About Us
Ann and John Pyles started Smoke Tree Farms in 2000. "The Farm" is located in Poulsbo, WA on the site of the old Stottlemeyer egg farm. All of our product is grown naturally and sustainably - without the use of chemicals, pesticides or herbicides. We use only natural and organic fertilizers.
We grow for local Farmers Markets and restaurants. Arrangements for direct farm sales can also be made. Ann and John have been involved in the Poulsbo Farmers Market since its inception and continue to be active in guiding the Market forward.
Tomatoes, Winter Squash, Cut Flowers
What started as one small experimental hoop house with several kinds of tomatoes, has since grown to 4 large hoop houses producing 51 varieties of heirloom tomatoes and five 120 foot rows of 24 varieties of winter squash. We also grow dahlias and a limited variety of perennial cut flowers.
From mid-April through June 2, Ann (known as the Tomato Lady) brings her tomato starts to the Farmers Markets in the area. Tomato plants are also available directly off the farm by appointment only during the same time period. Each tomato grower leaves with healthy, hardy tomato plants and also specific growing instructions to insure a productive tomato harvest. Many customers come with lists naming the specific varieties they want to purchase. Our tomatoes are available at the Market from mid-July through mid-October. There you will find 24 outstanding varieties of heirloom winter squash and specialty pumpkins, all available for tasting and purchase.
From mid-September through the end of October, winter squash joins the market stall. The Pyles have found many outstanding varieties of heirloom winter squash offering unique flavor and ancestry. Many exciting recipes are available for both tomatoes and squash for customers to enjoy!
Smoke Tree Farms also produces another beautiful product at another site - Seminole Road. in Poulsbo. Ann and her daughter, Jessica Larson, developed and make all of the Northwest Hardy Living Succulent Creations for Smoke Tree Farms. They design and plant out round wreaths, hearts, squares, globes and topiaries with a large variety of Northwest hardy succulents. Sold originally at the Farmers Markets, the wreaths are currently shipped all over the country and sold at arts/crafts and garden shows throughout WA. Ann teaches classes around the Puget Sound on creating these pieces for yourself and your friends. The frame kits themselves are available and can be shipped nationwide.
Our farm and Succulent Creations operation is not open to the public. However, special arrangements can be made to visit our locations, order and purchase product by appointment.
Hand Sown Homegrown
In 2007 Sara O'Keefe & Jared Hankins were guided into the life of agriculture. The engaged couple, Sara a full-time nanny, and Jared, an audio engineer, discovered their shared passion for the agricultural life three years into their relationship. With an emphasis in self-sustainability and organic farming practices, Jared took up an internship position on an organic farm.
That same year Jared took home his daily experiences and shared them with Sara as they began planting their own seeds. They removed sections of lawn located next to their home, double dug four beds, and boldly filled out an application to sell their produce at their local farmers market. Along with the daily experience of working the earth and studying the organic trade, came an awareness of the tragedies that face American agriculture-- eroded lands, vanishing topsoil, genetic loss, disappearing farmland, genetically engineered crops, Monsanto, weakening organic standards, and the corporate owned organic industry structure. These distressing issues and the aspiration to get the general public to awaken to the critical need of becoming educated and responsible food eaters are the reasons why Hand Sown Homegrown exists.
Hand Sown Homegrown looks forward to providing their community with heirloom varieties of produce of the freshest and highest quality. With hand tools, strong minds and hands, Sara and Jared act as mere conductors of a vital living and interconnected system coordinating all the parts of the natural system. They seek to nurture and build up the biological health of the soil in natural ways that result in the highest quality produce and healthiest soil makeup.
After just one year of successful bi-weekly market selling Hand Sown Homegrown has grown in an exciting progression of events. Sara and Jared made a decision to expand their produce production to a full acre. Mentored by Ann and John Pyles, Hand Sown Homegrown is also taking over the tomato farming operation of Smoke Tree Farms, which has provided heirloom tomatoes locally for five years. This year Hand Sown Homegrown will be bringing a selection of fifteen crops and 40 varieties of heirloom and tasty tomatoes to local markets and chefs.
To contact Jared, email to handsownhomegrown@yahoo.com or phone (206) 388-8902.
Northwest Hardy Living Succulent Square