Plow Maker Farms: We grow great organic food
Menu
Plow Maker Farms: Annie and Ollie with their strawberries

Family Farm


Plow Maker Farms is a family owned farm that grows great organic food and organic nursery plants. We are a certified organic farm located near Colfax, WA.

Our goal is to grow great tasting local produce and berries in an sustainable and environmentally friendly fashion. If it doesn't grow well in this area or isn't delicious we won't grow it. Some of us have even been known to pull 'bland' tasting tomato plants out of the ground so that nobody has to eat fruit from that plant!

We strive to be good stewards of the land by increasing soil health and maintaining plant and insect diversity.

We also maintain wild habitat for the native plants, insects, birds and mammals that make up a living ecosystem on a farm.

Plow Maker Farms: Polka raspberries

Sustainable Crops


At Plow Makers Farms we don't want sensitive plants that need coddling. Our farm is naturally arid with mid-summer killing frosts common. We choose tough heirloom and open-pollinated varieties that are well suited to our climate and soil.

Plants that survive harsh environmental stress, such as temperature fluctuations or insect feeding, produce more beneficial phytochemicals than tender babied plants. When plants are confronted with stress they accumulate phytochemicals in order to naturally protect themselves.

Plants high in phytochemicals taste better and are better for you. Recent studies demonstrate that eating foods high in phytochemicals has a positive role in human health.

Plow Maker Farms: Honeybee on flowers

We Care About Pollinators


Here at Plow Maker Farms we don't want to do anything that may damage beneficial insects. These helpful bugs pollinate plants, eat pest insects and/or beautify the farmstead. Everything we do is assessed for its effect on pollinator and predator species; not only bees but also pollinator flies and wasps. In addition, we look out for ground beetles, preying mantises and other insect predators.

To protect and maintain insect diversity we do not use any rotenone, pyrethrins, neonicotinoids or any other pesticides ('organic' or not). These chemicals are extremely dangerous to native pollinators and honeybees. The neonicotinoid class of pesticides in particular has been shown to contribute to colony collapse disorder.

Plow Maker Farms


Do you want to know more about organic tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries and saskatoons? Read about the varieties we use as well as berry growing tips and fun heirloom tomato recipes. Steve and Annabelle examine new tomatoes: Plow Maker Farms

Picture: Steve shows Annabelle how to determine which tomatoes are ripe.

Are you curious about home grown agriculture? We have the answers to your questions. Or at least those questions pertaining to vegetables and pollinators.

Why are heirloom tomatoes so much tastier than commercial store bought tomatoes?

What makes commercial tomatoes so bland?

How can you grow organic strawberries?

Who was Harvey Wiley and why did he have a team of young men eating food preservatives?

Why you should buy local honey.


Why We Are Certified Organic


We don't just say we grow organically, we are certified Organic. This means our farm and operating procedures are inspected, approved and certified Organic by Washington State's Department of Agriculture. Sure it takes us extra time and work to meet Washington's strict organic requirements, but we think it is worth it for our customer's peace of mind.

Growing organically requires more than not using pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Plow Maker Farms has sustainable growing practices that improve our soil, create habitat for wildlife, and leave the land better than when we started farming. We take the time to certify our farm so you know you are getting the very best organic berries and produce.

Second

.

Third

.

Plow Maker Farms 2018