Grasslands & Carbon Sequestration – October 10, 2019

Did you know that the diverse ecosystems of grasslands can sequester a vast amount of carbon? Perennial grasses have roots that can extend up to 15 feet underground and literally trap carbon from the atmosphere using photosynthesis. Unlike forests which store carbon biomass in the form of leaves and wood, the carbon from grass is stored in their massive root systems. With most of this biomass stored under the surface, you end up with fertile healthy soil. 

It is well known that the vast herds of bison that used to roam America’s west helped to cultivate the native prairies that produced the fertile soil used for food production and prosperity in this country. Their migratory patterns are what most ranchers who are utilizing pasture rotation are trying to mimic. The bisonwould graze an area, which stimulates growth, defecate and pee on the area, replacing nutrients, and then move on, providing rest for the grasses to recover, often not returning to the area for months or years. As the bison were killed to near extinction, the land was tilled and mined for food production we lost that valuable top soil and intricate ecosystems. On the farm we are trying to mimic what the bison would do naturally. As land stewards and ranchers we are excited by the idea that grasslands can be used for food production, ensuring food security while also limiting climate impacts and supporting biodiversity. We know that these grasslands are not just home to the bison, they are a habitat for wildlife, birds, fungai, and the microbiome we all depend on for survival.

How to Process a Bison Skull

1. It starts with removing the excess flesh and muscle. This can be done by skinning the skull, but most of the time we let the bugs do the work by placing the skulls in an old chicken coop to protect them from predators and allowing the bugs to come in and eat the flesh off the bones for about a year. It is important that the skull have contact with the ground so it can interact with the bugs and microbes in the dirt.

2. After about a year we pull the skull out, separate the horn caps from the bone (at this point they should separate pretty easily), and then simmer the skull over low heat for about six hours. We also add a small amount of an enzyme basedlaundry detergent to help break down the tissues. The simmer is controversial as some producers believe that this makes the bones brittle. Bison bones seem to hold up well, but you do want to keep an eye on it and not cook them.

3. Next step: Pressure wash the skulls. You want to get down to the bone, you will notice that there is a thin layer of connective tissue that you want to wash off. Eye protection is recommended as the curvature of the bones will for sure send rotting boiled flesh back at your face.

4. Whitening. You can leave the skull out in the sun and do a sun bleach, which creates a nice natural finish. If you need to get the skull white faster, or want a more bleached look we use hair developer. Beauty supply stores sell hydrogen peroxide hair developer, we use the highest concentration we can find, typically 40%. Try to buy the liquid rather than the cream. We mix that with water in a wheelbarrow and submerge the skull/bones (not the caps) Let them sit until they reach your desired color. You can reuse the water/hydrogen peroxide mixture a couple of times but it does loose its potency after a few rounds.

5. Clean and polish the horn caps, we normally scrub with a wire brush and use linseed oil to polish. Then you can place or glue them back in place.

Becca’s First Bison Skull – October 4, 2019

On the farm is it important to us to utilize the whole animal as much as we can. We keep the bones for broth, organ meat for concentrated nutrition, hooves for dog treats, send the hides to a taxidermist to make into fur rugs and have recently started to make bison skull art. This is the first skull that we processed. Becca traded it for a tattoo to honor her late father, a mountaineer and ski patroller who passed on Mt. Saint Helens in 2015. The skull hangs in the artist Kassandra Lampwick’s studio to this day.

Pig Move – August 27, 2019

We have the pigs trained to follow the “pig ship”, also known as their auto feeder, shade structure and home. We walked them down the road to their next pasture. They are stoked to move out of the field and start the forest rotation, espically with the summer heat we have been experiencing. They will move this way to over 20 different paddocks by the time they are sent to slaughter in the fall. In the forest they will nibble on all sorts of good stuff including fallen acorns from the oaks and eventually left over hazelnuts after the harvest.

