Big Cuddly Paws of Change

According to the Chinese Calendar, tomorrow begins the year of the Tiger. This tiger's an aggressive one and is already batting me around with his big furry paws and the year hasn't even begun. I'm determined, however, to coax it into a rumbling purr-cat before long. After all, it's my year and I'm a tiger too. Read on to find out how this Tiger is changing my life and the life of the farm this year...

So, just when I thought I'd be settling into my third year here at Fawnwood, raising food for another round of CSA members, summer camps and weddings, David and I were given a beautiful opportunity to buy our own land. In the very short time it's been since we were given this gift, I've been swimming in dreams and possibilities, sometimes getting caught in emotional eddies along the way. This gift is changing everything.

It means that some time this year, we'll be moving away from this beautiful place we've loved for years and will start our lives somewhere new. Where? Not sure yet. Probably Sandy or Scappoose. I've grown into this idea in the last few weeks, but it hasn't been easy. Fawnwood is like family, so there's a sadness that goes along with the excitement of change and moving on.

What all this means for Fawnwood is that this massive transition will take energy away from the farm. We've decided to redesign this growing season around our two community weddings and TrackersNW summer camps. We're scaling down and calling the remaining growing space the "Celebration Gardens". Shaun and Kirsten will be transitioning into lead caretakers throughout the next year and may resume the CSA in 2011. We realize this turns out to be short notice for folks interested in subscribing to our CSA this year and we hope it is still early enough for you find a happy home with another local farm. Our apologies for the sudden change everyone.

To all of our incredibly supportive flagship members from 2009, we wish you all the best and we still welcome you to Fawnwood anytime you'd like a place to "get away". Just give us a ring or drop us a line! Thank you for a beautiful year!

Wilder's Guild Summer Camp at Fawnwood!

This coming August, we're partnering with TNW to run two summer camps for 8-13 year olds. We're really excited about it and think they'll be incredibly rich experiences. So, spread the word! Check out the link to their website above for more information.

Happy New Year, Oregon!

It's 2010 and I've only recently returned from a remarkably good time with family in Michigan. With that said, I'm really happy to be back in a warmer, wetter world where wild and locally cultivated foods are loved and appreciated.

We're in pre-season gear around here, with part of our days indoors designing, updating and finessing the growing season master plan. Our seed orders are in, we're filling our supply list, and dreaming up recipes to go with our veggies. Outside, we're working on landscape projects, revamping the greenhouse, mulching, gathering trellis materials and stakes from the woods, and myriad other projects.

Wild Spring greens are peeking up through the forest floor and it won't be long until we are able to start gathering them again. It's hard to believe an entire year has gone by since I started this blog last Spring. I've put together a Flikr slide show in the left hand column for folks interested in viewing a few highlights.

Thanks to everyone who supported us through 2009, and welcome to a new year!