LIFE grows a wide variety of produce using greenhouses and open farm fields on 13 acres in Morgan and Monroe Counties.  At LIFE Certified Organic Farm  we believe in the importance of sustainable farming to protect and preserve our natural environment and human health.  Organic farming is more than avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilizers; it is a management system focused on building and stewarding the soil to ensure the continual health of crops and the larger environment.  We also believe that each region can produce enough food for its needs.  To achieve this goal, LIFE constantly strives to increase production through more efficient and sustainable practices, and shares this knowledge with children,home gardeners and other production farms. Here are some of our current projects:

Alternative energy research - LIFE received a SARE grant to develop at prototype to grow and convert algae to biofuel. Ultimately the goal is a replicable closed loop system where algae grown in the greenhouses, fed on waste products from the farm (e.g. chicken manure)provide enough furnace oil for reliable year-round production.

School programs and fundraisers - Students love to hear how farming works and get even more excited when there is a field trip or a hands-on component.  In partnership with Nature's Crossroads, LIFE created a full scale fundraiser that provides money for the school, educates the students, and supports the local economy. This year the program will include all Monroe County elementary schools and other community organizations.

Sharing knowledge with community - LIFE is also committed to educating adults through People’s University in Bloomington and Local Growers Guild.  We’ve led courses about sustainable economies, making informed decisions when purchasing foods, organic backyard gardens, record keeping for business and organic certification, and how to take and use a soil test.  LIFE strives to make organic growing easy and is committed to providing the education and support new growers need. 

Seed saving - Our sister business, Nature’s Crossroads, provides a full line of organic seeds and soil amendments. Together we have started a new seed saving program for Indiana.  Over the next few years Nature's Crossroad will work with additional farms to produce of full catalog of seeds, all grown and tested in Indiana.  In the interim, Natures Crossroads seeds are purchased from regional certified organic sources.  Visit www.naturescrossroads.com