Earl Babin announces a fundraiser for Redemption Outpost Provision Company. Funds will go toward starting a woodland farm and nature conservation area in West Alabama to cultivate and grow affordable, healthy food and forest products for our local community.
Funds will also be used to setup pollinator gardens, buy building materials and equipment, housing, plan community workshops, sustain existing wildlife habitat, and grow our packaging/delivery system to get fresh foods safely and quickly to the public through farmers markets, stands and onsite store.
What is a woodland farmstead? According to Babin and several publications “The farm woodland is that portion of the farm which either never was cleared for tillage or pasture, or was later given back to woods growth. Thus it occupies land that never was considered suitable, or later proved unsuitable, for farm enterprises.
Of prime importance to the farm owner who wishes to make the most efficient use of each acre of land, is the fact that the farm woodland occupies land of questionable value for other farm crops. It produces income from land that otherwise might be idle or farmed at a loss. It supplies a great variety of wood products: Lumber, dimension stock, heavy timbers, veneer, piling, mine timbers, and railroad ties from large trees; and fuel, pulp wood, posts, mine props, small poles, stakes, and many other products, from small trees. Of the small-tree products, many of which are removed in the ordinary cultural practices, some fill useful purposes on the farm; others add their share to the farm income when sold.
The farm woodland adds beauty and character to the farm, and comfort and protection to the farm family, livestock, and crops. One need only to live on open plains to realize the full significance of these services. Until one has had such an experience, he is apt to seriously underrate the values of his woodland.”
Redemption Outpost is a veteran-owned public outreach ministry sharing a passion for agriculture, wildcrafted goods, and nature education through Christian discipleship and stewardship. Questions regarding our project may be sent to roprovisioncompany@gmail.com