Brambleberry Farm

About Brambleberry Farm

We began Brambleberry Farm in the fall of 2003

on land that Esprí’s parents generously share with

us in the beautiful hills of Southern Indiana. Most of our garden beds lie on old meadow land that has not been touched by plow or tiller for over 30 years. Instead of plowing up the sod using heavy machinery, we decided to create garden beds using no-till methods.

The roots of the meadow plants acted like small plows over the years and have created a soil that is loose enough to grow quality produce. We simply apply composted manure and hay, straw, or leaves to create a thick mulch over the beds. This mulch breaks down into rich humus over time and acts as a slow-release fertilizer for the plants. It also serves as a tremendous weed-control, keeps moisture in the soil during drought, and wicks away excess water during heavy rains. This last feature allows us to plant our crops very early

in the spring. And most importantly, it allows us to largely forgo the use of petroleum-based machinery

such as tractors and tillers, which compact the garden soil over time. We never use synthetic pesticides or fertilizers on our gardens, and follow organic farming methods. We believe that food should be healthy and nutritious not only to the consumers, but also to the larger environment.

We welcome most birds and wildlife into our garden, as they have many roles to play in pest control and garden health. To control the few species that are more harm than help, we first encourage natural predators to keep their numbers down, and only if that is not working do we resort to simple biologically-based pesticides that will not affect the quality of food or environmental health.

Our small fruit, nut, and berry nursery has become a major component of our farm and income. We feel like the success of organic cultivation practices is dependant on selecting appropriate plant varieties. We focus on searching out and propagating fruit and berry plants that are pest and disease resistant, and also adapted to regional conditions (soils, climate), in order to help our customers succeed in organic homesteading.

Currently we are developing a 3.5 acre pasture by rotating different species of livestock through it to improve the soil with their grazing, manure, and trampling behaviors. In 2010 we planted mixed orchard rows running N-S on 60’ centers within this system to increase the yields of the given acreage once the trees mature. Our primary grazers are sheep. We are managing a fledgling herd of Finnsheep for meat, wool, and breeding stock. American Buff geese are the other major species we graze-- we are breeding them to preserve this rare American breed, and we plan to sell pastured geese for the table at Christmastime. We also graze a pig or two for our own use. When the orchard starts bearing, we will put more hogs in the system to clean up the fruit drops.

Education and support for homesteaders and market gardeners is a large part of our mission. We do this through affordable consulting services, internships, and tours.

Permaculture-based consulting, education

and stock for today’s homesteader

Brambleberry Farm

Esprí and Darren Bender-Beauregard

Paoli, IN 47454

Phone: 812.723.5259
Email: mail@brambleberryfarm.org

If you’re in the market for a web host, you can help support us by joining Fat Cow though our website! They’ll give us a nice little commission for every person who signs up using this link: