Bicycle Farm/Homestead Tour 2008

Heartwood Institute - Garberville, CA

2008-08-13T16:26:00.000-07:00

Without having attempted to "end" my trip at a certain point, or place, I have found a community to connect with and explore more deeply. To my surprise, it has many of the elements that I loved about the last community I lived in, and doesn't have some of the elements that i didn't appreciate as much.

The Institute is primarily a educational center, teaching the healing arts, health related courses, and specific intensives. I major shift is to happen this coming February, as they shut down the courses and begin to re-allign for there new goals. They are very interested in being a center that teaches sustainable living skills, and have taken action in the form of a permaculture plan for the entire property. For this they contracted Doug Bullock, another Orcas connection, a very experienced permaculturalist, and someone I admire. In short the new owners are wanting to change the direction of the community and the landscape as well.

Currently, they have a two gardens and a nice orchard, many structures for guests, a beautiful old lodge, a pool/sauna/hot tub setup.

I've been working down in the garden for the past week, and find the team very amicable and a good source of knowledge. Today a prospective new garden manager has come to see the property and inquire about the future plans and goals. She was a nice women, a mother figure, and Ammachi devotee, we connected.

Much in transition here at present, and more change to come. Adapting with the times is the mode, and there are amazing opportunities for the right people here.

The Avenue of the Giants - Humboldt County, CA

2008-07-28T15:39:00.000-07:00

Thirty one miles of massive ancient peace. This avenue runs along highway 101 through the Humboldt state park and along the Eel river. I stayed here for a few days and enjoyed the simplicity and the quietness of the forest. It's hard to capture these trees with a standard 35mm lense. I tried, but must stack two photos on top of each other to capture a entire tree. As well as redwood giants, they have amazing specimens of poison oak here. Some vines climbing the redwoods for sun were as thick as my arm, and very numerous along the roads and open spaces.

As well as forests to enjoy, I found many fellow cyclists gathered here, more than any other park so far. Standing out was Antonio, from Italy, he's riding from Anchorage to Argentina, and volunteering along the way. He loves kids, and looks for shelters to help at where children have been neglected. He had amazing stories of running into wolves on the Alaskan highway, and many bears too! The key he says in a showdown with bears is to be big, and hoist you bike above your head.; He fortunately didn't have to try this.

-Into Garberville today, and time to settle in to some work.

Agate Beach - Arcata, CA

2008-07-25T13:42:00.000-07:00

Just finished up the tour. My last day was short, but not uneventful; my chain snapped on 101 about 4 miles from Arcata. The first and only mechanical problem with my Surly. So, I had to hitch the last bit into town to get fixed up, but while holding the chain dangling in my left and my thumb up in my right, I caught the second truck that was passing by!

Thanks again to all the farmers and communities for welcoming me into your homes and sharing your visions with me. I had a fantastically educational trip, and hope you all enjoy the blog. If any of you would like to add to the descriptions and stories I posted of your farm, feel free! Just email to me your additions, and or corrections.

Happy Season!

Port Orford, OR

2008-07-21T12:12:00.001-07:00

Had a nice ride from Bandon today. Longest yet, clear skies and a good talewind, one of the few. It makes such a huge difference. I suspect tomorrow I'll make it down into the Redwood National Park, and spend a bit of time amongst the elders. Then finish up the trip with the last leg into Arcata, CA. I'm pushing on 700 miles currently.

The Pacific - Winchester Bay

2008-07-19T19:12:00.000-07:00

Smooth riding here on the Oregon coast. A great many state parks to camp at with amazing geological formations, and clear sunsets.

Oregon state parks are great for supporting cyclers. Good shoulders on the roads here, and four dollar camp sites for those who peddle. Just a few more days before I reach California. I'm just outside Bandon now.

Aprovecho - Cottage Grove, OR

2008-07-18T10:39:00.000-07:00

"Aprovecho is a non-profit research and education center located outside of Cottage Grove, Oregon. Our 40 acre rural campus is the classroom for our ongoing educational programs. At Aprovecho you will experience live working examples of Appropriate Technology, Sustainable Forestry, Organic Agriculture, Permaculture, and the interconnectedness that is shared by these systems and with the land.

We offer many different opportunities for learning through our Internship program, Permaculture courses, Americorps program, special workshops, apprenticeships, and volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in any of these programs, or would like to set up a private workshop for your school or group feel free to contact us.

