Many of you know that I am in mid-way through my BAS degree at Green River… now I just have a few classes left to complete. And I was so looking forward to a calm winter break, after the CSA season wrapped up. But the day after my last final exam in December, the Green River started flooding our area. It was the first time since 1959 and nobody was prepared.
It’s been three months now since we had to evacuate, and watching my home and work… my life… be slowly inundated by water is something that I don’t want to be surprised by again. Between working on rebuilding my house, homework, and working 30 hours a week at an off-farm job, I apologize for late responses to emails. But now it’s nearly April, and we’ve made it to the Spring Equinox, when life begins anew!
I want to thank Greg and Jeannie, April, Ray, Sarah, Lily and June, Mary, Catherine, Cliff, Feney, Wendy, Marcia for coming to help with both cleanup work parties, and Erin for bringing a delicious lunch. With everyone’s help, we were able to clean up the CSA shed, the walk-in cooler, and pack shed, and clean up all the flotsam and jetsam around the property. We also got two greenhouses ready for planting preparation. We couldn’t have gutted my house, disposed of all my flooded belongings, and all of the field trash without the generous loan of Shelley and Dean’s big dump trailer and the truck they hauled it with.
I am immensely grateful for all who helped, and for all who gave so generously to my flood recovery fundraiser. When my friend and mentor, Michaele, who farms in the Snoqualmie valley, suggested that I set $30,000 as a goal, I thought it was a such a huge number. But it turned out that I actually needed that much to replace the buried electric cable that powers the farm, to replace my entire seed inventory and stock of fertilizer and cover crop seed, to rebuild the walk-in cooler and pack shed, and to rebuild my little house. And so, I repeat, I am incredibly grateful for everyone in our little farm community.
My environmental-science cousin Taryn collected soil samples in mid-February (we had to wait for the water to recede to the point that we could collect samples). Then I was on pins and needles, waiting for two weeks for news. Thankfully, the lab returned the results that I had hoped for: there is no chemical contamination in my fields! I am also hugely grateful for King Conservation District for footing the bill for that testing! Floods are natural events, and I am learning that the soil takes care of itself, and the soil biology survives. I’ll be posting an essay about the whole experience during spring break (next week).
At this point, the greenhouse is filling up with seedlings, my house is nearly ready to move back into, and I am gearing up for a bright farm season. As soon as the very saturated soil dries enough, we will start working the ground in preparation for planting. I’m really curious to see how the soil fertility looks after testing in another few weeks, and how I will respond with amendments. But for now, I’m just happy I get to continue growing clean food and flowers.
Thanks to the GoFundMe for my Vintage Tractor Electrification Project, I have ordered all of the parts needed for the electric conversion, minus the batteries. I’ve been watching prices closely and the battery market is pretty volatile lately. Last year I ended up doing all of the cultivation work by hand last summer, and if the improved tractor can do it for me, I’ll be freed-up to grow a lot more food. Plus it will be clean and green and I’ll be less tired! Soon we’ll be getting to work on that project so she’s ready to go when we need her.
I am extremely thankful for those who have already paid for 2026 and to those who have paid “tips” when they paid for their 2026 CSA shares. After covering card-processing costs, the balance of these funds will continue to go toward funding no-cost CSA shares for families-in-need. To date, nearly $2,000 has gone into this pool, feeding 3+ families for the full 2026 season. All future “tips” paid at checkout will also be added to this pool, and I’ll round-up some before the season starts to connect even more folks with fresh, local produce. If you know of anyone who could use a CSA share next season, please let me know.
In addition to the 2026 CSA 28-week subscription, I’ve opened up a shorter, 2026 Just Summer CSA, for those who don’t enjoy the spring and fall shoulder seasons. I’ve also added a 10-week Flower Bouquet Subscription to the online store. And the 8-box Pantry-Builder Subscription is available too, if you’re not sure about committing to the whole season of pickups. Pickup options continue to be offered at the farm, in Columbia City and Skyway, and via the West Seattle, Burien, and North Seattle share-pools. Let me know if you have an idea for another share-pool! All subscribers will continue to have free access to the Cutflower Garden and subscriber-only Pumpkin Patch in season.
Thank you for being a part of my farm’s community, and for helping to build a community around this farm. I wouldn’t be here without you! It is an honor and a pleasure to continue feeding you all!
Shelley
Whistling Train Farm 