The Farm

Located in scenic Banks, Alabama, Red Root Farm is both on the forefront of cutting edge organic farming techniques and  a throwback to an earlier time of agricultural sustainability.

Established in 2000, Red Root Farm uses exclusively organic procedures to produce a diverse array of crops including corn, peas, tomatoes, melons, peppers, sugar cane, and assorted members of the Cruciferous family. Blackberries, plums, and pecans align the Red Root Landscape. Within the next few years we are hoping to branch out into the production of various fruits such as figs and scuppernongs. An emphasis on sustainability is the cornerstone of the philosophy of Red Root Farm. Well water is used for irrigation when needed. In keeping with the sustainability philosophy and the need for community and family farm, Red Root uses a great deal of hand labor, which also reduces the need for some machinery. Currently five acres are under production with the possibility of more to come.

Red Root is a part of a growing network of resistance to genetically modified foods and use of harmful pesticides. Red Root uses agricultural techniques such as cover cropping, composting, biodynamic, and permaculture. This process restores nutrients to the soil, nurtures the biodiversity, and helps to create harmony in the natural world instead of chemicals that harm the consumers of food as well as the environment.

Though Red Root Farm is active year-round, seeds are put into the ground during the main planting season for the southeastern Alabama climate, which include early spring, late summer, and late winter. The farm is abuzz with activity from May to December. The high points of harvest bring considerable amounts of food from the soil to be sold at farm markets, area restaurants, in a special farm store centrally located in Banks, and to the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).

Though mainstream & popular edible vegetables make up a bulk of the crops grown at Red Root Farm, Gary Weil brings a unique understanding of herbs & agriculture to Alabama.  Among other crops produced at Red Root Farm are wheat grass, various herbs used in biodynamic agriculture, and many other hard-to-find medical & culinary herbs. Anyone who has used herbs knows that freshnesh is of the utmost importance in ensuring a quality product.

Red Root Farm is interested in all aspects of environmental sustainability. Each day of farming is a day of resistance to an often-dehumanizing mass culture that focuses only on consumerism & selfishness.

Among the other projects at Red Root Farm is an attempt to explore environmental architecture. We are planning to install a living roof on an existing brick building & hope to explore other ways to integrate living material into daily practical uses. Education about desirable alternatives to harmful, and sometimes expensive building & living practices is a key mission of Red Root Farm.