Barking Moon Farm – By Linda Davis

Josh Cohen and Melissa Matthewson

Josh and Melissa, along with their two children, Everett and Ava, grow organic produce on 10 acres of land in the Applegate Valley.  Previously, Josh lived in Santa Cruz, California where he obtained a degree in Environmental Studies with an emphasis on ecological restoration.  He began working in habitat restoration in Santa Cruz where he met Melissa, who had a degree in Agriculture and worked for the Organic Farming Research Foundation.  They leased a house and cultivated a small garden while planning to purchase land where they could grow on a larger scale.  Since property was cost prohibitive in California, they began looking elsewhere to realize their dream.

Melissa wanted to pursue a graduate degree so the couple drove to Eugene, Oregon to check out universities.  On their way back to California, they discovered and fell in love with the Applegate Valley.  Melissa went on to obtain a Masters Degree in Environmental Science from the University of Montana, with an emphasis on sustainable food systems and environmental writing, and shortly thereafter, Josh and Melissa bought their farm in the Applegate in 2006.

Barking Moon Farm is a fully certified organic farm.  Josh, Melissa and their staff of five full-time field workers (and four part-time farmers’ market helpers) produce 200 varieties of certified organic vegetables, flowers, grains and herbs year round. As Melissa and Josh have solidified their faming systems, they have begun experimenting with new crops like scorzonera, black beans, popcorn and flour corn. They also grow strawberries.  Josh and Melissa grow some of their vegetables in hoop houses large enough to accommodate a tractor so they can produce crops at earlier and later parts of the growing season.

Barking Moon is certified organic and strives for environmental sustainability.  Josh and Melissa practice crop rotation, biological diversity, cover cropping, reduced tillage and use of beneficial insects.  They do not use sprays as even organic ones can destroy beneficial pests, causing the farm to be “out of balance.”  Josh and Melissa let certain vegetables go to flower because that process reintroduces “good bugs” into the mix and brings the farm back into balance.

Josh and Melissa believe in buying locally and building partnerships with local businesses.  They sell salad mix to the Applegate store and cafe and vegetables to My Way Café in Ruch (where they also eat meals). They buy greenhouses and fertilizers from various Oregon establishments.  And Josh and Melissa ignore the higher prices of gas and diesel at the Applegate gas station.  They buy most of their fuel there to support and thank that local station.

Barking Moon Farm is one of 9 farms in the Siskiyou Sustainable Cooperative.  The Siskiyou Coop offers an organic Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program that begins the first week in June and ends in October of every year. If you become a CSA member, your produce will be delivered in a box to a pick up point near you every week. The Coop accepts Oregon Trail cards and offers payment plans.  You can sign up to be a member of the Coop on the website www.siskiyoucoop.com.  Once a week during the season, the Coop posts a weekly update on the website which includes recipes, descriptions of what’s in your box and news from the farms. The Coop also hosts a Harvest Festival for members at one of the cooperative farms. There are  add-on features that CSA members can purchase including bread, cheese, flowers, beef, pork, rabbits and chickens.

This last winter season, Barking Moon Farm offered a winter CSA program to 80 families. This was their third year offering the program to Rogue Valley community members. Each box is delivered bi-weekly over a three-month winter period (between December and February) and includes many storage crops, root vegetables, greens, and specialty grains like popcorn, black beans and flour corn. They also host a winter brunch for members on the farm as a way to build community during the cold season. You can sign up to be a member of that program at www.barkingmoonfarm.com.

To enjoy Barking Moon’s organic produce, go to their stand at the Tuesday and Saturday Farmer’s Markets in Ashland, and at the Saturday Farmer’s Market in Grants Pass.  Their produce is also sold locally at the Ashland and Medford Coops, Tarks, and sometimes, Market of Choice and Shop N Kart stores in Ashland.  Many local restaurants and caterers also cook with Barking Farm produce.

Linda Davis

Linda Davis moved to Jacksonville three years ago, with her husband Tom and her dog Ellie. As a retiree, she loves Jacksonville and is passionate about supporting local businesses.  Linda is a Thrive Board Member and volunteer.  Previously, in her work life, Linda was a rail safety consultant.