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Chrysalis Farm at Tolstoy
Organic Micro-permaculture
 Chrysalis Farm was founded in 1991 by Chrys Ostrander who moved to
Tolstoy Farm in 1990 from Santa Cruz, CA. It began as a one-person, quarter acre, intensive cultivation, organic vegetable, herb and flower farm at the very bottom of Mill Canyon, on leased land adjacent to Tolstoy Farm. After five years of growing at that location and selling the produce along side other product from Tolstoy at a public market in Spokane
(and for one season at the Coeur D'Alene Farmers Market), Chrysalis Farm moved to higher ground on the part of Tolstoy known as "The North 80". The farm was moved to a sloping shelf midway up the canyon side allowing for as much as a month longer growing season (if we're lucky) compared to the canyon bottom.
In 1997, about half an acre of sloping field was transformed into a terraced mini-farm and in 1998, about four acres, including the farmhouse, fruit trees and a 16' x 50' greenhouse, were finally fenced in (against the deer). Chrysalis Farm had 50 four-foot-wide beds
totaling one-third of an acre, however, due to a water shortage, most of
these beds were taken out of production in 2004 and have begun to be
transformed into a small pasture. Chrysalis Farm also has a handful of mature apricot, cherry,
plum and apple trees and we are hoping to
establish a vineyard and shareholder cow/goat dairy.
Chrysalis Farm grows certified organic bedding plants, a limited
selection of various fruits and vegetables,
culinary & medicinal herbs, vegetable seeds, etc.
Chrysalis Farm products are marketed through the Tolstoy Farms Marketing
Collective at the Spokane Farmers' Market and to local stores and
restaurants and direct from the farm.
Chrysalis Farm has
openings for an apprentice (or a
couple) for the 2009 season. I host apprentices to provide up and coming organic farmers an opportunity to gain skills and
experience. |
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I also do
ORGANIC
Gardening &
Landscaping
as a service
on the side.
More... |
Chrysalis Farm has
openings for an apprentice (or a
couple) for the 2009 season.
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