Growing Green Farms is committed to resource conservation and environmental stewardship. We think the best agriculture practices naturally stem from a green approach.

"Our farming system is centered around conservation practices."

—Keven Bradley, Owner,
Growing Green Farms

Crops

Our farm produces barley, legumes, oilseeds, and spring and winter wheat every growing season (April–September), a process called "continuous cropping." This happens 4,750 feet above sea level with the help of roughly 18 inches of annual precipitation.

We see our crops a little differently from the way most farms see theirs. Over the years, most small-grain research has been focused on improving kernel quality, protein content and milling qualities. The results: shorter plants, less overall biomass and, consequently, lower levels of CO₂ absorption. But most farms select crops to remain competitive in a market that's based on those commodity values.

Growing Green Farms is actively working on cultivation and research opportunities for crop varieties that sequester CO₂ best. Our goal is viable agriculture that can help slow and even reverse climate change.

"[Agriculture] can play a positive role in helping to reduce the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. One way is by sequestering or storing carbon in perennial vegetation."

Source: National Association of Conservation Districts, "The Importance of Carbon Storage to the Atmosphere and the Soil"

Practices

We use biofuel-powered equipment and advanced GPS (global positioning system) navigation for resource conservation in day-to-day operations—and less CO₂ released back into the atmosphere. For instance, we’ve already seen our fuel needs reduced by as much as 12%.

We maintain key nutrients in the soil and weed out plants that compete for resources but don't sequester as much carbon dioxide. Also, because tilling the soil can release a significant amount of CO₂ back into the atmosphere, our soil is disturbed as little as possible.

And by capturing CO₂ from the atmosphere and storing it in organic matter and debris, our farm lessens soil erosion, which in turn enhances water filtration, improving water quality and fostering a healthier ecology.

If you'd like to see what we do firsthand, contact us for Growing Green Farms tour information.

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