Higher Ground Farm can help you get your onsite farm or garden started, and once it is up and running, we provide management services to make sure it is a success.  Our experienced team can help you think through the questions you have and the questions you may not have thought of.  We can help you make the case to administrators, select the ideal location, decide on the best growing system for your facility, think through how your growing space will be integrated into your core mission, and more!  Once established, your farm needs experienced growers that will help you get the most out of it.  We can help you grow efficiently for your chosen markets, and will work with your staff to make the farm a place that enriches the goals of your organization.  Contact John Stoddard for more information.

Consulting: Getting your farm started

Onsite farms and gardens are a smart investment but like any investment, it is important to think the various aspects through in order to ensure it will be successful.  Higher Ground can help you through the process of starting a farm or garden from start to finish.  We offer two consulting packages to get you from bare roof to green roof, and can work with you to select services "a la carte" to meet the precise needs of your organization.  Services include:
  • Making the case
  • Site selection
  • Choosing a market
  • Choosing a growing system
  • Installation management 
  • Crop selection
  • Staffing and opening season preparations

management 

Our experienced growers will ensure your crops are growing strong and growing healthy.  We grow, harvest, and deliver the food to its final onsite destination.  We'll also address any pest issues and monitor soil health to keep crops vibrant and healthy.  Interested in bee hives?  Our beekeeper will maintain your hives and harvest your honey for use in your kitchen, gift shop, as an employee perk, or whatever its final destination.  We will also conduct tours, contribute to media and promotional content for your farm, and work with your clinical and education staff to integrate the farm into your core operations.  Management includes:
  • Crop planning
  • Full season planting, harvesting, and maintenance
  • Data collection of harvest totals
  • Implementation of food safety protocols
  • Working with stakeholders (food service, community benefits officers, faculty, etc) to develop systems for efficient delivery and use of farm products
  • Order seeds, seedlings, tools and equipment throughout the season
  • Coordination of tours, volunteers days and other education activities 
  • End of season assessment and next season preparations