A tribute to Orcas farms | Guest Column

I don’t tell many people this, but I was born and raised in Pomona, Calif. But, when I was growing up, there were cows in the fields in back of our home; orange, lemon and cumquat trees on one side, and walnut groves on the other. We raised chickens, turkeys and a variety of other animals, and had a little Victory garden. We even churned our own butter and fresh bottles of milk with several inches of pure cream at the top were delivered to our doorstep. I’d like to say, I was raised on a farm, albeit small by most accounts. My mother, however, was born on a sizable family-owned farm in Illinois, so I guess one could say farming is in my blood.

November 26, 2010 2:30 pm

by Madie Murray

I don’t tell many people this, but I was born and raised in Pomona, Calif. But, when I was growing up, there were cows in the fields in back of our home; orange, lemon and cumquat trees on one side, and walnut groves on the other. We raised chickens, turkeys and a variety of other animals, and had a little Victory garden. We even churned our own butter and fresh bottles of milk with several inches of pure cream at the top were delivered to our doorstep. I’d like to say, I was raised on a farm, albeit small by most accounts. My mother, however, was born on a sizable family-owned farm in Illinois, so I guess one could say farming is in my blood.

There are no more farms in Pomona, and I doubt many orange groves are left either. I moved to “The Beach” in the 60s and never looked back … until I moved to Orcas Island. For me, it was like a step back in time, and seeing sheep, goats, cows, and even alpacas roaming the fertile Orcas land was pure nirvana. A concept I had left behind, but had never forgotten.

The deeper I get into the Farm to Cafeteria Program, the school garden, and Farm to Classroom, the deeper my respect goes for the farmers – what they do, and what impact they have on our lives. Not only do they abundantly provide incredible produce and meats for our school cafeteria, they let us use their farms as classrooms – welcoming our kids to their farms to teach them the amazing lessons only farms can … from chasing chickens to gathering eggs from their nests. Digging up vegetables to feeding the pigs. And, best of all, actually tasting and experiencing food right out of the ground. Only a tiny fraction of kids in the world have those opportunities. Our farmers even provide hay, fertilizer and seeds for our school garden, and many of them regularly volunteer items and/or time at fundraisers. How amazing is that?

A life of farming is hard work and long hours with moderate financial reward, but there they are: our farmers, not only providing but giving back to the community. I know every single individual on this island contributes in some way – some in many ways – some in every way. But I feel compelled to say a special thanks to our farmers for what they bring to our Orcas table.

Madie Murray is the Farm to Cafeteria committee chair.