Here is another one from the archives that I wrote a couple weeks ago and haven't had a chance to post. Just for a quick update on our progress we are currently passing through Hailey Idaho (about mile 3500) where they are battling one of the largest wildfires currently burning in the country. It's a very strange and somewhat apocalyptic scene. We are safe and hopefully headed away from the smoke toward our next farm stay. We will have more to post on all of that soon, but first lets go back to a happier and less smokey place; the Skookum Farmstead.
Inspiration and affirmation are two words that come to mind
when thinking about our visit to the Skookum farmstead in the little Skokomish
valley just north of Olympia, Washington. Inspiring because our new friends Jon
and Christy have followed their aspirations and are in the process of realizing
their dream of managing a small farmstead the benefits of good homegrown food
and hopefully a small supplemental income in the future. Affirming because in
many ways Jon, Christy and their three wonderful daughters are pursuing a very
similar goal to our own, and they are making good progress.
When we first arrived at their
property, Jon eagerly waved us through the gate and into a large green pasture.
Jon’s warmth was immediately evident as he welcomed us to his farmstead in
progress. A large man with soft
blue eyes Jon already fits the part of hog farmer perfectly with a long blond
beard worn in the traditional Amish style. He showed Heidi and Me around the
property all the while letting his excitement wash over us. One gets the sense
that when Jon gets an idea in his head, he pursues it with vigor, fervently
researching and inquiring on the topic.
Some might call it obsession. I call it awesome.
Jon and his family were
first introduced to leading a more self-sufficient lifestyle when a local
organization called GRUB (Garden Raised Bounty) helped them to construct three
small raised bed gardens. Jon now holds a seat on the board of GRUB, which
strives to encourage local agriculture as well as local involvement especially
from the area youth. From those
first garden beds Jon and his family grew a decent crop of food and a new
interest in sustainable, local agriculture. The next adventure was raising a flock of twenty-five
chickens for meat, which with the help of a neighbor expanded to forty in the
following years.
The next chapter is just now
beginning with the purchase of this beautiful 40-acre property, which was a
collaborative effort between Jon’s family and some close friends who live in
Seattle. The land consists of roughly nine acres of fertile pasture, a small
wild orchard, two beaver ponds surrounded by wetland and a wooded hillside. Since
signing the papers in October Jon and His partner Casey have drilled a well and
set up a fenced area for five very happy pigs. The pigs are a rare heritage breed called Tamworths and are
valued for their excellent foraging abilities and lean meat.
Jon’s vision for the property is
intentionally vague at this point. He views his family as tender’s of the land
more than farmers. For that reason he is spending a lot of time getting a feel
for the property and researching various avenues that would best suit it. He has plenty of ideas about
resurrecting and expanding the current orchard, acquiring more animals to graze
the pasture (cows, sheep or goats) and growing produce especially garlic,
potatoes and blueberries. The goal is to find the best balance with the land
that will produce good food for the family primarily and hopefully some
additional income as well. Jon also views the property as an opportunity for
hands on learning. Hands-on workshops are one example of what the future may
hold for the Skookum Farmstead.
Our day on the farm concluded with some fine al fresco dining around picnic
tables near the pond. Jon’s wife Christy arrived with their three lovely
daughters. We shared stories, pizza, laughter and even some live entertainment
with singing and guitar picking from the family band. At one point during our
conversation Jon had mentioned that he hoped that the farmstead would answer
the question “what does it mean to be successful?” After an afternoon like the
one we had, I think that the answers are already rolling in.
Check out the progress at Skookum Farmstead by visiting their farmstead blog.
1 comment:
We had such a great time with you guys and wish you well on your journey! Meeting kindred sprits is a joy.
Peace,
Jon, Casey, and families
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