Aspen Hill Farms

by Steve Edwards of Boyne City, MI

What do Daniel Boone, John Jacob Astor, and Aspen Hill Farms, of Boyne City, Michigan have in common? Plenty, it seems. As a youngster, I loved the outdoors, especially trapping and hunting. My knowledge of plants and animals was acquired not only from years of practical experience and observation, but also by reading and studying about the stories of our early frontiersman. It is well known that these adventurers were actively involved in the fur trade. What is generally not known, however, is that they were also buyers and dealers of native medicinal plants.

Beginnings

At Aspen Hill Farms, we grow ginseng and goldenseal, the plants with roots of gold and a colorful history. After generations, they are still highly prized for their medicinal qualities. Our farm had it’s “roots in the exploits of the fur trappers.” Ginseng and goldenseal are native to Michigan (each is listed as endangered in Michigan and illegal to pick/dig in the wild. They may be cultivated, however). Their habitat consists of the rich, sandy loam soils so prevalent in much of our state’s hardwood forest. After years of reading about them, it was time for action. Experimental plots in our woodlot were successful, so an undertaking was begun to plant an acre of medicinal plants. This was an arduous task. Trees, briars, stumps and saplings had to be removed before any planting stock was set. Everything was done by hand. Planting beds were established in rows under the forest canopy. The forest soil was rototilled to break up feeder roots from nearby trees and ease competition for the new seedlings. After site preparation in April, planting was completed in May. The beds were weeded, mulched and watered to save our investment and maintain the health and vigor of the plants. Both plants enjoy the same growing conditions, but share none of the same ailments. They fit naturally in a crop rotation system. Deer, moles and wild turkeys are the worst pests. By day, our German shepard keeps the deer and turkeys away. In the fall, I “get even” by harvesting the deer and turkeys for our tablefare. The moles are trapped. Such is the natural cycle.

Operations Today

After success with the medicinal plants, we expanded our operation by acquiring meat rabbits, laying hens, and waterfowl. This was done after a thorough study of the animals and a market analysis indicating a growing demand for organic and all-natural foods. (Note: I strongly advise any new agricultural enterprise be undertaken ONLY after a complete and careful study of your markets, equipment, time, labor, animal housing requirements, feeds/sources, zoning laws, costs of operations, profit potential, water sources, manure uses, your own response to adversity, etc.) Resorts, restaurants, and deli’s have proven to be steady, reliable consumers. These retailers are eager to purchase premium, all-natural products for a customer base that understands pure, farm fresh products are far superior to industrially manufactured foods. Market share is maintained by providing top quality products and constant customer service.

In addition to medicinal plant products, we process naturally-raised meats and eggs (for the markets mentioned above) in a small, on-site facility licensed and inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture. The facility was constructed under the Departments guidance to meet sanitary standards and food safety guidelines in Michigan (other states may have different requirements). The facility has proven to be a powerful marketing tool with our customers that may have been reluctant to purchase unlicensed, farm direct products.

At Aspen Hill Farms, we practice sustainable agriculture. Using basic biological principles and humane methods of production, everything is used. Animal manures and poultry litters are used as plant fertilizers, while “weeds” and excess garden products are fed back to the animals to reduce feed costs. Nothing is wasted. Other than purchased feeds, fuels, garden seeds and equipment, we use no inputs in our farm operations. We are the chemical and fertilizer companies worst nightmare: we buy none of their products.

Animals at Aspen Hill Farms are raised in clean, humane conditions. They are cared for three times daily to insure adequate feed, water and comfort. This is not excessive. Countless times animals were saved due to unforeseen circumstances like water spillage, heat buildup in barns, or bunnies outside nest boxes during cold weather. We learned a host of problems can be avoided by a quick inspection of your animals. Healthy, contented animals are more productive. This is ultimately more cost effective for us as producers because disease, accidents and overcrowding has never been a problem. Livestock born will be livestock marketed. This enhances profitability …and our operations are geared toward profitability. We do not price our products cheaply or undercut our competitors. We don’t price gouge either. We are professionals that produce superior food products for a clientele that appreciates our efforts. We ask an appropriate return for our time, labor, risk and investment. We’ve even devised a simple formula for pricing our products.

Applied Skills + Overhead + Marketing + Sweat Equity = Return on Investment

Philosophy

Let’s face it folks, food producing skills possessed by small farmers are increasingly rare in today’s society. Most urban/suburbanites don’t know a red herring from a Rhode Island Red. Many couldn’t grow a field of dandelions and they don’t like to get their fingernails dirty. So it’s up to the small farmer to provide food for these people! That’s why I view our profession on equal terms with any lawyer, stockbroker or merchant. While some rural people have been giving stuff away for years, we don’t. I’m not greedy. I just refuse to subsidize others by selling our products at cut rates. Remember, for a farm to be sustainable, it must be profitable. Asking a fair price for your products is not unreasonable. It’s a matter of pride of accomplishment and self-respect. Small farmers need to make a living, too.

Finally, Aspen Hill Farms continues to thrive. We have expanded operations this year to include meat goats, beef cattle and lamb. We don’t have all the answers, but we continue to learn and adapt to changing market conditions and circumstances. It is our fervent desire to see sustainable small farms replicated throughout our nation. This country is in desperate need of cleaner food and wiser land use. Globalization and food importation is not the answer. Prosperity is only achieved thru local production, local distribution and local consumption. We are here to be good stewards. Creation and creatures are not to be abused. Perhaps, then, small farms like ours are part of the solution.