Paradise Farms feeds Sisters Country

Fresh-food lovers in Sisters Country can feast with a new Community Supported Agriculture venture. Paradise Farms, located at Plainview between Sisters and Bend, is signing up CSA members, in addition to providing fresh produce to a farm stand in Bend.

It's the first year of CSA production for farm partners Kevin and Shirley McBride and Charlie Rich. The property is leased from Don Schnack, who Kevin said is supportive and, in fact, had encouraged the venture long before it came to fruition.

There are three greenhouses full of produce, plus rows of early season vegetables in the field. More greenhouses are under construction. The fickle spring wreaked havoc with the field crops, with the wind blowing the row covers off several times. However, the partners are taking it in stride, realizing that such are the challenges of farming.

The farm emphasizes vegetable varieties that are heirloom and open-pollinated, taste great with high nutritional value and aren't found at most supermarkets.

The partners are keeping things small at this stage, even though demand is high. Kevin McBride was formerly in the construction trade and gardened as a hobby. The McBrides and Rich share the land at Plainview that is Paradise Farms, and when things slowed in construction, McBride turned to serious gardening. Rich, meanwhile, was selling his produce at a farm stand in Bend. The two decided to join forces this year and start the CSA.

"It's kind of nice when your hobby becomes your occupation," said McBride.

There is a waiting list for the CSA, and new members will be taken on as the season progresses.

For more information or to join the CSA, contact [email protected] or call 541-749-8024.