For the Love of Farming
By Teagan Moran, OSU Extension Small Farms Program
For the Love of FarmingAug 10, 2022
Sunwave Farms with James Miller
In this episode we sit down with James Miller from Sunwave Farms, a dahlia and vegetable farm near Elmira, OR. James is entering his 5th year farming and their third year farming on their own 5 acre property. James came into farming with a background in military service as an aircraft rescue firefighter and EMT, an ongoing career in in firefighting, working in Veteran support services, and running a café at the Veterans Hospital with his wife. What started as an exploration of how to grow and make their own salsa for their café turned into an exploration of farming as a way of life for their family. James shares how they were able to access land through an owner carry finance model, how they have made a sloped and forested piece of property work in their favor, how he fell for the beauty of dahlias just driving down the road, and how he aligns farming with his goal of peace, tranquility, and overall well-being. We are grateful for James’s open communication, generosity of time, and for trusting all of us with his story. This episode was recorded in October of 2023.
Cast Iron Farm and Godspeed Hollow with Christine Anderson and Sarah King
In today’s episode we sit down with Christine Anderson of Cast Iron Farm (http://castironfarm.com/) in McMinnville, OR and Sarah King of Godspeed Hollow (https://www.godspeedhollow.com/) in Newburg, OR. Both are micro dairy farmers that sell raw milk directly from the farm through a Herd Share model. Christine and Sarah share how they came into milking, how they navigate the many challenges associated with raw milk production, how they support one another to keep milking, and how they integrate their families into the farming business. You will hear them talk about RAWMI, short for the Raw Milk Institute which can be found at https://www.rawmilkinstitute.org/.
Both Christine and Sarah are deeply passionate about keeping raw milk accessible to their customers, their passion has led them to engage in policy work as well as daily consumer education in their communities. I am grateful for their candid sharing and admire their friendship and farm partnership. This episode was recording in April of 2023.
Winter Green Farm with Shannon and Chris
In this episode we sit down with Shannon and Chris of Winter Green Farm (https://wintergreenfarm.com/). The farm is an integrated livestock and vegetable operation on 171 acres in Noti, OR. About 25 acres are devoted to mixed vegetables and berries for their CSA, farmers’ markets and wholesale accounts. About 90 acres are dedicated to sheep and cattle for pasture, hay, and bailage. The remaining acres are oak groves, riparian areas, and wetlands for wildlife habitat. They embrace biodynamic farming methods, and view the farm as a living organism. The vast majority of their fertility is produced on-farm.
Shannon and Chris came to the farm as farmworkers and then transitioned into farm partners as they took over the vegetable business. Shannon and Chris share how they fell in love with farming and with one another through farming and how they came to be business owners through a farm succession process. They share about raising their kids on the farm, how they take care of themselves and we explore a current challenge, which is finding and retaining farm labor. We are grateful for their open hearted sharing and generosity. This episode was recorded in January of 2023.
Goodfoot Farm with Beth Hoinacki
In this episode we sit down with Beth Hoinacki of Goodfoot Farm (https://www.goodfootfarm.com), a small family farm located in the Hoskins area of Kings Valley, Oregon (20 miles NW of Corvallis). A certified Biodynamic, diversified fruit and vegetable market farm that integrates livestock. They sell through a CSA and at the Corvallis Farmers Market. Beth shares her journey of self discovery from plant pathology to farmer and community leader. I am grateful for her willingness to share her wisdom, her humor, and her systems thinking approach. This episode was recorded in January 2023
Fat Cat Farm with Erik Dietz
In Today’s episode I sit down with Erik Dietz of Fat Cat Farm (https://www.fatcatfarmdx.com/) in Dexter, OR located in the Southern Willamette Valley. The farm has 2 acres in diverse vegetable production. The farm is made of 1 1/4 acres on the home farm and another acre leased nearby. They farm on a hand scale, meaning they rarely use tractors and have been practicing limited tillage. They have sold through CSA, farm stands and farmers markets. They are currently adapting their marketing channels to meet the changing needs and new challenges of the farm. Erik shares his farming path, which included several years working on other farms as they searched for land. He shares the ongoing need for balance as he builds the farm business into its 4th year and makes time for his family and wellbeing. I am grateful for Erik’s open-heartedness and honesty as he steps into the most common make or break period (the first five years) for farm businesses. This episode was recorded in August 2022.
