Our 2025 CSA is nearly sold out – less than 5 shares left.  To secure your fresh, local summer food supply sign up HERE.

There are also a few seats left in our Spring class – Growing Vegetables in the South Sound: A Workshop for Gardeners Of All Levels.  To sign up contact TJ at urbanagrarian@comcast.net

This weekend we start planting seeds in our propagation room, which means that Spring is just around the corner. 

Thanks to those of you have already signed up for your 2025 CSA share.

If you are still on the fence, don’t wait too long.  We have less than 10 shares left and when they’re gone – they’re gone.

Learn more and sign up.

We are now accepting new members for our 2025 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Shares are limited, so if you are interested don’t wait too long to signup.

To learn more and to reserve your share visit

We’ve just updated our website with 2025 CSA information. Check it out!

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been focused on one of the most important things I do as a farmer – plan for the coming year. 

This process starts with determining what crops will be grown in which beds.  In order to break up pest and disease cycles, we never grow the same crop in the same bed two years in a row.  Different crops have different rooting depths and nutrient and fertility needs, so crop rotation is also important for maintaining maximum fertility throughout the farm.  We like to use a two or three-year rotation, meaning that we don’t grow crops in the same family in a particular bed without a two- or three-year break.  With over 60 annual vegetable beds at the farm, you can imagine this is quite a puzzle to solve.

Once I’ve decided what crops will grow where, using big laminated graph paper and dry erase markers, then all of the information gets translated to an Excel spreadsheet.  The spreadsheets show which crop goes where, when it will be planted, how far apart each plant will be, how many plants will be in each bed, and when the crop will be harvested (ideally – nature does not always cooperate).

Then comes the fun part – selecting and sourcing the right seeds.  Not all broccoli, cabbage or tomatoes are the same, and choosing the right varieties to grow is essential for a bountiful harvest.  After 10 years of farming, I have a pretty good idea of what works, but there are always new varieties to consider.

 I purchase most of my seed from Johnny’s Seeds and Osborne Seeds, but on occasion also buy from Territorial, Baker Creek, Adaptive, High Mowing, Pinetree and Siskiyou.  This year I have also been looking into several small Washington-based seed companies – Saltwater Seeds and Uprising Seeds.

Prowling through seed catalogues is fun, but can also be overwhelming, as you compare different companies, different varieties and different prices. One of my pet peeves is that some companies price based on the number of seeds, and other by weight, so I constantly find myself comparing whether Johnny’ Lacinato kale, priced by the number of seeds, is more or less expensive than Osborne’s Lacinato priced by the ounce (yes, you need to determine how many kale seeds are in an ounce!).  Some companies are worse – they don’t even tell you how many seeds are in a packet.

One thing has been very obvious this year.  The price of seeds has increased dramatically.  In some cases, its more than doubled over the last year!  Several varieties I have purchased in the past are identified in the catalogues as not available due to “crop failure”. At a recent conference, when I spoke with several seed reps from different companies, they all had the same explanation for higher prices and limited availability:  Climate Change.

As someone who has actively paid attention to Climate Change since the 1980’s, I’ve understood that a warming planet would reduce crop yields. I had never considered its impact on seed yields, but reality has set in fast. Increased wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes and flooding are reshaping farming realities today, and will continue to do so long into the future.

Over the past few years, I have also noticed a disturbing trend in seeds – germination rates are falling.  Germination rate is the number of seeds that actually germinate.  For example, a germination rate of 90% means that 9 out 10 seeds will germinate.  It used to be that it was rare to see germination rates of less than 80%. Last year some of the seed I purchased had germination rates less than than that same variety had in previous years.  For some things I was seeing rates less than 70%.  This means you have to buy more seed to wind up with your desired number of plants, which also increase costs.   Not all seed companies tell you the germination rates in their catalogue, or on the seed packet.  Look for companies that do – like Johnny’s and Osborne.

So, what can a farmer or gardener do?  First, secure the seed you need for next year soon, when it is still available. Look for high germination rates. Consider purchasing seed not just for next year, but for the several years into the future.  Most seed can keep for multiple years if stored properly.  For more information, check out the Cornell Small Farms publication on seed storage.

When purchasing seed, always buy from reputable companies who do not sell GMO seeds, and who have taken the Safe Seed Pledge.  All of the companies identified above are in that category.

