Hi there! We’re Jeff and Ketrina. For the past 12+ years, we have enjoyed transforming a 1910 dairy barn and river property located in Hood River, into an organic market farm and homestead we call “Fiddle Farms”. A variety of microclimates can be found on the 15 acre property ranging from cool and shady near the lower pond and river, to dry and windy along the steep and rocky outcroppings higher up on the hiking trails. A large, fenced area is dedicated to growing annual vegetables which leads into a budding forest garden area featuring perennial fruit trees (plum, quince, cherry, pear, apple, peach, etc.) and berries (raspberry, aronia, seaberry, etc.) There are several outbuildings and structures including a greenhouse, tool shed, storage barn, 2 cabins, 7 hoophouses, woodshed/chicken coop. In the past, we’ve managed goats, rabbits, waterfowl and chickens on the property and now are content with a small flock of ducks and chickens we keep for eggs and entertainment. In 2013, we began hosting wwoofers and work-traders. We sold our produce at farmer’s markets, a few local restaurants, a small CSA and even tried our hand at commercial outdoor cannabis. Today, we focus on growing spring veggie, herb and flower starts and wedding flowers for a local market. As we look towards the future, we want to concentrate on finishing projects on the property, hosting educational events (i.e. classes, workshops), maintaining our small agriculture retail business, “Grow Organic, LLC” (www.groworganics.org), and taking time to travel. We are looking for that special person(s) to join us on the farm as we move this amazing place into its next phase.
Who are you?
Are you interested in selling what you grow at the local farmer’s markets, restaurants, or would you want to start your own CSA and/or flower/herb farm? If so, we can help. We have a built-in following from years of owning an organic farm store and can work with you on how to expand this market. We have all the infrastructure to make it happen: greenhouses, hoop houses, tools, great soil, retail outlet, knowledge & resources. You just need to be willing to put in the time, organization and financing.
As for the living situation, the house is a very large converted barn. There is an upstairs 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartment. It has its own living room, kitchen, and entrance and is separate from the downstairs area where we live. There is also a large, shared great room. The bedrooms overlook the farm and there are mini-splits in every room plus a pellet stove, dishwasher and washing machine/dryer.
Please note: we are NOT interested in finding just anyone to rent the upstairs apartment. The priority is to find someone who is the right fit for the farm. Please no tobacco smokers. Cannabis is fine. Pets are ok but dogs must be flock-friendly as we free-range our chickens and ducks.
The Wwoof organization made a quick video when they visited a few years ago that will give you an idea of what we are about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvSGuCMOGMY&feature=emb_imp_woyt
If interested in our property, please tell us a little bit about yourself by filling out the form on our website at: www.groworganics.org/land-partners
Acclimate to sharing the farm with like-minded people. Find a schedule with our new land partners to engage together and forge a sustainable way forward. Once we find the right person(s) who will be growing food, our short-term focus will shift to improving the property outside of growing food like native plant restoration, regenerating the soil and fun projects like building a raised bed kitchen garden and a wood-fired sauna.
We will continue to cultivate an onsite community that is committed to land and soil regeneration for future generations.
We grow plants (vegetables, herbs, flowers) from seed and flowers for weddings and a vegetable garden for personal use. We sell produce at the White Salmon and Trout Lake farmer’s market. We also host a few educational events at the farm.
Farmer's Irrigation
We’ve tested our soil yearly and amended organically. We’ve used a combination of composts, compost teas, animal manures, and specific organic amendments based on the soil test. Here’s a link to the soil analysis charts from 2013 to 2020: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bs3v6lmGT9P3QQUGw_j9k0DdtSt1S4-PWJC6XU0dri4/edit?usp=sharing
There is a greenhouse with electric, a large double-bubble Hoop house also with electric, multiple open-ended Hoop Houses, a tool shed and a storage barn
We have a variety of hand tools, broadfork, irrigation parts, harvesting supplies, nursery supplies, orchard ladders, etc. We do not have tractors or rototillers as we are currently a no-till farm and would prefer to keep it that way.
No restrictions on agriculture as it’s in the Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) zone.
We have been a part of the local organic community for over 12 years. We invite local farmers and their helpers / wwoofers to the farm on a regular basis to socialize at potluck gatherings. We have education events at the farm that discuss soil conservation and safe mushroom foraging.
We are positive, inclusive thinkers who welcome the opportunity to share our knowledge of growing food and taking care of animals with all who are interested.
To contact a land holder, you must first fill out a land seeker profile and have it approved by our staff. Thank you.