Wolf Gulch Farm with Maud Powell
In today's episode I sit down with Maud Powell of Wolf Gulch Farm in the Little Applegate Valley. Maud and her husband, Tom, have owned and operated their certified organic farm for the past 24 years. Tom works full time on the farm while Maud works part-time and also for OSU Extension, Small Farms Program. They started in diverse vegetable production and have now transitioned to exclusively growing seed. They helped to run Oregon's first CSA cooperative, the Siskiyou Sustainable Cooperative. They purchased their property knowing it was marginal farmland and were excited to implement water conservation, water catchment, and soil building strategies to make it work. While they found success and made it work for over 20 years, climate change, specifically severe droughts in their region, meant that they lost access to water for irrigation in 2021. Faced with the inability to farm their property they have leaned into their farming and rural community to find leased land as an option. They are uncertain how long farming will be viable in their Valley and Maud shares with us her views on adaptation. Maud is a humble community builder and talented storyteller, I am grateful for her vulnerability and willingness to talk about the hard stuff. This episode was recorded on July 19th 2022.
Adaptive Seeds with Sarah Kleeger and Andrew Still
In Today’s episode I sit down with Sarah Kleeger and Andrew Still of Adaptive Seeds. A 35 acre certified organic, farm based seed company near Sweet Home, Oregon. They steward rare, diverse and resilient seed varieties for ecologically-minded farmers, gardeners and seed savers. They grow and sell seeds that are adapted to the Pacific Northwest and other short season northern climates. They sell only public domain, open pollinated (OP) seed, as well as diverse gene pool mixes. They are one of only a few seed companies in the country that produce most of the seeds they sell. As seed producers, while their farming season shares some similarities with the farmers they sell seed to - they also have a completely different set of challenges and opportunities seeing the plants through their entire life cycle. You can learn more at adaptiveseeds.com.
PK Pastures with Kait Crowley
In today's episode I sit down with Kait Crowley of PK Pastures outside of Sweet Home, Oregon on the traditional lands of the Kalapuya people. They raise pigs for meat and chickens for both meat and eggs. They have sheep that are a part of their leader follower pasture management strategy. As first generation farmers, Kait and their farm partner Pat, now step into their fourth year in business. Last season they stepped into new landownership of their home farm and continue to lease additional pasture for the pigs. Kat was able to secure land with a lease to own relationship and by working very closely with their financial lender over time. In their time on the land they have been focused on renovating the pasture from neglected hayfield to nutrient-dense forage for livestock. Harnessing pig power, they are reseeding with a diverse perennial mix and annual cover crops. It is their goal to raise tasty, ethical meat that’s good for people, critters, and the land we all share. They are proud to be certified Animal Welfare Approved and Non-GMO, and a member of the Oregon Pasture Network. Their animals rotate seasonally through their Oregon Tilth Certified Organic pasture and heritage oak stand. They also receive non-GMO feed from a local mill and organic cull crops from their neighbors. They sell primarily through a CSA program where they have either a chicken share or a combo share with a mix of meats. They partner with another farm to add lamb to their combo option. In addition they do sell at a farmers markets and offer Whole/Half Pig options and online ordering. Kate had a long career of working for other farms under her belt before she took the leap to start PK Pastures. As climate change continues to have greater impact and prices for feed, straw, and fuel continue to climb at alarming rates, Kate shares their strategies. I am so grateful for their open heartedness and humor as she generously shares her journey....The realities of being in the first 5 years of business and figuring out how to fit the puzzle pieces together so theu can keep farming, AND farming in a way that fits their values. You can learn more about them at https://www.pkpastures.com/ This episode was recorded on March 29th, 2022.
