Who We Are
Smart Farm of Barrington is a working farm employing integrated agriculture supporting a multitude of ecosystems on the farm. These systems include vegetable production, perennial (permaculture) systems, biodiversity of plant, animal, and insect species, and land restoration. Additionally, the farm provides immense benefits to the community through its food access and volunteer programs.
Smart Farm’s mission combines equitable food access with conservation to help support a vibrant local food system. It is simple, provide high-quality produce to the community while protecting soil and water ecosystems. To realize this mission, the farm has outlined the following values that will guide decision-making.
- We believe that everyone has the right to healthy food and that a vibrant food system benefits all community members.
- We are committed to serving those in need by growing the most nutritiously dense food possible.
- We recognize our role as stewards of the land.
- We respect the land and actively work to employ practices that restore our soil and water.
- We are dedicated to teaching our community the benefits and practices of sustainable farming.
What We Do
We continue to learn, grow and share. With a small crew and several volunteers we tend to 10 acres of land. We farm 1 1/2 acres of annual agriculture and the remaining land is planted with fruit trees, nut trees, berry bushes, perennial vegetables, cover crop, and native plants. We use many techniques to care for our farm including cover crops, organic soil amendments, and integrative pest management. We are always trying new techniques to find the best way to care for the land.
