Farmbrook Grows

Farmbrook Grows considers their farming practices as “organic as possible” and uses biodynamic practices whenever possible. With sustainability and the environment top of mind, the farm aerates their soil without the use of rototillers or other heavy equipment. Instead, they use a tool called a broad fork to aerate the soil, making it easier to remove weeds and maintain beneficial microorganisms. Farmbrook Grows makes concentrated efforts to nurture a beautiful yard and maintain healthy plant growth. Most of the farm’s plants are edible and/or used for medicinal purposes such as fresh, dried, frozen, and canned foods, salves, tinctures, and teas.

"Though more complex in some ways, biodynamic gardening is a natural extension of organic gardening. Both share the same passion for producing delicious, chemical-free food, caring for soils, bees and wildlife, and champion biodiversity and health. Sometimes described as ‘organic plus’, the biodynamic approach is both down to earth and spiritual."

Source: Biodynamic Gardening - Biodynamic Association

Both Susan and Vince, owners of Farmbrook Grows, take pride in developing their land. “Healthy soil first has to have everything you need,” Susan states with a smile and a nod to nature.

Family and Background

Susan and Vince met through mutual friends and lived in Kalamazoo for many years before moving to Southfield. The couple knew that they wanted a little bit of acreage to create what they wanted, and Southfield had just the right fit. With property that needed a lot of work, they began the process of cultivating their own ‘mini-farmstead.’

They have lived in Southfield for nearly nine years now and appreciate their community. “I’ll be outside in the front yard gardening and neighbors will walk by, stop, and chat about farm products. These friendly conversations and gardening talks spur on more planting ideas.”

Gardening Process

Farmbrook Grows plants directly from seed with no chemicals or pesticides in any stage of the plant or the soil. Rather than rototilling, the farm uses aerating practices that do not disturb the mycorrhizae or other beneficial organisms in the soil. After this process, they add more soil and amendments as needed before planting. “We work with the natural world as much as possible for pest control and pollination. I grow microgreens which have 40 percent more nutritional value than a full-grown plant, i.e., broccoli, pea, sunflower. I grow a variety of flowers for cut flower bouquets and for pollinators, in addition to growing heirloom tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and other produce for family and friends,” commented Susan.

Currently, Farmbrook Grows farms Winecap mushrooms and plan to inoculate logs with Lions Mane, Oyster, and Shitake growth. In the future, the farm hopes to produce more mushrooms as an alternative protein source.

“Permaculture gardening is ideal for anyone looking to grow their own food in a sustainable system. Permaculture principles allow you to build a vegetable garden that relies on natural processes to promote growth, providing you with abundant fruits and vegetables.”

Source: How to Start a Permaculture Garden in 8 Steps - 2022 - MasterClass

With a little land, a beehive, a chicken coop, and friendly pets found on the farm for charm and unique gardening processes, Farmbrook Grows certainly is growing on the community. If you see them out in the garden, please stop by and say “hello.”

Contact Farmbrook Grows

Questions can be directed to Susan and Vince Gallant at 269-903-6599 or farmbrookgrows@gmail.com.

Farmbrook Farms
25235 Farmbrook Road
Southfield, Michigan 48034

1. How did Farmbrook Grows get its start? Describe the beginning years of operation.

Farmbrook Grows considers themselves as a small ‘family and friends farm’ that practices biodynamic and permaculture gardening. It is an ‘organic as possible’ farm that has been a welcome surprise for its community and gardening enthusiasts. Where there was once only grass is now a small orchard, as they planted all their fruit trees themselves. They grow as much as possible to encourage healthy bees and beneficial insects for healthy plant growth, produce, and overall health of the land that includes flower varieties, herbs, and native plants.

2. How has living in Southfield influenced your business?

The community appreciation. I’ll be outside in the front yard gardening and residents will walk by, stop, and chat about farm products. These friendly conversations and gardening talks will spur on more planting ideas.

3. Where can people in our community purchase products from Farmbrook Grows? (Do you have an online eCommerce presence?)

No. Mostly word of mouth and bartering services. The community residents will often sit out on the road just to eat lunch which many times include fresh vegetables grown from Farmbrook Grows.

4. What do you want potential customers to know most about Farmbrook Grows?

Our farm is as “organic as possible” and uses labor intensive farming practices without chemicals or pesticides. Farmbrook Grows uses nature’s own gifts such as young dandelion weeds.

5. Do your customers have a favorite product? (What’s a popular product that people purchase?)

Our heirloom tomatoes are popular and so are the microgreens. Microgreens are any plant harvest before its true leaf growth. Pea, sunflower, and broccoli harvests are most common. Microgreens are 40% more nutritious than full leaf growth plants.

6. What’s the best way to contact you?

Call Susan and Vince Gallant at 269-903-6599 or email farmbrookgrows@gmail.com.

Farmbrook Farms
25235 Farmbrook Road
Southfield, Michigan 48034

7. Anything else you’d like to share?

Farmbrook Farms uses no heavy farming equipment such as a rototiller so as not to disturb the benefits of organisms of the soil, using a broad fork by hand to aerate soil elements by hand. The farm makes their own salves, and plants with medicinal qualities, as well as growing protein sources such as Lion’s Mane, Shiitake, and Oyster mushrooms. Brewing beer and natural sodas from plants is an ongoing experiment.