|
|
Within Reach Farm: Home of the "Protein Posse" |
PDF |
| Print | |
E-mail |
|
Written by Theresa Collier
|
|
Wednesday, 03 November 2010 22:11 |
The sun began to burn through the fog as we pulled into Within Reach farm. Waiting outside, Jeff Krueger greeted us with his contagious smile and a warm handshake. “I thought I’d tell you a little bit about the farm before showing you around.” Freshly mowed grass sparkled in the pasture and well-fed chickens clucked under their movable tractors as Jeff, a former teacher, told us the story of their farm.
 He and his wife, Marit, moved to their Bainbridge Island property 20 years ago. In 1999, their home caught fire and burned to the ground. Jeff, Marit and their two young daughters escaped unharmed and, while their home was re-built, moved into a small outbuilding they had recently converted into a one-bedroom cottage. In 2001, Russ Berg joined the neighborhood and out of their blossoming friendship the seeds of Within Reach Farm were planted.
In 2004, Jeff and his family traveled to Kenya to work on a local farm supporting orphans and the surrounding community. Before they knew it, their planned one year stay turned into three years. While Jeff was away, Russ maintained and nurtured the garden, honing his skills as a farmer. His background in landscaping and irrigation and his experience as a contractor proved invaluable.
After returning from Africa, Jeff and Russ continued their long discussions about creating a better way of life and a deeper sense of community. They talked about the “slow life” Jeff had discovered in Kenya. Then, while reading the “Omnivore’s Dilemma,” the proverbial light bulb went on for Jeff. “Joel Salatin, who is mentioned in the book, is my true mentor,” Jeff says. “His philosophy of healing the land, the economy, our food and our culture became my inspirational message.”
Having found the mantra they had been searching for, Jeff and Russ named their neighborhood farm “Within Reach” because of their sincere belief that such a way of life is possible in most communities. The farm includes several shared vegetable gardens, fruit trees and plants, land for the chickens in addition to equipment stored in Russ’ shed. Renters in the cottage contribute to work parties in exchange for shares of the harvest. The neighbors’ first and foremost goal is providing healthy, humanely-raised and truly organic food for their own families. They raise chickens for meat and eggs,
bees for honey, pigs, turkeys and sheep. Any surplus is sold to lucky neighbors and friends. Working together, Jeff, Russ and two other friends raise, butcher and process the animals. Jeff laughs when he says, “We’re called the Protein Posse!”
Jeff expresses his desire that all the plants and trees on the farm serve a purpose but Jeff’s definition of purpose includes the aesthetic. Gazing up at a mature crabapple tree growing at the corner of the farmhouse, he recalls, “I planted that tree for Marit years ago as a gift. It’s only ornamental,” he continues, “but we both believe that beauty is also necessary to heal the soul so the tree is staying.” Looking up at the tree, we see the leaves turning shades of red, orange and yellow, with bright red berries hanging off the ends of the branches. Food for the birds!
As our tour continues, we pass neatly hoed beds in the vegetable garden, stop to admire perfectly stacked wood sorted by species for the different smoke flavors infused by the outdoor smoker and step into a shed filled with pristine equipment: sausage maker, industrial food sealer, centrifuge for honey, beer-making equipment and much more. Russ explains, “We know the value of good quality equipment so we pool our resources and share one piece of equipment among all our families.”
When asked how it’s possible for average families to have access to healthy food raised this way, Jeff and Russ turn philosophical. “We don’t eat protein every night. We often make a chicken last several meals for a family of four.”
Russ finishes up the tour by showing us the lambs and pigs destined for their tables, and we ask if it is ever difficult to go through the butchering process. “Well, yes,” Russ replies, “sometimes they become your pets and it’s hard to let them go. But it’s important for all of us to know the cycle of life and where our food comes from.” Jeff and Russ explain their belief that the distance between taking a farm animal’s life and its consumption has grown too great in our society.
Jeff and Russ recall Joel Salatin’s visit to Kitsap in June of 2008. As they were the chauffeurs charged with taking him to various farms, they had engaging one-on-one conversations with Joel on the drive between properties; some technical, some philosophical, all priceless.
Within Reach Farm
Jeff Krueger
Russ Berg
11681 Madison Ave NE
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
See Jeff and Russ’ Whiz Bang Chicken Plucker in action on YouTube
To find more sources for locally raised meat, visit Sound Food's Quick Start Guide to Eating Locally
|
|
