In 2007, Mark and Kathleen Clark considered what they wanted to do with the next 20 years of their life and what they would regret not doing. That is when they decided to become farmers – growing vegetables and preserving the soil.
The first step was to complete a sustainable farming class through WSU Extension and Mason County Conservation District. Then they started looking for farmland in the greater Thurston County region. They happened upon a sweet five acre farm just two miles from their alma mater, Tumwater High School.
The farm’ location fit with their business plan of having close proximity to neighborhoods that the farm could serve. The soil was a beautiful sandy loam well worth preserving for future generations and the property has major historical significance. They bought the farm in October 2009.
Here are a few highlights
· 2011- The first CSA season kicked off with about 20 subscribers---several from the nearby neighborhoods.
· 2012- Received a Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) grant to put up a high tunnel and plant pollinator habitat.
· 2014 – Began process with the Capital Land Trust to preserve this property as farmland forever.
· 2016 – Mazama pocket gopher was deemed an endangered species and the farm is ground zero. Learned to farm with these critters.
· 2016 – The Evergreen State College archeology dig for George and Isabella’s first cabin – first archeology field class offered by TESC
· 2017 – NRCS and Mazama pocket gopher set aside provide funding to purchase the development rights off of the property and it is preserved as farmland forever. Easement with Capital Land Trust
· To the present—retired from day job and now full time on the farm growing vegetables and flowers for the CSA and hot peppers for customer who makes fermented hot sauce
The first step was to complete a sustainable farming class through WSU Extension and Mason County Conservation District. Then they started looking for farmland in the greater Thurston County region. They happened upon a sweet five acre farm just two miles from their alma mater, Tumwater High School.
The farm’ location fit with their business plan of having close proximity to neighborhoods that the farm could serve. The soil was a beautiful sandy loam well worth preserving for future generations and the property has major historical significance. They bought the farm in October 2009.
Here are a few highlights
· 2011- The first CSA season kicked off with about 20 subscribers---several from the nearby neighborhoods.
· 2012- Received a Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) grant to put up a high tunnel and plant pollinator habitat.
· 2014 – Began process with the Capital Land Trust to preserve this property as farmland forever.
· 2016 – Mazama pocket gopher was deemed an endangered species and the farm is ground zero. Learned to farm with these critters.
· 2016 – The Evergreen State College archeology dig for George and Isabella’s first cabin – first archeology field class offered by TESC
· 2017 – NRCS and Mazama pocket gopher set aside provide funding to purchase the development rights off of the property and it is preserved as farmland forever. Easement with Capital Land Trust
· To the present—retired from day job and now full time on the farm growing vegetables and flowers for the CSA and hot peppers for customer who makes fermented hot sauce