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Ag Extension Agent.

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Cooperative Extension

Chi Meadow

(above) Owners Ernie and Annie Martin and son Yukhei.	Chi Meadow is one of Chatham County's newest farms. Owners Ernie and Annie Martin started growing crops on the former Siler City horse farm in 2001. Chi Meadow specializes in Asian vegetables and other specialty crops. Annie enjoys trying new crops to develop her market niche. Ernie juggles farm duties with his full-time university teaching position.
Edamame, or vegetable soybean, proved popular in 2001. Highly nutritious and delicious, edamame is increasingly popular with consumers and can now be found in many grocery stores. If you have never tasted freshly steamed edamame, look for it at your local farmers' markets this summer! Field of edamame (right).
	Chi Meadow is also home to a small llama herd. Llamas are excellent guard animals and will help keep deer away from crops. They also delight visitors to the farm. (left) A member of the llama herd.
Annie is also developing a system for growing luffa gourds. These are the popular tubular sponges used for revitalizing and exfoliating skin. Annie and Ernie produce luffas in containers using a trellis system. Luffas require a long growing season to reach maturity. Trellised luffa crop (right).
	(left) Close-up of luffa crop.
This page last updated November 16, 2004.

URL: http://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu/growingsmallfarms

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