Aprovecho means “to make best use of” in Spanish. On our forty acres of south-facing slope, we are making best use of our resources by growing our food, processing our wood, and generating our energy. Aprovecho’s mission is to serve as a model of sustainability. Our model of sustainability relies on Permacultural design, appropriate technologies, and connecting with the greater Cottage Grove community. While our garden, orchard, livestock, and surrounding community provides us with fresh produce, we continue to seek ways to localize our food security . We cut, yard, peel, dry, and chop wood from our forest, and depend on a local sawyers and horseloggers to assist us in our processing of dimensional lumber. We harness energy with appropriate technologies via bicycle grinders, vegetable oil fuels, passive solar housing and heating, photovoltaic electricity, and efficient wood-combustion. Additionally through natural building techniques such as strawbale insulation, flat-sided small diameter poles for studs, and earthen plaster, we make best use of low-cost, locally available materials."

I had a great time here at this educational retreat. Just being here overnight and present for a few meals and meetings, I was able to gather that the management and leadership have much, experience in guiding their interns through the eight week program offered. Spring, summer, and fall, they guide over twenty interns through their educational campus, and train them in techniques for a sustainable future.

For more info, look through their website, and take a look at the outdoor kitchen in my photo album. All fire cooking!

Contact:
Aprovecho Website

Persephone Farm - Lebanon, OR

2008-07-11T11:46:00.000-07:00

Farmers: Jeff and Elenor Falen

Thirteen acres of mixed vegetable production in the foothills of the Cascade mountains. Jeff and ElenorFalen have been working this piece of land next to the South Santiam river for over twenty years. They've developed some unique attitudes to streamline the business, and market their produce.

Located between Lebanon and Sweet Home, they endeavor to farm in anticipation of the future and use as little plastic as possible. This reflects in their efforts to not artificially extend the seasons. Jeff feels this connects him more deeply to his land and his crops. They want to have the farm become more sustainable each season, and have taken steps and sacrifices to move in that direction. Jeff was recently spotlighted on the website of the Portland Farmer's Market , "Meet the Farmer", about his philosophy and business. They sell produce wholesale, at many farmers markets around the western part of the state, and occasionally to restaurants.

Working at a medium organic commercial scale, Jeff and Elenor employ one field manager, local farm laborers, and one intern this season. They pay minimum wage to all employees and deduct living expenses for interns. Moving over to a minimum wage system was not planned, but was
a move they had to make because of a disgruntled past intern, who engaged in litigation, which she lost on most counts. This was a intern who went on to create similar trouble at other operations, and it is a shame to bring trouble like this to family farms. The family farm is more than business and money. It is an experience of home and life.

Jeff really enjoys the apprentice program, and only wishes that the energy invested would stay on the farm. Every year they have had to go through the same instruction with new interns, training them for life on their own farms in the future, or just providing a break from city life.
It's easy to understand this, it must feel like leaking energy. Apprenticeships, traditionally, would last for years, and the training would be re-payed to the master over years in different ways, often the apprentice would become the new master and take over the business as the old master retired. This is what many farmers desire, to have someone steady to train, and be able to teach what they have learned over a lifetime of seasons and experiences. Especially being able to hand over the land to this person. To have a multi generational connection with one piece of property. We need young people who are willing to commit to this lifestyle, to connect with these farmers, and fill their shoes over time. Otherwise we will see what has happened now: sold land to developers, and loss of farmland.

In this new organic method, with all of the creativity that is involved, this is the time to have steady training programs and the passing on of the experiences that the small farmers are acquiring. It is a rebirth of the old ways, and it takes incredible work on the part of these current farmers to learn these methods, and master them for their climate and location. What a support it would be for a farmer to know that all his work is not going to be lost, but carried on for generations to come!

This creativity is evident on Persephone farm. Jeff has come up with many solutions and has explored them over time. He developed a "egg mobile"(see photo album); which starts with a old farm trailer and then has a coup built on top. The roof is used to gather rain water for the chickens, and the coup is easily moved every three to four weeks to a new location. They have two of these built on the farm and they work beautifully. To keep foxes and other threats away
they have a four foot high electric fence(net style), and Jeff says it works well, they haven't lost any chickens in a long time.

