Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) supporters are celebrating the legacy of Fred de Long for his work in regenerative agriculture, writes Blake Goll for Country Lines Magazine. De Long passed on Jan. 21, 2025. A celebration of his life is taking place on July 20 at Rushton Farm in Newtown Square.
18 years ago, de Long was hired to create Rushton Farm on the land owned by the Willistown Conservation Trust. De Long dedicated his life to the 86-acre preserve, using his passion for agriculture and nature to drive him.
What makes Rushton Farm so unique is its use of regenerative agriculture, something de Long was an advocate for. Experts nationwide recognize the farm as a model for this agricultural method.
“It’s moving away from conventional methods and understanding that the best way to farm is one that works with the land and understands that the health of the land is the most vital part of growing food,” said de Long.
Rushton Farm covers its crops to keep the soil healthy, ensures wildflowers grow nearby to attract pollinators, and refrains from using any chemical products.
While most farmland in the U.S. relies on chemical-based agriculture, Rushton Farm works with nature to support its crops.
Learn more about Fred de Long and Rushton Farm in Country Lines Magazine.
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