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About Capital press. (Salem, OR) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (March 13, 2015)
16 CapitalPress.com March 13, 2015 Farm aims at creating community By ERICK PETERSON For the Capital Press Harvest Farm When Merritt Mitch- ell-Wajeeh left her job in Florida to become a farm- er in Washington state, she wanted to do some- thing special. As she envisioned it, her farm would be a learn- ing center, where people could discover sustainable farming practices. Aver- age people could learn how to plant gardens in their yards, and young students could learn more about their food. In addition, people could get involved with the farm, and they could receive fresh vegetables direct from their source. This goal had its origins in lessons learned from her mother, Brooks Mitch- ell, who would eventually join Mitchell-Wajeeh in Owners: Merritt Mitchell-Wa- jeeh and Brooks Mitchell Year started: 2007 Acres: 92 Location: Sunnyside, Wash. Crops: Includes various greens, carrots, beets, pota- toes, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, beans, squashes, melons, radishes and herbs Sam Wajeeh and Merritt Mitchell-Wajeeh stand with their sons Zachary and Laith Wajeeh on Heavenly Hills Harvest Farm in Sunnyside. the endeavor. But this new mission was also encour- aged by motherhood. She wanted to provide health- ful foods for her children and other people’s chil- dren. Also, she was influ- enced by her education, a master’s degree in en- vironmental science, and her career, having worked as an environmental reg- ulator. Years of study and work put her in touch with, and gave her information about, farming practices. She and her husband came to Washington, where she said she had an experience that seemed re- ligious. She visited farms that were for sale between Yakima and the Tri-Cities, Wash., and came across the farm that she would later purchase. customer base is,” Mitch- ell-Wajeeh said, explain- ing the concept of CSA. “You sell shares of the farm. The dividend to the person buying the shares is a box of produce.” She believes that her farm was one of the first in the area doing this, but more farms in the Yakima and Tri-Cities area have established CSAs since. Shareholders have gained an education on the farm. While they receive and enjoy staples such as tomatoes, potatoes, pep- pers, herbs, melons, let- tuce, chard and kale, they have also received rarer foods. Many have learned about foods like sorrel, an herb with a sour flavor, for the first time, and have eat- en heirloom beans, melons and more. Also, the farm has hosted farming workshops and has partnered with other com- munity organizations, such as the Mid Columbia Fish- eries enhancement group. Projects are constantly in development to educate. “We’ve created a com- munity here,” Mitchell-Wa- jeeh said. TRUCK BEDS starting at $1,895 S15-2/#14 Erick Peterson/For the Capital Press It was a former dairy farm that had degraded in years of having not been used. But when she en- tered the barn, she saw a ray of sunshine beaming into the building and she was filled with a good feeling. “That’s when I knew,” she said. “This place was it.” Her mother, a teacher and writer, was also ex- cited about the farm and joined Mitchell-Wajeeh as an investor. “I come from a line of people who were always interested in nutritious food,” Mitchell said. “This was even before anyone was talking about organ- ic.” Being involved in this farming project intrigued her. She bought into it, and she began splitting her time between her home in Florida and her new farm in the Yakima Valley. Mother and daughter engage the public with their farm, starting a com- munity supported agricul- ture program. “This is a way for a small farm to know who the Diamond Trailer Sales Your All Service Dealer 541-740-5135 or 541-953-7548 • Halsey, OR View our entire inventory: diamondksales.com S15-5/#5
