When talking “farming” with Matt Brown, he always seems to take it back to the earth and staying in tune with Mother Nature. In 2018, Brown; his wife, Kim; and their three sons followed their passion and began the eight-acre Three Trees Farm (www.threetreesfarm.net) just outside of Bellbrook.
“Quality starts with the soil for everything,” Brown says, noting that with healthy soil, produce has higher nutritional content, richer aroma and more flavor. “That plant is set on a path to success.”
A scenic setting enhances Three Trees Farm, where young chickens fly the fence and mingle with cats around the majestic roadside barn. The Browns consider their operation a step beyond organic: a biointensive produce farm, utilizing high-quality organic fertilizers, natural compost and minerals, and manual weed control.
When spring hits, the barn will become a small market farm, offering, as Matt puts it, “everything on the outside aisles of a grocery store.”
5 TIPS FOR COMPOSTING
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Size matters—for the pile and for the material. Uniform, small particles expedite the process. The larger the pile, the better; at least 2 cubic yards is recommended.
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Have 25 parts carbon (brown, woody material) per 1 part nitrogen (green material—grass, manure, food scraps—no meat).
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Turn, or stir, the pile at least once a week. Water thoroughly and often, to keep from drying out.
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Smell is important. Good compost should smell rich and earthy. Bad smells are an indicator of anaerobic (without air) activity and can usually be remedied by turning the pile.
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The pile should reach an internal temperature in excess of 131° F for at least three days. If the temperature lowers, something is missing: air, carbon or water. Compost is ready when the pile returns to ambient temperature and resembles rich, dark and loamy soil.
YOU HAVE AN ENGINEERING DEGREE. YOUR WIFE WAS A TEACHER. WHY FARMING?
“My great-grandfather was an immigrant farmer. He farmed 86 acres near Oxford. My grandpa had a large garden on that same farm, and as a young boy I had great times with him. As Kim and I started to build a family, we found food quality more and more important.”
WHAT INSPIRES YOU ABOUT FARMING?
“People want what they believe is the best. Growing healthy food for my community, educating people about where their food comes from—I feel those are important. I’ve met so many people whom I would’ve never met, from all walks of life. That’s been a blessing.”
WHAT CAN A HOME GARDENER DO TO IMPROVE SOIL HEALTH?
“‘Lasagna gardening’ is super applicable for the home gardener. First clear the area of all weeds. Then cover with cardboard, and then water. Next put a layer of leaves or grass clippings, and water. The last layer is quality compost.”