Green String Farm

Green String Farm was a 140 acre natural process sustainable farm near Petaluma, California that grew fruits and vegetables year-round and sold them in an on-site farm store. The farm also supplied produce, free-range eggs and grass fed beef to regional restaurants including Chez Panisse in Berkeley, CA. Bob Cannard and Fred Cline founded Green String Farm in 2003. Green String focused on environmental sustainability practices, which is different from Certified Organic. Green String Farm closed permanently in December 2022.

Farming practices
Green String farming methods reduce soil erosion, pesticide dependency, and loss of biodiversity; and increases resistance to natural predators. Some examples include cover crops; compost tea as soil supplements; and natural, pesticide-free methods for controlling competing plants and weeds. The farm uses the motto “50% for humans, 50% for nature” to describe their process of maintaining a balance between growing crops for human consumption and growing crops for soil improvement. Fred Cline of Cline Cellars and Jacuzzi Family Vineyards uses a Green String approach in their estate vineyards.

Green String Institute
The Green String Institute was Green String Farm's quarterly internship program. Each term, 8-12 student interns from all over the world come to Green String Farm where they live, work and learn communally for three months. While living and working on the farm, interns learn natural farming practices and sustainable approaches to small business management.