Welcome! We’re Josh and Erin. In 2016, we purchased a 15-acre derelict property in Longbranch, WA, and have been working diligently every day since to turn it into our dream farm. Currently, we have 18 chickens, 2 Angora rabbits, 4 Pygora goats, 2 Nigerian Dwarf goats, 7 sheep of various breeds, a terrible barn cat, the worst farm dog, several bee hives, and approximately 1 1/2 acres of land devoted to organic fruits and vegetables.
Longbranch is located in the Puget Sound region of Washington State, on the very southern tip of the Key Peninsula. Several seasonal waterways are active here on our farm during the wet months and a year-round creek runs through the southern part of our property and feeds into Filucy Bay. As stewards of this land, we strive to minimize our negative impact on the environment and have been working with the Pierce Conservation District to implement Earth-friendly practices on our farm.
To date, we have:
- installed a Heavy Use Area for the goats and sheep to prevent soil compaction and other damage to the pasture
- entirely fenced the pasture and garden areas to keep our livestock away from waterways
- removed invasive species from the property
- replanted native species along the seasonal waterways
- incorporated a riparian buffer along the year-round creek
Though we have already accomplished a great deal, we still have a ways to go and we will continue to work hand-in-hand with the Conservation District to maintain healthy land and a healthy farm.
Our sheep, goats, and rabbits are all raised for their fiber, which is eventually turned into yarn. We also source fleeces from other small, local fiber producers, and have it processed by cottage fiber mills located in Washington State. Once the mill has completed the yarn, Erin hand dyes it here on our farm.
In the southwest corner of the pasture lies our organic vegetable garden, where we grow heirloom varieties of your favorite veggies! This year we planted six varieties of garlic, tons of tomatoes, sugar pod peas, green beans, beets, cabbage, and so much more. Our vegetables are deliciously unique and we enjoy raising varieties you may not often see (or taste!)
Next to our house are the herb garden and flower gardens; these are Erin’s pride and joy and they serve as a colorful haven for birds, bees, and other pollinators. In addition to supplying food and respite for the local fauna, the flowers and herbs provide us humans with vibrant flavor additions to our favorite foods, soothing teas, dye for fabric and fibers, and countless other uses.
Come visit us at the Port Orchard Farmers’ Market this summer to see what we have to offer you or check out what’s available in our online store!