MEADOWWOOD Organics - Part III

FARMER FOCUS SERIES

The Sillimans grew up close to the land, although neither one had parents who were farmers. Darlene was raised on her grandfather's farm in Nepal where the family grew their own food. In Nepal not to grow one's own food was abnormal. Tom was raised in Minnesota on his dad's inherited farm. Even though his dad didn't work the farm, Tom helped with the big garden and raising the chickens. Throughout high school in the Mid-West Tom worked as a herd-hand, milked cows, and drove a tractor.

In 1982 Tom and Darlene met in Minnesota at an Avionics technical school, then developed a 20-year friendship as they continued careers in aviation. In 1996 they were married. Both dreamed of their own land to grow food that would sustain their family, with some to share. The dream became an imperative when Tom's mom died early of cancer at age 56 in 1998. It triggered the understanding that food matters and they began an on-going look at what we eat and what we have control over in life.

In 2001 they moved from Illinois to Enumclaw when Darlene was pregnant with Savannah. The land they purchased was a meadow-in-the-wood. It was like a "blank slate" The front 5 farming acres were open pastures--the other 8 acres forested as wet lands. As you can see from Darlene's prior two articles, they are making their dream come true and have been living organically since 2003. All the animal feed, hay....everything is pure.

When asked, "What advice would you give young people considering farming as a vocation--and do you think farming is financially viable for a family these days?

Darlene said, "Start small. One person needs to work full-time...maybe two!! Do not buy a lot of equipment, or the best. It is not simple to farm organically. Farming is physically demanding 7-days/week with no vacations or holidays. The body can only do so much. One infestation of grasshoppers can destroy a whole crop. A farmer must be able to handle disappointment. The price of land in Enumclaw is now $20,000 an acre. Most farmers, especially young farmers, can't afford to farm. You have to love it to do it, because the financial security isn't there."

Stop by the Silliman's Farm store soon to buy fresh eggs, and cream-topped raw milk--with live digestive enzymes and vitamins. Right here in Enumclaw...a wonderful opportunity. Don't miss it! I guarantee you will quickly notice the quality and difference of Meadowwood's safe, nutritious milk and eggs.

There are some cow shares still available for specific days only. If interested in a cow share, OR learning how to make raw cheese, yogurt and butter in Darlene's September class, contact her by e-mail at tomdarsavy@gmail.com, (360) 802-3845 or visit http://www.meadowoodorganics.com/.