Early in the morning, Jeff Fox can be seen walking across his vast property off Gerke road, as he tends to lavender plants, a myriad of trails and the stand of ponderosa pines that are soon to be home to an entertainment village.
Today, Jeff is working on a trail system that winds throughout the acreage, a project he and wife, Amy, have been chipping away at for more than one year. As a farm and ranch located on 160 acres consisting of orchard grass, ponderosa pine, acres of lavender and views of the Cascade Mountains, SunLife Farm and Ranch offers diverse farming, educational and event-driven experiences.
Within the next month, the area that is tucked into the stand of ponderosa pine will be a venue with tables for visitors to stop and enjoy refreshments and a staging area for entertainment, including expert educators and music. Along the trails, there will also be hammocks placed strategically for visitors to relax and rest along the 20 miles of trails.
The farm is in its third growing season, and Jeff and Amy Fox moved to Crook County in 2020. When they purchased the property, it was overgrown, fallow for multiple years, and they started fresh in creating their farm and ranch. Jeff pointed out that they have been impressed with the network of local farmers who are willing to share their knowledge.
"When challenges arise, we have resources to go to," he said. "They've definitely helped us shorten our learning curve."
He is also a board member of the Prineville-Crook County Chamber of Commerce. Jeff noted that he has lived in a lot of different places and has worked with many chambers of commerce around the country.
"I have always been impressed with the Prineville Chamber's business members and how they work together in the community. The heart of the town in this nucleus of businesses represents a true model to be followed — everyone collaborates. And if there are problems, you help. Wherever you look, there seems to be a helping hand to pitch in. That is what community means and should be. I see a lot of that happening in town."
Jeff indicated that they have recently worked with the Crook County Planning Commission to pioneer an agritourism permit, while joining and encouraging others to join the new High Desert Food Trail, which will bring agriculture and food experiences to visitors. SunLife is the first farm in the area to request and receive the permit.
"For instance, L&S Farm and Garden is designated as a Farm Stand. Since our main crops are orchard grass hay, lavender and honey cultivated from the bees, rather than produce-based products, our property lends itself to events, education and visitors on the Food Trail," he elaborated.
SunLife is open to the public by appointment and during its seasonal event calendar. Currently, Jeff and Amy are putting final touches on a new, visitor-based, on-site refreshment center that will feature SunLife's honey and lavender products, along with hand-dipped ice cream, honey-drizzled milkshakes, lavender lemonade slushies and coffees.
The couple have spent the last two years working the land toward their vision.
"While all 160 acres are designated for agriculture, only 55 are irrigated, which may not be appealing for traditional farming. However, we saw this as a unique opportunity to work with the natural landscape, restore some native habitat and foster creativity and diversity alongside experiential learning. In order to make this type of farm operation full time and sustainable, we appreciate the opportunity that opening it up via the Food Trail and an agritourism permit provide."
In the remaining 105 acres, they cut 20 miles of walking trail variations. The trails lead to different and unique sections of the farm. A D V E R T I S I N G | Continue reading below
"For instance, the bee colonies are housed in the BeeBurbs. Nineteen colonies of bees are placed throughout the property on what has become SunLife's walking apiary," explained Jeff.
An apiary is a place in which a colony or colonies of bees are kept as a stand or a shed for beehives or a bee house containing a number of beehives. The bees forage in a radius up to five miles from their home. Separating their hives allows them to spread out their foraging, which includes the lavender plants. They produce honey, co-exist with their keepers and are placed far enough from the trail so that visitors will not interrupt or be interrupted by their activity.
Visitors will be able to observe the bees as they pollinate and forage on the habitat around the property. They return with pollen and nectar for the hive.
"It's kind of a unique process to watch," he added.
This year, SunLife is introducing the first of its kind tax-deductible Community Supported Hay program ("CSHay"), a twist on the traditional CSA. The program, called HayCall, enables people to purchase hay from SunLife for use by nonprofits such as student ag programs, equine rescues or catastrophic feed relief. The program generates a four-way beneficial circle for producer, purchaser, recipient program and of course the animal end consumer.
