12 Birches Farm
Anna Petersons and her family moved to Whidbey Island back in 1988 and have been cultivating the land ever since. 12 Birches Farm (formerly known as Molly’s Island Garden) is a certified organic farm located in the beautiful Maxwelton Valley. They grow vegetables, flowers, herbs, and fruit. Anna’s goal is to farm in a way that contributes to a healthy ecosystem - for the health of her family, the community, and the world at large. Her calm energy, curious nature, and passion for learning are both contagious and inspiring. Upon witnessing the tranquil beauty of her family’s farm, you are filled with this sense of relaxation and ease. The faint sound of a child playing, sheep grazing in the field, bees buzzing in the brassicas, and birds chirping in the nearby trees - everything is simply...alive.
We asked Anna a series of questions about herself & 12 Birches Farm. Read on to learn more about one of your local producers!
Why do you farm?
Anna has a keen interest in the natural world and a strong desire to protect the planet. She farms with the intention of growing high-quality, nutrient-dense produce for community members and utilizes organic farming methods that rejuvenate her family’s land and contribute to improving the long-term health of the environment. In addition to her land conservation efforts, she is happy to be continuing her family’s tradition of organic farming for local customers.
What do you grow?
Anna grows numerous varieties of vegetables, flowers, herbs, and fruit!
Vegetables: She grows a mixture of old favorites like carrots, lettuce, peas, and tomatoes as well as some fun veggies like purple orach, kale raab, fennel, bok choy, japanese turnips, and sweet potatoes.
Herbs: Bay leaf, dill, french sorrel, catnip, lemon balm, lovage, oregano, parsley, rosemary, spearmint.
Fruit: Strawberries, Bosc and Orcas Pears
What is your favorite vegetable and how do you like to prepare it?
Anna loves shelling peas, eaten raw in the field!
She also loves garlic scapes sauteed with zucchini... but admits to enjoying grazing while harvesting in the fields.
Community Involvement
Anna loves connecting with the community and wants to get to know WIG customers and the locals eating the food she grows. She told us, “You guys should do a WIG customer profile!” She may have sparked an idea for us to pursue in the near future…
How has the food hub impacted your farm?
12 Birches was one of the first producers to sign up for the Food Hub. Anna said that the Food Hub financially saved her farm during the pandemic. When the markets were closed, she was able to sell her produce to customers on the north and south ends of the island through the hub.
Note from Anna to WIG Customers: “I want to thank the customers for showing up and choosing to eat the food I grow, I want to thank them for letting me farm.”
Favorite Music Genre: West African Pop Music
Favorite TV Show: Firefly, Cows in Space
Favorite Meal: Lasagna
What are five things you can’t live without?
Cheese, Podcasts, Rain Gear, Sunlight, Washer
Favorite Spot on The Island: Trips to Maxwelton Beach with her daughter
It is clear that farming is a labor of love for Anna. Her connection to the land and to nature is evident in the way she speaks about it. It is so special for her to have been raised on the land in which she now farms.
Anna is at the Bayview Farmers Market on Saturdays, which runs May-October. She also runs a CSA subscription program for community members who want to commit to eating locally for around 25 weeks. Buy from 12 Birches on the Food Hub here. Watch Anna demonstrate her favorite weeding tools on our Youtube channel here.
