In a recent interview with Dr. Gabe Kenne, Lance Samuel spoke about his family’s farm, ‘Bushels & Bags’ near Ridgeway, South Carolina. Co-founded with his wife, Kim, initially the two former personal trainers only intended to start a homestead. Their journey began with a provisional vegetable plot, which gradually expanded into a full-fledged operation centered around microgreens. Their shift towards microgreens was driven by a desire to merge their interests in health, nutrition and agriculture. They soon discovered a strong local demand for organically grown, chemical-free vegetables.

Bushels & Bags is "Certified Naturally Grown" (CNG), which is similar to an organic certification, but relies on a more local, grassroots, peer-reviewed process. This method not only supports small-scale farmers but also reduces certification costs. Lance values the collaborative nature of CNG, which fosters idea exchange and mutual support among farmers.

Bushels & Bags now operates on approximately 1.5 acres and emphasizes chemical-free farming. They utilize methods such as exclusion netting and no-till farming to maintain soil structure and prevent pests. Lance details their recent experiments with cover crops, comparing crimping versus mowing techniques. He found crimping—rolling cover crops flat before planting—to be superior for controlling weeds and promoting plant health, compared to mowing, which led to increased weed pressure and inhibited growth.

The interview also highlights their regenerative practices, including the use of hedgerows composed of native plants and flowering species between crop plots. Lance noticed the hedgerows attracted beneficial insects and birds that help with pest control, reducing the need for chemical intervention. The hedgerows further enhanced biodiversity and managed water runoff by absorbing excess water and preventing soil erosion. In the future, Lance is interested in incorporating rainwater catchment systems to further improve water management and reduce reliance on well water.

Initially the farm implemented large amounts of outsourced compost, but in recent years Lance has begun cultivating in-house compost comprised of vegetable scraps, dead leaves and spent grain from local breweries. An experiment to remove wood chips from pathways resulted in increased erosion and water runoff, and Lance has since reverted back to using wood chips on walking paths and refined the application method, which has improved water management and reduced labor.

The family plays a crucial role in the farm’s operations, as the four Samuel children all contribute to the work necessary to support the farm. Operating in a remote and rural area, however, has its challenges. The farm's location, combined with the prevalence of personal gardens among locals, complicates direct sales. Despite these difficulties, Bushels & Bags has found success through regular attendance at a local farmer’s market, a CSA program, and relationships with local restaurants.

Looking ahead, Lance aims to further integrate both annual and perennial crops on the farm. To beginning farmers, Lance emphasizes the value of public resources– books, videos and online courses– and heeds new farmers to first find and shadow existing operations that share their agricultural value systems. 

For more information about Bushels & Bags, visit their website https://www.bushelsandbagsfarm.com/ or visit them at the Kershaw Farmers Market in Camden, SC on Saturdays.