VB: Nettlepoint Farm

Syd St. John has been farming on and off since they were 16 years old. Starting in 2018 with growing microgreens and tomatoes in a greenhouse environment with an urban farm in Detroit, they continued to farm after moving to Franklin County in 2020. Upon arrival, they worked at Red Fire Farm and developed relationships with Mycoterra Farm, Song Sparrow Farm, and Just Roots. Learning by doing, St. John has gotten their hands into all aspects of farming: in the fields, greenhouses, packaging and distribution.

In 2024, St. John and their partner moved to Greenfield. While settling into 2.71 acres on Highland Avenue, they turned lawn into flower beds and plantings that preserved soil and water. From those early plantings, their vision for a micro flower farm in Greenfield was born. St. John says, “We have the knowledge to turn this parcel into something productive. We landed on flowers even though we had never done flowers before.”

For St. John it is not just what they are growing that is important, it is also how they are growing. St. John says, “I spent a lot of time on organic farms. When we till, it’s very intentional because we are on a hill.” Thoughtful tilling manages erosion and water retention while protecting the roots of plants. Nettlepoint Farm also raises chickens for eggs, which are part of their strategy for thoughtful growing.

St. John has been learning Korean Natural Farming (KNF), which is a style of crop management developed in Korea and perfected in Hawaii. A parcel of land has its own array of fungi, bacteria and other microorganisms that work imperceptibly below the surface—the microbiome. KNF focuses on building up the microbiome and enhancing it for crops, much like eating probiotics for gut health.

On Nettlepoint Farm, they catch rain and add clippings from mowing, weeds and the detritus from cleaning the chicken coop. The water sits and ferments, then is used to fertilize plants. St. John creates solutions for different problems: pests, nitrogen, potassium, or phosphorus levels by starting fermentation with different ingredients. For instance, fermenting garden waste with a high sugar content creates a solution which promotes flowering, and fermenting chicken waste yields a solution full of micro-organisms that consume proteins, breaking them into usable nutrients for the plants. This becomes a closed circle, where external chemical additives become unnecessary.

St John also recognized that farming has impacts on neighbors and the community. “We want what works for the neighbors as much as for growing on our land,” says St. John. It matters to St. John that their farm contributes to the neighborhood in a positive way. They learned what is needed to farm on a small scale in a residential neighborhood.

Based on experience with urban farming in Detroit, St. John knew that zoning for agriculture could be tricky, especially regarding livestock. They explain, “I made sure to familiarize myself with Greenfield zoning laws and engaged directly with city government as early as possible. I wanted to be clear about my goals and anticipate whatever hurdles might come up.”

St. John scoped out how much they could do in a suburban residential parcel. They explain, “Greenfield is a right-to-farm community. The designation for a farm usually applies to pieces of land over five acres, regardless of zoning, but Nettlepoint Farm is on 2.71 acres.”

They continue, “Thanks to the work of our Agriculture Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals, we learned that we fall under Massachusetts State Law Chapter 40A, Section 3, which affords similar protections to any property of at least two acres, as long as that property is generating at least $1K in gross income per acre per year through agricultural pursuits.”

Although “playing in the dirt,” as St. John describes it, is at the heart of this farming, there is an imperative to make money. To retain farm status, Nettlepoint needs to generate income based on acreage. St. John adds, “We’re aiming for $2.75K to be on the safe side. As long as we meet our financial goals, we can continue to operate on a property zoned as suburban residential. If not, then we will be subject to zoning regulations and will require special permits to operate.”

Nettlepoint Farm offers flower subscriptions by the season—six weeks of beautiful blossoms, with delivery available in Greenfield. They bring flowers and pasture-raised eggs to the Shelburne Falls and Greenfield Farmers’ Markets weekly.

St. John had hopes for funding for a high tunnel to protect plants from the elements through Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). With the uncertainty of federal funding, those plans are on hold. For now, frost cloth protects plants in the spring and late in the season into November.

There are many opportunities before Nettlepoint Farm, such as a small farm stand, selling wreaths of dried flowers and holiday greens, or even limited pick-your-own flowers. Some ideas are in process and others are longer-term goals.

Still a young farmer, St. John turned to Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) for support launching their website and social media, and for workshops ranging from climate change to insurance. “CISA has been a game changer. By taking workshops, I hope to avoid the pitfalls that are common for newer business owners.”

It has been a strong launch, and St. John is optimistic about the future for Nettlepoint Farm. St. John says, “We didn’t expect to find ourselves in this neighborhood. I get to use the skill set I have used on behalf of others for myself. I’m pursuing flower farming as a way to contribute something beautiful to my community while I get to play in the dirt every day.”

There is still time to sign up for a fall flower subscription! To learn more about Nettlepoint Farm, see their website and online flower shop at https://www.nettlepointfarm.com or social media.

Lisa Goodrich is a Communications Coordinator for Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA). To find local flower farms and nurseries near you, check out CISA’s online guide at buylocalfood.org/find-it-locally.

Published 8/30/25 in the Daily Hampshire Gazette.

All photos courtesy of Paul Franz and the Daily Hampshire Gazette