For Reggie Marshall, the connection between healthy food and healthy life has always been clear. While the Jackson, TN native grew up tending to his grandparents' farm before earning a degree in animal science and agriculture, his career largely took place in the medical field. After retiring from his nursing career, Reggie found his roots in farming again - this time with a 2.6-acre farm located in the middle of Antioch.
Reggie's career as a nurse has driven his vision for the farm, which he calls Reggie's Veggies. "one of my nursing goals was to make sure I would bring good, healthy produce to my community," he says. "That's what's been driving this...food is medicine."
After inheriting the land from a friend, Reggie faced challenges in converting the farm to what it is today. The land's rocky soils and bedrock made it nearly impossible to grow any crops. By following the mantra of making the most out of what you have, however, Reggie has been able to convert the once barren land into a one-third-acre plot that grows abundant and beautiful produce.
This hard work is what motivated Reggie to become a River Friendly Farmer. "I wanted everybody to see how hard I worked to build something from nothing, creating an area where vegetables and fruits can be grown from what most people would consider impossible," he says.
On his farm, Reggie employs River Friendly practices that help build soil health, reduce water usage, and eliminate the need for synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. After collecting cardboard and coffee chaff donated from Bongo Java and Good Citizens coffee roasters, Reggie layers them with mulch. This practice, often referred to as the "lasagna method," will decompose the organic materials over time to create rich soil for Reggie's plants.
The lasagna method hosts a range of benefits for River Friendly farming, too. The no-till practices inherent in the lasagna method helps limit erosion, maintain soil quality and moisture, and provide valuable nutrients from decomposing material.
Between his garden beds and the stream running through the back of his property, Reggie ensures that any runoff from his farm is captured and filtered by a well-maintained riparian buffer before it enters the waterway.
Reggie's Veggies also uses a natural pesticide service: companion planting, a practice in which plants of different species intermingle beside each other in his garden beds. Plants that attract pests are protected by other pest repellant plants growing beside them.
"One of the things I'm trying to do out here is be an example, because if you show people it can be done, it erases a lot of self doubt," he says.
While his nursing days are behind him, Reggie still works to impove the health of his community, planting gardens with area schools and donating more than 1,000 plants to the JC Napier community.
The farmer envisions Reggie's Veggies becoming an outdoor grocery store and social space for the community where people can see the benefits of River Friendly farming and of using food as medicine, for both their physical and mental well being.
About River Friendly Farms
In 2020, the Cumberland River Compact launched a new initiative called the River Friendly Farm Certification. The program aims to foster a community of farmers who utilize methods that improve the health of the soil and our waterways.
How do you become River Friendly Certified?
To find more information about the River Friendly Farm program and certification process, visit cumberlandrivercompact.org.
About Reggie's Veggies:
To learn more about Reggie's Veggies and upcoming farm events, visit https://www.facebook.com/ReggiesVeggies
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