PARTICIPANT PROFILE

Judy and Phil Niedermeyer
Murphy, Oregon

HOW IT STARTED: Quinn’s Pump Service, owned by Bob Quinn, is a Murphy-based company familiar to many of us in the county. Phil Neidermeyer (P&D Small Excavating) works with Bob Quinn as an independent contractor. One afternoon, Phil was down at Bob’s office and noticed Bob had a large empty lot behind his office. Phil proposed putting in a garden and Bob generously agreed.

That was four years ago.

Bob donated the property, water, irrigation supplies, and $400 worth of manure as well as other supplies. Chris Locks from Murphy Country Nursery next door supplies a lot of the vegetable starts. Judy and Phil perform the labor – there are no other volunteer workers.

In 2007 the garden produced enough organic vegetables to donate over 700 pounds to the Food Bank, as well as the Senior Citizens Center, Gospel Rescue Mission, and the St. Vincent de Paul food kitchen. Last year, it produced over 1,000 pounds for the Food Bank.

PLANS FOR 2009: This year, Judy and Phil will again be supporting the Plant A Row effort, for which PAR is most thankful. The Niedermeyer’s will be contacting PAR to let them know what produce they plan to raise and when the crops will be ready for delivery.

Donations of land, materials, plantings and labor blossomed into the results seen here. What a wonderful example of community spirit and volunteerism – keep up the good work, and many thanks to all.

PARTICIPANT PROFILE

Nora Schwartz
Flying Pig Farm
Hugo, Oregon

GETTING STARTED: "It doesn't look like much now," remarked Nora, "but I have a plan!"

With nine acres of prime farmland in Hugo, plus a 70 gpm well with irrigation rights, it was a natural fit that the PAR program be included in Nora's first year gardening project. She has selected a 1/3 acre plot as a starting point.

ANTICIPATED CROPS: As most every gardener knows, the "three sisters" concept refers to a combination planting of corn, beans and squash. Nora found an interesting “three sisters” combination planting map at http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/complant.html#appCultivation (National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service). It was used by several Pacific Northwest tribes, and should adapt well to the endeavor.

The typical Hidatsa tribe garden has a planting pattern as shown here. Sunflowers are planted at the northernmost edge of the garden to ensure they do not shade other crops. Following that are alternative, offset rows of corn and beans. After each fourth row of corn, a line of squash is planted, as well as having squash bordering the plot.

SF SF SF SF SF
Cn Cn Cn Cn
Sq Bn Bn Bn Sq
Cn Cn Cn Cn
Sq Bn Bn Bn Sq
Cn Cn Cn Cn
Sq Bn Bn Bn Sq
Cn Cn Cn Cn
Sq Sq Sq Sq Sq

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Nora could definitely use some help in the garden. A neighbor has volunteered to till the garden with his tractor to begin ground preparation. As to routine labor, at this point she's only enlisted Oscar Meyer, her potbelly pig. While neither is sure what part he will play, they are considering the concept of “snout plowing.” If you'd like to contact Nora, she can be reached at norakim@q.com.

Be sure to come back to this blog to watch the garden unfold - and keep your fingers crossed!