You might also consider saving some of your own seed, but this is a very complicated process, depending on whether the seed is an open pollinated variety or hybrid, and whether you have sufficient distances to ensure no cross pollination.  A great resource for seed saving is Seed to Seed, by Suzanne Ashworth.

Healthy people need healthy food.  Healthy food depends on high quality seeds grown in healthy soil. As I noted in a previous blog post, the price of food will likely go up next year, and there is a very real potential we will see food shortages if the incoming administration follows through on its dangerous policy agenda.  Don’t get caught unprepared.

Perhaps you have been feeling the same way I have since the election.  I find myself swinging back and forth between the desire to sell everything I own and crawl into a hole for the next few years (or move to Costa Rica), and resolved determination to fight back and actively resist whatever Trump and his unfolding rogues gallery of cabinet appointees throw at us.

This weekend I experienced two things that encapsulated this dichotomy, and brought a clearer focus on the path forward.  I was in Vancouver, WA to attend the 50^th anniversary of Washington Tilth.   Tilth is an organization that brings together farmers, gardeners and eaters to create a more sustainable food future.

The night before the conference I spent the night in a hotel, and did something I rarely do – watch television (we have not had cable TV in nearly 30 years).  Unable to sleep, I found myself binging on cable news, stunned by report after report of why Trump won, what might happen next, and the parade of unqualified and dangerous lunatics he is surrounding himself with to enact his agenda.  After several hours of this, I found myself depressed and despondent, ready to sell the farm, liquidate our assets and flee the country as soon as we can.

Then I arrived at the Tilth conference.  As the day (and weekend) unfolded I found myself energized by the presentations I heard and the conversations I had.  Here was a community of people of all ages from throughout Oregon and Washington who, while not ignoring the larger political/social context, were committed to working together for a better future.  They were committed to farming sustainably, to feeding their communities safe, nutritious food, and to engaging in the grindingly slow process of political and social change.  I left the conference feeling energized, and with a long list of things I need to do to be a better farmer, teacher and community member.

So, what did I learn from this process?  First, to quote the lyrics of a Lucas Nelson (Willie’s son) song, “turn off the news and plant a garden”.  Mainstream news thrives on conflict, which translates into fear and paralysis.  Don’t get sucked into the rabbit hole.  Be a savvy news consumer.  Don’t spend too much time in that world. Look for reputable sources across the political spectrum that provide well-researched, thoughtful analysis.

Second, spend most of your time doing things that give you energy, physically and emotionally.  Make more time to walk, run, hike or exercise in whatever way works for you.  Science is clear – physical activity reduces stress.  Spend more times with friends.  Science also tells us that social connection helps maintain and improve mental health.  Seek out, support and get involved with organizations that you believe in.  Collective action is not only individually empowering, but our best chance for social and political change.

Its easy to go through life on auto pilot when everything is going well.  Things are definitely not going well, and to ignore that reality or let it demoralize and paralyze you is dangerous, individually and collectively.

In whatever way works for you, vow to become part of the resistance. It won’t always be easy. But we need each other, now more than ever.

As the shock of last week’s election results begins to wear off, it’s time to start asking the big question: What comes next?

Answering that question has so many variables its hard to contemplate. But based on what we are seeing so far,  big changes are likely to happen swiftly once the new regime takes power.

If the incoming administration follows through with its plan for mass deportations, according to Bloomberg News and Forbes Magazine – definitely on the right side of the political spectrum – one of the first things we are likely to see are potential food shortages and increased food prices. 

Why?  Because at least 1.7 million undocumented workers are involved in the food system:

• 300,000 work on farms or in direct agricultural production
• 206,00 work in food processing
• 154,00 work in grocery stores
• 833,000 work in restaurants

Many of these workers labor in dangerous, physically demanding jobs, with low pay and no or few benefits.  Are there 1.7 million Americans ready to roll up their sleeves and fill the gap?  Pretty unlikely.

Now that the die has been cast, how can we respond?

My suggestion is to do whatever you can to secure your food supply at a local level.  Purchase a CSA share from a local farm – Urban Futures Farm, or one of the many great farms we are fortunate enough to have in our area.  If you have never grown a garden, this is the year to start.  If you have a garden, this may be the year to expand it. 

In light of these suggestions, we will be expanding our popular gardening classes next year, and increasing our spring plant sale offerings.

