Lease/partner 3 acres farmed on 260 acre homestead community in Josephine County

Description

The Land is on a long-time, non-profit, off-grid community of five households near Takilma Oregon.  One of our families is moving away this Spring to be closer to town so we will have a vacancy in one of our beautiful off-grid homes.  Here at The Meadows Family Farm we strive to grow as much of our own food as possible using only organic, sustainable methods that do not displace native critters (not always easy when bears are hungry for apples…..).   We use homestead-scale methods using light machinery (tillers, mowers, etc.–electric when possible) and lots of hand tools.   There are about three acres under cultivation presently.  We grow diverse veggies, berries (30 BIG blueberries) , tree fruits (50 mature fruit trees) and small amounts of grains (for cover crops and our own wheat flour),    mostly for the residents, but also to sell or trade around the greater community.    Residents have opportunities to participate in a well-established farming operation in exchange for the bountiful harvests.

The Meadows is surrounded on three sides by public national forest and BlM lands (much of it in old-grow forest) and is the only private land in a small watershed.  The other side is more than a mile of frontage along the East Fork of the Illinois River.  Southern Oregon Land Conservancy holds a conservation easement on the property to protect the ecological values and the federally endangered coho salmon that spawn in the land’s creeks and river.

It’s beautiful, but not for everyone…..  Road access is limited by weather and seasons.  We mostly park our vehicles across the river and then cross on a 265 foot suspension footbridge.  From there it’s about a fifteen minute walk to the gardens and homes.  A couple of electric golf carts help us haul around the heavy loads from time to time.   Our power is homemade and very reliable (more so than the grid).    We do have pretty good phone and internet connections.

By the way, the location shown on the google map is not quite right.  We are on the West side of the river….

Owner’s Short Term Vision for the Property

Continuing to maintain and improve perennial plantings with the help of enthusiastic fellow humans while caring for the ecological integrity of the Land as a whole

Owner’s Long Term Vision for the Property

As an oasis of abundance and an example of how farming can be compatible with the native ecology (a rare thing today....)

Current Use

For homestead-scale farming and human and wildlife habitat.

Available Water / Irrigation

Water rights on two perennial creeks with large gravity fed pipelines in place that deliver clean water for irrigation, hydroelectricity and domestic use.

Soil Type / Quality

Fairly fertile clay loam that has been worked and improved for 50 years

Buildings and Structures Available for Farm Use

Large Barn/shop/storage shed. GLASS greenhouse 12'x30'

Farm Equipment Available for Use, Sale or Lease

Tillers, mowers, irrigation system in place. Some golf cart use.
Grain thresher (hammermill)

Any Restrictions That Could Limit Agricultural Production

Access is our main restriction that limits commercial agriculture here. Besides our limited road access we are located pretty far from any large city markets. There is a small farmer's market in Cave Junction (10 miles away) where we sometimes bring our surpluses.....

What are you doing as a landholder to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for everyone on your land and in your community?

The residents here at The Meadows are deeply interested and involved in the greater community across the river in Takilma and work with several non-profit groups there.