Ethos
Caring for a piece of land can be one of the most fulfilling ventures in life. Our interaction with it greatly shapes who we are, just as it has shaped every generation before us.
Reflecting on what humans have done to this earth often leads us to the conclusion that Earth is better without us. This idea leaves us feeling not only helpless, but homeless and purposeless.
We can change that.
At SMF, our intention in land stewardship is to create a place where agrarianism leads a person to feel as though they are truly a creature of this earth and worthy of interacting with it. This connection is empowering and has more potential than anything we have experienced to make positive environmental and social change.
Fundamentals
Soil is the basis of our ecological and agricultural systems; if treated well, the soil system will improve and strengthen over time.
It starts with soil.
As stewards of landscape, it is our responsibility to care for and build soil for the present and for future generations. Too many land management practices are blind to this fact and end up being extractive, sacrificing soil health for the sake of near term production.
As a land manager, it can be difficult to know how to balance healthy soil management within the pressures of our present social and economic system. SMF wants to help you strike this balance by employing the simple genius of natural systems; diversity, adaptation, cooperation, moderation, and exchange.
Approach
Successful property management is shaped by the natural influences around it. This includes its owners and stewards, but also its climate, surrounding ecosystem, nearby markets, and available resources.
Systems Thinking
Leveraging backgrounds in design, food systems and ecology, we begin each project with a place-based approach; uncovering the unique systems at play and working to understand how they fit within the broader ecosystem and community. We utilize holistic methods and a broad lens to find integrated solutions that embrace the diversity and complexity inherent in land stewardship.
Creating Connections
We believe a successful agricultural operation is deeply connected within its community. With any project, we hope to facilitate collaborations between people, communities, and landscape by utilizing our strong local connections, resources, and knowledge in the field. Building a strong sense of place means building bonds beyond the borders of any given operation.
The Practical
We pull from over two decades of experience in agriculture, research, and design to find practical approaches to land management. We stay up to date on the latest technologies and techniques to aid in our management decisions. We are constantly testing techniques on our research farm in Snowmass Colorado to better understand their application and limitations in a high altitude setting. Natural processes are the best technology we will ever have, but innovation along with the rediscovery of historical practices helps to expedite regeneration and build resiliency.
Benefits Beyond People
We all have a responsibility to think beyond simply “sustaining” the landscapes that provide for us. We need to be regenerating and fortifying these landscapes. Utilizing regenerative methods on working landscapes helps us live up to this responsibility by sequestering carbon, cleaning air and water, and supporting a diverse ecosystem for all that call it home. Additionally it builds resilience into our soil for all the unpredictability that comes with a changing climate.
