As 2016 ended, I looked forward to 2017 optimistically. I completed my second year as an Oregon State University Extension Service Master Gardener Volunteer for Multnomah County, and enjoyed serving the public by answering their garden related questions. I felt my skills were refined, and prepared for the upcoming year. I also consider myself more equipped to educate participants of the Oregon Food Bank Seed to Supper class, which I began teaching in 2014. During the year, I had also participated in classes and workshops organized by the Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District. I decided to stop landscaping, and apply my skills to farming. I volunteered on farms when I participated in the Beginning Urban Farmer Apprenticeship program in 2014, so I felt adequately prepared.
I began 2017 with a new job as Director of Horticulture at a local farm, about a half hour drive south of Portland, Oregon, on a good day in traffic at 7 am. (See recent article in The Oregonian, Portland is the 5th worst place to drive in nation, according to Waze.) Since they had no record of previous crop plans, or seed orders, I started with an inventory. Unfortunately, they did not store them properly. Many packets were open, not even in a Ziploc bag, lying in a filing cabinet, in a cold, damp large shed, mostly expired. Some I could not identify if they were heirloom, non-GMO, open-pollinated, or organic. So began 2017.
Before ordering seeds, I needed to map the farm and create a crop plan. The farm owners/managers I know submitted their order in December; hence, I was a month behind. Complicating matters, the Portland metropolitan area was experiencing a cold, wet winter, hence snow covered the ground often. Moreover, from January through February, I rarely saw the sun.
Walking the field, it was apparent they had not planted any cover crop after the fall harvest. In addition, the ground was compacted from them using large tractors and tilling excessively. It was apparent to me that I would need to dedicate a quarter of the two-acre farm to a spring cover crop, to loosen the soil, and begin restoring the soils health. I would also need to test it.
The CEO of the parent corporation that owned the farm gave no indication they used pesticides, but a farm hand mentioned Roundup by name. Knowing that it negatively affects flora and fauna, as well as soil microorganisms, I began to research methods I could implement to restore soil health, and attract beneficial insects as well as native pollinators. This would significantly reduce, ideally eliminate, the need to use fungicides, herbicides and pesticides.
To discourage diseases, pests and weeds, I designed a 20-crop system, using polycultures. I also mapped out four rows of plants that would attract beneficial insects and native bees, interspersed throughout the field. I selected the seeds according to research, specifically, which variety was most successful in the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone, and passed testing at Oregon State University. I contacted the local Soil and Water Conservation District, and started a conversation about Pollinator Conservation grants, planning for 2018. Unfortunately, I was not able to incorporate any of the systems I had carefully planned.
When the parent corporation of the farm laid me off, in addition to several of my co-workers, it was difficult at first to acknowledge it happened. However, the Portland metropolitan area had experienced half dozen snowstorms between December 2016 and January 2017, which forced them to close many days, thus cutting into revenue. Though hard, I had to see things from their perspective. It was a learning experience for me.
After they laid me off, I resumed my search for employment with a farm. I was able to secure jobs throughout the summer. However, many faced similar challenges overcoming the wet and cold winter and spring. I also continued my education, participating in classes and workshops at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center, and sponsored by the Oregon Small Farms program, and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts. I was not discouraged, but became a keener observer, recognizing the everyday challenges farmers face.
All my lessons this year echo the oath I signed back in 2013 to become a member of Kappa Delta Pi, an International Honor Society in Education. Although I am an educator, I consider myself a co-learner/a lifetime learner. The line that resonates with me most today as a sustainable garden educator is:
The Ideal of Service is the very essence of education, which seeks advancement, not merely for self, but for society as well. The incentive of the great educators of the world has been their desire to serve humanity. Service in education implies living so that others are strengthened and inspired, and striving for the achievement of justice, peace, and a better way of life for all.
Happy Holidays to all! Please subscribe to this blog to keep current about tips on improving farming, gardening, as well as upcoming classes by Cultured Farmers. Continue to read about my learning experiences and contributions in my community in the months to come.
Ron MacKenzie, MS, Educational Leadership and Policy, Specializing in Leadership for Sustainability Education, focus on Garden-Based Education in Schools and Communities (Portland State University); Fitness Technician Certificate (Lane Community College). See my biography in About Me tab.