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!