Smart ‘SPIN’ Farming | CSA Notes for Nov 11, 2021
Our small plot gets ‘intense’ at Hatcher Station Farm in South Dallas.
The delicious fresh produce that you’re receiving this week from our Hatcher Station Training Farm is the result a type of growing philosophy called “SPIN” farming.
The term “SPIN” is an acronym for Small Plot Intensive farming.
With the Hatcher Station Training Farm, we wanted to create a template that others would be able to easily follow in other similar communities that would not only deliver abundant production but also be a catalyst for economic impact. These communities all face the same barriers: access to land, little capital to invest in equipment, water, fertilizer and other inputs, as well as difficulty in “going to market”.
The key principles behind SPIN farming are all about growing smarter not harder, delivering the most production with the least amount of land (less than an acre), limiting costs by applying the best utilization of local inputs (compost, water, etc) with the most consistent delivery of produce across the calendar.
A key component of SPIN farming is planning. For us, this means looking ahead. With an eye to desired harvest times, we know in advance what plants should go where and when. Knowing these projected harvest dates allows us to stagger seed germinations to fit those specific plants’ expected maturity date. Instead of one huge harvest, we have a steady weekly supply of fresh produce. Once a harvest is exhausted a new crop of seedlings are “waiting the wings”, ready to be rotated into the growing beds for the next harvest. SPIN farming gives small plot farmers an essential framework that makes the business side of farming drive the agriculture rather than the other way around.
In this week’s CSA Box:
PLEASE NOTE: We do our best to fulfill every item, however substitutions may occur.
Mixed types of Bok Choi (Hwy 19 & Hatcher Apprentice Farm)
Bush Beans (Hatcher)
Arugula (Hatcher)
Red Bloom &/or Radish French Breakfast (Hwy 19 & Hatcher)
Collards Green (Hwy 19)
Green Tomatoes (Hatcher & Texas A&M Agri-Life Farm)
2 Head of Lettuce (GroZilla)
Microgreen red stem (MLK Seedling Farm)
Potted Herb – Cilantro
Sweet Potato Bread – Wize Catering
Thank you for supporting our mission to Grow A Better Dallas!
Don’t forget to check out our RECIPES page to see this week’s featured recipe for what you can cook with some ingredients from your CSA.
If you make this dish or another on our Recipes page, please send us your pictures HERE. We all enjoy seeing you and your families enjoying our products.
