Glory Seeds Farm represents God’s will that husband and wife team Larry Jensen and Kimberly Buck help feed people that need fresh organic foods. It all started with a few shovels, rakes and hoes, and now they have a vibrant farm operation that can feed many deserving people.
Glory Seeds is a 501 (c )(3) not for profit farm that’s purpose is to give our community a location where people can learn about sustainability, and the health benefits of including fresh, local, organic products in their diet. In addition to education on organic gardening Glory Seeds will host classes on soap making, cheese making, canning, care of chickens and goats, grinding organic grains, bread making, and much more. You can volunteer to work in the garden and earn some produce for your efforts. One half of all the products grown and produced at Glory Seeds Farm are to benefit God’s Abundance Market and Café, a free farmer’s market and soup kitchen for those struggling financially.
Larry and Kim are wonderful generous people. From their studies they learned that fresh organic food is better for our health but that many people who need its nutritional benefits cannot afford its often higher cost. Glory Seeds now has over 2 acres of land under cultivation to help remedy this challenge, and three more acres stand ready when sufficient capital and labor permit.
Larry and Kim’s vision for Glory Seeds has exceeded their near term expectations thanks to the award of grants by the Department of Agriculture. These funds helped drill a well, build an irrigation system, provide crop cover and natural fertilizer. Boy Scout Troop 6 has completed a number of service projects benefiting the farm including building a ram pump, chicken house, green house and goat pen. This summer, through the Georgia Teen Work Program, 8 deserving young people worked at the farm and learned about organic farming. Now, through the Georgia funded Legacy Link program one person in our community is earning a salary while learning about organic gardening and livestock management. But there is always something else the farm needs, right now they need a large cooler to help preserve the farm’s bounty.
I walked the property with Kimberly and took photos. Everything looks beautiful, healthy and verdant. It was a beautiful sunny day following heavy rain and the crop-cover kept everything from being muddy. Being totally organic means that bugs and disease are a constant menace. Everyone working the farm remains vigilant. Kim said, “If you see a bug that eats vegetables smoosh it.” I smooshed a few between my fingers while walking around. Some natural insecticides are used such as essential oils, soaps, cayenne, etc. All these techniques can be learned from books and from other organic farmers. Recently they lost a goat to a Coyote, hence the new goat pen. They said deer did not seem to be a problem maybe because there are many dogs in the neighborhood.
In the immediate future they hope to turn the old barn into a classroom in which to teach classes on sustainability, in addition to offering career building classes in alternative energy. They have received a grant from Radiance Solar and will have a solar array installed on their new pole barn. This array will fuel the entire garden and be a demonstration site for the possibilities of solar energy. They are also planning a small cooperative to make organic grains available at low cost. They have studied the teachings of Eliot Coleman on the Four Season Farm, and are using many of his principles. The first of several Green House/High Tunnels is in the process of being set up. This will extend the growing season and allow Glory Seeds to provide produce throughout the year. Other plans include operating a farmer’s market that will take food stamps, so even more people will enjoy their healthy produce.
I asked Kimberly what their vision is over the next five years. She said in addition to expanding the garden and extending their growing season “it is also our hope that Glory Seeds will serve as an inspirational template for others. Maybe in five years there will be several Glory Seeds Farms around the country teaching people in need about the benefits of leading a healthier life. We are happy to share our vision and our experience.” Our community is blessed to have such a wonderful couple. All donations are tax deductible and may be sent to . Please visit their website: Gloryseeds.org.
By David G. Darugh, Chef/Owner of Beechwood Inn http://www.beechwoodinn.ws
