FoxDog Farm: About
About the Farm
FoxDog Farm is a family owned farm growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers in the organic tradition. If you live near Kingston WA you might see us working as you drive by (we are just to the left off Miller Bay Rd, about 1/4 mi. south of Kountry Korner).
The farm began as a dream. When Rikke Giles (see below) lived in England for several years back in the 1980s she became attuned to both the organic food movement and the horrible conditions under which factory farming of meat and milk animals takes place. She dreamed of being able to raise her own wholesome food with respect for the environment, the plants, and the animals that provide that food. Starting a farm, a huge step in reality, began with small steps such as growing herbs, vegetables and even corn in pots on the balcony of her flat in Philadelphia. Eventually she moved back home to the Pacific Northwest and obtained a bit of land. That bit of land, with much hard work by both Rikke and her partner, Randy Wagner, has become FoxDog Farm.
FoxDog Farm in February, view shows the growing fields, the house and the animal pasture beyond.
About the FoxDog Farm CSA
FoxDog Farm started running an informal CSA back in 2005, but Rikke and Randy stepped up their efforts in 2009 with an official, advertized to the general public, 20 share CSA. The 2009 and 2010 seasons went very well and we (Randy and Rikke) have learned a lot about offering, providing, harvesting and marketing a CSA in the last two years. Using this knowledge we will offer Summer and Fall CSAs in 2011. Please see our CSA webpage if you are interested in joining us for 2011.
About the FoxDog Farm Goats
Our herd is officially called the 'FoxDog Stampede'. We started with goats back in 2003, obtaining 5 young goats as brush eaters. We soon realized that our goats made excellent milkers and switched over to milk production. We now have a steady herd of 17 goats, with more arriving during the kidding season. If you are interested in purchasing a great little milk goat, or a good pet, companion or brush eater, check out our goat webpages and get in touch with us.
About the Farmers
The Farmers and Their New Farm Sign in 2009, squirrelized!
Rikke Giles:
Rikke started FoxDog Farm by herself back in 1994. She labored alone for 6 years until Randy
joined her. She is a bit of a erudite dabbler, being educated in several disparate fields. She obtained a
Bachelor's degree in General Engineering and Sub-Atomic Particle Physics, then moved on to a Masters in Archaeology
and eventually a PhD in Anthropology. She's a computer programmer and an expert in the Linux operating system.
She's currently studying History, Weather, and Astronomy. Rikke adores her
animals, and loves working on the farm. The pinnacle of her farming career would be to obtain a team of draft horses
and learn how to drive and use them properly. She also takes great pride that her little dream farm is able to feed
many people and loves having students and children out to the farm.
Randy Wagner:
Randy grew up in rural Pennsylvania and, after working on dairies and other kinds of farms, decided
he wanted nothing to do with farming. He joined the Army right out of High School and served 11 and a half years in various places
around the world, including Korea, before moving into the Reserves. After his discharge he worked in several different fields, including kitchen finishing, factory work, and internet
services. For several years he was part-owner and manager of an Internet Cafe in Boise, Idaho. When he met Rikke,
his good intentions about staying away from farming faded. He is now the main muscle behind FoxDog Farm and
an enthusiastic promoter of the farm. One of Randy's current dreams is to get a bigger tractor, so he can pull a
proper 2 bottom plough with it!
About the Farm Name
15 years ago, when Rikke first moved to and built the farm, her only companion was a Finnish Spitz named Reyna. Reyna, who died in November 2009, almost 15 years of age, was the inspiration for the name of the farm. When she was a puppy she looked like a fox. In fact, when she and Rikke would go for walks, people would come up to Rikke and ask her about the fox she had on a leash. Because she was so distinctive looking, and because people driving by noticed the beautiful dog running in the fields, Rikke named the farm after her.
In March of 2010 a new foxdog came to the farm. This is Jaska, also a Finnish Spitz, and a distant niece of Reyna. Jaska is a delight, very active and very friendly. As soon as she was big enough she began working in the fields, on mice and vole patrol. She has learned how to harvest her own carrots and turnips, which she loves. Look out when she learns to harvest beans! (One of Reyna's favorites).
How to Contact Us
Contact is quickest via email.
Our address:
Kingston, WA 98346
Our phone:
360-297-7135
