Blog – Bunkhouse Acres

H-2A Exploitation in 2020

Consider the people whose sweat and tears have washed your plump, red…

Recipe

Bunkhouse Coleslaw Recipe

At our most recent work party, we served up a Jamaican barbecue…

Hiatus

In the fall of 2017, I accepted a position with an airline…

Garlic Scapes

Growing garlic is doubly-rewarding since you are gifted with both pungent bulbs…

bunkhouseacres

On this day last year I was in my tropical homelan

On this day last year I was in my tropical homeland, Jamaica. Today I’m at home in western Washington with no inkling as to when it’ll be okay to go see my family and friends again. I’m staying put for now with the hope of securing many more future visits. Thank you to all who are breaking traditions this year so we can keep each other safe. Remember that just because you can’t be there, doesn’t mean you can’t connect. Physical distancing. Social solidarity.

I am privileged to already have the land but there

I was featured in a Jamaican tabloid today. 😂 (

I was featured in a Jamaican tabloid today. 😂 (link in bio)

Six girls a-laying.

Six girls a-laying.

Black women are the backbone of the Democratic par

Black women are the backbone of the Democratic party and this country. They have remained selflessly committed to bettering this nation while most (poor) white people have cut off their noses to spite their faces. This country could have had a reliable safety net to tide us over during this pandemic, but the few of us who showed an initial display of empathy quickly ran out of compassion and grace. But let's talk about @StacyAbrams: After losing the 2018 gubernatorial race due to blatant voter suppression, she took swift, diligent action to ensure a fair election (and victory in Georgia for the Democratic party). 👏🏾 Congratulations to her and Fair Fight Action.

Joe Biden is eking out a narrow win, and that goes to show that the friendly and decent America that many of us are hoping to return to is an illusion. Trump’s first term was not an anomaly. This country was founded on racism and continues to exist at the expense of black and brown people. I respectfully disagree with the former Vice President that “this isn’t who we are” (we are a fundamentally ugly country; it just took Donald Trump to open some of our eyes). Still, I am happy for his apparent victory and look forward to the restoration of some political norms.

Stay grounded.

For the people who will encourage me to stay out of politics: Since day one, I have led with my values and will continue to do so.

We got approximately 12,000 cloves of garlic plant

We got approximately 12,000 cloves of garlic planted today. I’m so grateful for the consistent support I’ve received from my community over the past four months. Thanks again to all who came out to help this weekend. I honestly couldn’t have done it without you. What a team!!! #garlicfarm #garlicgirl #blackwomanfarmer #blackfarmer #blackfarmers #supportsmallbusiness #supportblackbusiness #donatetoday #foodsovereignty #agribiodiversity #biodiversity #immigrantsmakeamericagreat #foodjustice #fundraiser #blacklivesmatter #blackfoodjustice #decolonization #shareblackstories #bipocfarmer #supportwomeninbusiness

These are the ways in which you can help me build

These are the ways in which you can help me build the farm. Next work party opportunity is tomorrow and Sunday. Send a message for info on volunteering and use the link in bio for info on donating. #blackwomanfarmer #blackfarmer #blackfarmers #supportsmallbusiness #supportblackbusiness #donate #foodsovereignty #agribiodiversity #biodiversity #immigrantsmakeamericagreat #foodjustice #fundraiser #blacklivesmatter #blackfoodjustice #decolonization #shareblackstories #bipocfarmer #supportwomeninbusiness #immigrantfarmer

Thanks to @crmutualaidnet for organizing the next

Thanks to @crmutualaidnet for organizing the next work party at Bunkhouse Acres. Let me know if you’d like to come out and help. Please also consider donating to my fundraiser (link in bio) so I can reach 100% of my goal by the end of the year. #FoodNotBombs #FoodNotLawns

Last night, at the end of a week of planting garli

Last night, at the end of a week of planting garlic, we had the first fall frost and I bade the pandemic summer adieu. It was in July, while on a Covid-induced leave from my aviation job, that I decided to pursue my dream of farming and I’ve felt strong support at every step of the way. Thank you. (Goodies from my garden delivered to a friend a couple weeks ago. I brought green tomatoes inside to ripen on the counter but everything else was freshly picked and the eggs were recently gathered.) I look forward to being able to feed even more people next year. If you’d like to be part of the first Bunkhouse Acres CSA, please fill out the “CSA Survey” form at the link in my bio.

