Nutrient Density and Soil Health

How do we choose food? Since ancient times we’ve selected for convenience, trust, transport, yield, visuals & flavor. Nutrient density wasn’t a priority. The focus has been on quantity, not quality. Nutrient Density is the level of nutrients per unit calorie. Some foods are more nutritious than others.

How can growers increase nutrient density? Life in the soil is the foundation for higher health. The soil food web is a biological complex that we’re only beginning to understand. Agriculture is the largest human footprint on the planet and deep tillage is one of the largest sources for releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Regenerative agriculture is an important new movement to restore the soil, reverse climate change and improve nutrient density.

Versailles Farms has been rebuilding our soil since we started 10 years ago. Last year we planted a cover crop, bred indigenous micro organisms (IMO) and adjusted mineral deficiencies. We use no-till methods, intercropping, biochar, and compost teas to breathe life into the soil. We’re trying to take our soil nutrients from the atmosphere. For example, the air we breathe is 70 percent nitrogen.

Versailles Farms is local. Why does that matter? Freshness is a function of oxidation which degrades nutrient density. We grow food for good digestion, flavor and nutrient density.

Our Summer Stand is open weekends, 9-5pm. Everything we offer is fresh from the field and grown with intention.