For the love of the Land...

"To the extent that people separate themselves from nature, they spin out further and further from the center. ... Nature does not change although the way of viewing nature invariably changes from age to age. No matter the age, natural farming exists forever as a wellspring of agriculture." . One Straw Revolution, Masanobu Fukuoka . Slowly crawling one palm, one dirty knee, at a time back to a more natural way of farming. Perennial rows set and ready for planting and mulch next week. Annual beds underway by the end of this week. Sometimes you begin to question your personal trajectory, or wonder if you're merely tightrope walking the line between failure and success. Sometimes you need to persist in the face of failure. Straight into the mouth of it. Because cool, cloudy breezes may be on the other side of it, waiting to usher you forward. Check out @blackwoodland story highlights (Field Prep 2) for more of the lowdown. #regenerativeagriculture #fieldprep #everlearning #persevere #farm #farming #farmlife #texas #gulfcoast #southernfarmer
"To the extent that people separate themselves from nature, they spin out further and further from the center. ... Nature does not change although the way of viewing nature invariably changes from age to age. No matter the age, natural farming exists forever as a wellspring of agriculture." . One Straw Revolution, Masanobu Fukuoka . Slowly crawling one palm, one dirty knee, at a time back to a more natural way of farming. Perennial rows set and ready for planting and mulch next week. Annual beds underway by the end of this week. Sometimes you begin to question your personal trajectory, or wonder if you're merely tightrope walking the line between failure and success. Sometimes you need to persist in the face of failure. Straight into the mouth of it. Because cool, cloudy breezes may be on the other side of it, waiting to usher you forward. Check out @blackwoodland story highlights (Field Prep 2) for more of the lowdown. #regenerativeagriculture #fieldprep #everlearning #persevere #farm #farming #farmlife #texas #gulfcoast #southernfarmer
Emergence and simple reminders of metamorphoses to come. ๐ŸŒฑ . . Ruby streaks mizuna is my happy space in this last miserable push through summer. If hope has a flavor, she is mine. #mizuna #seedlings #readyforfall #delicious #farmlife #texas #farm #southernfarmer
Emergence and simple reminders of metamorphoses to come. ๐ŸŒฑ . . Ruby streaks mizuna is my happy space in this last miserable push through summer. If hope has a flavor, she is mine. #mizuna #seedlings #readyforfall #delicious #farmlife #texas #farm #southernfarmer
Art and science, so intrinsically intertwined, and nowhere more so than in nature. That is to say, then, everywhere. ๐Ÿ’› #Repost @cordu.institute ใƒปใƒปใƒป Collaboration with my IG friend @sownandgrownwithlove. A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants. The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs. #comment #emotion #minimalism #artofvisuals #photoart #picsart #cordu #lightedlight #imagination #artsedย  #instagrames #science #instagram #wikipedia #abstraction #photooftheday #art #artsy #abstracto #abstractart #artselect #creative #instaabstract #ShotoniPhone #originalart #wikipedia #videoartย  #contemporaryart #sciart
Somewhere between chaos and control lies the inspiration for this, my "perennial sweet potatoes". This is the third year running and though I tip-toed rather close to shear-total-utter-neglect (official STUN method ๐Ÿ˜‰) here they are once again, triumphing in our Texas heat! No-till beds, regenerative field practices, almost no labor involved and I still harvest a couple hundred pounds of sweet potatoes each fall. Not too shabby for this one-woman farm team, eh? ๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐ŸŒพ Speaking of, we're still looking for enthusiastic farmers to join our team! It ain't always easy, but it sure is worth the ride y'all. Spread the word. ๐Ÿ’› #sweetpotato #perennial #notill #ecology #soilmatters #regenerativeagriculture #bounties #patience #lovemyjob #farmlife #texas #farm #southernfarmer
