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LettersLocal CSA owners request rural reserves designation for HelvetiaFebruary 25, 2009
To: Washington County Reserves Coordinating Committee
Cc: Reserves Steering Committee From: Lyn Jacobs and Juvencio Argueta, owners and operators of “La Finquita del
Buho” CSA Dear Commissioners and Committee members; We are writing to you as residents and family farmers of Washington County, all located within 10 miles of one another north of Highway 26. We all own and operate Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms. A CSA means members share in the joys of locally grown farm fresh produce and help defray some of the risk of farming. Members of the farm pledge in advance to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation and farmer’s salary. In return, they receive shares in the farm’s bounty during the growing season (26 – 52 weeks per year), and they gain the satisfaction of reconnecting to those who grow food and the earth in which it is grown. We choose to farm and sell direct to consumers to enhance the connection of the consumer to local food. Our farms together produce food for over 1000 people in the Portland Metro area. Several of our farms have direct pick-up at the farm where our subscribers have the opportunity to see their food being grown with organic practices. We all abide by the practices of Oregon Tilth yet we are not certified ORGANIC. Many of us also provide delivery into the Portland area. We implore you to carefully assess the extension of the UGB and Urban Reserves and what it would do to our farms and our ability to provide fresh food to our community. La Finquita del Buho is located in Helvetia on Dick Road just north of West Union and is on your current map to be included in the Urban reserve. Helvetia is a unique picturesque community to which we contribute local gatherings, harvest festivals, canning demonstrations, and school tours in addition to local produce. We are an example of how much production can be created on a small area of fertile Washington County land. We farm approximately 2 acres and feed over 300 people for 29 weeks out of the year. Once this land is paved there is no way to take it back. Pumpkin Ridge Gardens is located 2 miles north of North Plains. Our 20 acre farm feeds over 500 people. We also sell vegetable seedlings and fresh cut flowers at the Beaverton Farmers market, making it possible for several thousand people to grow their own vegetables in local gardens in Washington County. Dos Sequoias and Abundant Harvest are located just north of West Union on Jackson Quarry Road and farm 2.25 acres and provide food to over 250 people. We also provide vegetables for a major catering company that serves four high-tech facilities in the area in addition to selling vegetable seedlings and fruit to our neighbors. Rural land in Washington County is currently being used to feed people and provide local connection to affordable, sustainable, and chemical- and pesticide-free food. We urge you to hold the line of urban reserves at Highway 26. Please do not target the farm land north of Highway 26 for urban development. There is great benefit to both farmers and consumers to have active farms in close proximity to urban centers, but great care must be taken to ensure that rampant urban growth does not consume this irreplaceable resource. We look forward to the opportunity to speak directly to your group if there is a meeting that is scheduled in the evening. If we can provide you with any additional information in the interim, please don’t hesitate to contact any one of us. Sincerely, Lyn Jacobs & Juvencio Argueta James Just & Polly Gottesman
Steve & Mishelle Radtke
Brian & Sharon Beinlich
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