Adventures in Urban Agriculture August Tour Day
Cherry Rock Farms in Brandon, SD Aug 4, 2023 Adventures in Urban Agriculture Tour Day
Urban agriculture enthusiasts gathered on Aug. 4, 2023 for an inspiring day of learning and exploration at the Adventures in Urban Agriculture Tour Day, co-hosted by Cherry Rock Farms and IronFox Farm. As the heat soared, participants were treated to an educational afternoon dedicated to urban farming, sustainability, and innovative gardening techniques.
First Stop: Cherry Rock Farms
The event kicked off with an insightful farm tour led by Marco Patzer, owner and operator of Cherry Rock Farms. In the summer of 2014, Patzer and his family moved west from Ohio to become the 4th generation to live, farm, and run Cherry Rock Farms. With his deep understanding of agriculture, Patzer provided attendees with a comprehensive insight into the demanding practice of farming. He shared valuable knowledge about organic fertilizers, demonstrating how these natural resources contribute to soil health and plant vitality. Participants valued his hands-on explanations, gaining practical insights into proper application techniques.
Marco Patzer of Cherry Rock Farms in Brandon, SD Aug. 4, 2023 Adventures in Urban Agriculture Tour Day.
Patzer’s expertise extended to planting techniques, as he demonstrated various methods that optimize space and maximize yields. He also shed light on the crucial topic of plant pests and diseases. Participants were lucky to grab some fresh produce after the farm tour from the on-site market. The Cherry Rock store even carries other local products from specialty producers in the area.
Second Stop: IronFox Farm
As the event unfolded, participants were guided to IronFox Farm, a hub of sustainability, innovation, and out of the box thinking. The farm’s commitment to reshaping urban landscapes through conscious farming practices resonated with attendees. IronFox Farm’s mission goes beyond cultivation – they aim to ignite the spark of inspiration within others to embark on their own gardening dreams.
Dan and Megan EisenVos founded IronFox Farm in the fall of 2021, with a mission to empower students and community by providing an educational gardening space. Through a partnership with the neighboring elementary school, they have provided hands-on garden education to 130+ 3rd and 4th grade students both years of operation. Students and their families are invited to visit the farm during scheduled open house hours to see what’s growing, harvest, and tend to the plots they planted.
Participants at IronFox Farm in Sioux Falls, SD Aug 4, 2023 Adventures in Urban Agriculture Tour Day.
This summer, IronFox Farm is also part of a pilot distribution model with The Fair Market in Sioux Falls to provide surplus local, quality produce. The EisenVoses hope to inspire the city and other community members to re-envision underutilized green spaces in the city for production to improve nutrition security and community vitality for all.
The farm’s unique approach to urban agriculture was on full display, with innovative solutions such as vertical gardening, irrigation methods, re-use friendly structures, and crop rotation. The EisenVoses demonstrated the incredible potential of repurposing urban spaces for agricultural purposes, showcasing how a few square feet of land can yield an abundance of fresh produce.
Learn more about IronFox by watching our Q&A with SDSPA on Facebook Live.
This segment has been funded by a partnership between the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and South Dakota Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA), to promote sustainable agriculture practices and environmental stewardship.