Somewhere between chaos and control lies the inspiration for this, my "perennial sweet potatoes". This is the third year running and though I tip-toed rather close to shear-total-utter-neglect (official STUN method ๐Ÿ˜‰) here they are once again, triumphing in our Texas heat! No-till beds, regenerative field practices, almost no labor involved and I still harvest a couple hundred pounds of sweet potatoes each fall. Not too shabby for this one-woman farm team, eh? ๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐ŸŒพ Speaking of, we're still looking for enthusiastic farmers to join our team! It ain't always easy, but it sure is worth the ride y'all. Spread the word. ๐Ÿ’› #sweetpotato #perennial #notill #ecology #soilmatters #regenerativeagriculture #bounties #patience #lovemyjob #farmlife #texas #farm #southernfarmer
Thatโ€™s right, folks, our farm is growing so weโ€™re hiring again! Looking for experienced farm workers with a passion for education. Details via link in bio. Please feel free to share. #farmingispublicservice #farmingislife #loveland #lovefood #lovepeople #agriculture #farming #regenerativeagriculture #farmlife #knowyourfood #knowyourfarmer #houston #texas #southernfarmer
Thatโ€™s right, folks, our farm is growing so weโ€™re hiring again! Looking for experienced farm workers with a passion for education. Details via link in bio. Please feel free to share. #farmingispublicservice #farmingislife #loveland #lovefood #lovepeople #agriculture #farming #regenerativeagriculture #farmlife #knowyourfood #knowyourfarmer #houston #texas #southernfarmer
Happily celebrating this #solstice with forgiving skies all week long. Gentle on the eyes, even more gentle on this farmer. Grateful for rain, not too much not too little but just enough. Hereโ€™s to a coming season of balance, perspective, and deep growth. Breathe in the spaces you have. Make your work meaningful. ๐Ÿ’› #happysolstice #dogood #bewell #gratitude #rainydays #farmlife #texas #farm #southernfarmer #houston #nofilter
Happily celebrating this #solstice with forgiving skies all week long. Gentle on the eyes, even more gentle on this farmer. Grateful for rain, not too much not too little but just enough. Hereโ€™s to a coming season of balance, perspective, and deep growth. Breathe in the spaces you have. Make your work meaningful. ๐Ÿ’› #happysolstice #dogood #bewell #gratitude #rainydays #farmlife #texas #farm #southernfarmer #houston #nofilter
Miriah Amaranth greens, from humble beginnings, one of my most favorite and tried-and-true summer crops for the Gulf Coast. Though still mostly unfamiliar to our culinary culture in the US, it's widely popular as a heat-tolerant spinach substitute across much of Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean (where it's more commonly called "callaloo"). I learned to cultivate and cook with amaranth from one of my first farmer mentors, a wildly audacious character. I now enjoy teaching younger generations about my appreciation for this provider plant, sharing knowledge and bridging cultures. #amaranth #amaranthgreens #notaweed #culturalawareness #regenerativeagriculture #GulfCoast #texas #farm #southernfarmer #knowyourfarmer #knowyourfood
Miriah Amaranth greens, from humble beginnings, one of my most favorite and tried-and-true summer crops for the Gulf Coast. Though still mostly unfamiliar to our culinary culture in the US, it's widely popular as a heat-tolerant spinach substitute across much of Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean (where it's more commonly called "callaloo"). I learned to cultivate and cook with amaranth from one of my first farmer mentors, a wildly audacious character. I now enjoy teaching younger generations about my appreciation for this provider plant, sharing knowledge and bridging cultures. #amaranth #amaranthgreens #notaweed #culturalawareness #regenerativeagriculture #GulfCoast #texas #farm #southernfarmer #knowyourfarmer #knowyourfood
