Finney Farm

05/11/2024

04/26/2024

One of our members works with most of the beekeepers featured in this film, through The Pollinator Stewardship Council (www.pollinatorstewardship.org). She'll be available for Q&A at the end of the film. Join us tomorrow to watch this documentary, learn about the importance of pollinators in our food system and how to protect them.

04/26/2024

Plant Sale is open! Proceeds support the seed distro. 41638 S Skagit Hwy, open through end of day on Sunday. Cash or card payments available, many varieties of tomatoes, peppers, eggplants-visit early for the best selection as we are likely to run out! $3 each or Buy 5 get 1 free mix and match plants, we also have 24+ varieties of free seed available at the stand as well!

04/11/2024

UPDATE: Spoke too soon for the plant sale! The forecast is still calling for nighttime lows in the 30s so it's too cold to leave the plants at the stand overnight. We are rescheduling for next weekend. April 26-28. Sorry but the plants will thank us!

Plant sale and free seeds! We are celebrating Earth Day by setting up the roadside stand April 19-22 where you'll find our full selection of free seeds as well as a plant sale. We should have 15+ varieties of heirloom tomatoes, many varieties of sweet and hot peppers and eggplants. The plant sale is 4-6 weeks earlier than usual this year and plants will be smaller and priced accordingly (tomatoes are $3 instead of $5)-mix and match all types buy 5 get 1 free. We will have options for payments like paypal, venmo, cashapp-proceeds benefit seed distro.

02/13/2024

Seed Distro shipping options are open! To make sure most of the seed is distributed for free in our bioregion to underserved households, we are limiting the number of shipping requests to 100 and we expect to run out within the next few weeks. If you are local, we will regularly update this link with local pick up options and events where you can find free seed. Thanks friends!

After several years of limitations due to the pandemic, we are thrilled to be able to return to our primary means of distributing our free seeds---through local events and organizations.  

02/28/2023

We changed the seed shipping option this year. Learn why:
Prior to the pandemic, we had never offered a shipping option because our goal was to increase food sovereignty and food access by distributing directly to our target local Cascadia groups-historically underserved folks including low-income, BIPOC, q***r, elders, etc. During that time we distributed mostly through drops at local schools, food banks, and community gardens but also a few annual events that had a high population of folks who needed seed the most. When in-person events were closed in 2020, we wanted to offer a shipping method due to the COVID pandemic, but we had no way to pay for postage. We asked low-income households to cover the actual cost of postage $5, and a $30+ donation to those who could afford to contribute more--and if someone could not afford the $5, they could request seed and we'd use some of the extra donations to cover their postage. Shipping did add around 100 hours of volunteer time, but more concerning was that a significantly high number of seed requests did not include a donation to cover postage and that many of the requests without $5 shipping donation seemed to come from historically high-income neighborhoods or out of state. While we do want everyone to grow some of their own food, it was disheartening to think of the huge amount of time and resources we spend a year on this project, not to have the seeds land with the folks who need them the most.

So this year we are mostly returning to our usual means of distribution, a few events and 5-7 local sites where folks can pick up free seed. We recognize that there are limitations and drawbacks to this strategy, but it's the best one we could come up with this year to address our concerns. We would LOVE volunteer help with this project and will ask volunteers for ideas on other distribution strategies for next year.

For those who are curious, here is an overview of our annual expense outline:
$500 Shipping cost to 100 households
$1500 seed envelopes, labels, printing, and shipping materials
$1200 growing supplies
$3000 food and lodging costs for temp volunteers during growing season. All labor is volunteer, our farm residents typically host 3-5 short term volunteers March-Oct and we pay this amount out of pocket to cover the cost of hosting them in exchange for their help with seed production.
Total Annual cost-$6200

Our seed distro now has 501c3 status, so all donations are tax-deductible!

After several years of limitations due to the pandemic, we are thrilled to be able to return to our primary means of distributing our free seeds---through local events and organizations.  

02/26/2023

Seeds are ready! Visit https://finneyfarm.org/seed-distro to get your free organic seed!

After several years of limitations due to the pandemic, we are thrilled to be able to return to our primary means of distributing our free seeds---through local events and organizations.  

09/28/2022

Cider Press Party on Sunday is most unfortunately CANCELLED! Due to the unusual fall weather, the apple harvest just isn't here yet. Looks like we need another couple of weeks before apples will be ready for pressing. We are disappointed, but may be able to reschedule and will keep folks posted!

09/05/2022

Gone to a good hone with Tom S!
Pending for Tom S. -------Free school bus! Needs a new home ASAP. We tried to rehome this about 5 years ago and had a lot of nostalgic comments about how it should stay on the farm. But we have literally done nothing with it in that time, other than pull out the yucky carpet and linoleum. Details- drove here 15 years ago but we parked it instead of driving, so def does not run now. Has a V8, was remodeled by a snowboarder who would use it in the winter to drive to Snoqualmie etc. He put insulation in and melamine walls, had a woodstove, twin bed frame etc. Framed so that the front was separate and used for seating and food prep, door to back with wood stove, bed etc. Does not appear to leak, seems solid. No title (still looking but assume no). The bus has been in a music video, photos in Vice magazine, in art photography exhibits…we know it holds special memories for folks but we are over it and need it gone quickly 😊

05/31/2022

As you may know, we typically host volunteer helpers through sites like WWOOF and Workaway. We are currently booking for this season-we prefer longer term stays although we can sometimes host for a shorter stay of 2-4 weeks. Helpers contribute 30 hours per week, we provide education/instruction, room and board. If interested, message us and we can send an info doc/application. Thanks!

05/12/2022

Plant Sale, Saturday and Sunday May 14th and 15th only, 9-6pm. We have a limited supply of heirloom organic tomato plants in gallon pots, eggplants and peppers in 4 inch pots. Shop early for best selection as we are likely to sell out of varieties. 41638 S Skagit Hwy-we have two driveways please use the one with the orange cone. Cash only, all proceeds go toward our free seed distro project and all leftover plants will be donated to the Sauk Suiattle Tribe community garden and the Head Start preschool at Jefferson Elementary.

02/25/2022

Free Seeds! For over 15 years, Finney Farm has grown and distributed organic, open pollinated, heirloom seed at no charge to those who need it. To learn more about our project and to request seed visit https://finneyfarm.org/seed-distro First shipment going out today! Edit: Seeds are always free but we do not have funds for shipping. We request that low income households donate $5 to cover the cost of shipping and those who can afford consider donating in accordance with means to help us cover our out of pocket supply costs (all labor is volunteer). Local? Arrange a pickup at the farm--free and easy for all!