Red Komatsuna, Fall 2008
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Small City Farm?
We are located in Charlotte, NC, 4 miles from Southpark, 8 miles from uptown.
How big is Small City Farm?
Just like the name says - SMALL! We are only a ½ acre-but just because we’re little doesn’t mean we can’t be great.
How can you farm in such a small space?
Instead of using a traditional row crop method, we have planted in 4’x12’ raised beds. This allows us to plant much more densely, allowing for greater yield in a very small area.
So you guys are basically farming your backyard?
Yep, pretty much
How can you do that?
It really depends on neighborhood covenants and we don’t have any covenants in ours. To grow crops for re-sale, you must have a Growers Certificate which can be obtained from your NC Cooperative Extension Agent. We also visited the Mecklenburg County zoning department, just to be sure.
Do either of you have a degree in horticulture?
No, Kim has a bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in Studio Art. This is code for “you’d better learn to do something useful or you’ll never make any money for as long as you live.” We learned gardening by 10 years of trial and error with all kinds of plants - vegetables, trees, annuals and perennials in this yard. Kim also started and maintained a kitchen garden for two years at the country club where she used to be director of catering. Rohan supervised the horticulture program at the not for profit where he is VP of Operations.
Are you Certified Organic?
No we aren’t, but we don’t use chemical pesticides or chemical fertilizers. We grow as much as possible from Certified Organic Seed, other seeds we use are heirloom.
Are you guys nuts?
We prefer “eccentric”, but that might just be semantics…………..
Do you have a CSA program?
Not at this time, but Maria at Fisher Farms, who has been a lovely and supportive friend to Small City Farm from the begining, does.
Where can I buy your produce?
Go to the contact us page to see where we are selling.
