RANGELEY – At Fixit Farm, homeowners Paul and Leslie Ferguson have bolstered their livelihood on considered one of nature’s most elementary creatures and what many may determine as a much less glamorous species. However for the Fergusons, worms are a welcome addition to their farm. The farm is run strictly by the Ferguson household and is “self-sufficient”, even utilizing waste oil from surrounding eating places and different donors to warmth their greenhouses. Leslie herself got here from a background of utilizing the pure sources round her for additional advantages.
“My mom was an natural gardener earlier than it was cool. I’m all the time searching for extra natural matter, aside from the sources she taught me to make use of and I stumbled upon worm castings on the web. I believed there was no purpose why we are able to’t simply begin making this ourselves,” stated Leslie on the early beginnings of her enterprise.
Whereas Paul had a extra suburban upbringing, it’s his “handyman” perspective that lends different restore providers to the Fixit Farm and what supplied the information to start their success in promoting worm compost. When Leslie first determined to arrange a soil-fertilizing store in her husband’s storage, it was Paul’s instruments that allowed them to carry out the required sifting and sorting capabilities that preserve the worms wholesome and the soil at its most nutrient-rich. He constructed their first soil take a look at kits as properly. Quickly, phrase unfold of the Ferguson’s new soil, and family and friends began asking for his or her product.
“We used to ship plastic luggage of the fertilizer out of our automotive, however finally we upgraded to a trailer, and now we ship out of a full field truck with a elevate. However to begin, it was back-breaking work,” stated Leslie.
In line with Leslie, what elevated their enterprise from a small storage store to the thriving worm castings operation that it’s now, was the curiosity acquired from the hashish group starting in 2013.
“It took off from there. We went to a couple agricultural exhibits and offered out. After that, it was all phrase of mouth. We didn’t want any promoting,” stated Leslie.
Fixit Farm’s natural worm casting soil is offered on to hashish retail places in addition to main feed shops equivalent to Fedco Seed Firm and Pine Tree Seed. Whereas they promote their very own harvested worms, the majority of their product is the soil itself.
“We name it unscreened bedding. Individuals want to create their very own dwelling soils in order that they’ll develop what they’d like, whether or not that’s hashish or tomatoes. I don’t care what they’re rising, I give them a great product,” stated Leslie.
With many turning to homesteading tasks in the course of the pandemic, COVID has solely elevated their already profitable enterprise. The enterprise had expanded twice previous to the pandemic, however the progress proved inadequate when the farm was tasked with maintaining with the orders previously yr. At present, Fixit Farm robotically locations all new clients on a ready record and is booked out with orders till Could.
“We all the time offered out earlier than, however nothing prefer it was when Covid hit. Abruptly everybody and their brother needed to develop their very own meals and medication. Now, the whole lot we harvest known as for,” stated Leslie.
After ten years of operating the farm, Leslie and Paul could also be contemplating promoting. Although the enterprise is economically helpful, it’s additionally bodily demanding and is a significant time dedication. In the event that they do promote, Leslie doesn’t have plans of constant another agricultural enterprise.
“I feel I see myself specializing in our family compound. Simply rising our meals and taking good care of the land. We’re sittin’ fairly. It’s profitable, however sooner or later you must ask your self what you wish to do along with your life,” stated Leslie.
— to dailybulldog.com
