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Buy Local Food In Suquamish

The Suquamish Farmers Market is scheduled to begin on June 3 and Wednesdays thereafter from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Terra Bella Farm – Serendipitous Beginnings

Last modified on 2009-06-19 19:36:28 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

When they were children, brand new farmers, Rachel Fesler-Schnitzer and Emily Magnotto never dreamed they’d want to go into farming.

Rachel Fesler-Schnitzer Digs Her Terra Bella Farm

But now they’re immersed in their first year of farming and both say they love it.

“I like farm work even though it got pretty cold and miserable in the spring and I really like the community of farm people – they are all so supportive of each other,” says Rachel.

The pair is pretty representative of a new breed of younger farmers who believe in producing locally sustainable food by employing organic farming principles on small farms and who have discovered the joy in seeing the fruit of their hard spring labor popping up in healthy, thriving plants. The pair own and operate Bella Terra Farms of Bainbridge Island.

“I grew up in Shelton with a large family garden I had to work in and I thought I’d never want to see a garden again,” Magnotto said with a laugh.

Rachel, who grew up in north Seattle, says her mother also had a large garden.  She says she enjoyed it  but  didn’t have an interest in pursuing farming as a career so her initial college degree was in history and literature. The two women have been friends since the age of 14 when they met while attending the Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences.

But while trying to figure out what to do with her degree, a friend told her about WWOOF (Willing Workers on Organic Farms).  An international organization that provides a link between those wanting to get work experience and organic farmers, Rachel applied through them to get a job on the big island of Hawaii farming various vegetables, sweet potatoes and taro.

“This experience really got me interested in growing things so I went to grad school in Vermont at the School for International Training,” says Rachel.

Here she obtained a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Agriculture with a focus on indigenous agriculture and became interested in small, sustainable farming. Then it was off to work in a support role to small farmers primarily in the Bangalore area of India with occasional trips to the Himalayas and other part of India.

After return to the U.S., and a short stint as a barista to earn some money, she got an internship in 2008 on the well-known Hogsback Farm on Vashon Island.

“Brian Lowry, Hogsback farm manager, is just an awesome guy and a fabulous teacher – this was the best practical experience I could have had for starting my own farm,” said Rachel.

Meanwhile Emily had married and ultimately gone to work for Piccell Wireless but when she and her Italian husband toured agricultural areas of Italy, she too became interested in local small-farm agricultural concepts.  So when she and Rachel got together, they came up with the idea of using a half-acre of originally homesteaded Bainbridge land that belongs to Emily’s family to start a farm.

Beginning last September, a lot of hard work and brush clearing as well as the planting of cover crops of vetch and field peas had to be accomplished.  A greenhouse was built, a high fence to keep out the plentiful deer was erected, and the sandy soil needed amending.

But for a first year farm, Bella Terra Farms sports an abundance of robust, healthy crops.  One of their specialties is salad greens and they carry more than 20 handsome varieties.  Snap and snow peas have been harvested, and squash, beans, beets, carrots, and cucumbers are on the way.  Kale, broccoli and Brussels sprouts will also be planted.

Farming is humbling says Rachel and she says she now knows why so many sayings like “make hay while the sun shines” originate on farms.   She advises first time farmers to be prepared to do exactly that – put in long days when the weather is cooperating, to solicit advice, and be prepared to have farming take over your entire life.

Terra Bella Farms has number of excellent tomato starts and will be selling them for a special price of $3 a piece or four for $10 at the Suquamish Farmers Market where they are regular vendors.  Terra Bella Farms can be reached at (206) 914-9982 or rachel.mahira@gmail.com

First Day At Suquamish Farmers Market

Last modified on 2009-06-04 19:09:10 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

With temperatures soaring to a blistering 90 degrees, the unseasonably hot weather didn’t keep customers from turning out for the first-ever opening of the Suquamish Farmers Market yesterday.

Alan Trunkey, Manager

Future Market Farmer

The home of this market is on a grassy field at the corner of Suquamish Way and Division.  It provided a welcome respite from the heat and lots of space for vendors and customers alike.

Crimson Cove Smoked Specialties

Several veteran  vendors from other markets, such as Crimson Cove with their delectable smoked cheeses and salmon and Finn Hill Farm with some of the best greens around, mingled with brand new farmers who are trying their first hand at farmers markets.  All the participants provided a nice blend of produce, arts and crafts, ready-to-eat food and entertainment.

That's Entertainment!

At market manager, Alan Trunkey’s booth, Bainbridge shoppers Ron and Ellen Arbour and their little dog Bear were enjoying themselves with Polish dogs and beverages from a market vendor while in the process of buying kale and spinach from Trunkey.

Ron and Ellen Arbour Shop Suquamish

“We’re really enjoying all the nice produce here and it’s a lovely, convenient spot to a have a mid-week market,” said Ellen.

Trunkey also carried a bountiful supply of herbs including mint and oregano plus some fresh lettuce and gorgeous Daikon radishes. He’s a first time farmer and has volunteered to take on the added duties of a market manager.

“We couldn’t have asked for a nicer day for our opening and we’re really grateful to the Suquamish Tribe for letting us use this wonderful space and providing an Appendix X grant to help us advertise and use the land ,” said Trunkey.

A pair of other first time farmers, Rachel Fesler-Schnitzer and Emily Magnotto of Terra Bella Farms, displayed a nice selection of produce. They were very excited to be participating in their first farmers market.

Rachel Fesler-Schnitzer and Emily Magnotto of Terra Bella Farms

“We’ve only been farming for four months and are learning a lot – the farmers market is such a great way to sell local produce and meet our local consumers,” said Magnotto.

Andrea Wigglesworth Sells Suquamish

In the next tent over, veteran Poulsbo market vendor, Andrea Wigglesworth of Finn Hill, was staying cool on the grass under her tent.  She’d already sold out of her kale and tarragon and her lettuce, chives, and green onions were almost gone.

“This is a great location with lots of parking across the street by the gas station and it’s very easy for people to find,” said Wigglesworth.

Trunkey looks forward to more customers and vendors at this new market.

Herbs and Daikon Radishes

“We have plenty of room and welcome lots more vendors,” says Trunkey.

The Suquamish Farmers Market is at the corner of Division and Suquamish Way in Suquamish.  Reach it by turning onto Suquamish Way (across from the Clearwater Casino) at the stoplight just north of the Agate Pass Bridge and follow Suquamish Way to the corner at Division where you will see it on your left with parking across the street.  The Market is open 4 – 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. For more information contact Alan Trunkey at (360) 697-6817 or contactus@suquamishfarmersmarket.org