Jeff comes from a background in marketing and business development. In his lifetime, he lived in 12 states and 35 towns and cities and moved more than 50 times. His family moved from Los Angeles to Salem, Oregon when he was 11 years old, and he worked on farms during his summers. He indicated that he always had an interest in farming and liked the idea of having something that folks could experience and walk away with something they would remember.
"Perhaps, even mold future farmers or future choice in a career that has to do with agriculture," Jeff elaborated. A D V E R T I S I N G | Continue reading below
Amy works full time in support of the farm, in the supply chain, spare parts planning industry. She attended the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell and graduated from Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.
"She is a remarkable lady, and I never stop learning from her," elaborated Jeff.
With the approaching short water season, the couple has looked for ways to be resourceful with the land that they have.
"We are trying to be resourceful and diversify the farm. Produce is one piece of the agricultural picture. I think the Food Trail will open people's eyes, expose and educate the public to the value that comes from not only produce, but food chain support crops for livestock, ecosystem health for pollinators and maintaining sustainable agricultural practices."
He went on to say, "Each farm fits into a piece of that cycle, which is what I think is exciting about local farms. Each one is a spoke within the larger wheel."
Jeff and Amy are growing 10,000 plants of lavender. Lavender plants reach maturity at year three. Half of their field includes Grosso Lavender, which is used for oils, hydrosol, skin products and floral decoration. When the lavender is in bloom, visitors can cut their own U-pick bouquet to use for things like sachets or decoration. The remaining lavender includes edible varieties for culinary applications.
"The culinary lavender is what you can cook with," Jeff added. A D V E R T I S I N G | Continue reading below
On July 16-17, SunLife will hold LavenDay, where visitors can buy potted lavender plants and experience lavender-based food. Linda Stephenson from L & S Farms will bring lavender-based scones and breads.
"Linda's baked goods are scrumptious and subtle with just the right hint of lavender," Jeff explained.
Jeff and Amy started their fields with lavender from Victor Gonzalez of Victor's Lavender in Sequim, Washington. Victor is referred to as "the grandfather of lavender," and the area of Sequim is often considered "the lavender capital of North America."
Victor sells his plants worldwide and is a celebrated educator. Jeff and Amy forged a relationship with Victor for future lavender projects together.
Events that will take place throughout the year at SunLife Farm include Hay Hike & Hammock in June; LavenDay in July; High Noon Honey and Dirt Day in August; Grassic Park in September; Run for the Honey in October; and Claus Festival in December.
Thursday, May 26, 5:30 -7:30 p.m., SunLife will host the Chamber After Hours for the High Desert Food and Farm Alliance at the farm.
Sidebar A D V E R T I S I N G | Continue reading below
Owners: Jeff and Amy Fox
You count on us to stay informed and we depend on you to fund our efforts. Quality local journalism takes time and money. Please support us to protect the future of community journalism.
Portland Tribune Beaverton Valley Times Tigard Tualatin Times Lake Oswego Review West Linn Tidings Wilsonville Spokesman Hillsboro Tribune Forest Grove News Times Newberg Graphic Clackamas Review Oregon City News The Outlook Sandy Post Estacada News Canby Herald Woodburn Independent Molalla Pioneer Columbia County Spotlight Regal Courier Sherwood Gazette The Bee Southwest Community Connection
Columns Public Notices Oregon Property Foreclosures Business Calendar Business Leads News Links Plan Center Marketing
Columns Public Notices Oregon Property Foreclosures Business Calendar Business Leads News Links Plan Center Marketing
Columns Public Notices Oregon Property Foreclosures Business Calendar Business Leads News Links Plan Center Marketing
Columns Public Notices Oregon Property Foreclosures Business Calendar Business Leads News Links Plan Center Marketing
Weekly Ads This Week's Circulars Find your Next Vehicle Special Sections Insiders
News Tips Letters to the Editor Births | Anniversaries | Weddings | Engagements | Business | Birthday | Obituaries Community Calendar
Weekly Ads This Week's Circulars Find your Next Vehicle Special Sections Insiders
News Tips Letters to the Editor Births | Anniversaries | Weddings | Engagements | Business | Birthday | Obituaries Community Calendar
Advertise with Us Current Job Openings
© 2022 Pamplin Media Group | All rights reserved | 6605 SE Lake Rd, Portland, OR 97222 | 503-684-0360 | Privacy Policy | Refund Policy