Filbert Worm Mitigation – August 20, 2019

We are working on researching strategies to reduce the population of Cydia Latiferreana, also known as the hazelnut worm, filbert worm or filbert moth in our orchards. This moth is a key pest in the Pacific Northwest and is one of the most economically important insects worldwide. After mating the female moths begin to lay eggs near developing nuts. Eggs hatch in eight to ten days, and the tiny larvae search out the nuts. They burrow into the nut to feed on the kernel for two to four weeks before they bore their way out. These little moths can make or break a harvest and severely impact profits. Traditional management of this pest in commercial orchards relies on chemical sprays. 

At the farm we utilize surveillance with filbert worm traps. We are working with the University of Oregon Hallet Lab to research ways to integrate our pigs into the orchards and surrounding oak forests, as the moths also like to use fallen acorns from the oaks as hosts. In addition we work for other farms and help them monitor their filbert worm populations so they can limit spraying and only spray when indicated.

Riverfront Restoration Project – August 10, 2019

oIn this image you can clearly see the strip of green next to the river, which is the original site for the riverfront restoration project. The strip will eventually grow into a native forest. One of the goals is to provide shade on the water to promote a healthier fish habitat and extend the greenway from the state land up the river. The farm currently has approximately 80 acres enrolled in the project, with almost 80,000 native shrubs, trees and plants. There are over 25 different varieties planted including Oregon Grape, Elderberry, Indian Plum, Mock Orange, Snowberry, Maple and Fir trees to name a few. We are looking forward to cultivating the large field on the left of the site and more restoration projects in the future. Being good stewards to the land that has been entrusted in our care is an incredible honor. 

Many thanks to our partners in this project: the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Program (OWEB), the Meyer Memorial Trust (MMT), the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, and the Coast Fork Watershed Council.

Warm Season Forage – July 22, 2019

The farm experimented with planting warm season forage and grasses this year. We don’t have irrigation for the pastures and wanted to see if we could grow forage for the dry summer months rather than having to feed hay. We planted sunhemp, sorghum sudan grass and cowpea using a no till drill. It took in some places, growing to over five feet tall, and in others it was outcompeted by annual ryegrass. Its all good, we are learning. 

Part of the reason we did these particular plantings is because these plants are taproot plants, meaning the root systems grow fast and DEEP. This helps break up the hard pan soil surface left over after years of tillage. We are wondering if when we go to plant perennials in the fall if they will take better where we planted these late summer forages. We shall see. In the meantime the bison are quite satisfied.

Monoculture vs. Biodiversity – May 10, 2019

The farm is in the process of converting the property from annual ryegrass production to perennial orchards, pastures for livestock, habitat and restoration. This particular pasture on the right (see photo) was taken out of ryegrass production and turned into pasture for the bison four years ago. In this bunch you can see a variety of grasses, clover, legumes, plantain and volunteer “weeds”. It takes a long time to begin to heal the land, but it’s a start.

Biodiversity is diversity in plant and animal species but also of microorganisms, especially in the soil, that are essential for a healthy ecosystem. Management practices such as adding cover crops, increasing perennial systems, limiting herbicides and pesticides, rotational grazing, no till planting and providing habitat editions has benefited the farm both financially and ethically. Its fun to see the results.

When the Farm Flooded and Austin Lead the Bison on a Kayak – April 9, 2019

Austin, Becca and Maia were down at the river and it was raining. Maia noticed that there were TREES rushing down the river. Not branches, TREES. That’s when we knew we were in trouble. The farm is in a 100year flood plane, on the Coast Fork of the Willamette River. In Spring of 2019 there was a wicked combination of too much water in the reservoir, and many inches of rain overnight. The river changed course, and the course was right through the farm. Almost the entire property flooded. During this time there was lots to do as you can imagine. Austin and Andy were busy evacuating the bee hives from washing away when the bison came up to the fence and demanded help. We thought that the pasture we had moved them to was going to be high enough but when Austin turned aroundhe saw the adult animals standing, and the babies swimming, unable to touch their hooves to the ground. The water was moving too fast by the gate and the bison would not go through.

