Thomas Jefferson on Agriculture

Having spent a full half hour trying to craft a clever introduction to the following quotes, I give up. They stand alone; thoughtful, timely and inspiring.

"The class principally defective is that of agriculture. It is the first in utility, and ought to be the first in respect. The same artificial means which have been used to produce a competition in learning, may be equally successful in restoring agriculture to its primary dignity in the eyes of men. It is a science of the very first order. It counts among it handmaids of the most respectable sciences, such as Chemistry, Natural Philosophy, Mechanics, Mathematics generally, Natural History, Botany. In every College and University, a professorship of agriculture, and the class of its students, might be honored as the first. Young men closing their academical education with this, as the crown of all other sciences, fascinated with its solid charms, and at a time when they are to choose an occupation, instead of crowding the other classes, would return to the farms of their fathers, their own, or those of others, and replenish and invigorate a calling, now languishing under contempt and oppression. The charitable schools, instead of storing their pupils with a lore which the present state of society does not call for, converted into schools of agriculture, might restore them to that branch qualified to enrich and honor themselves, and to increase the productions of the nation instead of consuming them." (TJ to David Williams, L&B.10.429-30)

And another thing:

"Those who labor in the earth are the chosen people of God, if ever He had a chosen people, whose breasts He has made his peculiar deposit for substantial and genuine virtue. It is the focus in which he keeps alive that sacred fire which otherwise might escape from the face of the earth. Corruption of morals in the mass of cultivators is a phenomenon of which no age nor nation has furnished an example." --Thomas Jefferson: Notes on Virginia Q.XIX, 1782. ME 2:229

Boistfort Valley Farm Voted Wildlife Habitat Steward of the Year

Boistfort Valley Farm has been recognized by the Lewis County Conservation District for our efforts to enhance diversity and maintain habitat for wildlife here on the farm. We have been working with the Conservation District to plant and maintain a riparian buffer bordering the South Fork of the Chehalis where it flows through the property. The Conservation District has provided us a grant which reimburses us for the trees and labor, as well as provides incentives for the ongoing maintenance of the project. It has been a very real pleasure to work with this organization. It was a hoot to attend their recent Board meeting, and an honor to sit in a room full of such dedicated local farmers and others.


Apart from being instrumental in facilitating this project, the Conservation District is an excellent resource for information and grant funding of other projects. They provide information, technical services and cost share opportunities for projects which keep land and water healthy and productive. Their services are available to farms and forestry concerns of any size. http://www.scc.wa.gov/ The Conservation district works in partnership with a host of other County, State and Federal entities such as; Farm Services, USDA, Fish and Wildlife, the Forest Service, and the Department of Ecology.

I would also like to thank the Conservation District of Lewis County at this time for their help and support after the flooding of 2007. Through a special appropriation, the Conservation District offered reimbursement for expenses to repair and replace irrigation equipment, to replace perennial plants, and to clear and rehabilitate lands damaged by flooding on the farm.
Thank you.

Just When I Thought I could Stop Crying

Lewis Co. flood victims give back to United Way KOMO News - Breaking News, Sports, Traffic and Weather - Seattle, Washington Local & Regional

Back to Work

Once back we celebrated the New Year at the local Grange with a potluck, music and dancing.

Then we set to work on the seed order. We have always done this at the dining room table with seed catalogues spread everywhere, notes from last year and lots of snacks. It is about a three day affair to complete the order and Heidi is inside faxing and phoning in the orders today.



In the mean time we service and maintain our tractors and field trucks, inspect and repair the delivery vehicles and generally go through all our equipment and facilities and effect the repairs for which a hectic summer schedule does not allow the time.



Last but not least, operating on the premise that man does not live by bread alone, I have dropped a high performance motor in my old 1967 Ford pickup. This motor, combined with an antiquated chassis and running gear makes for a profoundly dangerous combination of horsepower and poor handling and braking. The gentleman who built the motor suggests that I only use the truck to go to the store. I look forward to the challenges and eventual outcome of a project of this nature. I have had this truck since I was 25 and will endeavor to restore it in stages over the next year or two. More later.

Christmas in Pennsylvania

It feels as though we just got back to Washington, though we returned from visiting family just before the first of the year. Heidi, Natty and I spent a full two weeks visiting family in Pennsylvania for the Christmas holiday. While we were there we "got dumped on"; over 8 inches of snow in my sister's neighborhood outside Pottstown.

We went sledding.

Built a snow man.

Baked cookies for Pop Pop....

and of course, opened presents and exchanged gifts with family and friends.

Chronicle Article on Tree Planting at Boistfort Valley Farm

http://www.chronline.com/articles/2009/11/09/news/doc4af861a8d63c6035683816.txt

Tree Planting

On Tuesday Kathy Jacobson and Jan Strong started delivering trees with help from Dawn and Omrao. I am amazed at the diversity of the species we are planting; dogwood, fir, hemlock, cedar, maple, oak, cottonwood, willow, alder, chestnut.....

Jan, Kathy and Dawn set out pins to mark where the trees were to be planted. I had already facilitated some strip tillage and planted the beds into native grass. On Wednesday we started planting with help from a group of middle school students from Rochester.

Thursday morning we where host to over 100 4th graders from Montesano. These kids where incredible. They were focused and hard working. They braved rain and wind and planted an amazing number of trees with an inspiring enthusiasm.
I cannot express how profound an experience this has been for me. I owe so much to the land from which I have been making a living most of my adult life, and from the rivers that have provided me with food and water. To have the oppurtunity to give back a bit, and to share that experience with such wonderful people of all ages is deeply moving. This is an endeavor I encourage you all to take part in; the planting of trees with friends and strangers.