Argiope, keeper of the 'maters. ๐Ÿ˜ . . . #argiope #argiopeaurantia #spider #beneficial #tomatoes #agroecology #ecofarm #regenerativeagriculture #onestepatatime
Argiope, keeper of the 'maters. ๐Ÿ˜ . . . #argiope #argiopeaurantia #spider #beneficial #tomatoes #agroecology #ecofarm #regenerativeagriculture #onestepatatime
This morning, I narrowly missed a baby copperhead, just barely leaping over it as I ran to shut off an irrigation valve. As it turns out, I also no longer require any coffee for the morning. Here's a little moment of zen for anyone who may also be enduring a sort of near-copperhead figurative experience this morning. The weekend's almost here. โœŒ๏ธ๐Ÿ™Œ . Also, ALWAYS WEAR CLOSED TOED SHOES ON FARMS DANGIT YALL! . #farmlife #happyfriday #copperhead #sweetlikehersheykissesright? #๐Ÿ˜ต
#KnowYourCritters ๐Ÿ’› We planted worlds of clover all around our new blueberry trees to help build habitat space for our pest-fighting friends. Now, our lady beetles are THRIVING! What many people don't realize though is that gnarly looking critter to the far right is, in fact, a lady beetle in larvae form! Just because a critter looks creepy, doesn't mean she's up to no good! ๐Ÿ™Œ #savethebeetles #ladybeetle #beetlenotbug #insectsarecool #lifecycle #farmlife #themoreyouknow
#KnowYourCritters ๐Ÿ’› We planted worlds of clover all around our new blueberry trees to help build habitat space for our pest-fighting friends. Now, our lady beetles are THRIVING! What many people don't realize though is that gnarly looking critter to the far right is, in fact, a lady beetle in larvae form! Just because a critter looks creepy, doesn't mean she's up to no good! ๐Ÿ™Œ #savethebeetles #ladybeetle #beetlenotbug #insectsarecool #lifecycle #farmlife #themoreyouknow
Borage is for bees, y'all ๐Ÿ’ž . #borage #bees #love #farmbeauty #growwild #texas #farm #southernfarmer #yall
Borage is for bees, y'all ๐Ÿ’ž . #borage #bees #love #farmbeauty #growwild #texas #farm #southernfarmer #yall
First round harvest for this Saturday's lunch on the Land! One of my favorites is preparing lunch and lots of treats... like strawberry bread, homemade pastries, and spring harvest pesto! ๐Ÿ˜There's a little time left to grab your tickets (blackwoodland.org -- Mornings in the Country). Hope to see y'all there! ๐Ÿ’› @blackwoodland #morningsinthecountry #sorrel #nasturtiums #chicory #basil #peppercress #arugula #chives #strawberries #delish #farmfresh #knowyourfarmer #knowyourfood
First round harvest for this Saturday's lunch on the Land! One of my favorites is preparing lunch and lots of treats... like strawberry bread, homemade pastries, and spring harvest pesto! ๐Ÿ˜There's a little time left to grab your tickets (blackwoodland.org --> Mornings in the Country). Hope to see y'all there! ๐Ÿ’› @blackwoodland #morningsinthecountry #sorrel #nasturtiums #chicory #basil #peppercress #arugula #chives #strawberries #delish #farmfresh #knowyourfarmer #knowyourfood
Evening rounds and this chicory dandelion bed just really caught my eye. I love the deep green of the dandelion contrasting with the poppies. But then again, I tend to suffer a springtime affliction in which my kitchen garden veggie rotation competes against my serious poppy obsession... #farmlife ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™€๏ธ . . . #poppy #kitchengarden #farmtroubles #couldbeworse #dandelion #chicory #farmbeauty #knowyourfarmer #knowyourfood #texas #farm #southernfarmer
Evening rounds and this chicory dandelion bed just really caught my eye. I love the deep green of the dandelion contrasting with the poppies. But then again, I tend to suffer a springtime affliction in which my kitchen garden veggie rotation competes against my serious poppy obsession... #farmlife ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™€๏ธ . . . #poppy #kitchengarden #farmtroubles #couldbeworse #dandelion #chicory #farmbeauty #knowyourfarmer #knowyourfood #texas #farm #southernfarmer
