I t comes as no surprise that Andrew Gerren’s Stuart home is filled with plants. In fact, it’s inundated, he says. This summer alone, he has harvested pineapple, soursop, jackfruit, chia, Moringa, and a heap of herbs, all from the small space at his home he has lovingly turned into a miniature grove.
Personal bounty aside, Gerren is making an impact beyond the confines of his home and into greater Martin County. An expert in organic sustainable agriculture, he has found that base with Newfield Farm , a 170-acre sustainable community that is currently being developed in Palm City.
In his role as lead farm educator and manager at Newfield— which was conceived by land owner Knight Kiplinger and is being developed by Mattamy Homes—Gerren will work alongside the farm’s 3,400-acre residential community to manage the year-round food production and core operations and oversee educational programming. Big plans are in store for the farm, including hosting future residents (and the broader public) to cultivate their own vegetables and herbs while inviting them to select from vegetables, herbs, flowers, and more grown at the farm…