L’Etoile Farm – All The Farms

About

We are located in Noti, Oregon on the Long Tom River. Gardens rotated through the farm provide the family's vegetables and produce surplus for market offerings, canning and root cellar storage.
A small portion of our pasture is converted to field corn each year, then used for vegetables or improved pasture seeding in subsequent years. The corn variety we grow is Floriani Red Flint, a heirloom from Northern Italy. Each year we hand harvest, husk and shuck the corn. We only select the highest quality kernels to be ground into our whole grain polenta, which is available year round. The remaining corn is cycled through our free ranging poultry.
A small herd of Irish Dexter cattle are rotationally grazed through our pastures and are the center of our fertility program. The herd is followed in spring, summer and fall by our portable coop which houses our flock of laying hens. This system aids the cattle by reducing parasites while supplementing the hens diet, reducing the need for grain and fertilizing the pasture. During the winter months when soil microbes are dormant and relentless rains could potentially create polluting manure runoff, our cattle are tucked cozily in a dry barn. Their dry bedding is the carbon portion of our compost and is spread in the spring.

Products

Baby Carrots, Spinach, Radishes, Potatoes, Kale, Peas, Green Garlic, Head Lettuce, Strawberries, Chard, Asian Greens, Pak Choi, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Beets, Herbs, Artichokes, Green Beans, Cabbage, Eggplants, Peppers, Heirloom Tomatoes, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Raspberries, Collards, Leeks, Shallots, Brussels Sprouts

Farming Practices

Animals are confined 10-25% of the time. We use management-intensive pasturing. In addition to pasture, our livestock is given organic apple cider vinegar, organic kelp meal, and salt. In winter, we feed local grass hay and alfalfa. Feed is grown on our farm and purchased directly from other farms. We raise heritage breeds.