Farming on the Wild Side: The Evolution of a Regenerative Organic Farm and Nursery

Married couple Nancy and John Hayden bring together her degrees in biology, ecology, and creative writing and his in entomology in this remarkable biography of The Farm Between, their 18 acres in the foothills of Northern Vermont’s Green Mountains. The farm has evolved over 25 years, and so have they: “It’s important that all of us keep trying to make positive changes to our food system.” The Haydens started by managing livestock and employing draft horses to work their organic vegetable garden, but they later turned their operation into an organic fruit farm and pollinator sanctuary. They discuss committing themselves to make food production “more environmentally sound, economically viable, and socially just.” In their case, that’s meant adapting no-till soil practices in order to preserve soil quality, fighting monoculture mentality (they plant less common berry varieties, such as aronia, elderberries, and red, black, and clove currants), and planning for the increased incidence of extreme weather due to climate change. The Haydens are especially instructive on all things insect-related, discussing beekeeping and pesticide-free pest control. Readily admitting to mistakes made in their evolution to regenerative stewards, the Haydens will delight anyone interested in modern-day organic agriculture with this detailed history of one farm’s progress. (Sept.)