Tiny House Renovation ~ Who is coming to visit?

Thrift store find.

A small 10'x20' metal building was delivered to Root Bottom Farm in 2015. We paid extra to have extra doors and windows added. We added extension cord electric, carpet, shelving, a small kitchenette and a sleeping loft and had friends fresh off their Appalachian Trail thru-hike crash for a month before reentering society.

In the spring of 2016, we taught ourselves how to build a small deck off the back that overlooks our bold creek.  Throughout 2016, we paid the building off by having friends and Airbnb guests book it on the weekends. Living in such a small house, it was a nice addition to have a separate guest house for friends and family to stay in during our busy farm season.

This winter, we started the final renovation process of making our little building a true 'tiny house'.  We wired it with track lighting, outdoor lighting and plugs. Friends helped us install pergo flooring, insulate the unfinished walls and cover them with pine boards. Now it feels like a little cabin inside and we couldn't be more in love.

Here is a link of what it looked like the first year.
http://rootbottom.blogspot.com/2016/01/have-tiny-house-will-travel.html

With the arrival of our Josephine this spring, we are not doing Airbnb for now and invite our loved ones to come experience their own little lodging on Root Bottom Farm. Our calendar fills up quick, so please check with us for availability. We would LOVE to have you!

We are also doing unique volunteer positions this season to help with my normal farm workload. Sign up for a 'mini work trade' at Root Bottom and stay in the tiny house for one to two weeks in exchange of a once a day task that typically runs two hours. Examples of tasks are picking blackberries, trimming and polishing garlic or picking tomatoes.  Then you have the rest of the day to hug our baby or explore the awesomeness that is Western North Carolina, Asheville and Madison County. Contact us at rootbottom@gmail.com for more info and available dates for those opportunities.

Before _ unfinished

Finished Deck

During Renovations

Just add friends & family

 

Root Bottom Farm Internship 2017 // Now accepting applications - updated - Filled for 2017

Root Bottom Farm is looking for the next great farmer to join our team for the 2017 season.

POSITION RUNS

April 1, 2017-Oct 15, 2017

APPLICATION DEADLINE ----updated - Filled for 2017

ABOUT THE FARM

Our farm is located in Madison County, about 30 minutes North of Asheville, and 10 minutes from the towns of Mars Hill and Marshall. We grow just above 2,000 ft in the Blue Ridge Mountains on 5 acres of bottom land. We are dedicated to growing great organic food the old fashioned way. By hand, with love and without chemicals. We love diversity. In addition to our large microgreen and annual vegetable operation, we also have many established perennial crops. We currently grow strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, grapes, herbs, asparagus and 54 fruit trees. We have a large garlic crop that we hang in our renovated tobacco barn. We have two high tunnels on the property which are used for starting all of our plants from seed and for tomato and cucumber production. We have multiple outlets for selling our produce including farmers markets, a CSA, farm to table dinners, and a local food distribution company.

ABOUT THE POSITION

We want to train future farmers. We believe in a local, chemical free food supply and want to share our skills with someone who wants those things in their life and their communities. We are seeking a motivated, physically fit intern interested in learning all aspects of a small organic farm operation this summer. Skills the intern will learn include propagation, planting, weeding, harvesting, greenhouse management, farmers market set up and sales, events and microgreen operations. This internship is designed as a learning experience for someone who is serious about growing food organically on a small scale using mostly human powered methods. Recycling and composting is mandatory. Housing and a share of produce is offered in return for 32 hrs of work per week (includes Sunday and Monday off and half day Saturday). Watering duties when the farmer is out of town is expected. Intern has a private residence with a parking spot. It is a furnished small studio apartment (about 250 square feet) that includes a cold water faucet, a kitchenette, bed, shelving, outdoor composting toilet and a propane heated outdoor shower. Bathroom is shared with farm guests. Utilities and internet are included.

Photo by Danielle Keeter

QUALIFICATIONS

No previous experience is required, only an eager person ready to work hard, eat great food, and is enthusiastic about learning to farm and apply these skills in the future. Must have your own vehicle since we live in a rural setting.

To apply: Send your resume with references to 

Morgan Decker at rootbottom@ gmail.com

For more information about the farm, please visit our website at:

http://www.rootbottomfarm.com

Join the Root Bottom Farm CSA family in 2017

Taste the rainbow. Eat real food in 2017.
Fresh, pesticide free food. Every week.

What is a CSA?

Community Supported Agriculture is a way for you to buy and eat local, seasonal and delicious produce directly from the farmer in your community.  As with all CSAs, you are investing in a farm and its farmers. You take on the risks with us and refunds are not available for crop failure. You receive a box of weekly veggies, greens and value added products.  Pick up on Tuesday at our Marshall farm (after 2pm) or at the West Asheville Market (from 330-630). Root Bottom Farm's CSA services Buncombe and Madison County, NC.

 

How long does it last? How much does it cost?

Mid May - October
$500 for the season. Full payment is due by March 1st, 2017.

What can I expect in my box?

Produce and products vary each week. Boxes will include greens, microgreens, vegetables, root crops, berries and our value added products.
Greens: Lettuce, microgreens, kale, Swiss chard, collards, arugula & spicy Asian greens
Veggies: eggplant, tomatoes, scallions, peppers, cucumbers, peas, beans, broccoli, corn, summer & winter squash
Root Crops: carrots, beets, potatoes, sweet potatoes, garlic, onions & sunchokes
Other: strawberries, blackberries, basil, herbs, flowers, jam, pesto and garlic butter

What if I don't pick up my box?

If boxes are not picked up (and we are not contacted to make different arrangements), the box will be donated that week to a family in need in the area.

What do I do next?

Check out Rootbottomfarm.com for more info.
Contact us at rootbottom @ gmail.com for more information or you can order shares on rootbottomfarm.com under Store

We look forward to growing you great, organic food this year!

First snowfall on the farm

Bon hiver!! (Good Winter to you!) 

The first 'big' snowfall of the year happened this week and it is the first snow I have been around to experience since we bought the property in 2011. A whole 5 inches fell on the farm with some areas near us getting 8 or more. The new Governor actually went on the news and declared "a state of emergency." The East Coast panic was palpable with people stripping the grocery store shelves of milk and bread. Meanwhile, Morgan is out skiing in Utah with almost 4+ ft falling during the same week. With temperatures on the farm dropping into the single digits, my fire lasted through the night, I got to cross country ski around the property in the morning and have hot chocolate for breakfast.  Later that day, I was able to harvest some cabbage and kale that was still sticking around out in the field.

Jasper kind of got it. Despite trying to eat my skis.

Can't wait to try out the new deck!

Blue skies came out...but the temperature didn't get above freezing for almost three days.

2017 Garlic Crop

kale