“Let’s bring our community back to what’s real through food. Our ancestors grew up around fireplaces telling stories. This is how we can reconnect, sharing healing food together,” shares Ben Roberts who, with his wife Meghan, co-founded Elder Hill Farms, a regenerative farm in Driftwood, alongside their four children.
Regenerative agriculture is a holistic farming approach that enhances soil, crops, and ecosystems. Unlike conventional farming, which prioritizes efficient production of a single crop, regenerative agriculture combines practices like conservation tillage, rotational grazing, agroforestry, and permaculture. While these practices may sound unfamiliar to many, they reap considerable environmental benefits.
Stepping foot on Elder Hill Farms is a jolt back to a slower-paced, fuller way of life. The farm boasts aquaponics, gardens, heritage pigs, sheep, ducks, alpacas, and more. Ben and Meghan have a bold vision for the farm–to regenerate the earth and community by healing the soil and pouring back into the land that has served generations.
The Roberts family moved to Driftwood in 2019 with a desire to return to Ben’s childhood roots on his Canadian farm. Covered in caliche, the farmland was devoid of life. “We didn’t pick the perfect place; this place picked us,” Meghan shares. Their garden-driven vision quickly grew into something bigger.
Ben’s expertise in terroir and his profession as a sommelier led the Robertses to learn everything they could about microbiology. “We began working with food microbiologists to repair the soil to bring abundance back,” Meghan says.
By applying aquaponics, manure composting, water diversion, and more, the Roberts family transformed the land. With their feet on fertile ground, they then expanded their efforts to help others. “Our local community has embraced this project beyond our dreams. We’re creating a model to let the produce and animals give back to the community–full of intention. We’ve partnered with local landowners and businesses such as Vista Brewing to regenerate their land and compost food waste,” says Ben.
“The best way to describe regenerative farming and what sets it apart is ‘repairing relationships.’ It’s learning to love your grass more than your cow. First, we have to respect the soil,” Ben says. “Sustainability for the family, person, and community is our ‘why.’ We have gates–not fences–between our property and the neighbors’. Regenerative farming has connected us with our community in ways we couldn’t have otherwise through a common interest in healing the land.”
That community bond became evident during challenging times. Meghan shares, “When our neighbors couldn’t go anywhere during Covid lockdown, we invited them to help us build our greenhouse. Over meals and by working together, this project united us with real, authentic connection.”
As a painter professionally, Meghan notes that the farm has become her canvas. “We’re taking time to be intentional. We’re building terraces which will be here for hundreds of years so, in the future, someone can say, ‘The people who lived here spent time to invest in beauty that mattered to them.’” The farm’s motto–Love Leaves a Legacy–reflects this purpose.
“This little farm project has turned into a community project, and we’re very excited for the future as we grow with a commercial kitchen, local sales outlet, and more.” Follow along for farming adventures and find out how you can contribute to making a positive impact on the environment by visiting ElderHillFarms.com and @ElderHillFarms on social media.