Animal Health
Experience has shown us that animals raised in closer alignment to the way they evolved for thousands of years live healthier lives and become better meat. Sheep want to move around the farm eating grass and browsing on brush. Rabbits want to eat fresh greens daily and have plenty of room to hop around. We create those conditions for them and consequently they thrive. When animals thrive, the consumer of their meat thrives too. It’s that simple.
Land Stewardship
One of the top motivations for starting our farm project was to do right by a piece of ground. We didn’t know exactly where that would lead us, but we knew there was a place in the world that wanted us to arrive and care for it. We believe that humans are not the scurge of the earth that some see us as. Instead we can be nurturing stewards of a place that bring about more vibrant life for humans and non-human beings alike. We can do even better than if we simply conserve the land and “leave it alone” if we know how to come into harmony with natural cycles. At Shake the Tree we take a broad and long-term view of our relationship with this land. Inspired by the permaculture design process, everything from soil, water cycles, weather patterns, historical uses, and human interfaces are taken into account when designing an implementing an agricultural system that will benefit humans and wildlife alike. Water is slowed and sunk by earthworks to reduce flood and drought impacts and improve downstream water quality in the Mousam Valley. Diverse perennial plantings are incorporated into our system for soil retention, water quality, erosion resistance, natural pest pressure reduction, summer shade, and wildlife habitat. Animals are moved regularly to mimic the natural grazing patterns of herbivores in a savanna landscape. Historical uses inspire innovative methods. Altogether, this leads to what will function more and more like an ecosystem over time.
Enhancing Local Community
Shake the Tree believes that food brings people together and is one of the bedrocks of strong vibrant community. In a world of increasing isolation we hope to be a place to gather and enjoy each others company around good food. You’ll see our products in local stores and on neighbors tables, and maybe you’ll even join us at one of our farm project days.