Wild Farm Alliance
Wild Farm Alliance
Wild Farm Alliance         About       What is Wild Farming        Resources        News        Contact        Support
Wild Farm Alliance
Wild Farm Alliance

Hidden Springs Ranch Case Study
Farmer Catches Hedgerow Bug
Mimbres Valley Southwestern Case Study
Predator Friendly Case Study
Williamette Wetland Case Study
Split Rock Wildway Case Study
Yolo Land Case Study
Foster Ranch Hedgerow Case Study

What is Wild Farming


Photo courtesy Merrilee Buchanan Photo courtesy Merrilee Buchanan    
Willamette Wetlands and Woodlands:
Buchanan Family Century Farm


Nestled between Oregon's Coast Range and the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of two meandering creeks, the Buchanan Family Century Farm is accustomed to the influence of water. In fact, during the rainy season almost half of the farm disappears under water. As the rains come, the streams rise, overflowing across the wide floodplain of native wetlands and woodlands.

Over five generations, the Buchanans have left natural processes uninterrupted and preserved wildlife habitat. To date, the farm boasts more than 200 acres of land protected under a Wetland Reserve Program with ponds and habitat for migratory waterfowl, beaver, frogs, turtles, native trout, skunk, coyote, fox, deer, elk, and over 100 species of birds. The Buchanans have expanded riparian borders with native plants and maintained natural hedges along fence lines and field borders.

Commodities grown and raised at the farm in recent years include sheep, hazelnuts, grass seed, wheat, hay pasture, and wine grapes. These crops are farmed with water from natural rainfall, requiring very limited irrigation, which reduces runoff, erosion, and potential impacts to wildlife. The vineyard, with its perennial cover crop and intact riparian buffer, is certified as Salmon-Safe under an ecolabel.

The Buchanan farm also operates Tyee Wine Cellars, a small winery open to the public on weekends. Visitors come for wine tasting, hiking and picnicking, and to enjoy Tyee's concerts, community fundraisers, and special events.

For information about Buchanan Family Century Farm and Tyee Wine Cellars, please contact the Buchanans at 26335 Greenberry Road, Corvallis, Oregon 97333 or visit www.tyeewine.com.






© 2005 Wild Farm Alliance. All Rights Reserved.