Jeff and Elenor are also inspired about beneficial insects and encourage them with plantings of marigolds throughout the fields. I also saw bat boxes and bird houses throughout the property.

For irrigation they use the local river and aluminum pipe with overhead sprinklers. Drip lines are still in effect with the tomatoes as of blight problems, and they chose to bury them a few inches deep, as Jeff finds this extends there life considerably.

Another invention I saw(and you can explore too on the photo album), was a electric Allis- Chalmers G tractor. Something Jeff put together in his spare time with his electrical experience, it can be charged from any outlet.

An excitingly inventive farm, with care and respect for the land, with a healthy focus on a balanced lifestyle, and attention to the farmers mental and emotional longevity.

Geercrest Farm - Silverton, OR

2008-07-05T16:32:00.000-07:00

In the Waldo hills east of Salem, OR, I have found a homestead, in transformation, in creation, in recreation. A century farm of Oregon, they specialize in living and teaching the agrarian culture. Not just showing people how to grow food or milk goats, but having people live the lifestyle with all of its daily rhythms, and connection to the Earth. They are endeavoring to recognize the past, honoring the homesteaders and Indigenous Native Americans who came before them, and not just wiping the slate clean and making this land into their personal vision, but embracing the momentum of the past, joining with it, and evolving with this wave towards the future.

One of the farm's missions is described in their brochure as follows: “Geercrest Farm is establishing a network of local small farmers, called “co-reliant farmers", to offer our customers a variety of farm fresh foods. We buy feed cooperatively, share storage space, agree on standards of operation and share our expertise and experiences as much as possible, making our collective and individual efforts more sustainable in the process.”

The farm enjoys making goat products, growing berries, shearing sheep for their wool, raising organic chickens, and collecting their eggs. The products the farm is able to share, with other products from the Co-reliant collective, are picked up at the farm twice a week by Portland residents who then distribute them to other customers.

Farmers Erika and Jim Toler have a goal of the homestead becoming an institution of learning. Training the young to understand and love gardening and animal husbandry; to Love the lifestyle of working with and in the Earth. Possibly becoming a Waldorf school, where children can immerse themselves for periods of time in the rural farming life.

They operate on twenty acres, which are mostly hilly with lots of rock; perfect for goats and sheep, and two horses. They’re located on a hill side in a beautiful valley with good soil in the bottom land that used to be part of the farm, they hope to reacquire some of the adjacent land to fulfill their future food needs.

Erika Toler is an experienced dairywomen and has learned the trade from childhood, growing up on a farm in Switzerland. She enjoys milking her goats and has a deep relationship with each. She endeavors to treat them with food as medicine, and her connection with her goats aides greatly in discovering what ails them. Another goal of the farm is to stop feeding and using grain for the goats, and to move to more balanced and healthy options that will boost the goat’s immune systems and help them to live longer lives. Grain is of course the best for the highest yield of milk, but here at Geercrest they've found that you compromise the long term health of the goat when you treat the goat as a resource only. They want the goats to be happy and healthy their whole lives; high production isn’t the main focus. A good lesson for commercial Ag in general, there will always be a price to pay for manipulating beyond a species, or piece of lands, naturally balanced capacities. The long term goal here is to grow all the feed for the animals on site, create a large garden to feed the community, and move towards sustainability with the network co-reliant farms creating a stable future.

Jim Toler works full-time with a company that he created jointly, Willamette Organics, which is working towards transforming landscaping into a organic endeavor; one of his methods to aid in this transformation is the use of compost tea. He works at the farm every chance he gets, and while I was here I helped him with some chipping, and stacking fire wood; during this time I got to hear the story of the Geer families move west and the life of Homer Davenport(political cartoonist in the early 1900's, in the employment of William Randolf Hearst). Jim, in his spare time, is also building a nice little cabin in the woods here to accommodate guests who take part in their working farm vacations.

The homestead is managed in part by Beth Fox, who is apprenticing to be the farm manager, one of her projects, with the use of her permaculture knowledge, is the creation of a food forest near the entrance to the farm. Her daughter Sarrah, and two interns also play a role in the running of operations. Everyone is part of the family here at Geercrest, and it shows in all they do. I look forward to coming back to help and learn.

