US: “Promoting plant health is the best way to avoid pests.”
Two of them were on hand recently for the second program in the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library’s “Eating for Health” series. Alma area farmers Fred and Michele Monroe, of Monroe Family Organics, are working their certified-organic family farm not only as a source of pesticide-free produce, but also as an important contributor to the local economy and community health.
“When you buy from local farmers, there is less pollution from shipping, less processed food, and fewer food safety issues,” Michele Monroe explained. “It tastes better, and fresher, and you know how it was grown.”
Organic farming is economically riskier than conventional farming, because organically grown produce may thrive or fail due to natural biological and ecological processes that chemicals are designed to control. But according to Michele, the balance sheet’s uncertainty is the body’s boon.
“More nutrients from the soil remain in your food,” she said. “Your body processes what it’s meant to process, and doesn’t have to deal with chemicals it isn’t designed to process.”
A farmer since age 15, Fred holds a degree in horticulture from Michigan State University, and credits the school’s Student Organic Farm program with inspiring his commitment to organic farming. The Monroes began leasing their acreage in 2010, and were designated a Certified Organic Farm after only one year, which doesn’t happen often.
“We were very fortunate that the land had been used as pasture, grazing land, and didn’t contain chemical residue which can stay in the soil for years,” Fred said.
Today, their eight acres yield varieties of nearly 50 different seasonal vegetables, supplying several restaurants in the Lansing area. They also provide stock to grocery stores, including Nature’s Gift Organic Market in Midland.
For a more direct route to the family table, the Monroes also sell full shares (about 1-1/8 bushel) and half shares of their weekly yield during the growing season. As part of this Community Supported Agriculture enterprise, shareholders may either choose their own vegetables at a market near the farm, or pick up farmers’ choice orders at designated drop-offs in Midland, Mount Pleasant and Lansing.
Kitchen gardeners who are ready to try the chemical-free process may try starting with the same kind of organic compost used in the larger farms, Fred said.
“After you have your soil tested, you can use a customized compost, with natural fertilizer, which is bulkier to spread, but better for the soil,” he said. “Promoting plant health is the best way to avoid pests.”
To learn more about Monroe Family Organics, visit www.mforganics.com