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About Us

Fifth Acre Farms is a regenerative farm run by husband and wife team Rachel Gonzales and Tyler Shoemaker in Northeast Ohio. We're looking beyond organic and growing high quality food and flowers in a way that actually benefits the soil. Our soil is never tilled under or treated with synthetic fertilizer and our plants are never sprayed with chemical pesticides or grown as mono-crops. We're using these regenerative practices in our fields for the same reason we're packing our produce with zero plastic - because it's a good thing to do. And at Fifth Acre Farms, we're firm believers that the world could always use a little more good.

Our Story

At Fifth Acre Farms, our love for the earth is at the heart of everything we do. It all started four years ago, when my husband and I were both laid off at the start of the pandemic. I was reflecting on ways to make a positive impact in my community and beyond when I wrote a simple sentence in my notebook: I want to grow food.

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From that day forward, I was on a mission to learn everything I could about food production that benefits both people and the planet. I didn't just want to be "carbon neutral" or "organically grown" - I wanted to repair the damage done by things like conventional agriculture and lawn management. I wanted to produce food that was bursting with flavor and nutrition. And I wanted to share the bounty of our labor with my community.

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As a graphic designer of over a decade, I decided to pivot my career and founded Yardly Edible Gardens, a company that designs and installs vegetable gardens. I then took on the role of horticulture manager at the Ørchard on Catawba, where I developed an on-site composting program, a no-till chef's garden, and a beautiful u-pick flower garden.

Working at the Ørchard ignited my passion for having guests in the garden and grew my dream of welcoming visitors to our own regenerative farm.

 

Fifth Acre Farms is our love letter to the earth, and every decision we make honors and celebrates it. We can't wait to take you with us on our journey as we share with you the joy of high-quality, nutrient-dense food and beautiful flowers. Thank you for being a part of our community!

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-Rachel
owner & farm manager - Fifth Acre Farms
Regenerative Farming

what we mean when we say

Regenerative farming isn't just a trendy phrase - it's a powerful tool for combatting climate change. At Fifth Acre Farms, we're passionate about using regenerative practices to build healthy soil, enhance biodiversity, and even sequester carbon. We're excited to share how our commitment to regenerative farming is making a positive impact on our environment.

Black Soil
Pumpkins
Cabbage Field
No-Till
Crop Rotation
Compost

Soil is more than just dirt - it's a complex system that's alive with a network of microbes. Tilling, or turning the soil, can disrupt this vital network and release carbon into the atmosphere. It can also contribute to soil erosion. We use no-till methods to prepare and plant our beds, which helps preserve the natural structure of the soil and promote a healthy ecosystem. Click here to learn more about our no-till approach.

Planting the same crop in the same soil repeatedly, called mono-cropping, can cause soil to lose essential nutrients and encourage certain pests and diseases. This often leads to increased use of synthetic fertilizers and harmful pesticides to deal with these issues. At Fifth Acre Farms, we avoid mono-cropping by practicing responsible crop rotation. This helps us manage pests and diseases, and ensures that our soil remains healthy and nutrient-rich.

Compost is an excellent source of organic matter that's rich in nutrients and contains millions of beneficial microbes. By nourishing our soil with compost, we're able to grow healthy, nutrient-rich food without relying on synthetic fertilizers

Connect With Us

Contact

Pick Up Hours

Saturday

9:00 am – 7:00 pm

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