Flying Coyote Farm with Lili Tova
In today’s episode I sit down with Lili Tova of Flying Coyote Farm in in Sandy, Oregon, located on the unceded territory of the Clackamas band of the Upper Chinook Tribe. Lili Tova owns and manages a 37-acre farm that grows over 100 different varieties of Certified Organic fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. In addition to 8 1/2 acres in vegetable production they have 10 acres in pasture that they rotationally graze, allowing their meat birds and pigs access to fresh forage with plenty of room to roam. They grow and distribute their vegetables, herbs and pasture-raised meat through a CSA Program, Farmers Markets, and to local restaurants. They have 250 CSA members in the summer and around 130 in the winter. They are dedicated to farming in a way that focuses on soil, animal and crop health as it is our hope to increase the fertility and vibrancy of our land through our agricultural practices. The interview mentions Biodynamic Farming, which is a holistic, ecological, and ethical approach to farming. You can learn more from the Biodynamic Association at www.biodynamics.com. Lili co-owns Flying Coyote with a farm partner and is also part time consulting with other farms to help them create a farm plan and think through system designs. You can learn more at www.flyingcoyotefarm.com This episode was recorded on March 23rd, 2022.
Four Wands Farm with Katy Stokes
In today's episode we sit down with Katy Stokes of Four Wands Farm. Katy is 75 years old and has been stewarding and homesteading on this piece of land for the past 47 years. They provide most of their diet from the land through a large garden, dairy and meat goats, meat rabbits, chickens for eggs and meat, bees for honey, fruit trees and a large variety of perennials. Katy knows her herbs and is a willow weaver. She speaks to observations of the land over time and she is looking to the future and transitioning the land to another generation.
Lucky Crow Farm with Eden Olsen
In this episode we sit down with Eden Olsen of Lucky Crow Farm in Monmouth Oregon. https://www.luckycrowfarm.com/
Lucky Crow cultivates 3 acres of vegetables on a family farm in Monmouth and two urban farm sites: one at Edwards Addition in Monmouth and another at Fairview Addition in Salem. They work with Olsen Design and Development to create agrihoods: bringing food production right to front porches.
Eden Olsen was born and raised in the Willamette Valley. After studying sustainable agriculture at Scripps College, she managed farmers' markets in the Bay Area and farmed in California, Washington and abroad. Driven to provide quality, delicious and healthy food for her community, she started Lucky Crow Farm in 2017.
Red Bird Acres with Laura and Robin
In this episode we sit down with Laura and Robin of Red Bird Acres in Corvallis Oregon. https://www.redbirdacresfarm.com/
Red Bird Acres was founded in 2013 by Robin and Laura. It is a first generation, pasture based, open sky, certified Animal Welfare Livestock Farm. They raise poultry, pigs, sheep, and turkeys.
Lilliputopia Farm with Eliza Mason
In this episode we sit down with Eliza Mason of Lilliputopia Farm in Monroe Oregon. https://www.lilliputopia.com/
Lilliputopia is a tiny eco-farm that promotes conservation and sustainability and sells via a farm stand. They specialize in dry farming ; vegetables are grown without irrigation, pesticides or chemical fertilizers. They also have natural building demonstrations and practice rotational grazing with a small chicken flock. They conduct research and collaborate with Oregon State University and offer demonstrations of our sustainable and permaculture practices.
Upriver Organics with Jack Richardson
In this episode we sit down with Jack Richardson of Upriver Organics in Leaburg, Oregon. https://www.upriverorganics.com/
A diverse fruit and vegetable farm selling via a Farm Stand, CSA, wholesale, and at Farmer's Markets.
Commonplace Farm with Ashli and Jeremy
In this episode we sit down with Ashli and Jeremy of Commonplace farm in Corvallis, Oregon. Their Website: https://www.commonplacefarm.com/
The vast majority of salad consumed in Oregon is shipped in from out-of-state, large scale farms. These road weary greens come with a high environmental cost and alarming carbon footprint.
Many Oregonians feel conflicted about buying corporate, out-of-state greens. That’s why Commonplace Farm have worked so hard at to bring our community fresh, local salad.
As a local family farm they're working with their community to build a better, lasting local food system.
Little Wings Farm with Rosie and Adam
In today's episode we sit down with Rosie and Adam of Little Wings Farm in Eugene Oregon. https://www.littlewingsfarm.com/
Little Wings Farm is a 10 acre farm located along the mighty Willamette River. With red tailed hawks over head and beautiful river loam soil beneath, the farm is a perfect place to grow vibrant healthy food.
Introduction to For the Love of Farming
Introduction to the For the Love of Farming Podcast Series.