Woodleaf Farm

Woodleaf Farm in Eastern Oregon was established in 2016 on 211 acres. The farm is known for its diverse cultivation of 85 varieties of fruit and 200 hazelnut trees, alongside year-round vegetable production. The farm's history is intertwined with the efforts of Helen Atthowe and Carl Rosato, who are committed to developing a nearly closed-loop farming system. The farm also has a notable history in California, where it was established in 1980 and sold in 2015 to Peach Jamboree. The California location has been certified organic for over 36 years and is renowned for producing nearly 200 varieties of fruit, including peaches, apples, pears, and cherries.

The farming methods at Woodleaf Farm emphasize a plant-based soil fertility system. Chopped hay from some fields is used to fertilize vegetable and fruit fields, while orchard ground cover is mowed close to the trees and allowed to grow in the row middles, creating beneficial habitats. Grass mulch is employed to smother ground cover and is then strip-tilled, leaving living mulch paths to enhance beneficial habitats and overall fertility. In the California location, soil nutrient balancing and reduced tillage are major focuses. The farm applies yard waste compost 2 to 4 times a year at 2 tons per acre, avoiding manures to support fungal growth. The farm also practices farmscaping by planting beneficial insect habitats and allowing perennial ground cover to flower, which helps manage insect damage. Additionally, the farm uses gravity flow irrigation, 100% solar power, low-energy-use buildings, and cats for gopher control.

Woodleaf Farm has been recognized for its contributions to sustainable agriculture, receiving a Steward of Sustainable Agriculture Award at the 32nd Annual EcoFarm Conference in 2012. The farm has also been involved in organic farming research, receiving a grant from the Organic Farming Research Foundation in 1992 to study brown rot control. The farm continues to study organic soil management and experiment with nutrient and pest management interactions.