Regenerative Agriculture at The Chef’s Garden: Exploring Permaculture

At The Chef’s Garden, we are deeply committed to farming practices that deliver the highest quality produce while, at the same time, nurturing the earth. Guided by a passion for continual improvement, we embrace innovation, draw wisdom from both modern and time-honored techniques, and strive to heal the land with each season. Our most recent venture in this practice is an exploration of permaculture—a holistic, nature-aligned approach—that fosters resilient ecosystems and healthy biodiversity. On a dedicated 60-acre section of our farm, this regenerative method allows us to cultivate a diverse array of fruits, vegetables, grains, and meats that thrive in a self-sustained ecosystem. 

What is Permaculture?

Permaculture is a design system that mimics the natural patterns found in ecosystems. It emphasizes sustainability, biodiversity, and efficient use of resources to create self-sufficient environments that produce food while regenerating the land. The core principles include care for the earth, care for people, and the sharing of resources.

While permaculture systems can grow to hundreds of acres, it is most commonly practiced on smaller farms, where the focus can be on creating a resilient and productive ecosystem with integrated systems for food production, water management, and waste reduction.

At The Chef’s Garden, these principles guide every aspect of our permaculture operation, from crop selection to livestock management.

Our Permaculture Practices

Biodiverse Fruit Orchard

Our expansive orchard is a testament to biodiversity. We cultivate over 70 varieties of apples from modern cutting edge varieties to antique cultivars dating back to the 1100s.  including historical Johnny Appleseed varieties and ancient Kazakhstani varieties—the birthplace of modern apples. These apples provide a rich tapestry of flavors and textures, contributing to fresh offerings in our Farm Market.

Beyond apples, our orchard includes peaches, plums, blackberries, raspberries, grapes, honeyberries, kiwi berries, strawberries, rhubarb, and other fruits. Beyond variety in taste and flavor, this diversity supports pollinators and enhances soil health.

Ancient Grains for Nutrient-Rich Harvests

We cultivate five ancient grain varieties—Black Emmer, Einkorn, Renan, Spelt, and Turkey Red. These grains, some dating back thousands of years, are known for their robust flavors and superior nutritional profiles. Unlike modern hybrid grains, ancient varieties are often easier to digest and boast higher levels of essential nutrients.

Livestock Integration for a Regenerative Ecosystem

Permaculture thrives on livestock integration, creating a balanced, nutrient-rich farm system. We raise:

• Piedmontese cross beef cattle, known for lean, tender meat
• Berkshire pigs, valued for their rich, marbled pork
• Pasture-raised poultry including chickens, laying hens, ducks, and turkeys, which naturally enhance the soil and provide pest control

By incorporating ethically raised livestock, we strengthen our soil health, improve crop productivity, and ensure sustainable meat production.

A Regenerative Lifestyle: Farming for the Future

At The Chef’s Garden, our permaculture farm is more than a place to grow food—it's a living, thriving ecosystem that nurtures biodiversity and enriches the soil. We take pride in providing ethically raised, carefully cultivated food that we trust to feed our own families and are honored to share with yours.

We invite you to explore the fruits, grains, and meats of our permaculture farm, knowing that every product tells a story of sustainability and care for the earth.

Whether you’re savoring a heritage apple, baking with ancient grains, or enjoying pasture-raised meat and eggs, your connection to our land and its regenerative journey is something we’re proud to share.