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By Janet Unruh, WENA Board Member My family and I visited Thimbleberry Collaborative Farm (https://thimbleberrycollaborativefarm.org/) for its fall harvest festival, and we were impressed with the operation. The farm is on five gorgeous acres just outside Boring, Oregon. We had fresh-pressed apple cider and tacos, listened to live music, and took a tour of the farm. |
I was interested in visiting because I had read that the farm donated 11,000 pounds of fresh produce to people in need in the East Multnomah and Clackamas counties (12,000 pounds last year). I learned that they distribute food through a farm-to-clinic program with Wallace Medical Concern and Milk Crate Kitchen, and to food pantries such as SnowCap, Birch, and Sandy Community Action Center. They're able to do this work with support from grants and donations as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
The farm offers educational programs for K–12 students in Multnomah and Clackamas counties, including field trips and classroom visits focused on growing and cooking seasonal produce, and environmental stewardship. Lessons are customized to each group, with hands-on activities that make learning fun. The farm also works with local organizations to provide monthly farm visits and cooking experiences for young people experiencing homelessness.
During the tour, I learned that they don't use pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers. They use low- or no-till methods and work to build the soil biome. This means a lot of work is done by hand, including weeding, harvesting, preparing sections of the farm for winter, and leaving roots in place where possible. They also grow blueberries and they have apple, plum, pear, and cherry orchards. The farm has hens and ducks, whose manure is used to improve soil fertility. The birds also help control insects.
The farm participates in an apprenticeship program through Oregon Farm Corps. Apprentices can gain hands-on experience with raising vegetables, culinary herbs, fruit, cut flowers, poultry and eggs, and managing orchards. For more information, search the Internet for “oregon farm corps host farms thimbleberry.”
I found Thimbleberry to be an unusual and worthwhile undertaking and decided to make a monthly donation. If you'd like to support their work, you can donate at givebutter.com/vNbNAN, attend an event, or volunteer. Their activities include bird-watching, pickling, winter cocktails, and more. For information about upcoming events, search the Internet for “thimbleberry events.”
