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My name is Leslie Randall. My name is Lars Prillaman and we own Green Gate Farm in Shepherdstown
West Virginia.
I farm because I love to farm. I didn't complete college, the classroom was not the environment
for me. Outside is the environment for me. I oversee a lot of the livestock. When it
comes to the chickens we tend to move them every other day or so. The breed that we're
raising - Freedom Ranger - they forage extremely well. 60 or more percent of their diet consists
of grass or bugs that their finding for themselves, and thats ideal for us. It keeps feed costs
down, you know, it's what chickens are supposed to be doing.
What animals are supposed to be doing is basically our entire animal mantra and this farm. What
do your animals eat? What their supposed to eat. What do they do? What their supposed
to do.
Pigs are supposed to root, so pigs are a major part of our gardening process. When we're
going to break new ground open the pigs are the first thing to hit it, because their going
to tear it up root it down and put amazing well balanced manure on the ground. From there
we can start making our beds and planting things.
During college I traveled to New Zealand for a study abroad program and really saw a progressive
small farming movement there that just caught my eye and I immediately wanted to do it.
I try to harvest as early in the morning as I can. I'm harvesting whatever seems to be
ready, and sometimes, you know, it's just baby beets. I could let them grow for a little
bit longer, but I also want our members to get beets. It's great to go out and see ripe
tomatoes, especially, especially in the beginning of the season - at the end of tomato season
you don't say that, but... But when your harvesting a perfect pumpkin colored Sun Gold tomato...
It's just, it's one of those aha moments.
We own a CSA which members get a weekly share of vegetables.
I think Shepherdstown is the perfect location for people like us. Young individuals wanting
to start a new business, especially in organic and sustainable agriculture. We want people
to know exactly how we are raising their food. Look at what mother nature already does. How
can we create that on a smaller scale, and then use it to successfully grow food that
nourishes people and that tastes amazing?