Contact:
http://www.geercrestfarm.com/

Geercrest Foundation
http://www.geercrest.org/

Gardenripe - Silverton, OR

2008-07-03T18:37:00.000-07:00

Farmers: Bill and Janice Schiedler + 3 interns + and Grandma Cel

"Bill and Janice Schiedler have been married for 24 years, and along with their children Nathan (23), Celia (20), Cheri (17), and Bill's mom Cel, have done nearly all the work for Gardenripe. For the first time, in 2006, we hired a full time apprentice and for the 2008 season we will be hiring several. Our farm is located northeast of Silverton at 700 feet elevation. It has been owned by our family for over 100 years and is designated a "Century Farm." In growing up on the farm, I have been involved with farming and, more importantly, gardening most of my life. I draw a distinction between farming and gardening, and Gardenripe is gardening! I enjoy the variety of work in a garden as compared with the commercial production of a single crop on the farm. If you like fresh, healthy produce, Gardenripe is for you!"

"This will be the seventh year for our CSA which is based near Silverton and serves customers locally as well as from Salem north to Portland, including points in between."

Farming 5 acres of market vegetables, and a few nut and fruit trees. Bill has through experience in gardening, and trial and error, created a successful business model primarily focusing on a delivered CSA. The first that I've come across. Bill and Janice each leave the farm at 4pm Monday through Thursday, on separate organized routes delivering CSA share boxes to customers. In this rural area this has proven to be the most efficient way to get produce to people. Instead of many cars driving from all directions, one car delivers to many.

Using a small John Deere, Bill does all tilling by tractor, and plants are either direct seeded or transferred from greenhouses. One well is utilized, with drip tape throughout the fields.

As well as the CSA the family has fields of timber and Christmas trees. The timber crop takes over 30 years, and the x-mas trees about 7 years. Both requiring little maintenance, and no watering.

A local mill provides Bill with "seconds" of doules for free, which Bill has used in creative ways from building benches in his greenhouses to supports for tomato trellises.

Housing for interns are three yurts built by Bill. He studied a few yurts before embarking on making them and then knocked up the models successfully and with little cost. Decks for the yurts were also built by Bill. See photo gallery.

The most welcoming aspect of this farm is the way in which Bill and Janice offer their house to the interns. The kitchen is shared by all, as well as the washroom. In this way the family creates a community with the new interns each season. Bill increases the connection and relationship with salaries and crop sharing. The family farm, turned organic, growing into a community.

Contact:
http://www.gardenripe.com/

Washington Tour Finished

2008-06-29T15:38:00.000-07:00

Here's the actual map of the route I took. The green is what I biked, and the red is the section that I took the train. I decided to take the train from Seattle because I wasn't able to line up any farms to visit in those areas, as well as too much traffic. I don't know if you've ever rode with cars, but I can tell you, it isn't fun or nice. Especially when there are many cars going ten times your speed, and giving little space.

So far I've rode a total of 6 days. The longest ride was from Centralia to Longview, 63 miles, 8 hours.

In Portland now, resting in air conditioning! I'll be in the city for a few days to visit a Urban Farm.

On the road-

2008-06-29T15:05:00.001-07:00

Rolling along, Just finished up two days of 100 degree riding! Ah, hot. But, nice to cruise in the shadows of the tress in the evening, hiding form the sun. I'm in Longview, WA now, a big log processing town.

The farm land south of Centralia to Vader was fantastic, not too bike friendly though, a little backwoods Alabama vibe (if you know what I mean). I only crossed paths with two other bicycle tourers, but saw many bikers. Not as friendly.

The slow flowing brown rivers reminded me of home, I saw a rope swing that I wish I would have stopped at, I had a nice one on the Kings river behind my house that I loved! It's hard to stop when you are rolling, it's always: "well maybe on the next downhill I'll take a break", but it's always much longer than I plan. It's a strong groove, when I get going and feel so comfortable, some music sets the mood and the mind just relaxes in the concentration, and time just goes by.

Portland coming up!

Day Road Farms-Laughing Crow/Butler Green/Bainbridge Vineyards

2008-06-25T15:58:00.000-07:00

Farmers: Akio Suyematsu, Gerard Bentryn, Betsy Wittick, Brian Butler, 3-4 interns

"The 4 farmers here represent a combined experience of over 120 years, growing wine grapes, raspberries, strawberries, pumpkins, chickens, fields and greenhouse grown vegetables and flowers. Farm products are sold thru a wine tasting room, farm stand, farmers markets, local stores and 150 member CSA program. Farm work is done with a combination of tractors, hand tools and draft horse."

