Farming in the Winter: PCC Farmland Trust report

» Nash's Delta Farm tour video

by Kelly Sanderback

Rain and cold couldn’t keep an excited group from visiting Nash’s Organic Produce in Sequim, Wash. for a farm tour and dinner on January 19.

The event was at capacity — three full buses of 120 people on the tour and 100 people at Nash's Corner for dinner — as demand continued until one day before the event.

We visited all 400 acres that Nash farms across the Dungeness Valley, with insights by Nash and his farmers, Scott Chichester and Josh Gloor. Nash owns only 10 acres and leases the balance, which makes it essential to save threatened farmland in this area.

The first stop on the tour was the Delta Farm (purchased by the PCC Farmland Trust and leased to Nash). The Delta Farm is a lowland farm while another, the Clapp Farm, is a highland farm with more sandy soils.

We learned that even though moving equipment around can be challenging, the opportunity to farm different types of soils gives the team more options for planting. We heard how and why they rotate crops, using only cover crops and compost for fertilizer, and how they have to plan to harvest vegetables every single week of the year. The cold weather and even a frost sweetens them as the winter goes on!

We also learned about Nash’s adventures in developing new seeds and how the Dungeness Valley is one of the only places in the world where brassica seeds (brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, kale, etc.) can be grown. One highlight of the tour was when each visitor pulled up his or her own Nash’s Best carrot to eat — the freshest and sweetest you can imagine, including a bit of organic dirt!

After a rest and a hot bath to warm our toes, we had a lovely meal with all local food, most of it from Nash’s farm. Entertainment for the evening was provided by local bluegrass musicians.

Dr. Curtis Beus from WSU Extension gave a presentation on “Food from Everywhere and Nowhere.” He showed how the number of farmers has decreased in our country (50 percent of the population in the 1930s versus 1 percent now) and that we currently import as much food as we export.

All in all, it was a lovely weekend. People left with an enhanced awareness and respect for the people who produce our food. They truly are seed and soil scientists.