HEALING TREE FARM is a permaculture demonstration farm located at the Leelanau Conservancy owned DeYoung property in beautiful Leelanau County.
Using the Principles of Permaculture, our farm is connecting people with the concepts of growing sustainably within the existing ecosystem. In addition, our goal is to help young families learn to grow their own food, prepare it and store it over time. This is an ancient wisdom that has been diluted in the sea of quick-fix microwaveable meals and easy-open cans. This form of farming extends outward into the community and is not limited by acreage or equipment. Instead, we thrive on integrating into existing systems and progressing within these systems. Permaculture is a form of ecological farming or forest gardening in which the farmer mimics and integrates into the mature forest ecology, farming the way nature intended.
Farming isn’t just about what we grow, but how we grow within the larger community of people, of farms and ecosystems. This is permaculture in action.
Welcome to Healing Tree Farm
In 2004, Samantha began researching the correlation between the increased incidence in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma among agricultural families in her region. Specifically, she examined the link between NHL and the use of organochlorines and organophosphates used on cherry orchards. In 2006, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease.
Cancer-free by 2007, Samantha decided to put her energy into seeking alternative growing methods for orchards and established Healing Tree Farm as a backyard experiement that spring. Today, she writes, teaches, and demonstrates permaculture design techniques.
A landscape designer by trade, Christopher became interested in permaculture after receiving his Masters from the Conway School of Landscape Design in western Massachusetts in 2006. Today he shares his time between landscape work for area resorts and residents (minus the use of chemical fertilizers or biocides) and work on the farm.
Samantha & Christopher Graves live in Traverse City, MI with their four children, trusty beagle, two cats, and a hen.
Glad to see other permaculture enthusiasts out here on the Blogosphere! Keep up the good work you have a great blog here.
We work with about a tenth of an acre in suburbia, but practice as much permaculture as possible. I one day hope to get a larger spread, so it’s nice to see how you guys are handling all lifes little turns, and in such an economically friendly way.
Thank-you Gavin! We talk often about this country’s dependence on foreign oil, but we need also discuss our dependence on a very small percetage of large-scale monocultures to supply the majority of our nations food. I’m not an alarmist, but with climate change and the threat of terrorism, it seems finding better ways to grow food on smaller acreages should be a national priority.
It’s wonderful to hear you’re making it work on a tenth of an acre. It’s amazing to me how little land is necessary to grow enough food for one family. And safely, without chemicals and with little water consumption.
Hi, I like your website, but can’t find any mention of where the Farm is located. Are you near Michigan, Wisconsin, or Minnesota?
Also, do you have any Hawthorn trees on your land? I’m looking for a source for berries and flowering tops and would prefer to support a small farm like yours.
Cheers,
Tom
Hi Tom,
Thank-you for your interest. We are not growing Hawthorn here at Healing Tree, but the Eco Learning Center near Suttons Bay, MI has Hawthorne and may be able to help you.
http://www.ecolearningcenter.org Contact Jayne by the phone number listed on the website.
In wellness and in healing, Sam
Greetings,
I love to see your blog, it interests me very much. A friend and I just started a blog as well about our experiences learning about permaculture and building community; it is a demonstration of what we have learned through this process. Where are you located?
-Trevor
http://www.thelazygardener.net
Thank-you for your kind remarks. I just checked out the Lazy Gardener and love the site. I’ll post a direct link from the blog.
We were located in Traverse City, MI – a wonderful home to many types of farms: biodynamic, perm, organic, conventional, etc. It’s a great place to live and learn. We’ll be returning later this month, but have been away for nearly a year. Most of my current work is on the research side at the moment.
Be well and thank-you kindly for posting! Samantha
Hi Samantha!
Just found your blog and can’t wait to read everything! I’m new to blogging AND to permaculture, but I’m trying to experiment with the concepts on my “rural subdivision” lot (a subdivision in the country with lots of trees, thus little sunlight for growing food). Gotta love
Wordpress for those handy suggestion links at the bottom of entries . . . otherwise I might never have run across Healing Tree Farm. Keep up the good work!
I admit, I have not been on this webpage in a long time… however it was another joy to see It is such an important topic and ignored by so many, even professionals. I thank you to help making people more aware of possible issues.
Found you while searching for Healing Soil blogs. You are leading by example which is crucial for educating others about the potential of intensive production. I’d like to share some of my top reads, in my search for info on healing soil. Hopefully you already know of these. —-Acres USA, “Secrets of the Soil” Christopher Bird, “Nourishing Traditions” Sally Fallon / Weston A Price Foundation
I’m a voracoius reader and have been researching and prepping for our move back to the land for twenty years. These three are in the top five of all i’ve read in that time. You won’t regret it.
Hopefully you can reciprocate with some titles for me?
Hi Kevin, I’m a few years behind in my reply, but have you read Mycelium Running?