Stillwind Farm
ABOUT STILLWIND / THE FARMER:
Mikayla is the Farmer/Owner of Stillwind Farm. She has been farming in West Michigan for 5 seasons now, learning (some of heh) the intricacies of natural vegetable growing & the intersections of the agriculture industry, social justice / mutual aid, community, & generosity. She is now 24 years old & the founder of a first generation farm :)
Stillwind Farm was established in 2021 on 1/8 acre plot in Muskegon Heights. The farm has since expanded to a 1/2 acre field in Belding - a move that grants an opportunity for business growth & a more sustainable career path. The original 1/8 acre has been given to a neighbor, who is dreaming of a Food Forest & Medicine Garden for their family.
Stillwind is committed to fostering a relationship with the land & providing homes with beautiful produce. This looks like:
Minimal / no tillage - our space is human scale, with all beds being flipped, amended & formed with hand tools. Microorganisms in the soil appreciate this, as there is little disruption to the bed & soil nutrients.
No spray - broadly, we do not spray at all. If there is a situation where we spray, it is always with organic certified options. We rely largely on a healthy ecosystem, beneficial insects, & strong soil structure to mitigate pests & diseases.
Investment in high quality soil inputs that balance necessary nutrients each season (based on soil testing). This could look like gypsum, kelp, compost, chicken manure, molasses, fish emulsion, etc. Each of which offer different benefits based on the love the field desires.
Rotating crops throughout the season. This is important for soil health & decreasing pest / disease pressure. This intersects directly with the overall sustainability of the farm.
Striving to be a business that does not glorify over-working, sets aside time for rest & community, & chooses not to hire people at a low rate, but rather waiting until we are able to fairly compensate staff / offer benefits. If those growing are consistently burned out, our connection to the growing plants & those around us is effected.
You can find our veggies at Fulton St Farmers Market on Saturdays throughout the growing season! Follow along on our social media for consistent updates.