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Greetings!
What is the Bamboo Grove?
Well, it all started in June of 1999, after years of wishing for a small organic farm, we bought an acre and a quarter in a quiet area, 3 miles west of Downtown Homestead. The entire property was planted with okra, in soil so depleted and devoid of organic matter, that it looked like the Sahara desert (nothing that 500 tons of soil ammendments can't turn around). So, starting out with next to nothing, we are trucking in rich topsoil, seaweed, horse manure, mulch, and anything else that will bring this soil back to life, so that we can plant our beautiful little bamboo grove.
Landscaping Goals
The general landscape design consists of a wide variety of beautiful tropical bamboos, interplanted with over 200 varieties of rare fruit & nut trees as well as many useful & ornamental plants. Plants will be grouped into 13 regional gardens, such as African, Asian or Indian. You won't find any straight rows with just one type of tree here. Winding pathways, invite investigation, and delight the senses with hidden ponds, benches, waterfalls, arbors, etc.
Our Guiding Principles
We adhear to strict organic/veganic permaculture farming principles. Not only do we use no synthetic chemical fertilizers or pesticides like most other organic farms, but we go a step further and use no animal products that call for the killing of animals (such as bone meal, fish emulsion, etc.) We also avoid using chemically-treated and manufactured products (railroad ties, plastic items, pressure-treated wood, etc). Permaculture techniques incorporate a balance with nature, and include; heavy mulching & living mulches, intensive multiple-layer plantings, deep, fertile soil, and multiple-use plants.
Healthy Plants & Seeds
All of our annual edible crops (vegetables, herbs, fruits, etc.) are from "safe seeds". They come from such sources as Seeds of Change or Ecology Action and are open pollenated, untreated, non-hybrid, and are not genetically-engineered. They are all grown oganically. We have applied for our organic certification.
Healthy Environment
We will obtain most of our growing power needs from wind, solar & hand-powered sources. Our newly hand-dug stone well provides us with non-chemical water. The natural swimming pond will be chemical-free and the entire farm is already a smoke-free zone.
Our Cottage Industry
We support our young farm with profits from our cottage industry. Our wholesale catalog features bamboo products, bonzai, air plants, shells, pods, driftwood, handcrafted items, etc.
Community Events
Call anytime, to arrange a visit. We often have weekend vegan potlucks (with a raw food table), workshops & drum circles. We often convoy around Homestead & The Redland, visiting local farms, parks (including the Everglades National Park & the Fruit & Spice Park), local craftspeople, the local hostel, other organic farms, the local Buddhist temple, etc.
Our Northeast Retreat
We currently own & maintain Sunlife Organic Farm, a 21 acre wildland retreat where we hold our "Annual Back-to-the-Land Gatherning" each summer. The property is situated in the rolling hills of New York state, 3 hours northwest of New York City. We have 10 acres of woodland nature trails, a stream, numerous campsites, an 11 acre meadow & a 30-mile view!
Affiliated Organizations
American Bamboo Society - Caribbean Chapter
Rare Fruit Council International - Miami Chapter
Florida Organic Growers
Florida Native Plant Society
Permaculture Institute of N.America
Sierra Club - Miami Chapter
©2004 Bamboo Grove