This month we feature Baby Root Farm, a member of the McGrath Family Farmers Collective.
The McGrath Family had been farming in California’s Oxnard Plain since 1865, but in 2015 transitioned from family ownership and management to a diverse group of farmers managing the land who represent a variety of cultures, ages, and experiences.
Key Farming Challenges
Being eight miles inland from the ocean, Baby Root experiences challenges in terms of wind and salinity. Nestled between the Topatopa mountains to the north and the Santa Monica mountains to the south and east, Santa Ana winds sweep over the mostly flat landscape and can damage annual crops, while the salinity causes poor germination and stunts plant growth. Baby Root offsets these challenging circumstances with compost and plants that are salt-friendly, as well as by planting more trees, bushes, and ground cover to stop the wind breaks.
Crops and Farming Approach
Baby Root is home to a large variety of vegetables like artichokes, fennel, broccoli, baby corn, and leafy greens, and some fruits such as blueberries and strawberries. They consider themselves a certified organic farm moving towards regenerative. They began their transition to regenerative agriculture slowly, by setting aside one acre at a time to grow small vegetables with quick turnover, such as lettuces and baby radishes. That scale was profitable, but they knew that to convince other farmers to switch to regenerative, they would have to prove viability on a larger scale. They began farming 20 acres regeneratively on what they call “Big Baby Root Farm.” Scaling up to this degree provided a few challenges such as long-term access to the land, financial resources, and their inexperience with regenerative at this size.
Farmer Michael Roberts says “We deal with these challenges every day. I have realized that if we aspire to grow more farmers and regenerate more land and help make healthy food accessible for all, these will be issues we will constantly face. The good news is that the more we deal with this, the better we can figure out how to make this happen.”
Partnering with Kiss the Ground
Baby Root enrolled in Kiss the Ground’s Farmland Program and received training through the Regrarians REX Farm Planning Program. The Farmland Program provided them with support through its partnerships with like-minded people as well as resources for their transition to regenerative. “We are grateful for the Farmland Program’s leadership, inspiration, and support in this regenerative movement that we all care so deeply about. We are doing all we can to improve and share with others.” They are continually inspired by the work of fellow Farmland Program farmers.
They have now incorporated permaculture principles into their cropland, native plants, and tree cover, and hope to incorporate animal and grain production soon. They’ve noticed an increase in biodiversity, such as more bird visitors; in their first year of farming at Baby Root they had put up birdhouses and didn’t understand why the birds weren’t using them. It wasn’t until they planted more native trees that mimicked the birds’ natural ecosystem that they started to appear. They also have owls, rabbits, coyotes, and a plethora of beneficial insects that do their part creating a balance of life on the farm. Baby Root is also proud to be as zero-waste as possible. For example, they use the scraps from wood processing as mulch and donate surplus crops to rescue organizations.Farmer Michael Roberts says “We deal with these challenges every day. I have realized that if we aspire to grow more farmers and regenerate more land and help make healthy food accessible for all, these will be issues we will constantly face. The good news is that the more we deal with this, the better we can figure out how to make this happen.”
Partnering with Kiss the Ground
Baby Root enrolled in Kiss the Ground’s Farmland Program and received training through the Regrarians REX Farm Planning Program. The Farmland Program provided them with support through its partnerships with like-minded people as well as resources for their transition to regenerative. “We are grateful for the Farmland Program’s leadership, inspiration, and support in this regenerative movement that we all care so deeply about. We are doing all we can to improve and share with others.” They are continually inspired by the work of fellow Farmland Program farmers.
They have now incorporated permaculture principles into their cropland, native plants, and tree cover, and hope to incorporate animal and grain production soon. They’ve noticed an increase in biodiversity, such as more bird visitors; in their first year of farming at Baby Root they had put up birdhouses and didn’t understand why the birds weren’t using them. It wasn’t until they planted more native trees that mimicked the birds’ natural ecosystem that they started to appear. They also have owls, rabbits, coyotes, and a plethora of beneficial insects that do their part creating a balance of life on the farm. Baby Root is also proud to be as zero-waste as possible. For example, they use the scraps from wood processing as mulch and donate surplus crops to rescue organizations.Building Partnership and Community
Baby Root Farm realizes that for regenerative to be embraced at scale, it’s imperative that they communicate and collaborate with other farms and organizations trying to transition. They’ve worked with research organizations like the Rodale Institute, policy organizations like the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, and food justice organizations like the Abundant Table. Baby Root gives tours and talks with Rodale, participates in farmer get-togethers and idea sharing with CAFF, and includes the Abundant Table’s produce in their food hub.
Baby Root finds it equally as important to communicate with their neighbors who are working in the existing conventional agricultural system, which is dominant in the area. “Farmers are business owners, if they see a model that is working and growing, they will ask questions and from there I think we can help support transformational changes in our farming and food systems,” says Roberts. Sharing ideas in an open and honest way, especially around common issues such as water and labor, can encourage others to shift to regenerative. Roberts also acknowledges the role that storytelling and consumer demand plays in this shift. He credits Kiss the Ground, the film, and Biggest Little Farm with helping to move farming in the right direction.
Baby Root tries to meet everyone where they are and walk alongside them towards farming practices that measurably improve the environment.
Photo credits: Shawn Linehan
