THE FARMERS
THE BEND
Encompassing around 1100 acres, the land is primarily steep wooded hills, coves, and ridges and also forested swamp and bottomland pasture. This mix of ecosystems allows native plant and animal species to flourish and makes a scenic landscape.
The bottomland soil, designated “Tuscaloosa Choccolocco”, is composed of fine silt and large amounts of organic matter deposited over millennia in flood events. Alabama’s mild climate and the soil’s fertility have made the farm an excellent agricultural site since prehistoric times. As evidenced by a mound and many artifacts the farm was extensively in use by the Mississippian people over 700 years ago for agriculture, hunting, and ceremony.
In more recent times the farm produced crops of corn, cotton, and soybeans and pasture for livestock. In 2004, after experiences learning and practicing organic agriculture in Alabama, Tennessee, California, Washington, Ecuador, Senegal, and Morocco, Margaret Ann Toohey and David Snow returned home to begin their own farming operation on the Snow farm.
Located 10 miles west of Tuscaloosa, AL as the crow flies, the farm is situated on a large bend in the Black Warrior River. In the 19th century the bend was given the name “Snow’s Bend”.
David Snow
&
Margaret Ann Toohey
Through much hard work and intense determination the two’s garden has grown from less than ¼ acre in 2004 to 5-6 acres in 2007 on which 50 different vegetables encompassing nearly 250 varieties and numerous cut flowers are grown. With 150 acres now available for organic production, the farmers plan to diversify their operation to include livestock, perennial fruit and nut orchards, and an heirloom seed saving garden to preserve genetic diversity and select for local adaptability. Future plans also include biodiversity and wildlife habitat enhancements such as bird and bat houses and mixed species hedgerows to provide a year round nectar supply for native bees and beneficial insects. In addition, when the infrastructure is in place, the farmers want to bring school groups and individuals interested in knowing more about organic farming to the farm.
Snow’s Bend Farm’s produce is marketed solely in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham through a CSA, (Community Supported Agriculture- a program where individuals invest in the season’s harvest and the farmers deliver fresh produce weekly-visit "our CSA"), farmer’s markets, a few fine dining restaurants, and small, locally owned grocery stores. Visit "Where to find our produce" for details on our other outlets.
Thus the operation not only benefits the environment, but also the greater community.