Salamander Springs Farm: Permaculture Organics

Built entirely from scratch, Salamander Springs Farm was established in 2001 by Susana Lein after nearly a decade of developing permaculture systems in Latin America. Starting with no road access, structures, utilities, or topsoil, Susana transformed a piece of Appalachian mountain land into a thriving farm. The farm has been a key producer for the Berea Farmers' Market, Community Supported Agriculture shares, local stores, and restaurants since 2002.

Salamander Springs Farm employs permaculture principles, including contour swales, ponds, permanent beds, no-till staple crop fields, food forests, and orchards. The farm uses a gravity-fed spring water system, no-till farming methods, and polycultures like the '3-Sisters' style. Inspired by Masanobu Fukuoka and traditional Native American practices, the farm integrates rotationally-grazed poultry and continuous relay cover crop systems. All structures are self-built using locally-harvested, natural, and salvaged materials, and the farm remains entirely off-grid.

Salamander Springs Farm offers monthly farm tours, permaculture workshops, and immersion programs. The farm has been featured in various publications and documentaries, including 'INHABIT.' Susana Lein provides consulting services and has developed a unique heirloom cornmeal corn, 'KY Rainbow dent,' available through Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. The farm participates in college service-learning programs and WWOOF/Work-away exchanges. All farm infrastructure is developed from scratch, emphasizing regenerative systems and living within the means of the local ecosystem.