Austin grabbed the wire cutters and went out to the herd on the kayak. The herd followed him to the edge of the pasture where he proceeded to cut the wire fence, all six strands. The herd waited until all six strands were cut before they swam though. This was repeated THREE TIMES with THREE different wire fences, until the herd reached safety on high ground. Had the herd not waited for his cue and trusted him we could have easily had animals tangled up in wire fence in the middle of the flooding water. Becca did not video, as she normally does, because this was that freak out moment. When you turn around and see your spouse on a kayak being chased by a herd of bison in the middle of a flood, you cry and then you go see if he needs help.

It was a mess cleaning up after. The flood took out most of our fences. We had heavy snow and ice the month before, so all the branches that broke and were on the ground were now washed up in our fencing. Fortunately the herd was safe and patient, we now know precisely where we want to put the herd next time this happens and we have built the infrastructure to support it. Whew.

A Corral Built from Old Tires – February 19, 2019

A view of the bison corral we made from recycled tires and wood. We used a reciprocating saw (and many, many blades) to remove the inner wall of the tires. We then stretched and bolted them in-between the posts. Austin has to get on foot with the bison inside the corral at times so we figured he may have more of a chance if he gets smushed against a tire? We hope to never test this theory. Mainly the tires were free and we needed strong building material. The giant tractor tires inside the corral are used to encourage the bison to move in a circular direction towards the rest of the system which leads to progressively smaller alley ways and finally a squeeze so we can handle the animals for their injections, weaning of calves, sorting for slaughter and pregnancy tests. Fun fact: the “squeeze” was developed by Temple Grandin, an American sciencetist and proponent of humane animal treatment who noticed that animals are actually calmer and less stressed when their bodies are squeezed by a pressure device. Look her up!

Our First Fall Fest – October 7, 2018

We had a practice run with our hay ride set up for family and friends before we opened our doors to the public for Fall Fest. It went well, no one fell out of the hay ride, the bison and pigs behaved themselves and everyone had a great time. We later had over 100 kindergarten kiddos out for the same tour. Glad we practiced!

Pigs Arrive on the Farm! – June 14, 2018

The farm contracts with a breeder in Creswell. We buy piglets in the spring and raise them up on the farm until the fall when they are harvested. They are heritage breeds, typically a Berkshire cross. 

Photo Journal:

1. Picking up the piglets from the breeder.

2. Baby pigs

3. The “Pig Ship” – a mobile trailer for shelter and feeder.

4. Filling the feeder barrels with feed that descends through a PVC pipe down to the trough that the pigs eat out of. – SIDE NOTE FROM 2022, this worked well with pellet feed but when we switched to loose locally milled feed it would get clogged and we have since gotten a different feeder.

5. Feed comes out using gravity.

6. Pigs getting used to their new home

Missing Baby Bison – May 10, 2018

We came out to the herd to check on the new baby and mom. Mom was without her calf and very upset! Turns out the baby had escaped through the cross fence. Taylor and Becca were searching for the baby and couldn’t find it anywhere. They were scratching their heads about what to do next when Austin noticed the little calf hiding in the tall grass about ten feet from Taylor and Becca! Good thing we check on the animals frequently, just a few hours without milk and the baby’s health could have been jeopardized. Baby was reunited with mom, got back to nursing and getting the colostrum, and it was all good.

Shipping Container Bridge – March 24, 2018

How do you get a bison across a creek? How do you get a HERD of bison across the creek? How do you do this without them ending up at the neighbors? All of these questions we needed to answer. Bear Creek is seasonal, the water level varies from no water at all to a gushing 10ft flood throughout the year. We thought about an elaborate rising and lowering fence structure that would likely become a dam as debris and branches washed down throughout the year. Ok so, bridge. How do you get a stampeding herd of bison to use a bridge? Ahh yes. A shipping container bridge. 

