Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food
- Hippocrates
What's a MicroFARM?
We have all seen or heard a shift of focus from mass-production breweries to microbreweries nationwide. This same shift in focus is occurring within our food industry as well, given that the majority of the population is becoming more aware that the mass-production of food is not in the best interest of both us or the environment. More and more the buzzwords "local, sustainable, fresh foods" are being heard and we believe this could evolve more through micro-farming. Doing more with less is the theory behind this form of agriculture, while protecting biodiversity, limited resources, rural communities and individuals' health.
Fresh
Produce
Food As Real Medicine
Most of the food that we eat today has no nutritional value, grown with synthetic products and depleting our bodies of the vital nutrients we need to survive and thrive. We believe that the food you eat, should provide your body with the tools it needs to heal itself. It's even in our name. The emphasis of "FARM" in MicroFARM, stands for Food As Real Medicine
Food produced with our Eco-system approach is just that, highly nutritious, naturally produced, grown without synthetic products and free from chemical pesticides/herbicides and fertilizers. Allowing our crops to reach their highest nutritional potential and allowing you to maintain a healthier lifestyle.
Passionate About Food Safety
We believe that what is safe for you is also what's safe for the environment and both should be considered holistically. This is why we use methods that eliminate the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers.
By maintaining our eco-system approach to producing food within a bio-secure greenhouse structure we can limit, if not eliminate, the impact our facility and operations have on the surrounding eco-systems. While also protecting the crops we grow from contamination.
Utilizing the nutrient rich water from our fish as a fertilizer, is the safest method of fertilization compared to conventional methods. Fish are cold blooded and therefore do not carry warm blooded pathogens like E-coli and Salmonella. This helps to eliminate the risk of contaminating our products from improper fertilization.
Is Aquaponically grown produce safe from E. coli and Salmonella?
YES! Because fish are cold blooded animals their waste does not, and cannot, contain either of these pathogens. In fact, there was a recent study done by the College of Tropical Agriculture in Hawaii titled "A Preliminary Study of Microbial Water Quality Related to Food Safety in Recirculating Aquaponic Fish and Vegetable Production Systems" that explored this very question and concluded that in general aquaponically grown food is even safer than soil grown food.
Levi SellerS
Manager of Operations
South Mountain MicroFARM has been developed and led by Levi Sellers, a Maryland Native. His visions of a more sustainable future have advanced this farm to be an industry leader in the sustainable production of Hemp (cannabis sativa) and nutritional agricultural products.
Agriculture has been a significant part of Levi's life and experiences. Growing up on his family's bison farm located in Boonsboro, MD, his love for farming began. With a love for nature and the outdoors Levi was led to pursue his passions in Colorado where he discovered his interests in sustainable farming, Aquaponics, and Controlled Environment Agriculture.
In Colorado Levi helped friends start up a hydroponic store selling equipment and supplies, while also designing and setting up home systems. This is where he learned about the unique method of Aquaponics cultivation and the more sustainable differences it has over hydroponics. He also was employed at a greenhouse operation and served as the private rose gardener for the Stanely Hotel in Estes Park, CO.
Developing skills in his interests, Levi received a certificate from Oaksterdam University in Cannabis Cultivation and Processing, a certificate from the University of Wisconsin/Stevens Point in Controlled Environment Agriculture and Aquaponics, and also a certificate as a Master of Aquaponics.
Recently appointed by Governor Larry Hogan to serve on the Maryland Agriculture Commission as a Hemp Industry Representative, Levi continues to promote the sustainable future of Hemp and Aquaponics through advising on regulatory legislation.
At South Mountain MicroFARM Levi continues to improve the sustainable practices of the farm through research projects that have collaborated with the University of Maryland, while also consulting other Aquaponic greenhouses and Hemp farm operations.