The Riveredge Farm
Discover our Farm-Grown Produce. Purchase in-store or online to support our mission!
Two ways to purchase:
The Riveredge Farm is a 4-acre sustainable agriculture site based on permaculture design, a holistic approach to food production that follows the principles of natural ecosystems.
The Riveredge Farm is an example of sustainable farming practices that works in tandem with our environment with the goal to inspire future farming.
Visitors of the nature center can hike out to the farm to take a leisurely walk around the deer-protected perimeter and observe what we are growing that season.
A few times a year, we also host farm tours and programs that the community can come to, ask questions, and leave with ideas to implement in their own gardens. The Riveredge Farm supports a number of programs and events that happen at Riveredge, including Summer Camp, Farm to Table Dinner, Yule Log Dinner, and Maple Syrup Supper to name a few! We also sell our produce at local farmers markets and in our Visitor Center.
Where agriculture and Conservation Meet
Regenerating Fertility
Prior to its acquisition by Riveredge, the sloping field had been planted in annual row crops that left the soil exhausted, bare, and subject to heavy erosion, similar to the field in this picture.
The Riveredge Farm’s approach seeks to restore the health and fertility of the land while generating valued crops. The permaculture design places an emphasis on woody perennial plants which allow the soil to remain sod-covered to minimize erosion and rebuild organic matter.
Permaculture Design
Designed and planted by Mark Shepard of Forest Agriculture Enterprises in 2009 and 2010, the site includes perennial crops such as native hazelnut shrubs and a mixed fruit orchard, in addition to asparagus and raspberries.
Water Management
Water management elements were developed such as a pocket pond to slow the water moving down the natural draw of the sloped field and swales or berms to channel the water across the contour of the field. During heavy rains and snowmelt, these swales move water to drier areas of the field and further minimize erosion.
Shiitake Mushroom Logs
Since 2015, The Riveredge Farm has been growing shiitake mushroom logs. The logs are harvested on campus in partnership with the Riveredge conservation team during the dormant season and then are inoculated in the spring.
Classes are offered by the Farm for the community to learn how to inoculate their own mushroom logs in addition to taking their own logs home. The Riveredge Farm also offers shiitake logs for sale!
Shiitake mushroom logs are available to order online for curbside pick-up the next day. Simply click HERE to purchase.
Annual Crops
Annual vegetable crops are planted in narrow bands interspersed with grasses and forbs to hold the soil in place. These crops have been served at Riveredge’s annual gala, the Farm to Table Dinner, and our annual Yule Log Dinner. Crop rotations and ecologically responsible fertilizers ensure nutrient-rich, healthy plants.
Polyculture
Conventional agriculture tends to plant in monocultures due to the ease of planting, cultivating, and harvesting. However, monocultures are more susceptible to pests and disease. In addition to the mixture of trees, shrubs, grasses, forbs, and brambles, The Riveredge Farm includes examples of intentional polyculture such as hazelnut shrubs and apple varieties.
Moments and Memories on the farm!
