Overview
Possum Creek MetroPark Farm is striving to become a leader in sustainable innovation, providing ecologically sound alternatives to today’s agricultural dilemmas and promoting responsible living for the local community.

Sustainable Farming
Animals play an important role in sustainable farming. They provide materials such as wool, eggs and milk that can be used directly as consumer goods, or they can be made into other items for public consumption. Each spring, you can visit the farm babies and witness various stages of farm animals’ life cycles. Kids’ Corral is a great way to interact with the farm babies and staff members will be on hand to answer any questions. Kids Corral takes place every Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m.

If you haven't been to Possum Creek in a while, we would like to invite you out to view one of our newest additions to our Sustainable Farming initiative - our Portable Chicken Coop. This "Chicken Palace" as many are calling it was designed and built over the course of only two months (appox Dec '09-Jan '10) by the farm staff.  This Coop will be a key element for our Sustainable Farming interpretation.  It will hold 40-50 Chickens, features automatic feed bins holding over 100 lbs of feed, auto-watering system from an eve catchment rainwater system, and is self cleaning with a drop through mesh floor. It will be moved from field to field throughout the growing season and the chickens will run free range to provide insect control in our crops, and provide some fertilizer to the soil.  The 40-50 Eggs produced daily from this coop will be used for programming and donated to food banks.

Community Gardening
Sustainability places emphasis on growing one’s own food to decrease dependence on retailers. This also encourages increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, which improves health. There are approximately 130 free garden plots are available near the farm. Plot reservations must be made in person at the farm starting in April. Call (937) 276-7062 for details.

Earth-Friendly Farming
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, “sustainable agriculture” includes an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will, over the long term:

• Satisfy human food and fiber needs;
  
• Enhance environmental quality and preserve the natural resource base;
  
• Make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources;
  
• Sustain the economic viability of farm operations;

You can observe a wide array of crops and eco-friendly growing methods in the demonstration plots.  The crops grown here are used for animal feed, programs, and the remainder is donated to local food banks.