The New Farm

Our farm and the Eola-Amity Hills

On December 6, 2012, it became official: we bought the farm. June’s Corner Garden has moved and is now located on 59.2 acres about 12 miles NW of Salem, at the base of the west side of the Eola-Amity Hills. Of the 59.2 acres, 41 acres are leased by another farmer, who is growing clover at the moment. The current lease lasts for four more years, so we have some time to grow into the land (or decide to continue leasing it to another farmer). On the other 18.2 acres, there is a small house (1040 sq feet, first built in 1880 and added onto in the 1920s, according to some records), a garage, a shop, a hay barn with owls and two hoop houses (20′ x 95′). 12 acres have water rights (which means we can irrigate our crops), some irrigation infrastructure, and were certified organic by the last two farmers. Besides the fields for vegetables, there is an orchard with apples, plums, pears, persimmons, cherries and maybe a few other things. There is trellising for a vineyard, but it appears that almost all the grape vines have died.

The house and garage, as you enter the farm

Our move took more time than we expected, with the short winter days, some stormy weather and Jonas heading back to Colorado a few days after we started the move. Unpacking has been slow, but this place feels right. The girls have settled in quite nicely. It only took a few nights to get used to sleeping in their playhouse, which we brought with us. I am finally getting to the planning for the 2013 season, after working on some technology issues. We have only had internet access for two weeks now and I am setting up new e-mail accounts for June’s Corner Garden.  I was two and a half months late, but I planted garlic the first week of January.

The newly planted garlic

There is a lot to come in the next few months; lots of planning, purchasing equipment and putting infrastructure in place. But for now, here are some pictures of the farm.

The hay barn

Looking through the apple trees, back to the hoop houses and barn

Inside a hoop house. When we first looked at the property, this lettuce was perfect.

We ate the persimmons

Of course, I have to have a picture of the girls. They are adjusting nicely.

Looking from the well/pump house back to the barn. Those are lilacs in the grass.