Experience and honesty.

2008 - American Farmland Trust (AFT) awarded Nash Huber of Nash’s Organic Produce in Sequim, Washington, for its annual Steward of the Land Award. Nash Huber has farmed the Dungeness Delta for over 25 years using organic growing methods. Today, Nash and his crew farm nearly 400 acres and provide the region with more than 100 different varieties of healthful and nutritious fruit and vegetables. Nash was originally Washington Certified Producer #4 in the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s organic certification program. As one of the State’s “organic pioneers,” he has provided leadership, innovation, and inspiration to many. Nash is a tireless advocate for farmland preservation in Clallam County and has a collaborating force in the preservation of hundreds of acres of farmland threatened by development. “We’ve been losing our farmland and farmers at an alarming pace. The culture of agriculture must be secured. New farmers can’t afford to learn to farm and pay for land at the same time and farmers need to have access to land without going broke buying it.” - Nash Huber Seed Saving Program - “I think having a diversity of crop and programs in a farm plan is of critical importance to any successful farm’s long term survival and ability to nourish its community,” said Huber. “Our region in the Pacific Northwest happens to grow very good seed as some of our primary crops. We are truly lucky to have a perfect opportunity to work on seed security for some of our key crops and to generate another dollar income stream to the farm,”

If anyone can transform a piece of land into a productive and lovely farm Karyn Williams can, and has. She has been farming on other people’s land years, but thanks to the support of the local Land Trust she has 23 acres of her own to farm. On a major county road, passersby could watch as she took what had long been a depleting pasture land and with hard work, love and determination, in one short season become one of the largest organic growers and vendors at local Farmers’ Markets. From the local newspaper, The Leader: “…… having worked for nine years on farms in the Pacific Northwest as well as Europe and Morocco. In fact, it was the two years she spent abroad that made this young woman from the Seattle suburbs know that someday she would have her own farm. “Farming was definitely not a cool career choice when I was growing up,” she laughed. But working on small farms abroad showed her that a family living simply on small acreage could farm successfully. She returned home and enrolled in The Evergreen State College Sustainable Agriculture Program, where she earned her bachelor’s degree and managed the college’s farm. “At Evergreen I learned crop planning and timing, what to grow and how to sell the produce and manage the accounts. But I especially loved learning by doing - not just the farming itself but the business end of the operation,” Williams explained. The hands-on experience came in Jefferson County, where she and a friend leased Old Tarboo Farms for two years. Williams wrote the business plan and obtained financing. She learned about local growing conditions as they grew vegetables, berries, flowers and hay. And she learned about local markets as they sold their produce at the Port Townsend Farmers Market, to The Food Co-op and local restaurants, and through a community supported agriculture (CSA) program.” Karyn does this all with the calm charm of someone who loves what they do and loves to share it with others.

“Get a high tech job, Grow your own Food” is a slogan I have coined and used to promote individuals to grow food. I have taught organic food raising in elementary schools; taught sustainable agricultural practices in Mexico; run an organic farm and CSA in remote Pacific County in Washington state. Green Angel Gardens has been the only organic vegetable farm in Pacific County for the past 5 years. I have been on the board of Tilth Producers of Washington.

Sally-Anne is uniquely qualified for the important position as she has extensive experience as a farmer in both rural and an urban setting, as well as experience teaching urban residents how to farm on small plots of land. Sally Anne uses exclusively organic growing methods to create beautiful, sustainable gardens.

Sue’s farming practice provides fresh organic vegetables to hundreds of CSA subscribing families, plus additional produce for food banks, neighbors, and starving artists. She farms sustainably, renewing the soil and looking after the river and wooded habitats adjacent to her fields. Also a practicing artist, her canvas burst with the life of plants. She brings aesthetic and spiritual consciousness to her farming. Sue is involved with local and regional farming organizations, welcomes school groups, members, and friends to her farms. Generosity and awareness characterize her work. Two years ago she said, “I finally understand how it works. The more you give away, the more you get, so you can give even more!”

George Krasle is a veritable walking encylopedia of plants. If ever there was anyone who had a green Thumb, he is the man. George is a venerable member of the Seattle orchid society, cactus society, and in the plant circles of Seattle, associates with the creme de la Creme of Seattle Tilth personages.

EagleSong is an exceptional gardener, and an exceptional human being. She is a powerful advocate for sustainable agriculture. EagleSong is the former garden manager for the Herbfarm, Seattle’s top destination for gourmet dining, and former Grounds Manager for Willow’s Lodge. Please see this article for more information about EagleSong: Also RavenCroft gardens.

If you want a true American farmer for the White House, Jeanie Pollack is your candidate. She has farmed and gardened all her life and posseses an unsually nuanced understanding of and passion for the plant world, as well as a long-held dedication to organic methods and socially just political causes. She was born and raised in our country’s farming heartland where she cultivated wheat, barley, flax, corn, and sunflower from the rich soils of North Dakota and Montana, producing essential crops which have helped feed our nation - a personal history which few urban gardeners today can claim. In addition to raising traditional crops she always has maintained impressive fruit, vegetable and flower gardens. She now runs an urban garden in the Northwest where she grows everything from plump Italian figs and sweet raspberries to cherry tomatoes, squash, beautiful climbing roses, clematis, and aromatic lilacs. Jeanie is the right farmer to make the White House garden space a national treasure, as well as a great place from which to gather something fresh for an evening meal.

Because of my heart and soul. Oh, and also experience in small lot farming, grass root organizing, success in organizing volunteers, and media experience.