Urban Ag with a Tropical Twist
“Everyone always loves to ask why we wanted to grow pineapples” says Erhard, “We prefer to ask why not?”
Oak Grove Farms sits on a 71-acre farm in Bethpage, Tennessee. The farm was founded in 2012 by Zach Erhard and his brother Josh. The pair of first-generation farmers grew up in the area, where he later met his wife, Kyndle. By 2018, Zach and Kyndle had married and embarked on the journey of growing food together.
The relationship between Oak Grove Farms and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) began in 2014 when Zach connected with the Gallatin Field Office seeking technical assistance from the field office staff. He and Kyndle have since received numerous high tunnels for their property. The pair have kept in close contact with the agency over the past ten years and continue to receive technical assistance related to cover crops and crop rotation with the understanding that assistance from NRCS is always just a phone call away.
Staples of Oak Grove Farm’s produce include strawberries, tomatoes, pumpkins, and apples; all of which can be purchased at the Oak Grove Market Monday through Saturday. Recently, Zach and Kyndle decided to take on a project that was both new to their farm, and to the state of Tennessee.
The couple love trying new things on their farm as they attempt to grow produce for their community. After discovering that they could recreate the climate of Hawaii in their high tunnels, a place they both love, and decided to challenge themselves to grow pineapples.
Pineapples are native to the tropical regions of South America and Hawaii. Production of the fruit was commercialized after World War II as a more globalized world allowed for the spread of different foods. The fruit is typically grown in close rows with warm climates with moderate rainfall and well drained soil.
The couple has big plans for Oak Grove Farms in the future. Zach and Kyndle are looking to open a commercial grocery store in Gallatin, Tennessee by 2026.
Their hope is to establish a sense of community at Oak Grove Farms, filled by individuals with a shared passion for food and an appreciation for the process required to grow it.
