About Sanders Ridge Organic Farm



The Farm business was established in 2005 as a CSA or Community Supported Agriculture. Our entire farm (11.5 acres) and all of our produce has

The yearly application and inspection process required to maintain USDA organic certification is viewed by many sustainable, eco, or naturally grown producers as expensive, time consuming, and requiring unnecessarily tedious paperwork.  We have chosen to go the extra mile yearly and seek certification because we feel that it not only validates our dedication to sustainable farming practices and principles, but also helps to support the USDA in their effort to promote sustainable agriculture beyond our locale.  As for the expense, thanks to a yearly cost share grant available through the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - much of the application fee required to pay for USDA certification has been reimbursed, making it cost effective for our small farm.)

We grow a wide variety of vegetables and herbs. Crops are planted in succession in order to provide a continuous weekly supply of mixed vegetables, and we grow them organically - which in a nutshell means without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pest control - utilizing instead soil building and integrated cropping techniques, companion planting, and intensive greenhouse production - all of which help to reduce risk factors for us and our shareholders and which provides multiple benefits to the soil and the regional environment.

Visitors are welcome to visit and wander the farm freely year-round, 9am to 6pm.  (It is a good idea to give us a quick call or email before you set out though - just to be sure we'll be around to greet you.

It all started in December 2005, when Neil Shore invited me to partner with him to obtain USDA Organic Certification and to produce and sell organic vegetables, herbs, and cut flowers at his farm.  We started out with about 1/4 of an acre in cultivation and 5 CSA customers.

By the Spring of 2006 we were growing on over an acre and serving 40 members as well as The Kitchen at  Elkin Creek!  The weather that season was fantastic and we delivered vegetables up until the week before Christmas.

The entire season was so awesome.  Interest in the farm and inquiries into new memberships poured in, sooo - we decided to plow and prepare 2 additional acres and double the number of memberships. Every year since have been both challenging and successful.  We've maintained a growing Food Guild/CSA membership as well as met and served many - many wonderful people through our participation at several area farmers markets.   Its a LOT of hard work,  long hours and not too much "us" time - but we plan to continue our business for as long as our old bodies will allow!

Me (Cindy), Neil,  and Even
Photo by John Rolland