The 40 acres that I've spent the last two days on was cleared by Akio's family. It was all forest. They had it logged, and they had to dynamite each stump out of the ground and haul it into piles with draft horses. The logging money was going to be used to plant and buy equipment for the farm, but the logging company never payed. . .This was the beginning, and the family just kept trying. . Somehow, in time, they where able to plant all forty acres in strawberries.

It was hard back breaking work and with little support from the community because the family was Japanese. They were often cheated when selling there berries at market. The only buyer on the island would pay by grade, and would judge grade, for them, by the worst flat of the bunch. Typically giving them the lowest price, despite the high quality of the vast majority of produce.

Then during World War II, the family was uprooted from their land and sent to Manzanar Internment camp in California. . .When families returned most had lost their land, savings, and investments. Luckily the new owner of their land allowed Akio, the oldest son(the only member of the family to return to farming), to begin anew and even let him slide on rent payments and land taxes for years, he just couldn't pay the high costs for many seasons. Akio always vowed to repay this kindness, and has done so in sharing land with young farmers as well as being generous with Gerard.

Akio sold twenty of the acres to Gerard and this was the expansion of Bainbridge Island Winery, all based on a handshake. And, Akio continues to grow berries on land Gerard doesn't use, and Gerard grows grapes where Akio didn't want to grow. A unique, and community based, relationship between two immigrant farmers.

A few years ago, Gerard sold his land near the ferry landing, and moved his whole operation to Day Road Farms. Akio and Gerard made space for new farmers to use some land as well, and two market gardens are in operation on the land in conjunction with the winery and Akio's berries and pumpkins.

The farm shares many small tractors and equipment. As well as interns. Typically each intern spends two weeks with either Betsy or Brian, and helps Akio and Gerard as needed. With joy, Betsy makes use of her draft horse Samantha to help in her plot. A practice that she finds is very balancing as the horse is always in the present, and to work her, you as well must be in the present; a beautiful reprieve from the miriad selection of mentally taxing tasks.

The story of this farm was written beautifully, with all it's challenge and hardship, in Patricia Klindienst's book The Earth knows My Name. Here are a few quotes from Bernard:

"I feel that the landscape of food, culture, and community, are completely tied together, but in our society we've completely seperated them. . .I just feel that we have to somehow get people to treasure that which is real, particuraly in food, and I think a lot of things will flow from that. When you really want to communicate, you sit down and have a meal, you eat together. It's spiritual."

"people know what were doing, but they don't seem to understand how important it is until it's gone. They see it going, and they remember it-they grew up with it, and when it goes, they feel empty. . .People will pay for schools, they'll pay for police, they'll pay for roads. . .but farms?"

"My dream is not is not to just save Bainbridge Island, but to save the beauty in the world by getting people to eat from where they live. That's my last mission in life."

Contact:
Betsey Wittick
laughingcrow@bainbridge.net

Corona Farm - Port Townsend, WA

2008-06-25T10:17:00.000-07:00

Farmers: Robert and Darby Greenway, Adam Blake and Emmy Graham, one intern, and local volunteers.

More and more of an unlikely occurrence, a in-city farm! Three and half cultivated acres of no-tilling goodness. The Darby's have created a unique form of agriculture on land that was, hard as rock glacial till, horse pasture.

Adam and the Darby's invited my into this space, and were a pleasure to spend time with. Kind and generous, open and joyful, it was an inspiration to be with folks that are releasing the stresses of the farming life in creative ways by living in the deeper mysteries of connection with the Earth. As well as sharing this connection and being extremely giving in creating a home for Adam and his family to make a living off of their land, and taking enjoyment in seeing a young farmer blossom.

Farming Practices:
"The sustainable farming practices which we use at corona farming have evolved from various gardening styles , tailored specifically to meet the needs of our unique geography, climate and resource base. Having started with land that was deficient in topsoil (the glaciers scraped it all away) with six inches of standing water through much of the spring and winter, raised beds was the most practical way to go. Utilizing organic matter from the community that would otherwise enter the waste stream, we have an intensive composting program. Fish waste from the port, sawdust from a local mill, and vegetable scraps from restaurants and the Food Co-op, transform into rich soil loaded with beneficial microbes, earthworms, and mycelium."

