Plum Forest Farm

In 1999, the founders discovered an old growth plum forest under a wall of blackberries on Vashon Island and named the farm after it. Joanne Jewell and Rob Peterson, who have backgrounds in sustainable agriculture, organic gardening, and pesticide reduction, moved to the island with their daughter and gradually built the farm while maintaining off-farm jobs. By 2009, they were able to focus solely on the farm, thanks to the support of the Vashon community.

The farm integrates crops with livestock, using Scottish Highland cattle and a diverse flock of laying hens to provide manure, which is composted with plant materials to create fertile soil. This soil supports vibrant produce on their gently southward sloping crop field. They practice rotational grazing on their pastures, allowing cows and chickens access to limited portions of the pasture before moving them to fresh grass. They are also restoring a small forest by cutting back invasive weeds and planting native plants.

Produce is sold year-round through a farm stand, CSA shares, and at the Vashon Farmer's Market. Eggs are available daily at the farm stand. The founders have been involved in sustainable agriculture since the mid-1980s and have contributed to the Maritime Northwest Gardening Guide.