A Little Farm History

Kirsop Farm began as a quarter acre vegetable garden in 1996 in Tumwater. Colin Barricklow and some friends set out to feed themselves well and sell the excess produce through CSA shares, farmers markets, and the local food coop. Genine Bradwin joined him and the farm continued to grow; from a quarter to a half acre, then up to a full acre, then two. After that, a new rented field in Tenino was added. A few years later, a closer field to lease became apparent just around the corner on Littlerock Road, near Black Hills High School.

Before Colin and Genine were farmers at Kirsop Farm, Rick and Ada Kramer were farmers at Kirsop Farm. Rick and Ada were in partnership with others and formed the Farmers Own Co-op, an organic wholesale company. In the course of that time, they leased many fields, including the ones that were also leased by Colin and Genine. Funny how things work.

In the fall of 2013, Kirsop Farm entered into an agreement with the South of the Sound Community Farmland Trust and began farming an additional 30 acres in Rochester. 

Presently, Colin and Genine do all their farming in Rochester at the Scatter Creek Farm and Conservancy property. There are 20 acres of vegetable production, 40 acres of grain, and plenty of pastures for poultry, sheep, chickens, and pigs.