Sylvia and Al Ganier have histories of farming in their blood; the tradition has been passed down through both their families. It would make sense, then, that when they reimagined the Ganier family farm in Nashville twelve years ago as Green Door Gourmet, they set out with the goal of ensuring that this tradition would be able to continue into the future on the family’s farmland.
Al had grown up with memories of raising cattle and pigs on the 350 acres overlooking Bell’s Bend. But a lot of things have changed since then. Today, the Ganier farm is a destination, with a bountiful farm store full of fresh produce and local goods, a culinary-inspired CSA program, and a calendar of community events that bring folks together on one of the few remaining large farms in Davidson County.
River Friendly Farm Certified
In 2021, Green Door Gourmet was certified as a River Friendly Farm by the Cumberland River Compact.
It was her hard work and dedication to conservation efforts that inspired Sylvia to take initiative and apply for certification as a River Friendly Farmer.
“Al and I have worked really hard to put conservation into everything we do here. So when I saw the certification, I thought, ‘Wow, finally someone is thinking about how to give a nod to people that are trying to farm the right way.’ I just couldn’t resist reaching out.”
The River Friendly Farm certification program with Cumberland River Compact recognizes farmers who are good stewards of water and land resources, connecting them with consumers who value a healthy environment. As a River Friendly Farm, Green Door Gourmet is ensuring cleaner water, healthier soil, and a more resilient climate for the people and creatures living in the surrounding environment.
River-Friendly BMPs
For Sylvia, soil health is an utmost priority.
“You are what your food eats. If you don’t take care of the soil, you’re not going to take care of the plant and then you’re not going to take care of the people who are buying our product.”
This understanding of the importance of soil health has led Sylvia to employ various conservation practices on the farm that regenerate the soil and work toward maximum soil nutrient density.
In order to build the nutrient-makeup of the soil, Green Door Gourmet uses no synthetic fertilizers, instead applying USDA-certified compost from companies like Compost Nashville. The use of compost instead of chemical fertilizers helps create more nutrient-dense soil while ensuring that excess nutrients do not runoff and impair waterways near the farm.
The farm also implements a year-round production and cover crop plan. This allows them to make sure the soil is always covered, reducing the amount of exposed soil susceptible to runoff, and building organic matter and nutrient density.
Green Door Gourmet’s use of limited tillage techniques also contributes to the soil quality on the farm. By reducing tillage and using their year-round production plan, the farm disturbs the soil as little as possible.. This helps build up soil organic matter and prevents soil erosion. The construction of roads around the edges of the farm’s pastures and plots mitigates the use of vehicles in the fields, preventing soil from becoming compacted.
Caring for Our Precious Natural Resources
About one mile of Cumberland River borders the Ganier farm. Years ago the farm was losing nearly a dump truck’s worth of soil to the river every day due to erosion. With both water quality and the Ganier farmland suffering from this severe erosion, the Ganiers worked quickly to stabilize the bank on this vulnerable section of the Cumberland by installing rip-rap along the entire mile-long stretch of river bank that lines the property. This project helped the Ganiers to immediately put an end to the huge amounts of soil erosion that had plagued the property before. Not only does reducing erosion help the Ganiers by preserving their most valuable resource– the soil– but it also keeps the water in the Cumberland cleaner!
For the soil and nutrients that could get washed away by heavy rainfall, Green Door Gourmet has built grassy buffers between their farmland and the river, and a specially-designed wastewater capture pond that directs water into a non-consumption field. Along with capturing water on the farm, this retention pond prevents washouts and gullies from occurring. Green Door Gourmet also has permanent vegetation (to maximize water infiltration) and rock banks (to direct water flow) along hilly parts of the farm to ensure that washouts and gullies are kept to a minimum during heavy rain events and times of irrigation.
In order to minimize water use, the farm only uses irrigation as an absolute last resort, employing plastic drip irrigation pipes that conserve water and promote water efficiency.
Green Door Gourmet also works with nature to plant drought-resistant crops, such as heirloom corn and sorghum, in areas that don’t naturally get as much water as others.
The insects that have flocked to the farm work as pollinators for crops and provide protection against certain pests. By understanding the life cycles of pests, and by using techniques like trap cropping and flame weeding, Green Door Gourmet has virtually eliminated the need for pesticides.
The farm’s limited use of pesticides and herbicides in favor of a more regenerative approach means less harmful runoff, richer soil, and healthier consumers.
Feeding the Land and the Community
Green Door Gourmet’s ability to feed the community with nutrient-dense, organically-grown food is a reflection of the farm’s commitment to conservation practices. Along with an on-site market store, Green Door Gourmet hosts a flexible CSA program that offers Local Farm Boxes throughout the year.
Supporting local growers like Sylvia and Al, in turn, gives them the chance to build conservation practices that benefit the land and the people it feeds. In other words, Sylvia’s customers support her so she can turn around to support the land that supports them. Now, that’s a model we can get behind.
Unlike other CSAs, Green Door Gourmet’s flexible, opt-in method allows customers to choose which boxes they’d like to receive based on the different offerings throughout the growing season. Along with fresh veggies straight from the farm, the CSA boxes often contain additional produce and treats from local partner farms, creating a well-rounded box that supports local agricultural efforts and makes for delicious meals.
The CSA model at Green Door Gourmet is something Sylvia takes pride in, along with her intimate knowledge of her customers; she knows who prefers to have more tomatoes and who will skip on the tomatoes altogether- even if she’s tried many-a-time to provide different preparation methods to get them to enjoy the vegetable. Green Door Gourmet also holds cooking classes and events at their farm to encourage CSA recipients to find new ways to use the produce in their boxes.
How to Support Green Door Gourmet
To support Green Door Gourmet, you can sign up to receive a local farm box containing fresh, organic vegetables as well as locally-grown, locally-made products from other farms. Unlike other CSAs, Green Door Gourmet’s local farm boxes are highly customizable; customers can choose which boxes they’d like to receive based on the different offerings available throughout the growing season.
Visit their on-farm store Thursday to Sunday, from 9am to 4pm, or attend an on-farm event or class. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook to learn more about their operation and keep up with the latest farm updates.
