Full-diet CSA and longtable dinners in the high desert of Oregon with Sarahlee Lawrence of Rainshadow Organics

This week we hear from Sarahlee Lawrence, who runs a full-diet CSA plus events like longtable dinners on the farm she grew up on in the town of Sisters, Oregon. She took the livestock elements her parents pioneered, and added vegetables and more, so they can fill out the menu year-round for their full-diet CSA members and farm-to-table dinner events. Which is all the more impressive due to the fact that the central Oregon high desert climate is not an easy one to grow in, with little precipitation and frost a possibility almost any day of the year.Sarahlee emphasizes the role of her team and apprentices in managing the diverse operations of the farm, as well as the unique culture that has developed around it. She discusses the challenges and realities of farming in a frequently smoke-affected region, the complexities of navigating regulations for animal products, and the management of dairy production, in addition to many greenhouses of vegetables and field production. She also shares insights into their unique full diet model that emphasizes community engagement and sustainability, as well as the evolution of hosting events on the farm to foster connections through food. In this conversation, Sarahlee discusses the intricacies of managing events on her farm, the importance of creating memorable dining experiences, her journey in writing a book, the challenges posed by climate change, and her deep love for farming. Connect With Guest:Instagram: @rainshadoworganicsWebsite: rainshadoworganics.com Podcast Sponsors:Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support: Local Line is the all-in-one sales platform for direct-market farms and food hubs of all sizes. Increase your sales and streamline your processes with features including e-commerce, inventory management, subscriptions, online payments, and box builder. As a GFM podcast listener, Local Line is offering a free premium feature for one year with your subscription using the coupon code GFM2025 at localline.co. BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that’s tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America. Rimol Greenhouse Systems designs and manufactures greenhouses that are built to be intensely rugged, reliably durable, and uniquely attractive – to meet all your growing needs. Rimol Greenhouses are guaranteed to hold up through any weather conditions, while providing exceptional value and an easy installation for vegetable growers of all sizes. Learn more about the Rimol difference and why growers love Rimol high tunnels at Rimol.com Farmhand is the only ready-to-ride assistant made by and for farmers. Through a simple text or email to Farmhand, you can offload admin tasks, automate your CSA, update your website, and sell more to your customers. Learn more and take one of our many time-saving tasks for a test drive to see firsthand how Farmhand can help you earn more, and work less at farmhand.partners/gfm.Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial