For the past 15 years, I’ve worked as both a farmer and an educator, including seven years with OSU Extension Service. I’ve witnessed firsthand how soil health can transform not only a farm, but the entire ecosystem that surrounds it.
What began as an attempt to reduce weeds, pests, and disease pressure on my own farm grew into something much larger: a profound understanding thatsoil microbiology is the foundation of resilient agriculture— and a passion for helping other farmers tap into that knowledge.
My work is driven by a commitment to continual learning - and unlearning! I’ve spent the last decade studying, researching, and developing agro-ecological curriculum to better understand and communicate the complex relationships between soil microbiology and crop health.
I’ve supported over a thousand small-scale farmers through classes and workshops and more recently through my work supporting growers on their farms throughout Oregon.
Ecological farming works. It restores the natural processes that builds healthy soils that grow strong, resilient plants with climatic, pest and disease resilience.
Nourishing microbial life, reducing soil disturbance, and implementing practices that foster natural ecological processes, regenerative agriculture can lead to more resilient and productive farms with fewer inputs required.
The science is there, but the implementation proves to be a much harder piece of the puzzle.
I’m here to support farmers make that transition with confidence, clarity, and support.
Blue Raven Farm is located on un-ceded land once cared for by indigenous communities who were forced from this land over a hundred and fifty years ago.
We feel an incredible responsibility to act as stewards for land that rightfully belongs to the many Tribes that made their home along the Columbia River. We are still learning the Indigenous history of this area and have found these Tribes include: The Chinook Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Grande Ronde, the Cowlitz, and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
It’s not only the land that was stolen from them, but also their incredible farming and land stewardship methods that form the basis for modern movements such as permaculture and regenerative farming.
Blue Raven Farm was founded in 2015. From day one our farming practices have been rooted in soil health and land stewardship. The journey has not always been easy, especially with our robust CSA and restaurant sales. Our first few years were riddled with challenges: voles, symphylans and so many weeds. “Trust and stay the course” was my motto in those early years.
Trials and tribulations aside, our dedication to caring for this land first and foremost has resulted in impressive reductions in weeds, pests, diseases and of course labor.
The lessons I have learned over the years have resulted in a passion for sharing and supporting others on their path to soil health.
