Farmstock: All the good things

Tucked just out of view from coast-bound traffic, people from all over the area filled the fields of Fred’s Homegrown Farm – a mock parking lot – and happily progressed from workshops, to cooking, exhibits, and through the farmers market. This, in addition to camping, music and late-night dancing, were all part of the weekend festivities called Farmstock, a regional, homegrown festival.

Hosted by Fred Johnson who owns a 70-acre farm on South Valley Road in Naselle, locals were invited to bring farm goods, expertise, wares and treasures - “all the good things that make our region pleasurable and sustainable."

Coast Community Radio station KMUN presented the two-day event which included a locally-sourced sit-down dinner on Sunday afternoon. Neighbors sat together on long tables, under blue skies and shared mint iced tea, fresh greens and salmon among other treats.

“Farmstock was an idea waiting to happen,” said Tom Hartland, Development Director at Coast Community Radio, “With so much local support for good food, good music and good times, it was Fred’s farm that made it all come together.

“Fred himself is a chef who for many years wanted to source his ingredients fresh from the farm. He followed his desire to the purchase of 70 acres in Naselle and began producing world class, organically grown vegetables,” explained Hartland.

Johnson purchased his century-old property nearly a decade ago. He recalled, “When I saw the farm, I was like, ‘This is it!’”

Since then, Johnson has been growing garden-fresh produce to supply local restaurants and residents.

Each Thursday, Fred’s Homegrown Farm sells produce at the Astoria River People’s Market, and it runs a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, where anyone can purchase a membership and receive a box of fresh produce every week from June to October.

“As his network of farmers and buyers grew, so did the vision for Farmstock: A Regional Homegrown Festival,” said Hartland of KMUN 91.9FM, the region’s number one station 10 years running. “Promotions for Farmstock likewise pulled KMUN into the mix, and a community-wide event was launched.”

Proceeds from Farmstock were meant to benefit music programming on KMUN and its sister station, KTCB for Tillamook, and to compensate Johnson for his build-out of the facility and for his investments in food and staff.

An entire festival built on the idea of farm-fresh produce brought hundreds to the Naselle community this Labor Day weekend.

“It almost has a religious effect on people,” Johnson said.