FOOD, FIBER & FAMILY ON ORCAS ISLAND
WELCOME TO 4TH SEED FARM!
We are nestled in the Crow Valley at the foothills of Turtleback Mountain. Our heritage farm has been fertile ground for livestock and fruit orchards for generations. Today, the rolling pastures provide for thriving flocks of Clun Forest sheep, Pygora goats, and laying chickens, as well as perennial gardens of fruit trees, berries, flowers, and tea.
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As the current stewards of this land, we are committed to holistic and restorative practices rooted in values of love and reciprocity. We honor all those who came before us and seek to raise products that are locally and sustainably grown, respecting the value of each life that touches this place and the impact our actions have on future generations.
CLUN FOREST SHEEP
Our purebred Clun Forest sheep are the mainstay of our farm. Following intensive grazing practices, they tend our pastures and contribute to the ongoing health of the soil. This heritage breed is listed as threatened by the Livestock Conservancy and we are committed to protecting and promoting their distinct characteristics. Each year, we have a small number of lambs and yearlings available for those seeking new breed stock. We also sell packaged lamb cuts on the San Juan Islands Food Hub.
PYGORA GOATS
Our herd of pygora goats are the resident class clowns. They greet us each morning and relish every opportunity to play and explore the farm. They complement the sheep grazing by going after taller weeds and bushes. Pygoras are a cross between Angora and Pygmy, and they produce an incredibly fine fleece that is baby soft on the skin. We shear them twice a year and blend their curly locks with the Clun Forest for a particularly fine yarn. See our Online Store for current availability.
FRUIT & TEA
This farm was originally a pear and Italian plum orchard like many farms across the Crow Valley. Some of the old trees remain, producing a diversity of apples, pears, plums and quince, which we sell locally as well as process ourselves. In addition to these heritage trees, we have developed new plots for perennial crops of raspberries, blueberries, and tea to market to the public. We have 400 tea plants in the ground now and many more seedlings in the greenhouse, growing deep roots and waiting for Spring to come.
FIBER WITH A PURPOSE
Leaning into the meaning behind our name, 4th Seed Farm, we seek to be fertile soil, committing 1/4 of profits from the sale of our fiber products annually to women-led initiatives. In underserved communities around the world, women are leading the way to a more holistic and sustainable future, embracing more communal approaches to land management, animal husbandry, and community decision-making that sustains life in all its abundance. Help us to support these efforts by purchases products from our Online Store.
