Local Perspective – The Jahner Farmstead

Good morning, Friends!  I have the honor of introducing you to my friend Mollie today!  

Mollie blogs at the Jahner Farmstead about her adventures in Urban Farming and I have to tell you, I’m a bit jealous of her!  Yes, she’s doing a lot of the same things we are (growing her own food, changing the world one seed at a time, etc.), but she has beat me to the rabbits!  Yep, Mollie and her husband are raising meat rabbits and I am jealous because this has been on my list for a while now, but I am chicken!  So, I will live vicariously through Mollie and stand in awe of her strength!  It doesn’t get more local than raising your own meat, now does it? 🙂  Don’t worry though, if you’re scared like me, she doesn’t talk about the rabbits in this post 😉

I hope you enjoy getting to know Mollie as much as I have!

xoxo,
M

*****

My name is Mollie Jahner and I live on the Jahner Farmstead in Bothell Washington, USA

Eating locally is something I am passionate about. What do I consider locally grown? For my own definition of local, I turn to my neighboring farmers markets, or, ideally my own backyard. I think to consider something local it should be within reasonable driving distance. So within 200 miles. Here are a few reasons why eating locally matters.

What the heck am I eating?

I want to know what is in my food. Unfortunately, a sad reality in 2014 is we don’t know what pesticides or herbicides have been used to grow our food. And what’s worse is the seed itself may have been genetically modified. Eating unprocessed whole foods is in my opinion, the best form of preventative medicine.

Howdy neighbor!

Getting to know my community has been a huge benefit of eating locally. Not only have I met an awesome group of people I feel like I am supporting them in life versus helping the CEO of Monsanto add to the bottom line. I once read something that has stayed with me: “You might use a lawyer once in your life, a doctor once a month but you use a farmer 3 meals a day every day.” You know your lawyer, you know your doctor…why don’t you know your farmer?”

The Grid

No I am not talking about Tron. BUT, being brutally honest natural and man-made disasters are very real. Being prepared is important. Knowing your farmer is better. The best is enabling yourself to grow your own food supply. If you were unable to get to the grocery store for a week or even two would you know where you would get your food? By purchasing local you are encouraging your local farmers and neighbors to grow the foods you eat on a regular basis. Chances are their farm is going to keep on producing long after the lights go out at Walmart. Know your farmers and support them now so they have a reason to grow food for your pantry.

$$$

More money in your pocket! Have you priced organic produce lately at the grocery store? Heck just produce in general? CRAZY money. I am a big advocate for growing what you can where you are but if space or time doesn’t permit go to the market. Prices are usually a lot lower than a grocery store because you aren’t paying for packaging or transportation. AND if they aren’t lower, bartering is always an option at a market as most local farmers really want your business and are open to trades or discussion.

So how do I incorporate local foods into our life?

That tomato? Yep I grew that!

We are blessed with a very temperate climate here in Washington meaning we have farmers markets year round here. However, I grow most of our veggie and fruit needs throughout at least three seasons and I leverage season extenders like a cold frame or a greenhouse in the winter. I grow my food in containers, laundry baskets, pots, raised beds, hanging baskets, and vertical pallets. Basically we grow anywhere we can because we live on a 1/4 an acre so space is limited and we have to get creative. Totally worth it.

I see farmers….everywhere! (Yes this is a cheesy reference to sixth sense)

Chances are farmers are all around you, you just have to look for them. For example can you purchase raw milk in your state? If so find a local dairy. I am a patron of Pride and Joy Dairy in our state which I purchase raw milk and turn into yogurt and cheese.

We get all our beef and chicken from Windy N Ranch in Ellensburg, Washington twice a year. We are also in the process of getting our own chickens so we will be able to source our own eggs very soon. (YAY!)

Is it hard to eat locally?

Well it is and it isn’t. When you make the decision to eat locally you commit to a lifestyle change and when you want something you just do it. It gets easier and Washington state rocks.  Washington State is known for being a bit hippy and I have to say I love it! We have a large city but the people in our state largely champion farmers and eating local organic foods. Incorporating local foods into our diet is not as difficult as it might be in other parts of the US because many restaurants cater to the demand for locally produced food.

There are a few things that we can’t grow locally…which bums me out. Oranges being one of them…I love oranges…not local at all. The only citrus plant I tried growing here was a lemon tree…it died a horrible wilty death. Citrus is something we splurge on when they start popping up in the markets.

What is my favorite recipe using locally sourced ingredients?

Tomato sauce is one of the most delicious things you can make with fresh basil, onions and tomatoes. It makes any recipe including pizza, pasta or my favorite, Chicken Parmesan, SO much better!!

Eating locally matters for the strength of our bodies, the continued beauty of our world and the friends we meet  along the way.

Eat locally!!

We purchased our first home in Suburbia almost 3 years ago now. We sit on about ¼ acre. Why the name the Jahner Farmstead then? Well, having a homestead is our dream and ideally we would like to live on more acreage and have lots and lots and lots of animals…We love animals. But the point is homesteading isn’t about how much you have. In fact it’s about living sustainably and harmoniously in whatever situation you might find yourself. We strive to live organically and sustainably using, buying, bartering and growing NON-GMO and unprocessed food to support our family.  In our home we love Jesus, chickens, organic gardening, family and laughter. We are so thankful for the chance to enjoy God’s beautiful creation. You can follow along with our journey on our blog, The Jahner Farmstead, on Facebook and on Instagram