PCC Natural Markets
The ad for the Delta Farm was enticing: "Rare 100-acre farm in Sequim! This beautiful property has been surveyed into five-plus-acre parcels.
Outstanding views of the Olympics and neighboring farmland. Approximately 30 acres in wetlands. Lots of possibilities here."
Organic farmer Nash Huber recalled his reaction to the ad: "I was farming a piece adjacent to the Delta Farm, and when I saw that land up for sale, I knew we had to act fast." Nash suggested that Seattle-based PCC Natural Markets buy the Delta Farm — and it rose to the challenge, creating the Farmland Fund to secure and preserve threatened farmland in Washington. As part of PCC's commitment to bringing their customers exceptional produce and to actively support local and sustainable agriculture, the Delta Farm became the Fund's first purchase in July 2000. Now, instead of sprouting houses, a conservation easement assures that this fertile piece of the Dungeness River delta will remain in organic production forever.
Having farmed in the region for years, Nash knew firsthand how valuable the land was. "We have extremely fantastic soils," Nash enthused. "A lot of it has to do with the mineral content of Dungeness River water. Dungeness Valley milk has the highest butterfat content in the state. It's also the reason our carrots are so sweet."
Nash started farming on the lower Dungeness Peninsula in 1968, before the organic movement really got going. According to Nash, "at that point, the agriculture community had pretty well broken down. It had lost its spirit and its focus. We were losing our farmland; the development economy was starting to grow. It was depressing."
A longtime participant in and organizer of farmers' markets, Nash is a strong advocate of direct sales rather than commodity markets for farmers. "Not only do you need to have control of your price," he explained, "you have to have a relationship with your customer. Your customer tells you what they are looking for, what to grow, and how to grow it. This can give you a year or two lead on the big commercial operations."
Currently, 25 to 30 people work with Nash on a 300-acre patchwork of parcels bordered by new housing in the Dungeness Valley. Along with produce, Nash raises hormone- and antibiotic-free pigs, seed for organic cover crops, and is experimenting with poultry.
Learn more about PCC Natural Markets at www.pccnaturalmarkets.com.