Dropstone Farms » Bainbridge

Pigs

Lauren — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:08:00 +0000

While working from home this afternoon, I realized that since it’s dark when I get home on weeknights, today was my last chance to go meet our pig — they are scheduled to meet Farmer George, the butcher, sometime on Saturday. So we called up Rolling Bay Farm, got directions and went on by to scritch their backs. (I wanted to pat their heads but she said that was not a very good idea.)

They seemed happy and came up to the gate to say hi. We got a stick and scritched backs while they all jostled for places by the fence (including one or more who seemed to be trying to eat the fence). They wiggled their noses through the fence at us and I was surprised to note it was hard to restrain myself from touching them! I kept looking at their soft-looking pink noses and wanting to poke them, just a tiny bit, but then remembering how much I like having fingertips.

laurenipsum’s Pigs photoset
www.flickr.com

Next time I see these pigs they will be all cut and wrapped and ready for the freezer or smoker. Thanks, pigs! Thanks, farmers Adrienne and Mark!

Nuggets

Lauren — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 03:24:32 +0000

The chicks that were imminent in the last post are now here and huge and out on pasture and more than half of them are claimed already. Yay! So — if you want organic pastured chickens and you’re in the Seattle area and can come pick them up during the first week of November, learn more here, and order here.

We can has irrigation

Lauren — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:20:19 +0000

Folks who are local to us, come on out on Saturday to our new farm and help us install some irrigation! We’ll be there early in the morning on Saturday, so come on by anytime, and we’ll put you to work!

Johnson Farm is on the west side of Fletcher Bay Road, just south of where it meets High School Road. There is a stylish new red and white sign so you can find us more easily.

I appear to have committed us to growing hops

Lauren — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:29:14 +0000

We were recently interviewed for the newsletter of the Trust for Working Landscapes, the land trust that is leasing us some land. The article came out yesterday, and apparently we managed not to say anything too dumb!

“From Stacks to Starts” — A story of Dropstone Farms
By Christy Carr

After meeting in Library School and moving to Bainbridge Island in 2007, farmers Lauren Manes and Garth Highsmith are now about to use their professional background in new ways with their agrarian adventure at Johnson Farm. “Garden management is such a cool problem” says Garth, explaining that it works well with his interest in catalouging and categorization.

It’s not all about management though, stresses Lauren. “Deliciousness was the driver” in their evolving interest in farming. They started with small raised beds in a Seattle backyard, learning to cook and enjoying shopping at farmer’s markets. Next came the installation of a 2500 square foot garden at their new home on the island. This spring finds them hatching plans to farm a 1/2 acre field at the Johnson Farm, one of Bainbridge Island’s publicly owned farmlands.

Dropstone Farms plans to grow a variety of row crops and pastured poultry for egg production. They’re particularly interested in growing a few less-common island products like asparagus and hops. They intend to sell at the Bainbridge Farmers’ Market and may do limited on-farm sales. Farming is a new venture for these two, but they are firmly seated in their dedication to growing and eating delicious local food. Stop by Johnson Farm to say hello or check out their farm blog at www.dropstonefarms.com.

Hi, new TWL visitors! Garth wants to note that one thing that didn’t make it into the article was that we welcome feedback and ideas for what you want to see at the markets. Get in touch via the comments on this blog, or contact us both at farmers at dropstone farms dot com.