| |
S&S Homestead Farm on Lopez Island is a fifty-acre (15 owned, 35 leased) family farm owned and operated by Henning Sehmsdorf and Elizabeth Simpson. In existence since 1970, the farm integrates growing vegetables, fruit, and flowers with the production of beef, dairy, pork, lamb, chicken and eggs, as well as producing animal feeds and fertilizers.
Farm history and performance. The farm is managed biodynamically as an integrated, self-sufficient organism, producing as many inputs required for growing food and fiber on the farm as possible. Pest and disease control is accomplished through place-specific plant and animal immunities developed by breeding and raising all animals on the farm, and by recycling their wastes as compost to grow plants that feed animals and humans. Farm environmental sustainability is assessed through emergy analysis (tracking on-farm energy flows in solar em-joules) to measure how closely the agricultural system resembles natural systems, and to what degree it depends on purchased and non-renewable inputs. Farm management decisions are made accordingly. Although focused on education rather than for-profit production, farm operations are economically viable and the farm is debt-free. Food and feed self-sufficiency of the farm household are primary goals, with production surplus sold to the community through CSA and custom contract. On-farm educational programs, research and conservation projects are implemented through S&S Center for Sustainable Agriculture (SSCSA), a state-registered non-profit organization. See our farm brochure for more information.
Adjunct faculty. In addition to owning and operating S&S Homestead Farm and directing SSCSA, Henning Sehmsdorf is Adjunct Professor with WSU CSANR.
The owners of S&S Homestead are working with the Lopez Community Land Trust, Lopez Public Schools, and CSANR to transition the farm to community ownership. For more information about this project, see this handout.
- Internships and apprenticeships with options for college credit
- On-farm research in collaboration with WSU faculty
- Classes in agricultural science and ecological food production in collaboration with Lopez Public Schools
- Horticultural therapy
- Farm tours, workshops, and demonstrations
- Consulting services
- Strawbale construction
- Small-scale grain raising
-
Solar Powered Micro-Irrigation. Henning Sehmsdorf. Supported by NRCS Competitive EQUIP grant program. 2004–05.
- Ecological food production
- Bio-intensive forage production
- Bean trials
- Growing historical wheat
- Constructing a portable hoophouse
Project Reports
Bio-intensive Forage Production. 2004–2005. Henning Sehmsdorf and Steve Fransen. SARE Farmer Rancher grant final report.
Ecological Food Production. 2004–2005. Henning Sehmsdorf and Carol Miles. SARE Farmer Rancher grant final report.
Economic Evaluation of the S&S Homestead Farm. Andrew Haden and Henning Sehmsdorf. 2002.
Emergy Analysis of Food Production at S&S Homestead Farm. Andrew C. Haden, M.S. student. 2002.
Farm Stay Report on the S & S Homestead. By Steven Garrett, WSU Extension King County. Supported by WSU CSANR through a Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Professional Development grant. August 2002.
International Straw Bale Registry Project. At S&S Homestead Farm, a non-loadbearing 450 sq ft bunkhouse was constructed in 2001.
Seeds of Life, a senior science project report by a student in the Ecological Food Production class, 2005
Sustainable Small-Scale Grain Raising. 2000–2001. Henning Sehmsdorf and Tom Schultz. SARE Farmer Rancher grant final report.
Summer Internship and Apprenticeship Program In Ecological Farming and Sustainable Living Interns have the opportunity to earn academic credit through WSU academic departments (specific course credits) and WSU Small Farm program (continuing education credits), or through their home institutions. The internship is located at S&S Homestead Farm, Lopez Island, Washington. This is a small-scale family owned farm, where students will experience hands-on farm work, studying prescribed reading curriculum, writing journals, and participating in weekly farm seminars. Interns may also collaborate with WSU Research and extension faculty, and will write one major report on a topic of choice.
Internship Announcement for 2006
Interns, Apprentices and Projects, 1999–2005
Intern- or Apprenticeship Application
Farm Brochure. S & S Homestead Farm’s mission is to produce fresh, local, organic, seasonally and sustainably grown food while providing education in ecological farming and sustainable living for the community.
Books
Washington – Renewing the Countryside. A collection of 43 stories about individuals who are sustaining and revitalizing rural Washington. Six chapters cover topics of community, conservation, farming and ranching, business, restoration, and innovation. This book introduces readers to working examples of community-based conservation and environmentally-compatible economic development as a viable ‘third path’ through the ‘jobs vs. environment’ debate that has polarized much of the West. S&S Homestead Farm
is one of the farms featured in this book. Edited by John Harrington and written by Ingrid Dankmeyer, with a foreword by Bill and Jill Ruckelshaus.
Essays
“A Holistic Future for Farming: Self-Sufficiency on a Small Farm (PART 2),” by Henning Sehmsdorf. “Biodynamics: Working for Social Renewal Through Agriculture”, Autumn 2005, Number 253.
“A Straw Bale Bunkhouse for a Sustainable Farm”, by Jan Scilipoti, (“The Last Straw. The International Journal of Strawbale and Natural Building,” Issue 34, Summer 2001).
“America the Bountiful, or why we eat FLOSS (Fresh, Local, Organic, Seasonal, Sustainable).” Introductory chapter to “Real Food on the Farm”, a book in progress by Elizabeth Simpson.
“Full of Grace.” During a visit to the farm, the author is entranced by a Jersey cow named Loveday who is seen by the farm owners, Henning and Elizabeth, as a coworker. Indeed, all their animals are treated with great respect and loving dignity. By Tanya Marcovna Barnett, Earth Ministry, January 2003.
