Persimmon Moon Farm Goals

At Persimmon Moon Farm, our vision is to create a thriving, regenerative sanctuary that harmonizes with the high-desert landscape of northern New Mexico. We are focused on laying a strong foundation for a sustainable future. From restoring the soil through innovative techniques like keyline plowing and cover cropping, to building essential farm infrastructure such as water catchment systems and a versatile greenhouse, every step is guided by our commitment to nurturing the land and fostering biodiversity. With an emphasis on cultivating medicinal herbs, implementing natural farming practices, and creating spaces for community and creativity, our goals reflect a deep respect for the earth and a dedication to its healing potential.

Developing Farm Infrastructure

A sustainable farm requires systems that support long-term productivity and resilience. Infrastructure provides the tools we need to farm efficiently and responsibly while adapting to the challenges of our high-desert environment.

Water Catchment

Water is life in the arid climate of northern New Mexico, and every drop counts. We’re installing gutters and first-flush diverters on our buildings to capture rainwater, which will be stored in IBC totes and rain barrels for later use.

Capturing rainwater reduces our reliance on delivered water and ensures we have a sustainable source for irrigation and nutrient applications. It also helps us conserve a precious natural resource.

Instead of digging a well, we’re exploring innovative methods like buried cisterns, Oyas (terracotta pots that slowly release water), and Zuni-style waffle gardens.

These techniques maximize water efficiency, ensure consistent moisture for plants, and align with our goal of working in harmony with the land’s natural rhythms.

Greenhouse & Woodworking Shop

We’re excited to expand our infrastructure with the addition of a greenhouse and woodworking shop. This versatile space serves as a hub for year-round seed starting, plant propagation, and herbal drying, while also providing a dedicated area for crafting handmade farm products and tools.

The greenhouse allows us to extend our growing season and nurture delicate plants in a controlled environment, vital for our high-desert climate. Meanwhile, the woodworking shop empowers us to create functional and artistic items that reflect our farm’s unique character, from custom planting trays to rustic furniture for our event space.

This dual-purpose structure is a step toward greater self-sufficiency, sustainability, and creative expression on the farm.

The Herbiary Workshop: Where Nature Meets Craft

At the heart of Persimmon Moon Farm is our Herbier Workshop, a dedicated space where we transform nature’s bounty into handmade, small-batch creations. Here, we craft our natural skincare products, including cold-processed soaps, salves, room mists, and herbal blends, using organic oils, farm-grown or foraged herbs, and time-honored techniques.

The Herbiary workshop is more than a workspace—it’s where the essence of our land comes to life. Each product reflects the care we put into growing, harvesting, and crafting, embodying the healing spirit of our farm.

From infusing oils with medicinal plants to experimenting with new recipes, this is where the magic happens, blending sustainability, artistry, and the beauty of nature into every creation.

Supporting Biodiversity and Pollinators

Biodiversity is critical for a healthy farm ecosystem. Pollinators, beneficial insects, and a variety of plants all play a role in maintaining balance and productivity.

Medicinal Herbs

We’re trialing perennial and annual medicinal plants like lavender, calendula, bee balm, flax, mint, hops, sunflowers, and chicory. These plants serve both practical and ecological purposes.

Medicinal herbs attract pollinators, improve soil health, and provide us with valuable crops for natural products. They also align with our mission to support both human and environmental healing.

Beekeeping

Bees are essential pollinators, and we’re committed to supporting them. Healthy bee colonies ensure successful pollination of crops and wild plants, boosting yields and supporting biodiversity. They’re also a vital part of the larger ecosystem we aim to nurture. When honey and beeswax are plentiful, we incorporate these natural treasures into our handcrafted products, enhancing their nourishing and restorative qualities. Honey, with its humectant properties, adds gentle hydration to our soaps and salves, while beeswax creates a protective barrier that locks in moisture and soothes the skin. These ingredients, sourced directly from our own hives, reflect the harmony between our bees and the land, infusing each product with the pure essence of our farm.

Restoring Soil Health

Healthy soil is more than just dirt—it’s a living, breathing ecosystem that sustains all plant life and, by extension, our farm. Regenerating soil is a long-term process that improves fertility, supports microbial life, and builds resilience against climate challenges.

Cover crops are one of the most effective tools for building healthy soil, preventing erosion, and fostering biodiversity. These plants act as a protective blanket for the soil, improving its structure and fertility while providing habitat for beneficial insects and microbes.

This year, we’re excited to approach cover cropping from two angles:

Keyline-Planted Cover Crops with Gordon Tooley

As part of our ongoing collaboration with Gordon Tooley of Tooley’s Trees, we did a one time keyline plow in selected areas of our land and planted a diverse mix of cover crops. The unique contours created by keyline plowing maximize water infiltration and ensure that seeds are sown in a way that harmonizes with the land’s natural flow. Our custom cover crop blend included species like vetch, oats, flax, sunflowers, clover, wheat, barley, Rocky Mountain bee plant, rye, and prairie coneflower, tailored to thrive in our high-desert environment.

The combination of keyline plowing and cover crops improved our soil structure, water retention, and nutrient cycling while beginning to restore the land to a prairie-like state over time. It also helped us build organic matter and support beneficial soil organisms.

No-Till Planting with Taos Soil & Water Conservation District

We’re thrilled to have been selected for the 2024 Taos Soil & Water Conservation District's cover crop program, which is funded through grants to encourage regenerative practices. Through this program, the cost of seeds and planting will be reimbursed, making it accessible for small farms like ours. Buck Johnson used a no-till drill to sow calendula, chicory, sunflowers, hairy vetch, oats, peas, wheat, and a mix of native grasses directly into the soil without disturbing the top layer.

No-till methods preserve soil structure, reduce erosion, and keep the soil’s microbial ecosystem intact. By layering this technique with our other soil-building efforts, we’re creating a robust foundation for future planting while minimizing disturbance to the land.

Both approaches align with our goal to keep roots in the ground year-round, which stabilizes the soil, supports water retention, and feeds the soil microbiome. Cover cropping is an investment in the long-term health of our farm, ensuring that we can grow sustainably for years to come.

This journey is ongoing, and each step we take brings us closer to our vision. By focusing on these goals, we’re creating a farm that’s not only productive but also resilient, regenerative, and deeply connected to the natural world.

We’ll continue to update this post as we make progress—stay tuned, and thank you for being part of our journey!