Meet Erick Haakenson

2007 Vim Wright Stewardship Award First Runner Up

Welcome to Jubilee Farm

Erick Haakenson bought Jubilee Farm in Carnation, WA in 1988 restoring this abandoned land in the Snoqualmie River flood plain to a successful working farm. He and his wife, Wendy, have become successful self-taught farmers who have committed themselves to sustainable agriculture and chemical free farming. Each year they bring thousands to their farm to share their the farm experience and lessons learned with others.

Erick and Wendy created the first Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program in the Snoqualmie Valley. Through this U-pick focused program they connect their 400+ members to the people and land that grows their food. In 2004, they became the one of the first four farms to join Stewardship Partners' Salmon Safe program.  Since 2005, they have been implementing the principles of biodynamic farming practices, developed an on-site bio-diesel facility making their farm 100% petroleum free, and have perfected the use of a 'chicken tractor.'  In 2006, Jubilee Farm was named "Conservation Farm of the Year" by the King Conservation District.

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Growing Philosophy

"The farm is a living entity. With each farm management decision that we make, we ask ourselves, 'Is this treating the earth with respect?'."

-- Erick Haakenson

Protecting Endangered Salmon

Jubilee Farm was one of the first four farms to become Salmon-Safe certified. They worked with Stewardship Partners to restore a 50-70 food-wide, one mile-long section of riparian habitat along the Snoqualmie River. This riparian restoration project replaced invasive blackberries with native trees and shrubs which benefit the native salmon by providing a more diverse riverbank habitat and improving water quality.

Growing Their Own Fertility

Since discovering Rudolf Steiner's writing on bio-dynamic farming, Erick has been inspired to shift his farm operation to following these principles and practices. At the core is the philosophy that that "farming is a living entity" and "all farm management decisions must treat the earth with respect."  The practice is for the farm to create all of its own fertility.

Jubilee is committed to growing their own fertility in the form of composted manure and cover crops. They use a chicken tractor to fertilize the soil along with compost and other soil amendments. They also rotationally graze a limited number of cows on portions of their property.

Educating the Community

Jubilee Farm is a destination farm with over 4,000 kids, families, students, policy makers and dignitaries visiting each year.  At the farm, they have an opportunity to learn first hand about the impacts and benefits of steardship practices and sustainable farming.

Jubilee Farm has been a key player in educating the community and other local property owners on the importance of riparian restoration by hosting educational tours which showcase their restoration work. They have a long-standing relationship hosting students from Seattle University's environmental courses and have taught many interns who have gone on to farming, continuing the next generation of farmers.