our perspective homes. Fruit trees, bushes, and brambles were added the 1st year. The second year some medicinal herbs, more fruit bushes, asparagus, and more perennial flowers were added. Each year after that the herbs and flowers have expanded.
We have 5 generations of bee farmers in the family (Hilbert’s HoneyBees), so we felt it very important to help the bees and other pollinators by growing a diverse flower and herb population to help the insects and birds thrive. In doing so, they can help other farmers in the area because they need the pollinators for their crops. The herbs grown on the farm are both culinary herbs and health sustaining herbs, such as Valerian which has been found to help with pain and sleep problems. Herbs help tremendously to pull in bees and other pollinators, as well as beneficial bugs.
In 2018 the farm joined Be Friendly via the Pollinator Project by committing a portion of our property to help bee populations, including honey bees which have been dwindling at an alarming rate. A hundred or so different flowers and plants are grown to help create the diversity needed for pollinators during the entire growing season. Plus, many of these plants create the proper habitat for these same pollinators to overwinter in. According to Lyn, “Nature is never perfectly manicured, so we have to try to balance a natural growing area with the need to try to keep plants healthy via weeding, watering, feeding, deadheading, and trimming. However it is best for the pollinators to let nature do it’s thing without too much environmental interference. Therefore, sometimes our farm looks overgrown, but it is kept this way for the pollinators. It is amazing how many new types of bees, butterflies, and birds I have seen each year we have added different kinds of plants on the property”.
At this writing we have the following herbs growing on the farm: Valerian, lemonbalm, feverfew, comfrey, burdock (Wild grown), stinging nettle (Wild grown), yarrow, dill, Russian sage, lemon thyme, German thyme, apple mint, peppermint, sage, lemon basil, sweet basil, rosemary, winter savory, parsley, soapwort, and red clover (Wild grown), also in the healing herb category are elderberry, raspberry, blackberry, and aronia berry. In bloom right now are: asparagus, dahlias, zinias, celosia, sweet pea flower, asters, rudbeckia, statice, crocosmia, pearly everlasting, sunflowers, gaillardia, and lots of cosmos.
The plan for the near future is to increase the types and quantities of healing herbs growing on the farm, especially those which help with easing pain, reducing stress, and helping folks sleep better. We plan to market tea made with the healing herbs, fruit, and flowers by next year; Dry and sell culinary and healing herbs and their flowers, as well as some dried and pressed cut flowers; We will continue to sell our cut flowers or small flower arrangements in decorated recycled jars and bottles, made for individuals, businesses, and for small events.
If anyone is interested in having a specific herb or herbs grown for you we would be happy to discuss a CSA type agreement. Call Lyn: 734/502-2546
