Skyberry Farm
By Garrett Kelly, Skyberry Farm
In the mid 2000's, the idea for Skyberry Farm was first conceptualized by Sid Walters. Having grown up in the home on Skyline and Newberry that would one day become the farm, Sid imagined the possibility of creating a fully self-sustaining, 3-acre agricultural space based on the principles of organics, health, and community. With Sid's powers of persuasion, his friends from Portland and teammates from Arizona State's Cross Country team, Graham Klag, Garrett Kelly, and Derek Cardinale, jumped on board and began making Skyberry's dream a reality.
In the farm's first summer, life consisted of rebuilding the infrastructure of the property. We as a group of farmers utilized this time to learn while doing a various number of projects. This included landscape remodeling and reclamation of the land from over two decades of invasive Himalayan blackberry growth. (All removal methods have been chemical-free and by hand).
That first summer paved the way for future growth, including two gardens (sized at 7,500 and 1,500 sq. ft.), a chicken coup that now houses two dozen chickens, a greenhouse, a compost space, a native plant restoration project, and a few additional supportive farm structures.
Nine months later, by the summer of 2013, the baseline infrastructure was built and Skyberry's CSA (community supported agriculture) program was created. Throughout an 18-week season, Skyberry was able to support the vegetable needs of 20 households, as well as host the community through three farm-to-table dinners. The first year saw a diverse crop, including kale, lettuce, mustard greens, turnips, radishes, beets, carrots, tomatoes, tomatillos, cucumbers, lemon cucumbers, zucchinni, squash, pumpkins, spinach, brussel sprouts, potatoes, peas, beans, jalapenos, bell peppers, egg plant, corn and more. The 2013 harvest didn't come without its challenges, but with the opportunity to grow and improve, Skyberry is looking forward to a bigger and better year of farming on Skyline.
Truth be told, none of our rapid growth and success could have been realized without the help and support of the community. We are so thankful to our CSA shareholders, the West Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District, High Roost Ranch Farm, Skyline Grange, and all of you for being so supportive of local organic farms. Over the next year we look forward to becoming further in touch with the skyline community and the greater Portland area.
To get in contact with Skyberry and see how we can work together to support the farm and community, email us at [email protected] or call (503) 459-3615. We look forward to working with, and hosting you at the farm soon.
(Originally published in the Skyline Ridge Runner, Jan. 2014)
In the mid 2000's, the idea for Skyberry Farm was first conceptualized by Sid Walters. Having grown up in the home on Skyline and Newberry that would one day become the farm, Sid imagined the possibility of creating a fully self-sustaining, 3-acre agricultural space based on the principles of organics, health, and community. With Sid's powers of persuasion, his friends from Portland and teammates from Arizona State's Cross Country team, Graham Klag, Garrett Kelly, and Derek Cardinale, jumped on board and began making Skyberry's dream a reality.
In the farm's first summer, life consisted of rebuilding the infrastructure of the property. We as a group of farmers utilized this time to learn while doing a various number of projects. This included landscape remodeling and reclamation of the land from over two decades of invasive Himalayan blackberry growth. (All removal methods have been chemical-free and by hand).
That first summer paved the way for future growth, including two gardens (sized at 7,500 and 1,500 sq. ft.), a chicken coup that now houses two dozen chickens, a greenhouse, a compost space, a native plant restoration project, and a few additional supportive farm structures.
Nine months later, by the summer of 2013, the baseline infrastructure was built and Skyberry's CSA (community supported agriculture) program was created. Throughout an 18-week season, Skyberry was able to support the vegetable needs of 20 households, as well as host the community through three farm-to-table dinners. The first year saw a diverse crop, including kale, lettuce, mustard greens, turnips, radishes, beets, carrots, tomatoes, tomatillos, cucumbers, lemon cucumbers, zucchinni, squash, pumpkins, spinach, brussel sprouts, potatoes, peas, beans, jalapenos, bell peppers, egg plant, corn and more. The 2013 harvest didn't come without its challenges, but with the opportunity to grow and improve, Skyberry is looking forward to a bigger and better year of farming on Skyline.
Truth be told, none of our rapid growth and success could have been realized without the help and support of the community. We are so thankful to our CSA shareholders, the West Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District, High Roost Ranch Farm, Skyline Grange, and all of you for being so supportive of local organic farms. Over the next year we look forward to becoming further in touch with the skyline community and the greater Portland area.
To get in contact with Skyberry and see how we can work together to support the farm and community, email us at [email protected] or call (503) 459-3615. We look forward to working with, and hosting you at the farm soon.
(Originally published in the Skyline Ridge Runner, Jan. 2014)