At Earthmade, we believe that healthy food starts with healthy soil—teeming with life, not chemicals. That’s why our farming technique focuses on replacing harmful bacteria with beneficial microbes that support natural crop resilience and flavor. But what happens after the soil has done its work? It’s time for harvest.

What Is Harvesting, Really?

Harvesting, in its simplest form, is the act of gathering ripe crops from the field. But in today’s world, especially on Earthmade partner farms, harvesting represents an entire system—from reaping to cleaning, packing, storing, and preparing crops for delivery. It’s the moment when months of microbial teamwork, sun, and soil come together.

Knowing When to Harvest

One of the first things Earthmade farmers do is track each crop’s ripeness. This goes beyond the surface—it’s about understanding each crop’s optimal characteristics, like color, size, or even a subtle sheen. Our farmers also consider culinary timing (peak tenderness and flavor) versus biological maturity. After all, a strawberry that’s biologically ready might not be at its tastiest yet. Weather plays a role too. A storm on the horizon might call for an earlier harvest. Our nature-based approach requires that we listen carefully to the land.

Three Ways We Harvest

Depending on the crop and the scale of the farm, harvesting may happen in one of three ways:

• By Hand: This gentle method allows farmers to pick fruits, vegetables, herbs, or grains manually. It’s ideal for delicate crops and small-batch farms.

• With Hand Tools: Tools like sickles, axes, and reapers help make manual labor more efficient without compromising quality.

• With Machinery: For larger operations, machines like combines can harvest and clean grains in one go—saving time and preserving quality.

Once crops are picked, many need a little extra care. Whether it’s husking corn or trimming herb stems, Earthmade ensures only the best parts of the plant make it to your table.