As any farmer knows, the relaxing comes only after quite a bit of work. Kittee and her husband Dale bought a decommissioned apple orchard on the Walla Walla River in July 2002. What to do with a beautiful, a charming farm house, old barn,17 acres of apple stumps and another 58 acres with bluff and open range pastureland. We started by clearing the stumps, repairing and replacing ruined irrigation, and building fences. Kittee wanted a pony paddock and was not willing to wait for equipment to do it with, so she dug and drove most of the fence posts for her half-acre paddock herself. She also removed the rocks, raked, seeded, and watered the paddock area to create a nice grass surface. Finally, it was ready for sisters Jasmine and Ginger, two cremello palomino Shetland ponies. Six months later Kittee bought her palomino dream horse, Nugget.
 Building paddock fencing |
 Kittee's dream horse |
 Ponies for the paddock |
The rest of the bottom land has been put into pasture for pasture boarding horses, both our own and other people's. We also have a one-acre produce garden with grapes, strawberries, raspberries, marionberries, artichokes, asparagus, and row crops for the farmer's market. Planned for this coming year are potatoes, kiwis, herbs, lavender, beans, peas, greens, corn, and more. Underground irrigation helps keep the weeds down and uses minimal water from our source. All of it has been a challenging undertaking, and the rewards cannot even be counted.
The soaring bluff at the back of the property houses numerous hawks and Canada geese at various times. It also defines the solid, enduring permanence of the farm. Its owners may come and go, its purpose may vary, but the bluff does not change. That solid permanence instills calm and strength in troubled times.
Truly a labor of love, the farm is where we want to be most of the time. We feel incredibly fortunate and blessed to be able to call eastern Oregon our home.
 Blue Mountain Riders parade group |
 Driving Ms. Jasmine |
 Ginger and Dale |
Last update - January 2007
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