sbfarm

Slow Boat Farm
... deepening human connection to the natural environment through recreation and sustenance.

It started as 21 acres of opportunity and reed canary grass
on an island in the Columbia River.

Sept 2005 Ginni Callahan acquired a farm on Puget Island (Cathlamet, WA, lower Columbia River) In three months of intensive renovation, the house was made ready for habitation.
Returning from Mexico in Spring 2006 We began rehabilitation on garage, barn, and land. A rustic kayak launch was carved through the riverside cottonwood forest, and trips launched from there. Produce from SBF was sold at the Puget Island Farmer's Market in late summer
Summer 2007 The First Annual Lower Columbia Kayak Roundup happened in August 2007. Camping was officially offered. We expanded food production, especially garlic. We sold produce at markets, to restaurants, and to individuals
Summer 2008 The Second Annual Lower Columbia Kayak Roundup ran in August, 2008. We moved the kayaking office in to the upgraded chicken coop and added a wing for event registration and produce sales. Had fantasies of constructing many buildings. Did build a produce washing station which recycled the gray water back into the garden. Acquired a riding mower, and dreamed of livestock rotation. Continued to sell produce and run kayak trips and courses.
Summer 2009 The Third Annual Lower Columbia Kayak Roundup ran in August, 2009. Community kitchen constructed. Garden produced heaps of garlic.
Summer 2010 The Fourth Annual Lower Columbia Kayak Roundup ran in August, 2010. Small garden raised and devoured. Many people enjoyed camping in the peaceful pasture. Shower shed provided toasty hot showers in a rustic setting.
Summer 2011 The fifth and final Lower Columbia Kayak Roundup lasted from Sept 5-20, and hosted 17 BCU programs plus other half-day, full-day, and 3-day programs. ... deepening human connection to the natural environment through recreation and sustenance.

Other Past Events
Composting Toilet Workshop Building, using, and learning about simple composting toilets, by Larry Warnberg, designer of the SCAT (Solar Composting Alternative Toilet) July 2007

Sustenance

Organically raised food has personality as well as flavor!

With help from a friend, we raised and sold 70 meat chickens the first summer.

It's not just the food, it's the whole experience!
I love the textures and patterns, the rhythms, and the interconnectedness of things in the garden.

simple living

As humans on this planet, we are conduits of resources and energy.
At the end, we leave with exactly what we came with, and in between
we just move things around--with our hands, with our purchases, and through our bodies.

basic tools

playfulness!

solar and wind energy

Well, you gotta start somewhere!

recreation--kayaking

From our launch you can access quiet sloughs, the Columbia River, and eventually the Pacific Ocean.
From there, the entire world!

gettin' by with a little help from our friends

Tree planting is rewarding work, and mud just makes it more fun!

Rule #1: Feed the troops really well

Twenty-one acres is a lot of really tall grass, and we do treasure our friends who share their tractors! Melissa above.

Brad tills the first garden.

Brad also fills the first garden.

seasons on the farm

Spring!

Fall brings moody skies and sunbursts. And storms that take down trees, a natural form of "rototilling" the forest.

Next year's garlic in the snow (L) Cliffs of the Cathlamet Channel from our milkroom window (R)

Snow means its past time for this slow boater to head to Mexico!

Thanks for taking the Slow Boat Farm Tour!

Camping is NOT available at Slow Boat Farm in 2012/3.
Ginni and Henrick will be traveling by sailboat and kayak. Follow their blogs at
Ginni's blog kayaktravel.blogspot.com
Henrick's blog onvoyage.net

Local alternatives for water-access camping and farm stays include:
Rog's Retreat at Stockhouse's Farm on Puget Island 360.849.4145
Cathlamet Marina camping and cabins 360.795.3501
Skamokawa Vista Park camping and yurts 360.795.8605

Slow Boat Farm comments or questions: ginni@columbiariverkayaking.com

story & photo tour camping neighborhood links Puget Island map

Neighborhood links

Farms

Little Island Farm
Mike and Kim Howell
316 East Little Island Road (Puget Island) Cathlamet, WA 98612
Phone: 360.849.4492
Products: Boer Goat, Turkeys and Chickens Pasture raised. Eggs from pastured hens. Fruit, Berries, Vegetables, Flowers.

Stockhouse’s Farm
Rob and Diane Stockhouse
62 West Birnie Slough Road (Puget (Island) Cathlamet, Washington 98612
Phone: 360.849-4145
Website: www.stockhousesfarm.com
Products: Flowers, Chicken and Duck Eggs, Rob’s Pumpkin Patch, Vegetables.

Lodging

Skamokawa, WA
Twin Gables on Skamokawa Creek, with dock. 360-795-3942
Inn at Lucky Mud rural lodging with local food on a 40 acre pioneer homestead. Frisbee golf. 800 806 7131
Inn at Crippen Creek Farm professional catering at a modern rural farm. 360-795-0585

Cathlamet, WA
Rog's Retreat at Stockhouse's Farm on Puget Island 360.849.4145
Red Fern Farm B&B on Puget Island 360-849-4018
Bradley House in Cathlamet 360-795-3030
The Lodge at Rivermile 39 on Puget Island 360-849-4016

Markets
Puget Island Farmer's Market Fridays in 3-6:30pm at Stockhouse's Farm

Area Info, Community
Skamokawa Centric informative blog on Skamokawa, WA and this oft overlooked part of the Columbia River
Wahkiakum Friends of the River
Welcome to Wahkiakum All about this humble, rural county on the banks of the Columbia River without a single traffic light, but with one heck of a community
Wahkiakum Acoustic Guitar Society
Notes & treats from Beth's home kitchen

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