Elvenstar Gardens is located in a tiny, out-of-the-way corner of Green County, Wisconsin. The land was once a hay-field, but was abandoned for many years, and is just starting to be brought back into production.

This farm was started as a way to channel my botanical obsession into something useful.

In addition to my own projects, I'm also a contract grower for Baker Creek. I follow their guidelines when it comes to isolation distances. I also try to save seeds from only the best, most true-to-type specimens, while taking note of any that do unusually well and may be worth separating into a new strain.

This farm is not certified organic yet. I haven't decided yet if I'll pursue certification. But, I am very strict about using natural growing methods ONLY. There are no synthetic chemicals allowed on my farm. I prefer being in control of what I use, and buying chemicals means someone else is controlling what's in the inputs.

I have been saving seeds since I was a kid, but didn't really understand what I was doing until my 20's. It was then that I found Jackie Clay's articles on seed saving and plant breeding, and started trying to develop my own varieties. A few years ago I read Carol Deppe's book "Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties". The effect was like flipping on a light switch. Suddenly my obsession took on a whole new focus, and I decided to make seeds my life.

I demand a certain level of resilience in my crops. I won't grow something that needs constant babying in order to survive.

Due to the logistics of my farm, all plants are grown without irrigation. Wisconsin weather is such that plants seldom go more than a week without rain. This does complicate things in the fall, and some varieties I've tested absorb too much water late in the season, resulting in cracking or mold. The crops I grow must be able to handle damp autumns without damage.

I also select for natural pest resistance, or at least tolerance. This is most visible in the squash varieties I grow. Squash Vine Borers are a common pest here, but the majority of squash that I grow are completely unaffected. I hope they show the same resilience in your garden.