Hi there! I’m Charlena – I am currently an apprentice farmer at the PCC Rock Creek Learning Garden and Farm and am a part of the Rogue Farm Corps apprenticeship program. My goal is to start a small-scale farm of my own after completing my apprenticeship (at the end of 2024). I am interested in vegetable farming as well as potentially growing a small orchard. In addition, I am looking to raise sheep (for grazing/wool production). While I won’t be participating in this vegetable growing season (outside of what I have growing at my home), I would like to start thinking about my plans to get a start on the growing season next year. My most pressing matter is currently finding land to house a small flock of Finnsheep. I am looking to purchase a couple of the ewes that we have on the farm I am currently working on. If I can find good pastures for them I would love to get them re-homed within the next few months. I am looking at purchasing 3-4 ewes. My hope is to find .5 acre to 1 acre of fenced pasture to raise them. If this includes land that can be cultivated for my future vegetable production that would be a huge plus!
Water/irrigation and suitable fenced pasture for sheep are essential. A barn or some shelter for the sheep would be nice however I would be willing to purchase a shelter.
Currently participating in the Rogue Farm Corps apprenticeship program and working on the PCC Rock Creek Learning Garden and Farm. Experience with horses, cows, and sheep and learning about vegetable production.
My immediate goal is to find land to raise a small flock of Finnsheep. I want to deepen my knowledge and usage of sustainable farming practices such as rotational grazing. In the next year I want to start small-scale vegetable production. My goal in doing this is understanding how to cultivate the land in a sustainable/responsible way that will allow me to produce resources for myself and my community.
Long-term I would love to operate as a non-profit farm working to produce food for community members (either through food bank donations, a CSA program or working with local businesses). I want to make sure I prioritize sustainable/ethical/regenerative practices that align with restoring the broken relationship I feel we have with the earth and land.
None, I live in the Portland region and ideally would be able to commute to the farm during the day.
I recognize the agriculture and farming industries are a source of a lot of trauma particularly for BIPOC and marginalized communities. As a BIPOC individual I care deeply about addressing cycles of trauma and actively working to dismantle them, specifically so we can heal our relationship with farm/labor/the food system. My hope is that as a BIPOC farmer I can be an educator, mentor and agent of meaningful change in the industry and bridge a lot of the gaps that a lot of marginalized communities feel exist between them and food sovereignty.
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