Mark
GARDEN MENTOR & CONSULTANT
From Systems of Management to Systems of Nature
For over 20 years, my life was defined by the rigid structures of the U.S. Navy. In that world, success is built on systemic management, manuals, and protocols. But as I transitioned from the service to the land here in Isle of Wight County, I discovered a different kind of order—one that doesn’t require a manual to function, only an observer to understand it.
I founded Scuttlebutt Farm not just as a homestead, but as an educational hub. My mission is to help you move away from “fighting” your land and toward a partnership with it.
Veteran Discipline
I bring a mission-first mindset to your property. We identify objectives, assess the terrain, and execute a plan that works for your specific lifestyle.
Natural Logic
Nature doesn’t make mistakes; humans do. I teach you how to read the signals your plants and soil are sending so you can stop over-managing.
Mentorship First
I am not a landscaper; I am a mentor. My goal is to work myself out of a job by giving you the confidence to steward your land independently.
A Note from the ‘Office’
If you visit the farm, you’ll likely find me in The Office—the original Ray’s Barber Shop building that we’ve preserved as a place for community and planning. Whether we are discussing Comfrey plant profiles or sketching out a new irrigation loop, my approach is always rooted in the “Scuttlebutt” tradition: sharing honest, reliable information to help the collective thrive.
“True security isn’t found in a big fence; it’s found in a productive garden and a community that knows how to share its harvest.”