The farm has had several faces over the generations. Whether it took the shape of an organic dairy or a pastured poultry farm, livestock has always been a mainstay of the property.

Camps Road Farm was started in 2013. The first couple years were spent clearing overgrown areas of the property, getting rid of some old equipment, and tending to the soil. In the early years we also planted a large part of our orchard and put our hop rhizomes in the ground.

With each year that passes we clear a little more of the invasive species out of the property with the long term goal of making the best use of the property for agriculture while leaving a balanced natural ecosystem integrated in with the more “controlled” agricultural practices.

Water flows a-plenty on Camps Road Farm. Since we are in a valley (hollow) when it rains all the surrounding hills drain down into the property. Instead of fighting all the water we work with it.

All of our pastured-livestock are managed to be rotational, which means we can move them where we want them, when we want them. That way the animals are on the dry parts of the farm as different times of year. That is healthier for the land, the animals, the farmer, and eventually the customer. With rotational livestock there is less impact on the land, cleaner conditions for the animals (not near their poop), and plenty of fresh air and exercise for all.

In the 2017 season we are raising broilers (meat chickens), egg layers, pigs, vegetables, hops, and apples.

1. Hop Yard
   1. 4 varieties: Brewer’s Gold, Cascade, Bitter Gold, Michigan Copper
2. Apple Orchard
   1. Varieties chosen to be good for distilling
3. Hog Pasture
   1. mixed woodlot that allows for plenty of forage and shade for those hot days
4. Back Pasture
   1. used for egg-layers and broiler chickens
5. Main Pasture
   1. mostly used for raising broilers
6. Back Woods
   1. full of invasive species, we’re working to clean it up a bit as well as sustainably harvest our own firewood
7. Pond Across The Street
   1. not as deep or useful as you’d think, but boy is it beautiful!
8. The Homestead
   1. We live where we work and vice-versa. We take pride in having a clean and healthy work/life environment.

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Here at Camps Road Farm we practice Holistic Management. We use the term “practice” because we’re not experts yet, but we’re learning more year to year. As part of our goals we hope to share as much as we can about our farm to help educate our community, both our customers and our peers.

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Camps Road Farm Mission Statement

Statement of Purpose:

To create a fully transparent financially viable farm business that best makes use of available resources without sacrifice to animal, plant, or human welfare.

Go beyond sustainable and into regenerative.

Quality of Life:

To enjoy what we do everyday. To farm at or above organic standards. To be proud of our work and be respected for it. To work in a place where everyday is fun and free of interpersonal stress. To collaborate openly as a group working toward the realization of our statement of purpose. To create a farm that works with nature rather than against it. To create a beautiful place that people will want to visit. To create healthy food that people will want feed their families. To be creatively challenged while remaining focused on the larger goals. Create time for strategic planning, record keeping, and business development.

What We Have to Produce:

Products and services that are not only sustainable, but regenerative. Profit from our products and services. Services and products that are diversified but fit together as a whole sustainable package. An open, friendly, and collaborative work environment. A farm that is efficient, functional, and aesthetically beautiful. Professional work that we can all feel proud of.

Future Resource Base:

People. The public will see us as innovative, hard-working, knowledgeable, professional, helpful, and fun to hang out with.

Land. Our farm will encourage a diversity of wildlife through planned habitat. Farming systems will work collaboratively with the surrounding wildlife to support each other. People will want to come visit the farm to enjoy our healthy farm products, walk our nature trails, sit and bird watch, and document us as an example of what can be achieved with sustainable agriculture.

Community. The farm will be an active member of the community inviting any to visit the farm to help educate as well as taking part in local activities.