Vertu Farm
We are a small (1.5 acre) diversified vegetable farm at the Old Dairy in Savannah, Georgia. I (Chris Molander) started the farm in the spring of 2016 while also working part time. A few months later, I took a leap of faith and devoted myself entirely to building the farm. Located on the historic site of a former dairy, the land I farm is only a short distance from downtown Savannah, bordering on marshlands that are rich bird and animal habitats and provide open spaces that are shared and enjoyed by many in the community. The farm is also a short distance from the Bonaventure Cemetery, another historic Savannah landmark. From the beginning, Vertu farm has participated in the Forsyth Farmers Market in downtown Savannah. I also began selling my produce to local restaurants and established a Farm Fridge on the dairy property to make the farm’s products available to the community any time of the week.
Vertu Farm uses all-natural growing methods: no chemical fertilizers, insect control or herbicides, almost no use of farm machinery, and soil enrichment practices that promote long-term soil health. We grow and sell microgreens and other vegetable crops along with cut flowers when in season.
For more information about Vertu Farm and its owners, check out our Vertu Farm bio here, and also our Instagram and Facebook pages.
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The Project
Our project has three basic phases:
1. The barebones greenhouse structure: $7,000.00. If we raise this amount, we can build a new, custom-designed greenhouse by purchasing poles, lumber, and plastic. For the past year we have been sharing a greenhouse with Victory Gardens, a local landscaping company who has generously been willing to share the space with us. However, both operations have now expanded to the degree that each needs its own space. The new structure will allow us to both continue growing and increase our production. The $7,000.00 also covers rewards for our patrons and hosting fees that Indiegogo collects for this campaign.
2. Outfitting the greenhouse: $3,000.00. If we raise $10,000.00, we can build the new structure, and also outfit it with a heater, greenhouse benches, fans, and electricity. This will help us increase our output at the peak of the winter and summer months by using climate control systems.
3. Additional farming tools: $2,000.00. If we reach our total $12,000.00 goal, we can build and outfit the greenhouse, and also buy a few much-needed tools in order to increase the farm's efficiency and production. We have been gradually saving for and purchasing tools in this category over the last three years, but this extra sum would allow us to take a jump up to the next level by investing in these tools right now.
As a "thank you" for helping us, we have several unique perks that have never before been produced by Vertu Farm such as tote bags, prints, and original farm-inspired artwork by Mariana Langley (marianalangley.com). These items (including the artwork) have been produced specifically for this crowd funding campaign.
The Impact
Small farms like Vertu Farm are very rare. Additionally, the unique climate and soil conditions of coastal Georgia pose very specific challenges to all those attempting to grow here. Farming here in Savannah requires lots of innovation, attention to detail, and finely-tuned systems. This is why we are building a greenhouse from scratch, as opposed to buying a kit (of course, it saves a bit of money, too).
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In the 3 years since we started out, we have worked to create farming practices that are efficient, effective, and responsible. As such, we do not use any type of mechanized soil working implements, performing all tillage by hand instead. While this is a very intensive and difficult method of farming, we believe that this approach will pay the highest dividends both to us and to future farmers in the form of a healthy and vibrant soil ecology for many years to come. Many of the methods we employ started out as experiments. We have tried many others that have not worked so well. If small, local farms are ever to again make a significant impact on the global food economy (as they should!), it will take diligent, dedicated, and innovative farms like Vertu to pave the way! Helping us build a new greenhouse will enable us to continue growing our staple crops such as sunflower shoots, pea shoots, and other microgreens so that we can continue to perfect and expand upon our sustainable farming practices and provide even more food to Savannah's citizens and restaurants.
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Here are some testimonials from some of our local restaurant customers who endorse us and our fundraising campaign:
"Vertu Farm has been providing our restaurant with some of the freshest locally grown produce available to us in the Savannah area. We are proud to support small family-run farms like Vertu that are passionate about the food they produce and the personal connections they create." --Josh Yates, Owner of Green Truck Pub
"Working with Chris and Vertu Farm has been such a pleasure! Super fresh and full of integrity, his Sunflower Shoots and Micro-Cilantro are our favorite!"
--Clay, General Manager at Fox & Fig
"Since Atlantic was established as a neighborhood eatery in 2016, we have relied on Chris' expertise in local farming. From mustard greens to sunflower sprouts we seasonally look to Vertu Farms for top quality local produce delivered seamlessly onto our carefully selected dishes." --Jason Restivo, Owner of Atlantic: A Neighborhood Eatery
"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work closely with Chris and Vertu Farm - a real gem in Savannah for chefs and restaurateurs alike. As a locavore I always prefer to support local businesses, but my dealings with Vertu Farm are certainly not altruistic, as their products and customer service are always outstanding. I encourage all to contribute to this Indiegogo page. Let’s help Vertu Farm bring more delicious food to our city!" --Luke Wolfe, Executive Chef at The Oglethorpe Club
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Our Promise/Commitment
The aforementioned challenges inherent to our region pose a significant hurdle to small farms that must be overcome if they are to last. Vertu Farm has shown that we are committed to Savannah and have what it takes to withstand the difficulties of the occupation. However, we still have a long way to go. Were we to finance this project through traditional methods, the increased overhead due to the loan in addition to new insurance and electrical bills on the structure would stretch us too thin. Thus, we are asking for our customers and the whole community of Savannah to make an investment in the future of Vertu Farm. We have the grit it takes to outlast the significant pressures and toils of farming, and should we raise the funds necessary to complete this project, we will continue to bring fresh, healthy, sustainably grown produce to the Savannah community for many years to come.
Other Ways You Can Help
We understand that money can be tight at the end of the year. If you don't feel you are able to contribute to our campaign financially, we humbly ask you to help us in whatever way you can! There are many ways to do this:
1. Please help us share this fundraiser on social media: Facebook, Instagram, etc. Please share it with your friends and family. Shares of a more personal type can make a huge impact, and repeated shares on social media platforms can help the cause to trend.
2. Come volunteer in the field at Vertu Farm. Contact Chris at chris@vertufarm.com if you want to set up a day to volunteer. We can work with your availability and would love any help you're able to offer.
3. Come buy our produce at the Forsyth Farmers' Market every Saturday of the year from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Brighter Day Natural Foods in Savannah, or at our Farm Fridge self-service vending station at the farm, located at 2500 Tennessee Ave. just 2 minutes away from Bonaventure Cemetery right here on Savannah's East Side.
Thank You!
We want to thank all of you for helping Vertu Farm take this next step. We wouldn't have made it this far without you, and we're dedicated to sticking with you beyond this next step as we have through the past 3 years. We love you, and we're so thankful that you love us too! We wish you all a very happy holiday season.
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