Innisfree’s farm work station began with the arrival of our new farmers, Peter and Debra Traverse. Its initial focus has been animal husbandry. A small herd of cows provides beef for Innisfree’s residential houses, and more than 300 chickens produce eggs for Innisfree’s free-range, egg business. (For information about buying eggs, email farm@innisfreevillage.org.) A small sheep operation was recently added.
Innisfree’s residents (coworkers) and volunteer caregivers are an integral part of the farm workstation. They help feed the farm animals, gather and wash eggs, and collect hay.
The farm has a grand vision of expanding its operations and creating an environmentally sound farm that meets the widely accepted definition of sustainability of the United Nations’ World Commission on Environment and Development: “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
In pursuing an ecosystems services model the farm is exploring options including a stream mitigation bank and carbon sequestration. These efforts will contribute to a healthy, therapeutic environment that balances land stewardship and financial self-reliance.
