photo by Todd WrightIn 2017 the first spreadsheets and over eager seed buying began for what would become Hazel Witch Farm. We’ve grown from apartment window sills to the backyards of grandparents, a middle school learning garden, and to our current farm site- a 6 acre perch above the Chickahominy River. What started as a woman-owned side gig has blossomed into a multi-faceted business and a collective farm community. Hazel Witch Farm is run by Ash Hobson Carr alongside a growing team, and shares land access with our landmates, Shine Farms + Real Roots Food Systems.
We grow rare and ephemeral specialty cut flowers that are free from harmful chemicals, have a light footprint on our soil + water, and are supportive of fair wages for our selves + crew. We share the beauty of the farm in a variety of offerings:
Our designed arrangement Flower Club
A seasonal cutting garden subscription
Custom pieces for corporate or private events
Full service wedding design
Wholesale and retail via our grower owned cooperative
photo by Todd WrightFarming Principles
intentional systems
We use low/no till techniques to protect our soil structure, reduce weed pressure, and decrease water needs. We use a combination of human powered tools + small scale equipment to keep our emissions low while preserving the bodies of ourselves + crew. Our field hoophouses extend our season but are fully solar heated. We’re taking care to keep carbon in the ground.
We grow using little ‘o’ organic practices, (we aren’t certified USDA Organic, but don’t use chemical fertilizers or pesticides) our soil fertility is built from cover cropping, OMRI listed plant + mineral based amendments, and lots of mushroom compost. We’re taking care to build soil.
biodiversity
Our pest management strategies include crop rotation, a plant positive approach (interplanting + healthy seedlings) and biological controls (releasing hungry lacewings + nematodes) to create a responsive ecosystem we are a part of, rather than one we are in control of. We plant hedgerows to foster wildlife. We’re taking care to invest in biodiversity.
variety selection
The farmer favorites are always the bioregionally adapted varieties that don’t mind the humidity or the hurricanes, the natives that draw all the blue birds for their seeds, and the fully pollen-laden blooms that stain our shirts + hands. We’re taking care to set up birdhouses, plant for pollinators, and encourage robust ecosystems.