Springtime Coming To Pheasant Fields

Farmer Nikki Johanson-A Good Example For Kitsap Farmers

Whenever you hear Kitsap farmers talking about what or how to do something there’s always one name that inevitably surfaces and that’s Nikki Johanson of Pheasant Field Farms.

"Herbs coming in five weeks" says Nikki Johanson.

Shannon Harkness of Red Barn Farms is one of many who sing Johanson’s praises.

Harkness says she knew nothing about farming or raising chickens when one fateful day in 2006 her husband brought ten young meat birds home.  At about eight weeks of age, half of the birds had died off so in desperation, Shannon sought out Johanson who helped her figure out what was happening.

“Not only did she tell me that that’s the age they would die anyway so they should be butchered then but she also showed me how to do it – which is a pretty big ordeal for only five birds and it was right in the middle of her busy summer season,” says Harkness.

But her experience with Nikki also led to a further interest in farming and Harkness worked at Pheasant Fields for the next two seasons, learning about farming as she began growing her own crops.

“Nikki has taken me and so many others under her wing,” says Harkness.

Andrea Wigglesworth of Finn Hill Farm agrees.  She was also a farming apprentice under Johanson.

“Nikki is absolutely, totally the mentor for new Kitsap farmers but it’s not just us – she’s involved in everything to support all our farmers and bring recognition to the local agriculture community,” says Wigglesworth.

But in turn, the ever-modest Johanson credits some of the prominent Kitsap farming families such as Lyle and Agnes Allpress, Jerry and Dorothy Petersen, Art Nordby, and Andy and Marilyn Rogers with fostering her own interest and expertise in farming.  She also lauds Dino Sivo, a WSU extension agent for more than 20 years, as a role model because of his interest in teaching kids about farming.

Purchasing the 15-acre property in 1949 which they named Clear Creek Farm,  Nikki’s  parents were the fourth owners of her property, which was originally homesteaded by John Holm in the 1880’s but was subsequently farmed by the succeeding owners.

“My parents gave me love, support and patience while I learned farming,” says Johanson

The Central Kitsap High School and WSU attendee also gives much credit to the 4-H for her childhood interest and activity in farming and she says adult volunteers like Thelma Clauson and Verna Miller are among the many who have served in 4-H leadership roles.

But in 1971, after returning to this area, friends re-introduced the then Nikki Juricich to a North Kitsap boy, Allen Johanson, whom she had met briefly years before when they were both in high school.  After the pair married they raised beef cattle for awhile in the North Kitsap area, had two daughters, and eventually ended up back on her parents Clear Creek Road property two miles north of Silverdale.

Allen Johanson and pal

The Johansons renamed it Pheasant Field Farm in 1999 and Nikki says it was probably originally a chicken and egg farm but they still find remnants of the property’s earliest days when it was logged off.  Today the Johansons raise vegetable crops, chickens and ducks, a few llama, sheep and goats and flowers and herbs.  They are active in the farmers market, operate a CSA and are involved in numerous farm organizations and activities.

With all of Nikki’s involvement helping others, she didn’t realize there had been a Pay Pal glitch this year that told people her CSA subscriptions were full and referred them to someone else when they went on line to subscribe.  She has it straightened out now and says she really still has quite a few subscriptions available – find her CSA information on line at the Pheasant Fields web site at:  www.pheasantfields.com or call (360) 697-6224

And the innovative Johansons are also known for the extraordinary activities they bring to the community such as their fall corn maze, summer farm camps, and spring Easter egg hunts.  Because they attracted so many people last year, three egg hunt sessions will be held on April 4 for 1.5 hours each at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.  More information can be found at the same Pheasant Fields web site and telephone number.

On a final note, Johanson is also involved in yet another activity this spring – Pheasant Fields will be the location for Urban Vegetable Gardening classes. Several seven-class sessions will be offered – more information on this can be found at this web site, www.buylocalfoodinkitsap.org or by calling (360) 981-7127

You can meet Nikki and other Kitsap farmers in person:

Kitsap Community and Agricultural Alliance
“Kitsap CSAs, Urban Vegetable Gardening and Opportunities To Make Extra Income At Your Local Farmers Market”
Tuesday, March 10, 2009, 7:00 PM
Norm Dicks Center
345 Sixth Street
Bremerton, WA 98310