205. Andre Cantelmo on Biological Farming

What measures are you taking to care for and improve your soil? In this podcast, we’re joined for a second time by Andre Cantelmo, Co-Founder of Heron Pond Farm, located in South Hampton, New Hampshire. At Heron Pond Farm, Andre and his partner, Greg, strive to be biological farmers.  Heron Pond fertilizes almost all of their crops with composted chicken manure and just like many organic farms, they use biologically based pesticides. They use certified organic products, including fertilizer, for 90% of their crops. They don't spray any leafy greens or berries with anything, certified organic or not. They never use GMOs. Yes, even certified organic farms use pesticides.  Heron Pond is lucky to have a farm that has many fields far away from one another, which helps with pest control because it allows them to rotate crops out of the range of a particular insect or disease. The vast majority of their weed control is done with a flame weeder and cultivators.  Join us to hear in detail the story of this large thriving farming operation! You’ll hear: An overview of Heron Pond Farm 2:32 The regenerative practices they work with 14:14 The crop they grow that helps the soil the most 27:47 How Heron Pond Farm reacted to the pandemic 34:22 About the Guest: In 1998, Heron Pond Farm began on a small two-acre rented plot of land at David Bachelder’s farm. The farm has been growing and changing ever since, with the goal of becoming a permanent part of the landscape in southern Rockingham County. Through the very generous help of James and Jocelyn VanBokkelen, a more permanent home was found in South Hampton the following year.  Then in 2000, the farm came into its current form when Walter and Blanche Syvinki retired from Valley Acres Farm and turned operations over to Greg Balog and Andre Cantelmo. The VanBokkelen's commitment to open space has kept the land available, while the Syvinskis have been valued mentors in New England small farm practices. It has taken a mix of all these folks to make Heron Pond Farm what it is today. Heron Pond Farm is owned and operated by Greg Balog and Andre Cantelmo. Friends from college where they studied soil science, they have been a team for twenty years. Heron Pond is a four-season farm that grows over 250 varieties of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. Farming year-round has allowed them to grow and maintain an incredibly skilled and experienced staff, whose passion brings higher yields, quality, and flavor to the food all year long.Resources:Website - https://www.heronpondfarm.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heronpondfarm/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/heronpondfarm/