Lead by Robert and his "small farm as art form" concept, they have worked for 17 seasons cultivating, nourishing, and living in relationship with the land. Here are a few quotes from Robert, expanding upon his beliefs and vision:

"It started out as neither "art" nor "science" -- not an ecopsychology project, nor a subsistence garden. It just started one day, when I began digging next to the house with a simple shovel."

"The garden was not planned in advance, or designed. I simply followed the contours of the slight slopes, preferring straight lines for tilling and weeding purposes."

"But we have created lives that - consciously or not – presume nature and culture to be separate realms, and we often find difficulty in joining the realms. And then, in this illusion of separateness, we act 'as if' it were true; we allow "mental assumptions" to dominate our relationship with the earth, to exploit and degrade the natural systems of the earth for short-term benefit, for wealth, or merely out of a kind of crazed, hungry greed that more and more obviously functions like an addiction."

"We realize, also, that relationship is not between entities, but between systems, and when the human-as-system (or culture-as-system) and "nature-as- system" are fully realized, there is one system, and there is the relationship. It is a systemic relationship, through which the energies of mind, nature, the universe, and the deeper mysteries flow."

"Our dominance as ‘creator’ of the garden is softened by the realization that no matter what we do, we cannot create the basic elements of the farm. We can help, enhance, even facilitate, but we do not create, and here is the partnership. Here is the "bridge" between culture and nature, a partnership further enhanced and validated when the food we grow passes from our hands to our neighbors."

If your interested in structure, take a look at the photos in the galleria of the cob buildings they've made: a shower house, sauna, and composting toilet.

Contact:
http://www.coronafarm.com/

Willowwood Farm - Coupville, Whidbey Island, WA

2008-06-20T14:09:00.000-07:00

Farmer: Georgie Smith

"5 acre, mixed produce farm on historic property. Selling to local market, restaurants, grocery. Natural practices, in beautiful historic reserve."

An old farm with a new game. Georgie's farm is in it's fourth generation and in transition from a small scale conventional farm to an organic farm. Willowood is part of Ebey's prairie reserve, a huge tract of land that the community of Whidbey is saving from development. With class 1 and 2 soils, it's some of our best farm land, and example of a thriving farming community.

Georgie made the transition slowly, every year she added a bit more to the garden and sold more and more at market, eventually she added restaurants, and is thinking about a CSA. It's now a full fledged organic market farm, with two interns coming into the operation for the first time this year.

The farm still has a lot of equipment that they're finding creative uses for in the new method. Bill, Georgie's father is a classic farmer, in that he can fix and create anything! He's been helping Georgie in designing and retooling equipment for her business. It's beautiful to see the older generation helping the younger take over, and in a way that they find inspiring and in tune with the changing times!

Georgie's placing special focus on Rockwell beans this year. A local bean variety that has lost circulation. She's helping to keep the strain alive and flourish. It's great for baking, it keeps it's shape nicely and is sweet. Check the photo album for pics.

Georgie's parents live in the main victorian historical house, with the interns upstairs, and Georgie and her husband Charles have remodelled a small barn on the property to suite themselves and there two girls Knight and Wynter.

Contact: Georgie Smith
ebeyprairie@earthlink.net

La Campesina Project - Orcas Island, WA

2008-06-20T13:47:00.000-07:00

Farmer: Rhonda

This is a new farm on Orcas, in her second season in this location, but Rhonda's been and islander for years. She's very competent and an experienced grower. She leases land and cultivates 3/4 acres. She doesn't employ interns, but has a lot of support from friends and the community. Locals come out to her farm and help for a few hours for produce trade. Operating without a heavy mortgage overhead, Rhonda can actually make the small market garden a profitable business! She's even able to take vacation every year, imagine!

Another unique farming business model.

YouTube videos of La Campasina Project

Morningstar Farm - Orcas Island, WA

2008-06-20T13:25:00.000-07:00

Farmers: Mimi and Steve, Kji McIntyre + 1-2 Interns

Farming Practices
Market Garden. Mostly hand tooling. Tilling with walk behind tractor.

"We are a small family operation located on beautiful Orcas Island, Wa. With 2 acres under cultivation, we have developed a successful farm business selling organic veggies, flowers, berries and herbs to our CSA members, the farmers market, local restaurants and schools."

After having children, owners Mimi and Steve have stepped back some from general operation and management of the farm, they do help out daily and are a large part of the planning process, and support for the growing team.

