Is Willowood Farm representative of a move back to small farms and sustainable farming practices? I hope so.

Read the wonderful, in-depth history of this small farm on the Willowood Farm website. It started with a persistent pioneer who spotted the potential of this island prairie. He didn't get to farm it, having his head cut off by the native Americans who already lived in the area, but that was the beginning of a rich history for the farm and the area, one that is rising out of the ashes like a Phoenix.

The farm has been through different owners and different purposes. It was even a cattle ranch for a while. Today it's farmed by Georgie Smith.

Farmer Georgie Smith grew up on the farm she now tills and nurtures. What used to be several hundred acres is now reduced to 20, a scenario that has played out far too many times across our country. But the 20 acres remaining are as dark and fertile as the land spotted by the first settler to the area.

At Willowood Farm, food is fun. They indulge in growing things they love, and now offer over 20 kinds of garlic and over a dozen kinds of gourmet potatoes. They've been known to show up to farmers markets with 10 kinds of lettuce! That's another reason for shopping farmers markets instead of grocery stores: You'll never find the same diversity of locally grown produce at the chain store as you will at the farmers markets!

Like so many of the farms I am learning about, Willowood Farm has chosen not to become certified organic. They practice sustainable farming practices and farm as naturally as possible. For me, I trust the farmer to make the smart choice about how to farm their land. They are in it for the long haul, after all. They'll do what makes the most sense now and later.

Their locally grown produce is sold at farmers markets and at an impressive array of restaurants. If you're not in the Puget Sound area and unable to sample their locally grown produce, do take a look at their website. The history of the Willowood Farm is the history of so many of our nation's farms. The fact that Georgie is bringing this farm back to life and all that good food to our tables is, I hope, indicative of something we'll continue to see more of.

Willowood Farm of Ebey's Prairie
399 S. Ebey Rd.
Coupeville, WA 98239
www.willowoodfarm.net
willowoodfarm@gmail.com