Our Crops

Being on the hillsides of the South Yamhill River valley means that our soil is best suited to grow grains and other field crops — not the vegetables, berries, grapes and nuts for which the Willamette Valley is famous.

Yamhill wheat is our flagship product. It's a soft white wheat best suited for pastries, cakes, cookies, crackers and noodles because of its light color, very low protein (gluten) levels, and delicious flavor. It can also be used in breadmaking, with the addition of vital gluten flour. We first grew Yamhill wheat in 2017, and again in 2019 and 2021. We're currently growing six acres of Yamhill wheat in the West field to harvest, clean and plant in 2023 as seed for our 2024 cash crop of wheat.

Triticale is another grain we grow regularly. It's halfway between wheat and rye in flavor, height and just about every other respect. Triticale adds a delicious, nutty flavor to breads and snack bars, but may be better known as an ingredient in many poultry and livestock feeds because of its high protein content. Triticale, spelt and cereal rye are all growing in the West field now to provide seed in 2023 for future years' crops.

Barley - used to make beers and distilled spirits - grows well here, too, and in 2022 we provided ten tons to a local distillery for use in their (delicious!) gins and whiskies.

Buckwheat also does well here - especially as a cover crop and food source for bees and other pollinators. In 2022 we participated in a field trial of five different varieties of buckwheat.

Crop rotation means that every year, every field grows something different in order to feed the soil and control weeds, pests and disease. In the years between growing grain to harvest and sell, we plant a variety of cover crops like winter peas, vetch, cereal rye and radish.

All the crops we grow are certified organic by Oregon Tilth. We're also a member of the Organic Farmers Association and the Real Organic Project.