A bunkhouse #salad for today’s volunteers. Every

A bunkhouse #salad for today’s volunteers. Everything was grown here except for the avocado. Thank you 😊. The next volunteer opportunity is Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday.

Harvesting #camomile with my friend #mantis. Of co

Harvesting #camomile with my friend #mantis. Of course, I had to google whether Mantis would bite me before I persisted with the picking. @google said that Mantis could’ve bitten me but it would have been an accident and I was okay with that.

“A gift comes to you through no action of your o

“A gift comes to you through no action of your own, free, having moved toward you without your beckoning. It is not a reward; you cannot earn it, or call it to you, or even deserve it. And yet it appears. Your only role is to be open-eyed and present.” - @braiding_sweetgrass Thank you for the bivalves and a beautiful morning.

The delicious haul from chanterelling with @doyleh

The delicious haul from chanterelling with @doylehikes yesterday, two #whitechanterelle #mushrooms and an unimpressive puffball... This part of the Olympic National Forest in the Skokomish watershed is incredibly beautiful. Google Maps did try to take us over long-closed private logging roads but we eventually made it to the trailhead after a beautiful drive through a part of the forest we had not seen before. It was great to finally meet @alejandraeduarte.

It’s #mushroom time!!! I found @myco_uprrhizal a

It’s #mushroom time!!! I found @myco_uprrhizal at @olympiafarmersmarket a couple months ago and have since ordered plug spawn from them. I’m excited to see how well these oysters colonize the stumps.

Feeding people is among my primary joys in life- t

Feeding people is among my primary joys in life- through sustaining others, I nourish myself. I’m so excited about launching Bunkhouse Acres’ 2021 CSA, which will be an opportunity for me to connect with even more folks than I’ve been able to cook for, through beautiful, delicious food. Here’s a bunch of photos of me in other people’s kitchens and an apple cake I recently baked for some extra special folks. Happy Sunday. #blackwomanfarmer #blackfarmer #blackfarmers #supportsmallbusiness #supportblackbusiness #donate #foodsovereignty #agribiodiversity #biodiversity #immigrantsmakeamericagreat #foodjustice #fundraiser #blacklivesmatter #blackfoodjustice #decolonization #shareblackstories #bipocfarmer #supportwomeninbusiness #donatetoday

Harvesting New Zealand spinach from a neighboring

Harvesting New Zealand spinach from a neighboring farm. I love the rich, creamy texture and the fact that it lasts so well through the heat of summer. #eatyourgreens #newzealandspinach

This is a photo of my first garlic sprout. I didn’t have a garden yet, but I knew I had to plant something. I scrounged up a few claw foot bathtubs from around the property and brought in some organic topsoil from Kamilche and planted some of my food garlic as well as some elephant cloves I bought on @ebay. Seven years later, I am readying fields for 500lbs of seed garlic. My only regret is that I didn’t pursue my passion for agriculture sooner. I thought I needed to wait until I’d saved enough money, but the pandemic made it clear that I needed to push ahead with what I had. Thankfully, I cultivated a reliable network of friends and followers who helped me raise money for much-needed equipment. I’m only 25% of the way towards my fundraising goal, but every penny raised has been a tremendous help. Thank you for believing in me and my dreams for this patch of earth.

These photos were taken last weekend in the dense

These photos were taken last weekend in the dense smoke. The spot for my greenhouse and high tunnels is finally clear of scotch broom and stumps and ready for construction. Thank you for continuing to support my work.

Doggies!!! We were chosen as the new family for Fr

Doggies!!! We were chosen as the new family for Frankie and Luna, a pair of #karakachans whose previous farm has been downsized. It’s been a busy yet rewarding couple of weeks getting them used to the lay of the land. #puppylove

I’ve been sharing eggs from my girls and produce

I’ve been sharing eggs from my girls and produce from my potager this week in honor of my uncle who recently passed, who was poor but always gave of his backyard bounty. Today my friend @marilynliden suggested I photographed hers. #sunflowers #starburstsunflowers #eggs #carrots #greenbeans #dragonlangeriebeans

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