We used a makeshift pulley system and dropped this baby over the creek. We have to make our fences stronger when the bison approach stressful areas, like sharp corners, dark shadowy areas, confined spaces…random shipping containers… Originally we used barbed wire and fence leading up to the bridge. We ended up chasing a few calves down the creek that day. Barb wire does not stop a bison. We probably should have known that, but live and learn. We now have guard rails in the alley way. We also cut holes in the side of the container to provide light to make it more inviting. Occasionally we will have an animal or two turn around if it gets crowded but now they run through the bride like champs!

How to Build a Bison Proof Water Trough – March 15, 2018

The farm has placed miles of underground pipeline to our rotational pasture system to water the herd. In past years we have filled up a 1000 gallon tank and hauled it to various pastures. The old system used lots of diesel, got stuck in the mud, we were always worried it was going to tip over and kill us, and was extremely time consuming. It worked with a herd of 13 bison, but as our numbers grew we found ourselves filling up the tank twice a day in the summer heat! We put in 30+ water troughs made from used tractor tires that tie into a 2” underground system. It was a big investment but worth it. 

Photo Journal:

1. Procure gigantic tractor tire (for free!) from local tire shop. You must also move the gigantic tire. We also used (many) saw blades to remove the sidewalls of the tires. We later used the cut off side walls as corral panels.

2. Place gigantic tire. Caution: Can be sketchy!

3. Make sure that your underground pipeline is still intact.

4. Gravel

5. Concrete

6. Mix

7. Pour

8. Level and set concrete at the bottom of tire

Flame Weeding – February 7, 2018

Taylor is flame weeding the cider apple orchard. Tay uses a flame torch attached to a propane tank instead of spraying chemicals to control weeds. With the flame you wilt the new growth of plants that you don’t want around, you don’t have to char them to a crisp, just knock them back and stunt their growth. Its all about timing.

Brush Stacking Party – January 27, 2018

The farm leases a mature hazelnut orchard from a neighbor about a mile downriver. This is a great opportunity to learn how to work with older, more productive trees than the young trees recently planted on the main property. The trees we planted are turning five years old, but it could take around a decade before they will be productive. In the meantime this 30yr old orchard will keep up busy. The leased orchard used to be “Honor Earth Farm,” and has been in organic production for many years. The photos are from our brush stacking party. After the orchard is pruned all the sticks need to be picked up and placed in piles to be pushed by the tractor and later burned.

Strip Grazing Bison - January 22, 2018

During the winter months we are able to move temporary fence in a “strip graze”. In the photos you can see the new strip on the left, and the strip from the day before on the right. We start on one end of the pasture, normally the end with the water trough and use a temporary poly wire string fence with step in posts to keep the bison in a certain strip. Each day we move the temporary fence back about 20-30ft to provide the animals with fresh grass.

When the grass is dormant there are not fresh baby shoots, so the animals don’t overgraze like they would in the spring when the grass is growing. Itsmostly about psychology. If the bison wanted to go through the temporary fence, they absolutely could. We aim to keep them happy and there is a mutual agreement, we will give them fresh grass daily, if they mind the fence.

Big Leaf Maple Project

The farm is involved in a project with Oregon State University that is exploring the viability of producing maple water & maple syrup from Big Leaf Maple in the Willamette Valley. Big Leaf Maple sap does not have as high of a sugar content as the traditional Sugar Maple from the Northeast, but they produce tons of maple water! When the season turns cold the taps start to flow. We have been collecting maple water from trees on the farm, but the project extends to multiple sites from Portland area to the surrounding Eugene area. Much of the maple water that is collected will be run through a reverse osmosis machine to make a more concentrated solution. Thereafter we can boil it in the evaporator until it reaches syrup concentration at 66.9 Brix (% sugar). The project is aimed at creating maple syrup and other maple water products. Maple water is an isotonic beverage, similar to coconut water with a lot less food miles attached for locals.