Prairie Tour
I was privileged today to tour a unique farm/ranch operation in western Washington, located in an landscape of unique beauty and geologic mystery.
The primary goals of this operation are: keep the land in farming and ranching; keep the farm in the family; and preserve the unique characteristics of this land. The family that owns this operation is doing a splendid job of holding true to their goals.
This operation produces high-quality grass-fed beef. Given the high fuel and fertilizer prices we’ve experienced over the past couple of years, the inputs required to produce hay are costly. The family operating this ranch stopped raising hay and shifted focus to raising beef on grass, using rotational grazing to maintain forage quality. Animals are regularly moved, and electric fencing is used to contain animals.
The ranch is located in the south Puget Sound complex of prairies. A variety of native plants grow here, and remnants of the original oak savannah forests remain.
From ground level, the landscape looks like a seascape frozen in time. A slightly elevated view shows mounds of earth scattered across the landscape, as if giant gophers had lived there. In fact, that is one of several theories about the formation of the Mima Mounds, ranging from pocket gophers to seismic liquifaction to artifacts of glacial retreat.
I was impressed with the balancing act this family achieves, running cattle on a prairie composed of mysterious mounds and covered in spring with a plethora of wildflowers. They have provided several watering sites well away from the local creek, including nose pumps that allow cattle to pump their own drinking water by pushing on a pump lever.
Every spring, this family hosts a tour of the operation for their customers. It is a great way to create a more personal connection between food producers and food consumers, creating deeper understanding on both sides. Consuming food produced locally can mean fresher food and fewer embedded costs. It is a more sustainable way of life, a win-win for producer and consumer.
Personally, I would rather purchase beef from someone I know, produced from land I know, than buy beef at the grocery store that could have come from anywhere. I can learn to trust people I know; I cannot trust food producers I will never know.
We had a delightful day at the ranch, and I appreciate learning so much, and being given the opportunity to enjoy such an idyllic setting. Click here to view some photos from today’s farm visit.
There are various groups focused on preserving farmland, sustainable farming, and producing/consuming food locally. I recommend visiting these resources to learn more:
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