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Deer Haven Farms was created out of a love for fresh food and a healthy planet. Stuart and Christina wanted to know where their food was coming from and wanted to experience the cycles of the seasons.
Realizing that the health of the soil is the most basic necessity, Christina is aplying permaculture principles in building and restoring the soils health. This takes time and many season’s. They are currently designing a farm that will link up many natural systems.
Included are links and suggested readings on permaculture and soils.
The first year at Deer Haven Farms, The Sommers family, enjoyed fresh tomatoes, kale swiss chard, onions, corn, eggplant, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, squash, peas, beans, lettuce, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, pumkins, gourds and so many herbs and flowers. For the animals, they have Otto the cat, Hoppy the bunny, Chickens and two cows, Jo and JoJo.
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{THE STORY BEHIND IT ALL}
The business of Bed and Breakfast runs in OWNER STUART SOMMERS family. While growing up, he would visit his grandmother’s (Oma) Bed and Breakfast /Dairy Farm in Bavaria, southern Germany. His earliest memories are the old fashion parlor games they enjoyed with guest and running down to the cold cellar for beer and homemade cake. This bed and breakfast still exist as Stuart’s Uncle and Aunt kept the tradition. Check out the link for information on this historical family home located in the German Alps. Stuart’s mom started a bed and breakfast in a small village near Frankfurt. Stuart’s father built the home. Johanna and Gustav share their wealth of information on local attractions around the area of Hessen, Germany. Johanna is famous for her homemade berry Schnapps and we LOVE her waffles with berries and fresh crème. She yodels too! While Gustav has tomato growing down to an exact science. He volunteers to maintain an wilderness area near the village that has historical value.
STUART has a passion for farm life that was been handed down through the generations. He enjoys building and fixing things. From the children’s play house to room additions to kayak and boats. One day, he wants to build a small airplane. But make no mistake about it his first love is flying! He flies for a cargo airline and in his free time he is a tow pilot for the Willamette Valley Soaring Club. Check them out in links. Just a heads up, don’t get him started on talking about flying! He does not have an off button.
OWNER CHRISTINA SOMMERS grew up in the deep south. As a child, her parents were always spending summers camping in remote areas, staying at the family’s fishing and hunting camps. She remembers the haunting ghost stories her father would tell around the evening camp fires. The Headless Horseman was the favorite! Life was exciting, swimming in water holes, walking along creeks and hunting for caves! One of the traits that Christina inherited from her family and friends is the passion for good fresh food. She has been influenced and had the honor of being exposed to local chefs. Naturally, the love of nature and food would lead her to gardening and stewardship. Christina has attended many workshops and courses on nature studies and wilderness survival. Some of those links are included. Christina has two grown children that are attending college in the south. While she and Stuart have two of their own.
Starting Deer Haven Farms in August 2009, Christina has looked to the rich community in the Willamette Valley, and found many mentors. “We are surrounded by many people who are doing amazing things and are changing the face of food and agriculture. People who live here are pioneers!”
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