Katharine Harwell and Bil Thorn have shared an interest in farming since their tardy teens . These days they fly the coop the 15 acreSky Island Farmin Humptulips , Washington , along with a small help from their two teenage child .
Situated on 15 landed estate of land , Sky Island Farm take pride in growing over 50 varieties of vegetables , flowers , fruit and herbs . After the Covid-19 pandemic coin earlier in the yr , Harwell and Thorn decided to focalize their endeavour on allow a Community Supported Agriculture ( CSA ) delivery avail to local residents .
“ It was a great decision , ” says Harwell . “ We felt skillful that we were able to turn this side of the line of work and process so many citizenry this year . People make out that they did n’t have to get their garden truck from the store and relied only on the veggies we brought them . ”
Taking time out from process the last of the vacation wreath orders , we spoke to Harwell about sustainable farming methods and the joys of daikon radish . We also got the scoop on a giant 5 - foot Christmas wreath they ’ve crafted .
Making It Sustainable
A post deal by Sky Island Farm ( @skyislandfarm )
“ We have always cover sustainable gardening and farming method acting , ” say Harwell when asked about Sky Island Farm ’s uprise practices . “ [ Sky Island practice ] only Organic Materials Review Institute ( OMRI)-listed amendment , and we never spray and focus big - time on plant life health . We use method like cover crops for fecundity and weed control condition along with using black credit card to obliterate weeds so we do not have to use chemical substance !
“ Yes organic is intensive . And so much is done by helping hand . But it ’s worth knowing you have clean and alimental produce . ”
Curating the CSA Box
Harwell says that heirloom tomatoes , purple daikon radishes and purple cauliflowers were this class ’s bountiful hits in the garden truck corner . This was based on feedback from customer who signed up to Sky Island Farm ’s CSA .
“ Our pet way to eat the tomatoes was to chop them up with cucumber . Or we ’d eat them by themselves and add walnuts , feta cheese , olive oil color and reduced balsamy vinegar , ” explicate Harwell . “ Same go with the daikon Raphanus sativus longipinnatus . But we also loved roasting the radishes too , which not too many the great unwashed know about . ”
record more : Create a crop plan to improve your CSA harvests .
Crafting Holiday Wreaths
If you scroll through Sky Island Farm’sInstagramaccount , you ’ll detect a stream of heart - catch festive garland . Harwell says that grow the wreathes “ is a great side fizgig for the downtime . ”
She adds that all the materials that go into crafting the holiday decorations hail from the farm . Any leftovers go to the goats and sheep or become compost .
A 5-Foot Holiday Wreath
Part of Sky Island Farm ’s holiday time of year tasks include create a giant 5 - foot wreath for the town hall in nearby Seabrook , Washington .
“ This wreath is made on a custom wood frame . It is made by hand because of its size , ” explains Harwell . “ They have to bring in lifts just to install it ! [ The town ] get super festive and we are fortunate enough to be able-bodied to aid and keep it local . ”
Read more : you may make a wreath from foraged pipeline !
Giving Back and Paying It Forward
Looking back over 2020 , Harwell says that she ’s proud of how Sky Island Farm has been able to run a 160 - class CSA for “ people of all income levels ” via a sliding scale scheme . The farm has also mould a relationship with the Coastal Harvest dispersion internet to work with local food banks .
In recognition of Sky Island Farm ’s contributions , Harwell adds that recently Thorn was present the Farmer of the Year award from Washington State Tilth Alliance “ for his efforts in grow organically and feeding his community and for being an aspiration . ”
