We are a small, primarily draft-horse powered farm, producing healthy and sustainable vegetables and fruits in Eastern Oregon.

The Land

We are on lands in the historical, unceded, and stolen territories of the Nimiipu, Umatilla, Cayuse, and Western Shoshone peoples, among others. We recognize that a land acknowledgment by istelf isn’t enough and have been exploring ways to put action behind this.

Our farm is spread across one acre of orchard and berry production, three acres of our own hay fields, pastures, a large barn, a high tunnel, small produce plots, and eight leased acres of rotational produce fields. We are also appreciative of generous neighbors who make additional hay fields and pastures available for our use.

Our Philosophy

We take the concept of sustainability seriously.

We source strictly non-GMO and organic/sustainable seeds and plants. Where possible we also source open-pollinated and locally adapted seeds and plant varieties. On farm, we try to maintain as closed a circle as possible for inputs- we save our own seed where we can, create as much of our own animal feeds as possible, compost all farm and animal wastes, and practice rotational animal grazing as well as cover crops and rotational plantings. We work hard to build and improve our soils.

We follow organic principles and do not use synthetic herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers in our food or hay production areas. We are Certified Naturally Grown.

A large piece of sustainability for us is also in working with draft horses as our primary power source. Our horses help reduce the soil compaction and fossil-fuel consumption that tractor farming would create. Though we do use a small 1950’s tractor for specific tasks (like subsoiling, discing, and hay baling) and a two-wheel walk-behind BCS tractor for others (such as in the high tunnel and small prudoce plots), our horses do nearly all of the plowing, some of the planting, all of the cultivation, some of the harvesting, grain grinding, and most of the hay mowing and raking. The horses also help with snow plowing on the farm as well as a few of our neighbors’ driveways and at our local cemetary.

The Farmers

Amari grew up working on her family’s commercial potato farm in Maine. It was here that she was first introduced to draft animals- her grandfather had farmed with draft horses and Amari learned to drive ponies from him. Amari spent three years in college in a pre-veterinary program. As an adult, Amari learned to work with draft horses through a friendship and mentorship with Marvin Brisk. Marvin has also epitomized the generosity that is commonly found in the draft horse community- ensuring that our farm has had the working equipment it needs to do our work as well as sharing horses when needed.

Chloe grew up in rural Idaho and has a strong background in landscaping, orchard and fruit tree care, and organic and permaculture gardening.

Jenn is an occasional helper on the farm, especially with planting and harvests. We are grateful to Jenn for her help!

The Horses

Hopi is our primary horse- born on a neighboring farm in 2018 and trained by Amari, she has been working on our farm since 2021. Hopi is a Suffolk Punch/Shire cross.

Hopi has been paired with a rotating partner from the neighboring farm where she was born. Her longest pairing was with her mother, Kim, until Kim’s passing in 2023. We have hopes of being able to pair her with her nephew, August, when he comes of age in 2026.