“Going Mobile. Trailer Brings USDA-Inspected Slaughter to the Farm Gate,” by Steve Werblow, (“The Furrow,” farm magazine published by John Deere Co., January 2005, Volume 110, Issue 1).
“Living the Holistic High-Life: Self-Sufficiency on a Small Family Farm,” by Henning Sehmsdorf. (“Biodynamics: Working for Social Renewal Through Agriculture,” Summer 2005, Number 253.
"Marketing a Philosophy on S&S Homestead" by Rural Roots and University of Idaho Research Team (Northwest Direct Marketing)
“Nutrition-Body and Soul.” Keynote by Elizabeth Simpson and Henning Sehmsdorf at the opening of the “First National Conference on Farm-to-Cafeteria,” Seattle 2002. (“Community Food Security News,” Spring 2003, and “Kids Can Make a Difference,” Spring 2003, Volume 8, Number 2).
“Real Food on the Farm,” by Katrina Prime and Stephen Bramwell. “Biodynamics: Working for Social Renewal through Agriculture”, Autumn 2005, Number 253.
Presentations
“Emergy Analysis of Food Production at S&S Homestead Farm” (poster presentation), by Andrew C. Haden. Summary in Proceedings NW Symposium on Organic and Biologically Intensive Farming (2002), p. 29.
“Farm-to-School-Project.” Henning Sehmsdorf, Deborah Henderson, and Carol Miles. Poster and Proceedings Paper In: Symposium Proceedings: Getting the Bugs to Work for You – Biological Control in Organic Agriculture, November 12, 2004, Portland Oregon, p. 62.
“The Economics of Food Self-Sufficiency (or, Speaking from Personal Experience),” by Henning Sehmsdorf. With Household Spending Indicators and S&S Homestead Farm Economic Data. Presented at “Navigating Our Future: Food Forum” (Winter, 2004), “WSU Livestock Advisors” (Winter, 2004), Snohomish Conservation District Small Farm Expo (Spring and Fall, 2004), King County Small Farm Expo (Spring 2004, 2005), Whidbey Conservation District Small Farm Workshop (Spring 2005), and WSU Snohomish Extension: “Self Reliant Homes and Farms” (Spring 2005).
Press Articles
“Aides to Senators Cantwell and Murray Visit Lopez,” by Leta Currie Marshall. The Islands’ Weekly, Vol. 22, No. 17, April 27, 2004.
“Bill to bring local food into school cafeterias.” Aides to Congressman Rick Larsen and Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray are invited to tour a “Farm to Cafeteria” pilot program, By Amanda Leidig, The Islands’ Sounder, Vol. 40, No. 01, March 17, 2004.
“Bringing local produce into the school.” Institutional and economic hurdles to providing healthful foods to local students. By Ted Grossman. The Islands’ Sounder, Vol. 40, no. 01, September 22, 2004.
“Congressional Aide Visits Lopez Farm.” An aide from Congressman Rick Larsen’s office comes to see why the legislature should pass a bill supporting agricultural education. By Leta Currie Marshall. The Islands’ Weekly, Vol. 22, No. 11, March 16, 2004.
Farm Visit to S & S Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Homestead Farm. Steven M. Garrett, WSU Extension Pierce County. Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter, WSU Extension, Sept. 2003 1(4):5.
“It’s so Easy Being Green!” “Lobo News” (Lopez Island School Newsletter), February, 2005.
“Kudos to Sehmsdorf for bringing healthful food into the school.” Editorial page, The Islands’ Sounder, Vol 40, No. 01, September 22, 2004.
Lopez Island, Washington, Begins to Embrace Model of Agricultural Sustainability. S&S Homestead Farm is an example of a model rural farm that lives agricultural sustainability and is promoting brighter economic prospects for the future. By Jeanna Carter. Sustainable Ways Newsletter. A Prescott Publication of the Sustainable Community Development Program in the Adult Degree Programs. 2004. Vol 2(1).
“Meet the new Lopez School Superintendent.” The new superintendent plans to develop ecological program to get kids involved with helping and learning about the environment. By Colleen Smith. The Islands” Weekly, Vol. 23, No. 41, October 11, 2005.
Nurturing a Niche: New-generation farmers are growing markets and a way of life. 2002. The Seattle Times: Pacific Northwest Magazine Lynda V. Mapes and Benjamin Benschneider.
Senate aides get a taste of Lopez. Congressional aides for Sen. Maria Cantwell and Sen. Patty Murray visited Lopez Island. The aides met with representatives of Lopez Housing Options (LOHO), Lopez School, and S&S Homestead. The Island's Weekly, April 29, 2004.
“Sustainable, organic farming’s many benefits.” The San Juan County organization “Navigating Our Future” presented a forum on locally grown,sustainable, and organic farming. The event began with a tour of S&S Homestead Farm. By Amanda Leidig, The Islands’ Sounder, March 2003.
Biodynamics: Renewing Human and Natural Resources Through Agriculture (July 7-9, 2006)
Biodynamics: Renewing Human and Natural Systems through Agriculture (July 11-13, 2004)
Real Food on the Farm: Nutritionally Vital Foods that Promote Health and Healing, May 14, 2005
AWISH A World Institute for a Sustainable Humanity (A W.I.S.H.) is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide models and support for life sustaining activities that integrate solutions to poverty and the environment while fostering self-reliance.
Lopez Community Land Trust. A private, non-profit, community-based organization that is acting as a resource for, and providing access to, permanently affordable housing and land for low-income residents, while cultivating sustainable economic development, and nurturing an ethic of land stewardship.
Navigating Our Future Navigating Our Future’s mission is to foster ways to envision, and take action to ensure, the future environmental, economic and social vitality of the San Juan Islands, Washington.
Return to Top of Page
Updated
July 17, 2006
|
|