For the past decade, Urban Futures Farm has supported our friends and neighbors by providing food and education, and offering a space for connecting the community.  This mission is likely to be even more important over the coming years, and we are already rolling up our sleeves to do our part.

Hello friends and supporters of Urban Futures Farm!  It has been a while since we’ve posted an update, and we wanted to share a bit about what’s been happening, and our plans for 2025.

Not running a weekly CSA last summer allowed us to focus on the health of our soils.  Over the summer we planted multiple cover crops, including crimson clover, buckwheat and lacy phacelia.  When the cover crops were blooming, they provided critical habitat for bees and other pollinators.  When we cut them down and turned them in they provided much-needed organic matter to the soil. Over the past month, we have planted our fall cover crops – crimson clover, Cayuse oats and winter rye – which will hold the soil together during the rainy season and provide another round of organic matter and nitrogen when cut and turned in next spring.  We are also optimistic that this year’s break has helped disrupt pest and disease cycles that have grown worse over the past few years.

Most of our soils got a break after 10 years of intensive vegetable production, but we did lease one field and most of our high tunnel to Laura from Rainbow Rotations Farm, who continued to provide vegetables, herbs and flowers to the community through her on-site farmstand.  Thanks to all of you who stopped by and supported Laura and invested in the next generation of farmers.

While we were focused on the health of our soil, we were also focused on personal health.  After undergoing radiation treatment for prostate cancer last fall, I am happy to report that everything looks normal at this point and I’ve regained full energy.  The key to any cancer is catching it early, so fellas don’t forget to get your annual PSA test!

Without the pressure of a weekly CSA, Stephanie and I were able to make more use of our camper van, and to spend lots of time outdoors, hiking and attending music festivals.  Highlights include the Big Ponderoo festival in Sisters, OR in June, a ten day road trip to Wallowa Lake, eastern Oregon and the Central Cascades in August, and an epic three week trip in August hiking and chasing aspens, hot springs and music around the West.

Another summer highlight was hosting the fourth annual FarmFest, our solar-powered celebration of music and community.  This year we had an incredible mix of bluegrass, Americana, folk, jazz and rock bands, and the overall vibe was just amazing.  We already have bands contacting us about next year, as word continues to spread about this special event – which is also a fundraiser for farmland preservation.  Mark your calendars for July 25-27, 2025 and look for a lineup announcement and ticket information in the new year.

Speaking of the new year, we are deep into drooling over seed catalogs and planning.  We will be returning to offering a CSA program in 2025, but in an attempt to create more work/life balance it will look a little different than it has in the past.  We will be offering fewer shares, two sizes to choose from instead of three, two pickup days instead of three, and a slightly shorter season.  What you can expect is a greater focus on quality and consistency, and the addition of strawberries from the new field we planted last Spring.  In addition, we may also offer an occasional pop-up farmstand throughout the season.    We also plan to host interns and WWOOFers next year, to share our knowledge and support the next generation of farmers, eaters, and citizens.

In addition to the return of the CSA, we will be expanding our Spring plant start sale, and experimenting with taking orders in advance.  Look for more information in the new year.

In March, we will once again be offering our popular workshop Growing Vegetables in the South Sound.  Last year’s workshop was sold out, and the many positive reviews we received indicated that people really valued this hands-on educational opportunity.

Meanwhile, our hens continue to be happy and productive, and eggs are still available for $8/dozen.  Call or text me at 360-338-8654 to arrange pickup. 

We are also looking for someone to keep an eye on the birds while we are on holiday vacation from Dec. 18-30.  A perfect job for a responsible teenager (or adult!), with payment in eggs and cash.  Contact us if you are interested!

In sum, this past year has been regenerative on so many levels. It has sharpened our focus on what matters, and reignited our passion to provide delicious, nutritious food to our community. In these uncertain times one thing is increasingly clear: building a healthy, sustainable community through food, education and music is needed more than ever.

Onward and upward!

TJ

Stop by the farm for fresh raspberries ($4/pint), eggs ($8/doz) and green walnuts (free for Nocino!). Two ways to get them:

– You can find them at the Rainbow Rotations Farm Stand, Saturday 9am-1pm, at Urban Futures Farm, 928 Wilson St. NE.

– Or text/call ahead for pickup at 360.338.8654