Gently wild, politely chaotic. Asks no permission, makes no apologies. Flits in and out of existence each year without much notice, or with adoration, or scorned. Yet still significant. Provider, change-maker, stalwart. Vetch was my 'gateway-plant'. Will forever be my muse. Move in the change you want to see. Maintain your resolve. It's always worth the effort. ๐Ÿ’› #listentothem #bethechange #persevere #vetch
Gently wild, politely chaotic. Asks no permission, makes no apologies. Flits in and out of existence each year without much notice, or with adoration, or scorned. Yet still significant. Provider, change-maker, stalwart. Vetch was my 'gateway-plant'. Will forever be my muse. Move in the change you want to see. Maintain your resolve. It's always worth the effort. ๐Ÿ’› #listentothem #bethechange #persevere #vetch
Life goal: Cultivate an even more delish paw-paw and call it 'maw-maw'. Patent pending, y'all. ๐Ÿ˜‰ Aren't these flowers real gems, though? #pawpaw #flowers #fruittree #farmbeauty #farmlife #springtime #yum
Life goal: Cultivate an even more delish paw-paw and call it 'maw-maw'. Patent pending, y'all. ๐Ÿ˜‰ Aren't these flowers real gems, though? #pawpaw #flowers #fruittree #farmbeauty #farmlife #springtime #yum
These are a few of my favorite things. ๐Ÿ’› Happy Equinox y'all! Here's to finding and appreciating balance in all that lies ahead. . . . #gaillardia #mexicanblanket #poppies #indianpaintbrush #blueberries #texas #farm #yall #wildflowers #springtime #firstdayofspring #wildbeauty #notreadyforsummer #yikes
These are a few of my favorite things. ๐Ÿ’› Happy Equinox y'all! Here's to finding and appreciating balance in all that lies ahead. . . . #gaillardia #mexicanblanket #poppies #indianpaintbrush #blueberries #texas #farm #yall #wildflowers #springtime #firstdayofspring #wildbeauty #notreadyforsummer #yikes
We're on fire now y'all!!! ๐Ÿ”ฅ ๐Ÿ‰ ๐Ÿ”ฅ . At long last the dragon fruit are in ground and trellised. Swipe to see the trellis construction process. The idea was to use farm scrap type materials, build for resiliency, and keep it practical. Our high tunnels wouldn't fit the traditional style trellises very easily (plus wood rots and has to be replaced over time), so I needed a new plan. When full grown and fruiting, these plants are quite large and heavy. I decided to use two cattle panels back to back to reinforce and provide extra structure and support. In between these panels is coco fiber. Dragon fruit produces not only ground, but aerial roots as well. The coco fiber will give the aerial roots something to grip and provide them with a larger feeding surface (we'll spray the fiber with compost tea or seaweed periodically). The pvc on top of the panels was cut with a router table and intended to pad and protect the arms of the plant from being sliced open. This project has been months in the making so I'm really excited to finally be moving into the production phase! We've got five different varietals, so plenty to play with in the kitchen! Do you grow dragon fruit? What's your favorite and how are you using it in the kitchen? I'll also post follow-ups and recipes from my journey with this beautiful beast, so stay tuned! ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’› #dragonfruit #trellis #diy #farmhack #farmlife #resilience #growstronger #tropical #subtropical #hightunnel #innovate #ilovemyjob #texas #farm #southernfarmer
We're on fire now y'all!!! ๐Ÿ”ฅ ๐Ÿ‰ ๐Ÿ”ฅ . At long last the dragon fruit are in ground and trellised. Swipe to see the trellis construction process. The idea was to use farm scrap type materials, build for resiliency, and keep it practical. Our high tunnels wouldn't fit the traditional style trellises very easily (plus wood rots and has to be replaced over time), so I needed a new plan. When full grown and fruiting, these plants are quite large and heavy. I decided to use two cattle panels back to back to reinforce and provide extra structure and support. In between these panels is coco fiber. Dragon fruit produces not only