We are Bart and Andrea Lay, stewards of Hidden Hollow Farm (along with our two children).  We use organic growing methods and do not use any chemical or artificial fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides.  All of our crops are open pollinated and heirloom varieties, the seeds of which have been saved and passed down for many generations. We save many of our own seeds.  We also use biointensive growing methods such as double dug beds for some crops, using close and offset spacing of plants, cover cropping, and applying compost.  We make our own compost with the abundant leaves that blanket the woods here, grass clippings, weeds, and plant trimmings.  We plant cover crops including buckwheat, oats and winter rye which add organic matter and nutrients to the soil, prevent erosion of precious topsoil, and attract beneficial insects and pollinators.  To learn more about biointensive methods, go to the Ecology Action website.

In keeping with our goal and mission of sustainability, our homestead is off-the-grid and we get our electricity from the sun and solar panels.  Visit our links page to see some great websites on off-grid living and solar power.