Fields Without Fences

Restoring Connection Between People & Planet

writings & media

Articles, photography, video, and writings sourced from our work in and beyond the field.

writings & media

Articles, photography, video, and writings sourced from our work in and beyond the field. Our “from the field” series features projects, daily life, and reflections inspired by our work at home on our two farm sites in Frenchtown, New Jersey. Our “beyond the field” series features, projects, collaborations, and partnerships we are engaged in with our broader community.

Popular subjects include permaculture, forest gardening, regenerative agriculture, plant medicine, ecological restoration, earth based spirituality, and other diverse musings on agroecology topics.

June 19, 2019

WILD FARMING SERIES: Perennial Polycultures / Complexity & Abundance

June 19, 2019/ LINDSAY NAPOLITANO

Growing in perennial polycultures mimics the complexity and abundance naturally displayed by wild ecosystems. Cultivation happens within a horizontal and vertical spacial context, maximizing the productive yield of any given area, but also within the context of perpetually unfolding succession.

By harnessing the power of change, we can maximize the harvest by literally growing different plants in the same space - in an evolving storied architecture, but also within the context of one season, as spring plants blossom and fade - opening up space for summer plants to blossom and fade.

Working with the inevitability of change is the difference between swimming against the tide, and setting a sail in collaboration with the wind.

Pictured here: Johann harvests 'Pink Champagne' currants growing under a ‘Meader' persimmon, next to blue flag iris, comfrey, lemon balm, and marshmallow growing beneath elderberry on our forest garden farm.

Fields Without Fences

Plant Medicine for People & Planet

On our farm, located within Delaware River Watershed, we cultivate fruits, nuts, medicinal herbs, and wild edibles within naturalized plantings that mimic the wild ecology. Through site specific design, we integrate approaches found in environmental restoration, permaculture design, and regenerative agriculture to create low input, self-renewing, agroecological systems that naturally restore health and integrity to our shared landscape.

Beyond our fields we bring these practices to our consulting and design work with farmers, landowners, and organizations. Inspired by a philosophy that recognizes all elements are integral to an interconnected planet, we approach landscapes as interdependent ecosystems, out of which the well being of all is reflected in the health and functionality of the whole. We bring this mindful holistic approach to everything we do, from the products we craft, to the programs and services we offer.