Matt brings to Sylvester Manor a wealth of experience developing and managing community-based farms for Peconic Land Trust, Mass Audubon and D’Artagnan Farms Foundation. His reverence for nature guides his approach to farming, which emphasizes resource conservation and a receptivity to what the fields, animals and farmers have to say.
Over the years, he has practiced organic, biodynamic, regenerative and even dry farming techniques on farms from Iowa to France. At all times, he has worked to improve soil fertility through composting, growing cover crops, fallowing fields, rotating livestock, reducing tillage and using natural mulches. The delicious produce resulting from this careful stewardship of the soil has captured the attention of CSA members, market-goers and farm-to-table chefs alike.
Matt has found that using diverse soil-building strategies enriches farmer training, promotes the well-being of livestock and expands opportunities for volunteers to get involved. He takes great delight in connecting people to nature through farming and healthy eating, and witnessing how it promotes a community’s sense of meaning and joy.
