field day

This field day will begin with a 90-minute scenic drive along the majestic Columbia River Gorge and up into the foothills to reach Mt. Hood Organic Farms, which was the first commercial orchard to be certified organic in Oregon, and is also Demeter certified Biodynamic®. Brady and John Jacobson manage 50 acres of orchards with 87 varieties of apples, pears, and quince on the farm's 205-acre property with stunning landscapes of Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Rainier.

There is no greater synergy of all the biodynamic farm principles than that expressed in the role of compost. It is here that animal, plant, and preparations work in harmony to create and provide the fertility, nutrition, and energies needed to produce and sustain superior soils, foods, and medicines. However, the true biological and dynamic expression of one's compost, crops, and land will never be reached without a properly managed compost pile into which the preparations can function and thrive — resulting instead in wasted time, money, and potential.

Venture into Oregon's famous Willamette Valley to experience two Biodynamic vineyards and their wines. We will begin at Soter Vineyards' Mineral Springs Ranch, whose focus is estate Pinot Noir within a highly diversified Biodynamic farm organism, incorporating vegetables, herbs, fruit, chickens, goats, bees, and more.

This field day will first visit Our Table Cooperative, a multi-stakeholder cooperative composed of three different interests along the food production chain: workers on their farm, regional producers, and consumers. Our Table is based on 58 acres of land located about 15 miles south of Portland, raising certified organic vegetables, berries, apples, and pastured chickens and eggs, and working toward Demeter Biodynamic certification. At the center of the farm is a grocery and kitchen, offering food from the farm as well as regional producers who are members of the cooperative. 

** Event is SOLD OUT **

Presented in collaboration with Demeter USA.

** Event is SOLD OUT **

We will first travel to Tesuque Pueblo, north of Santa Fe, where Emigdio Ballon and members of the Pueblo have developed farm fields, orchards, greenhouses, compost, and a seed bank, incorporating traditional pueblo agriculture as well as permaculture and biodynamics. Participants will help with several hands-on projects at the Pueblo and then enjoy lunch together at the farm.