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We are a family owned small farm that began in 1979. We grow our food with natural (what used
to be called organic) processes. The farm, 20 acres, sits at the head of a small valley near the end of Camas Swale,
7 miles west of Creswell. This location is isolated from the pesticide drift, insect pressures, and potentially polluted water
of the floor of the Willamette Valley. We farm on 3.5 deer fenced acres for field crops and 20,500 sq.ft. of greenhouse
space for more tender crops and season extension. We take pride in the fact that, unlike most small farms, we wash and prep
produce in state and federally inspected and licensed processing rooms. People who work here get paid above minimum wage and
are covered by workers' compensation.
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OUR PHILOSOPHY
At Sweetwater, we have used organic farming procedures since beginning, in 1979. For the long term safety
and well-being of family/workers, consumers, and land, it is the only responsible choice. We have grandkids
and want the land to be healthy for them.
You need to know where your food is coming from, because no amount of federal standards for organic labeling
is going to rein in the greedy big agribusiness guys who started messing around with organic standards for labeling as
soon as they were passed. We believe you had better know your farmer, that's the only real guarantee you have that what
you are eating is responsibly and naturally grown.
THE FARMERS
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| THE FARM CREW |
Farmer John comes from a farming family. His grandfather owned and
operated a chicken farm in Connecticut. In the early 1970's, John started the Urban Farm associated with the University
of Oregon. One of the first students of the Urban Farm now farms on Molokai, Kumu Farm, and we occasionally buy
tropical fruit from him. Lynn became interested in organic
farming as a result of working with local farmers in the early '80's to set up an organic marketing coop
for their produce. A few years later, she became interested in Farmer John and that cinched it. She has lived and worked at
Sweetwater since 1990. Erica, Robert, Donna, Sean,
and Eser complete the team. Erica is a problem-solver extraordinaire and has been with Sweetwater 15+ years. She is on
the board of Willamette Farm & Food Coalition. Robert lives just down the road from the farm and can
do just about any thing. Donna lives near the farm and is a nutritional therapist. Sean (not in photo) thinks
he might like to be a career farmer and is getting some experience. Eser (not in photo) has energy and a great attitude
when it comes to hard work. Mr. Big'ums, on the far right of the photo, is in charge of security.
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