Written by: Deby Barnhart
As a third generation farm, originally a goat dairy and now a retail grower of 800+ varieties of annuals, perennials and edibles, we are familiar with the challenges of keeping living things alive 365 days a year, no matter what the weather. Caring for the land and environment to maintain the equilibrium between nature’s ecosystem and urban living for future generations is part of our daily work and imprint from our ancestors. We grow everything by hand, no mechanization; utilizing daily inspection as our primary pest control and low-impact organic products only when necessary; we teach the use of organic products and gardening best practices; our cafe sources everything possible from local farmers.
Cornell Farm’s mission is to offer the highest quality plants and products to bring beauty, support ecosystem sustainability and educate gardeners toward stewardship of their land by operating using the most ecological preservation and energy efficient methods, offering a living wage, health care and vacation benefits, and supporting like-minded community schools and non-profit organizations.
Shortly after we first opened as a very small retail nursery in 1987, our land was called “vacant” by ODOT when the necessity of an access road needed to be constructed to landlocked property. “Vacant land” has a completely different meaning to farmers and stewards of Mother Earth. This is where our minds can rest; living things roam, forage, produce food, and foster an ecosystem that could take care of the planet. Thanks to hundreds of like-minded people, we prevailed in the ensuing law suit and are still here today.
Small and local is beautiful. The most interesting businesses are born of passion and offer that specific sense of memorable place. The economic loop is tight and self-supporting. Focus on quality and connection to end-user enthusiasm is the pride of entrepreneurs. Larger purpose drives us through challenges.
We know that the future is ours to shape and strongly support the parallel mission of Friends of Family Farmers:
It is our belief that every person — urban and agrarian, farmer and eater — has the ability to make choices that can help regenerate our food system.
We invite you to join Cornell Farm during the month of September in supporting this essential organization which brings the highest quality local food to your table while cultivating their land for the whole ecosystem and the future of our planet.
