Weekly Update: Aug 2

Last Sunday we planted olive trees. Thanks to Sean Hogan owner of Cistus Nursery. Sean is one of our island neighbors. We got to know him a few months ago after moving to the farm. His passion for plants is contagious, thus we now look out on an olive grove. Sean has designed many incredible spaces all over the world. Here is Portland he helped choose the plants and trees at the Chinese Garden. Due to Covid, he has spent less time traveling the world, and more time on Sauvie Island, which has been great for us.

Jim, me, Luis. Francisco is close by, and Michael was busy getting irrigation pipes in place to make sure the trees get enough water to get established.

One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned on the farm, is how much planning and prep is needed to successfully grow. Below is the planting plan Sean helped us create before we put the trees in the ground. Certain trees are where they are to help pollination.

All trees in the ground.

We are so honored to be one of the locations chosen by Piano Push Play this year.

As we wait for the Governor to allow us to have concerts, no one said we can’t have music. Yesterday this beautiful piano was delivered by the amazing folks at Piano Push Play. Come play in our gazebo!

Aliesje King (left), executive director of the Sauvie Island Center, was super busy all week gearing up for two full weeks of fun on the farm at Farm Camp.  Yesterday she and her team finished training 8 amazing interns who will act as counselors while helping campers make the connection between food, farming and our environment. The first group of campers will arrive this Monday morning and will be outside all day, every day, all week long soaking up the fresh air and sunshine as they explore the farm. The first week of camp is sold out, but there are a few spots available for the second week ( 8/10 – 8/14). For more information visit Sauvie Island Center Farm Camp.

Having Aliesje and the Sauvie Island Center located on our farm has been a gift. Aliesje provides a wealth of knowledge and experience. This week she also provided me with one of the most fun moments this week when all of the goats escaped and she leap to the rescue to round them up. Our animals really do bring so much joy. However every morning when they’re about to get fed, they sound like they are being tortured. They make a sound similar to babies crying loudly. Speaking of babies, our baby pig, July, makes more noise than the other pigs combined, also when she thinks she’s about to get food. If you’ve visited the animal area, I’m sure you’ve heard her.

I’m adding this photo, because as much fun as we have every week, there are definitely things that are stressful or don’t go as planned. We woke up yesterday to find tire tracks in the food garden the Sauvie Island Center volunteers and interns planted. Why? For the person who earlier asked why we lock the gate after hours, this is one reason.

Also this week, two OSHA investigators showed up unannounced due to an anonymous complaint. Both Jim and I were pulled away from what we were doing for hours. Our field workers also each needed to be interviewed. Everything checked out, but it was definitely the most stressful incident of the week. OHSA told us that since June they have received more anonymous complaints than in the 6 years previously combined, they guess because so many people are stuck at home. And they check out everyone of them.

And now for some of my proudest moments of the week. Even with all the issues planting late, look at our beautiful garlic and elephant garlic!

And look at our fava beans. We have so many vegetables being harvests right now. I feel like a proud mama.

Proud of these heirloom tomatoes too.

This week Andy Johnson-Laird came over to fly his drone and he captured some really great shots of our farm, including our corn maze!!!!

We also planted a bunch of sunflowers near the road this year. We planted a couple circles of sunflowers, where you can sit and enjoy being surrounded. Sunflowers track the sun from the time it rises until it sets. I have heard from a bunch of people about how if you are there right when the sun comes up, you can hear all the sunflowers move slightly to catch the first rays. I tried sitting amongst the flowers at before dawn once this week, but they were already facing East. Even though I didn’t catch that moment, I saw a bee on one of the sunflowers (pictured below) with so much yellow pollen on its legs, I couldn’t believe it could still fly. Come enjoy u-cut on the farm. Sunflowers are $1 per stem!

This week Captured By Porches brought over their first ever beer in a can. As of yesterday, we were the only place you could get them. Thanks Dillan!!!!

Sandwiches from Chop in St. John’s are back. Last weekend, we sold out before noon on Saturday (if you’ve had a Chop sandwich you understand why). So this weekend, we quadrupled our order. If you’re around today (Sunday) come and try one of the three flavors. Thank you Paula and team!!!!

Jim and my brother, Peter, work on a new sign to point to where the grill and taps are. We are grilling every Thursday night 5-8pm and Saturday and Sundays noon til 6.

Janelle preparing for last night’s farm-to-plate dinner. 95% of the ingredients came from the island (many from our farm).

Douglas Farm Peaches!!!!!!!!

Patty Pan from Douglas Farm and mint from our greenhouse.

Last night was our first family-style farm-to-plate dinner. Everyone appeared to have a great time, the food was incredible, the weather was perfect. After all the guests left, I caught a glimpse of bobcat checking out the dirty dishes before he ran off. As I stood under the tree, filled with all the lit candles, a pack of coyotes in the distance started making lots of noise. It was another magical night. Thanks so much for supporting the farm and giving us a change.

xo,
Kat