Morningstar is one of the most picturesque farms on the islands. They hold weddings and rent the barn facilities seasonally. They're a great example of a family creating and running a market garden.

They currently have a very experienced farmer, Kji, running the day to day operation. Kji's been farming for many years and moved up from Oregon to take the field manager position at Morningstar. He's one of our few young farmers, at 28, he's a tribute to my generation, and the business of growing food. His desire is to find land to create his own farm, but he realizes this is the hardest leap to make, from intern to farm owner. One of the missing links in our current farming economy.

Contact: Mimi Anderson
msfarm@rockisland.com

Maple Rock Farm Orcas Island, WA

2008-06-20T13:10:00.000-07:00

Farmer: John Steward + 2/3 Interns

"Maple Rock Farm is located on Orcas Island in the San Juans of Washington. We offer a wide selection of fresh, local produce exclusively to our community through CSA, farmers market and our finest local restaurants."

John Steward runs his operation for an 11 month growing season, utilizing his large greenhouses, and great intern cabins and intern common space. He also farms three satellite farm sites located around Orcas Island. He has a nice tractor thats he hauls to these sites, which he uses for bed tilling, discing, and preparation. He's running a successful business model of a organic farm operation.

Contact: John Steward
http://www.maplerockfarm.com

Orcas Farm- Orcas Island, WA

2008-06-20T13:05:00.000-07:00

Farmers: George Orser + 2 Interns

"Orcas Farm is a small market garden/farm operation located on 30 sunny acres of an old homestead farm at the far end of Orcas island. We grow mixed veggies, some flowers, strawberries, raspberries, peaches and plums for local farmers markets, restaurants and a small CSA (2005). Our specialties include garlic and salad mix. We grow organically (though we are not certified) using Bio-intensive, raised bed methods developed by Jon Jevons and Alan Chadwick. 2005 will be our 12th year farming this location."

Contact: George Orser
orcasfarm@rockisland.com

Photo Gallery of Trip

2008-06-18T22:46:00.000-07:00

Click the link on the sidebar.

See the complete photo journey of all farms and homesteads visited!

Bullock's Permaculture Homestead- Orcas Island

2008-06-18T18:15:00.000-07:00

The Bullock's Permaculture Homestead

"For over 25 years we have applied our shared experience to create what experts refer to as the finest permaculture site in North America. Together we develop and implement practical solutions for sustainable living while offering hands-on permaculture courses, workshops, internships, and more."

The homestead is an amazing place for community connection and education. The Bullocks have weekly "pizza nights" throughout the growing season, and have sunday potlucks year round; offering a time for the island community to meet and share knowledge, inspiration, and learn from the site. The Bullock's have a great nursery with a large selection of native NW plant species. The site is located along the banks of a wetland that they helped to create in a natural basin; this wetland was eventual protected as a fowl reserve. It's used as the main water source for the nursery and gardens; pumped up the slope with solar powered water pumps to holding basins or makeshift tanks.

Check out there website for more information:
http://www.permacultureportal.com/

Beginning the Tour

2008-06-14T14:52:00.000-07:00

Beginning of a journey!
This is the start of this record of experience. The inspiration for this summer trip was to experience and learn first hand from our small scale growers who are fighting the financial and energetic battle of running a small organic farm, homestead, or permaculture community.

I hope to have the page develop as a good resource to research west coast farms, and learn from their farming methods, business model, and operators lives and relationship with the land.

This trip is beginning on Orcas Ilsand, my current home-and place of community, with a southern route ending in Arcata, CA.

In Washington I'll be visiting farms and communities in these areas: Whidbey Island, Port Townsend, Chimacum, Bainbridge Island, Vashon Island, Tacoma, Olympia, Oakville, Rochester, Tenino, Longview, Kelso, White Salmon, and Trout Lake.

In Oregon I'll be passing through Hood River, Stevenson, Portland, Woodburn, Salem, Corvallis, lebanon, Harrrison, Eugene, Noti, Cottage Grove, Roseburg, Bandon, Port Orford, and Gold Beach communities. I'm still getting a lot of responses from farms in Oregon, and my route is bound to expand.

I look forward to sharing these farm experiences with you all, and hoping that you will find inspiration and learning from these courageous growers and community organizers.

From the Heart
-Michael Newton