BEAN AND GRAIN PROJECT HISTORY

Experiments growing various varieties of beans, grains, and edible seeds began at Sunbow in Fall of 1973. Red Winter Wheat, not normally grown in the Willamette Valley, was planted in the orchard field. It was harvested the next summer with a pull-behind combine brought to the farm by the Hanson (creators of the White Leghorn Chicken) family grandson. Beans including chick peas, black, pinto, soy, and fava were grown in small plots, and the information about yields in this climate passed through writing and classes to others.

In the early 1990’s Harry also grew cover crop seeds. He purchased a pull-behind combine for those harvests.

As part of the formal Southern Willamette Valley Bean and Grain Project, begun in 2007 by Ten Rivers Food Web, Sunbow grew 8 kinds of wheat, 3 varieties of rye, triticale, oats, 10 varieties of beans, quinoa, amaranth, flax, and sunflower varieties.

Harry was able to purchase (with the help of a grant from the Odd Fellows) a 1948 John Deer combine for harvests. All this was showcased in farm tours, one of which had 75 people.

For total Bean and Grain Project History with pictures and data: http://www.mudcitypress.com/beanandgrain.php.

For additional resources, check out How We Proceed, under Books.