ground, but aerial roots as well. The coco fiber will give the aerial roots something to grip and provide them with a larger feeding surface (we'll spray the fiber with compost tea or seaweed periodically). The pvc on top of the panels was cut with a router table and intended to pad and protect the arms of the plant from being sliced open. This project has been months in the making so I'm really excited to finally be moving into the production phase! We've got five different varietals, so plenty to play with in the kitchen! Do you grow dragon fruit? What's your favorite and how are you using it in the kitchen? I'll also post follow-ups and recipes from my journey with this beautiful beast, so stay tuned! ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’› #dragonfruit #trellis #diy #farmhack #farmlife #resilience #growstronger #tropical #subtropical #hightunnel #innovate #ilovemyjob #texas #farm #southernfarmer
Innovating new and resilient agriculture models? And then through these models teach others to empower themselves? Yup, #thisiswomenswork ๐Ÿ‘Standing in our soon-to-be perennial high tunnel with my dragon babies and their brand new trellis I designed from old farm scraps, feeling grateful for all the women in and beyond my life who paved the way for me to be here today. I'm honored to work with an incredible team of both women and men who challenge and empower me everyday to dig deeper and root stronger. Thanks @blackwoodland and happy #internationalwomensday y'all ๐Ÿ’› #iwd2018 #ilooklikeafarmer #womenwhofarm #empower #resiliency #dragonfruit
Innovating new and resilient agriculture models? And then through these models teach others to empower themselves? Yup, #thisiswomenswork ๐Ÿ‘Standing in our soon-to-be perennial high tunnel with my dragon babies and their brand new trellis I designed from old farm scraps, feeling grateful for all the women in and beyond my life who paved the way for me to be here today. I'm honored to work with an incredible team of both women and men who challenge and empower me everyday to dig deeper and root stronger. Thanks @blackwoodland and happy #internationalwomensday y'all ๐Ÿ’› #iwd2018 #ilooklikeafarmer #womenwhofarm #empower #resiliency #dragonfruit
Bill Wither's "lovely day" is stuck in my head on repeat. My irrigation gremlins have disappeared for the morning, it's a gorgeous 50ยฐ and sunny out, and these arugula blossoms are on point with their peanut-y-ness, so I'm going to go ahead and say yeah... it's gonna be a lovely day. ๐Ÿ’› #billwithers #lovelyday #farmlife #luckyme
Bill Wither's "lovely day" is stuck in my head on repeat. My irrigation gremlins have disappeared for the morning, it's a gorgeous 50ยฐ and sunny out, and these arugula blossoms are on point with their peanut-y-ness, so I'm going to go ahead and say yeah... it's gonna be a lovely day. ๐Ÿ’› #billwithers #lovelyday #farmlife #luckyme
Video for the serious pollen action taking place, but actually I ended up being mesmerized by the crazy landing tactics taking place. ๐Ÿ˜ฎ๐Ÿค˜#bees #buzz #buzzy #woah #loveyourbees #farmlife #springtime #texas #farm #southernfarmer

The Farmer at Blackwood Land

Become a volunteer today!
Community involvement is the foundation of every successful farm. Our volunteers are the life-blood of the farm's operations. They help out with everything from weeding to harvesting, packing CSA's, and working in the nursery. It's like taking your own private gardening or farming class!

To be sure, the production farm is located in Hempstead, TX, just an hour NW of Houston off Hwy 290. Volunteer mornings are typically hosted on Saturdays.

Farmer Becca needs your help and support, so sign up today, and let's get growing!

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“I believe that we must consciously develop a greater sense of Universal Responsibility. We must learn to work not just for our own individual self, family, or nation but for the benefit of all mankind.”
— His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama