Grain & Seed Production
Patty McManus-Huber, co-owner of Nash’s Organic Produce, welcomed us at the community barn adjacent to Nash’s Farm Store. Registration was busy, given there were more than 70 attendees, and excitement was high to hear from owner Nash Huber and his team about their successes growing, processing and marketing grains and seeds.
The barn’s community room dance floor was used for introductions. Nash invited each member of the team to say a few words about their role with the farm, while a slide show played in the background. A recurring theme mentioned by several of the crew is that farmland in the beautiful Dungeness Valley is quickly dwindling. The rain-shadow valley soil is some of the Washington’s most fertile land yet the demand for homes continues to drive up costs and make acquisition expensive. While Nash’s Organic Produce has 700 acres under their control, they own only a fraction of that total in two small parcels. The crew farms fourteen parcels scattered throughout the region, which means equipment and workers are often on the move. Fortunately, 220 acres are protected through easements, with the 80 acre Delta Farm permanently preserved as farmland through the PCC Farmland Trust.
The farm store offers the community organic produce, grain, meat, and other grocery items supplied by Nash’s farm as well as other area growers. It was clear that the store and events hosted by Nash and Patty in the barn provide a community connection for those living and working in the valley. The barn also houses a 70 year old stone grain mill, moved into location in 2011, brought into operation by Nash’s crew and overseen by Jay Smith. The two mill stones are made of Missouri Sandstone, which looks like poured cement, and are about 30 inches in diameter and about 200 pounds each. By far the dustiest job on the farm, Jay explained the basic process of milling the certified organic grain into whole grain flours.
Joining the farm walk was three of Stephen Jones’ graduate research students from the WSU Mount Vernon Research Center: Brooke Brouwer, Colin Curwen-McAdams, and Louisa Winkler. Dr. Jones had partnered with Nash’s Organic Produce for research trials in the past though there are none currently being hosted by the farm.
Carpools headed to the Delta Farm where our education began by learning farming in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley is farming in the far western part of Washington. It’s fairly remote, with the nearest farm supply store is in Burlington. Consequently, ingenuity and resourcefulness are critical components for success on a farm. As Nash and several on his crew mentioned throughout the day, everything is homemade, re-done, re-worked or recycled from other things, both from items found on the farm or nearby. Sam McCullough, who led the grain production tour in the barn at the Delta Farm noted that having to always create what you need “keeps you strong”. The grain bin dumper was one such example Sam shared. Made to replace their original five-gallon bucket system, it came to life from two key components found elsewhere on the farm: one gear and a hydraulic arm. The ton size grain bucket was also conceived from various pieces and built to meet the farm’s growing grain needs.
Discussion turned to the seed cleaners and the various types of machines and screens employed. Seed cleaners are used first, with air used to push up and float material from one level to the next. An air screen is the first pass almost all the time. Seeds need to be an appropriate moisture level before putting them in the air cleaner to avoid using unnecessary energy to dry seed chaff. Then the seeds are spun in a bucket spinner, which uses friction to remove the fine hairs. Care must be taken not to burn the seeds during this process. For grain sizing, indent drums are used next. It’s best to size after cleaning the seeds as the drums won’t work well if full of dust. Sizing is important because growers need to have the appropriate size seed for their planters.
Sam has learned to live with some weeds and to hate others with a passion. He acknowledged that the labor required for weed suppression is high, but it’s important to reduce the amount of weeds that are processed along with the seeds. Nash noted that non-irrigated wheat fields will have weed seed set and that in future years you may need to get the weed seed out or risk losing a crop. He also noted that when converting land to seed production you have to be very careful because you’re basically giving the land over to seeds and might inadvertently grow the next weed crop. Two weeds Nash’s has learned to live with are mustard and chickweed, the former which is being experimented with as an oil seed as it is 35% oil. Another use for the mustard seed is as chicken feed – they love it.
Sid Maroney and Chris Tipton joined the group at the equipment shed. Like most farmers the crew at Nash’s enjoys talking about tractors and implements. Farming so much land requires a great deal of equipment and it takes time and money to keep the machinery in optimal condition. Sam and Chris shared details on the various machines and their uses. Sam mentioned that how you set your combine affects the size of the grain you’ll be later cleaning. You also have to think about cross-contamination. Cleaning a combine requires a lot of labor plus it’s a dirty job. Consequently Nash’s is judicious about what they grow. For instance, they have chosen not to grow quinoa because it’s the same size as about every weed seed!
Later the conversation turned to planting. Nash’s employs a “finger tiner” after the root has set a good anchor. Nash said that “when finger tining you need to hit it hard”, which can be scary because you might accidentally chew up a field. He did mention that since they grow their own seed they can plant thick, which makes this step more challenging. However, because of the thick plant set they yield 150# to 175# per acre for most grains. The audience learned that soil preparation for grain production is different than for vegetables. In seed fields, after harvest winter crops are planted heavily and then ripped to allow water to get in and create ridges for the cover crops to thrive. Nash’s team discs in the cover crop when it reaches boot height; if taller, they first mow.
Nash’s has been marketing seeds for cover crops though they are moving into other types of markets. The team feels that they are getting to a point where the quality of the seed will allow them to sell different volumes. Sid added that they currently sell small quantities of vegetable seeds on-line and are looking to expand their market.
Animal husbandry is an important aspect of the farm’s diversification and enables Nash’s to keep all resources on the farm. Chicken manure is used for compost. Pigs are raised for pork production, living on vegetable scraps and farm-grown grain. Nash’s has a separate machine to grind barley, which ingeniously runs off of a truck engine – the truck still attached. It’s milled close to the livestock for convenience. Sid shared that they are starting to sell animal feed to other farmers. He also said that slaughtering is handled by a USDA mobile processing unit in Port Orchard. Total annual production is about 100 pigs per year and they also do custom slaughter for their CSA and sell half and whole pigs.
Grains and seeds require a lot of land and as Nash’s increased the amount of land under their control the opportunity for these crops also grew. Nash recounted how he turned down 300 acres with good irrigation because it was going to kill him to cultivate it. Then, harking back to the earlier theme of non-agricultural uses in the valley, he explained that in the end he decided if it was available then he “had to farm it so that it didn’t grow houses instead.” The region’s beautiful climate was again mentioned, both because it’s conducive for agriculture (and allows for good seed production) but also attracts people who want to live in the valley, creating competition for the land.
After the farm walk, attendees were invited to stay for a potluck hosted in Nash’s community barn. The tables were filled with lovely dishes to share and all were treated to pork burgers made from Nash’s own pigs. Nash even made a tasty polenta using his own milled corn. While eating everyone was able to reflect on what they learned during the walk and catch up with friends and farmers. It was a great way to end the afternoon!
This project is supported in part by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA, Grant # 2012-49400-19575. For more resources and programs for beginning farmers and ranchers please visit www.Start2Farm.gov, a component of the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program.
Summary by Michele Catalano, Tilth Producers Executive Director