Laingcroft Farm

  ...is simple, work with Nature and not against her.   Agriculture in Harmony with Nature.   We follow certified organic protocols whenever possible.  Our livestock are not fed growth hormones or antibiotics.*   Stocking rates are kept low and our animals are all pasture raised.  

    We practice no-till cultivation with "green manure" cover crops, particularly those that can also be used as forage for sheep, goats and chickens.  Well aged compost is used to keep the soils friable.   Instead of dumping manufactured fertilizer blends on our soils each year, we often submit soil samples for testing so that we add only the appropriate nutrients.  The most  natural forms of nutrients include greensand (K), rock phosphate (P), blood meal and nitrogen fixing cover crops like clover (N) as well as limestone (Ca & Mg).   This practice prevents the buildup of residual salts used in manufactured fertilizers which gradually destroy the beneficial micro-organisms and contaminate ground water.

      At Laingcroft, we also practice silviculture, managing our woodlands for the preservation of habitat as well as grazing.   Periodic prescribed burns prevent the build up of wildfire fuels (detritus), ruminant parasites (from deer as well as sheep/goats), tree pests (pine bark beetles, diseases) and keep the canopy open for native grasses, sedges and understory trees. 

        Wildlife in many forms call our farmstead home!

         The livestock of Laingcroft are carefully chosen, selectively bred and managed to reduce any negative impacts on the soils, plants or wildlife.   Our stocking rates are kept low and we practice rotational grazing.   The goats control weeds, poison ivy and invasive non-natives like kudzu in the wooded pastures.   Sheep assist in weed control and grass maintenance in the lawn areas and orchard.   The voracious chickens are great general bug destroyers, weed seed eaters and compost mixers.   Our livestock guardian dogs make sure the predators leave the domestic animals alone.   All of the animals contribute health of the soils with their composted manures.

* Please note, injured or sick animals are always treated as medically appropriate, we do NOT allow suffering; however, we do not give antibiotics as a routine preventative practice due to overcrowding or as part of a feeding plan and NEVER use growth hormones under any circumstances.