rows in the midst of the flora and fauna that was already there. Each of the trees or plants has its own space surrounded in a protective fence and mulch around its base to suppress weeds, said Archie.
When I asked them what all did they have and, he and Kim started, row-by-row, naming off the fruit trees, I realized the better question was“ What don’ t you have?” The plants that were mature enough to bear fruit were just starting to fruit.
“ I think that’ s everything … currently,” said Archie smiling.
Pretty much, as long as they had room, they were going to plant more. He said, eventually, they wanted a greenhouse so they can grow tropical fruit like mangoes. For now, though, they are trying to grow all the subtropical fruit they can, he said.
As far as their organic farming method and philosophy goes, Archie said,“ We’ re trying to be as regenerative as possible. We are feeding the soil rather than taking from the soil.”
So, they don’ t use any pesticides, dewormers or even animal manure because of the chemicals that are given to livestock through vaccinations. He said they try to feed the microbes and fungi in the soil and, by doing that, they create something in the soil that has a life of its own.
“ We don’ t necessarily look at us as growing trees or fruits but as we grow really good soil,” Archie said.
He said, the soil, basically, does the job of feeding the trees and giving them what they need to thrive as much as possible.
According to a givinggrove. org article,“ Some absorb the nitrogen, phosphorus and minerals that trees thrive on in the soil and redeposit it in a form that is easier for them to use. Other probiotics( microbes) increase food and water absorption, helping the plants to grow by making them more efficient eaters.”
A banana tree at Hendricks Produce Patch. While banana trees grow in Colquitt County, the owners of Hendricks Produce Patch know they don’ t usually produce bananas. The couple is hopeful, though, that theirs will.
“ We start with a compost, which has a ratio of nitrogen and carbon, which is ideal for, basically, breaking down properly. And, then, we take that compost and make a‘ compost tea.’ Then, we use the‘ compost tea’ through our irrigation,” Archie said.
They showed me their composting system, which was set up as different stations of compost piles so that they could monitor the process, Archie said.
“ It’ s really made us appreciate having community. Because, coming from a city environment, you’ re surrounded by people but no one really feels like your neighbor or feels like you’ re close to them in any way.”
– Archie Hendricks
JUNE 2025 MoultrieScene 15