We would either move into a larger home to accommodate our growing family or we would go on an adventure. We chose the latter.

Our adventure became a six acre plot of land, 10 minutes from trendy Broad Ripple Village in Indianapolis.

This wooded property became what is now an urban farm and budding retreat space. My talented hubs remodeled the small home on the land, which is now lovingly referred to as "the farm house". We rent the farm house on Air B&B for folks who want a getaway close to the city.

Stewarding the land

IN THE SUMMER OF 2015, our family  MADE A DECISION

We started the urban farm in the Spring of 2016 on approximately half an acre of the six.  It's been an adventure to say the least.  Every year I connect deeper to the land, learn so much about the plants I grow and the native plants that grow on the land.  We make mistakes and celebrate our wins.

We use permaculture and regenerative farming practices...woven in from the many cultures and wisdom keepers who stewarded land generations before.

As a family of European descent, we are always learning how to best integrate these practices with reverence to the Native peoples who were here before us.

Some of our Gaia centered practices include:

We compost all food scraps from Ezra's Cafe (over 5,000 gallons per year)

We supply our plant-based cafe with herbs and produce each year - pesticide free

We practice the no till method, which supports healthy soil structure

We use wood from fallen trees on the land to build many of our garden beds

We use a rain water catchment system to water as much of the crops as possible

We do not use any chemicals in our growing practices - instead we use the companion planting and succession planting methods to support healthy crops and high yields

We are a certified wildlife habitat.  This means our land is safe and viable for native plants, wildlife and wetlands

We keep bees on the land....a practice that has been the most challenging of all.  We are so passionate about our pollinators and have dreams of keeping multiple hives healthy and vibrant.