Sunfield Biodynamic Farm and Waldorf School
Sunfield Biodynamic Farm and Waldorf School
Acres Preserved:
141
Year Conserved:
2014
Category:
Conservation Easement
Natural Features:
We recognize our place as joint stewards of land long held in reverence and care by the native Coast Salish People — and we work to instill values of respect, empathy, and compassion in the generations that follow.
– Sunfield Education Association
A Birds-Eye View
Sunfield Biodynamic Farm is located in Port Hadlock in the Chimacum watershed, above the largest producing aquifer in Jefferson County. A historic dairy farm, the 81-acre property contains 43 acres of farmland with prime agricultural soils, 7 acres of wetlands, and 26 acres of forest and wildlife habitat.
Today, the land is home to Sunfield Biodynamic Farm and Waldorf School, a nonprofit organization with the mission: To Serve, To Educate, To Steward. Biodynamic principles include raising a variety of animals and organically grown crops, while cultivating a deep understanding of the intricate relationships that exist among all elements of the land.
Students and educators join farm staff and interns to care for the biodynamic gardens, orchards, farm animals, pastures, and wildlife habitat.
The Preservation Story
In 2001, the land went on the market, platted for 5-acre homesites. Jefferson Land Trust joined the Sunfield Education Association, Jefferson County Conservation District, and many community supporters to save the historic property from residential development and preserve its valuable farmland. In an inspiring example of the power of collaboration, more than 180 individuals; businesses; and local, state, and federal agencies contributed resources ranging from $1 to $165,000.
In 2004, the Natural Resources Conservation Service awarded Jefferson Land Trust a $165,000 grant for Sunfield Farm under the federal Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program. The Jefferson County Conservation Futures Fund Program provided the local matching funds required to obtain the federal grant. Additional funding was provided by the PCC Farmland Fund.
The conservation easement acquired by Jefferson Land Trust permanently protects the property and its important farmland, forest, wetlands, and wildlife habitat. Five acres of the property were designated outside of the conservation easement to permit construction of an educational center — the present site of the Waldorf School, where students participate in daily animal care chores and regular farm education classes.
The Protected Property Today and Tomorrow
Sunfield Farm embraces the principles of biodynamic agriculture: a method of farming that aims to treat the farm as a self-nourishing, living organism. Developed by the founder of Waldorf education, Rudolf Steiner, biodynamic principles include raising a variety of animals and organically grown crops and renewing the soil with materials produced on the farm.
The farm operations are rooted in creating nourishing experiences for students and cultivating community engagement programs that connect people with the vitality of the land. Having animals, vegetable gardens, and perennial beds near the school campus allows students from preschool through 8th grade to actively participate in animal care and food production, while learning about the interconnectedness of all living beings. The school curriculum is designed to foster the development of creative and critical thinking, as well as practical and artistic skills.
Animal welfare and sustainable farming practices are priorities at Sunfield Farm, where an intensively grazed heritage breed cattle herd of Milking Devons roam the pastures in addition to sheep, goats, chickens, and rabbits. All these animals play a vital role in contributing to a holistic approach and fostering student engagement.
Each summer, Sunfield Farm sells produce at their summer farmstand. To help ensure that everyone in our community has access to high-quality, sustainable food options, they donate hundreds of pounds of produce to local food banks each year.
