Sweet Earth Farm, located right here on sunny San Juan Island, is true to its name, growing beautiful produce in its rich soil. Owner and farmer Amanda Zee shoulders the bulk of the work, though her family pitches in to help and in the summer months she welcomes interns and assistance from a few other locals.
Amanda has an extensive background in agriculture. She went to school for place-based education and agriculture, and her farming practices are based on a deep belief in balance, harmony, and sustainability. She is all about working with nature and the island soil. The soil they till not only gives back to the community but to the animals that surround the farm as well. Sweet Earth is a 20-acre parcel. Throughout the farm there are pastures where Amanda raises Kunekune pigs, ducks, and chickens. The animals are grown and taken care of with compassion and love by Amanda and her family.
Amanda lives on the farm with her daughter, parents, sister, niece, and brother-in-law. Amanda’s parents bought the land more than 20 years ago. They had a dream for the property, and every year the dream keeps growing. At the time Amanda started the farm, she was pregnant with her daughter while also finishing graduate school. Amanda’s passion for our planet is strong and deep. She was committed to finishing school, raising her daughter, and starting a farm.
When you walk through Sweet Earth Farm, you are enveloped by all the hard work and love she has put into the land. The farm is very biodiverse and grows a long list of organic vegetables, fruits, and berries. The farm has around 1,000 fruit and nut trees–including hazelnuts, heirloom apple, and pear varietals. The vegetables range from the most amazing cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs of all types to zucchinis, eggplants, winter squash and much more.
Sweet Earth Farm is now ingrained into the fabric of San Juan Island. They give produce to the local food bank for those in need and have a weekly Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscription program. They handpick a variety of different vegetables, berries, and eggs for customers to take home each week.
Coho Restaurant values sourcing produce from local farms, and Sweet Earth makes an appearance throughout the menu all through the year. Amanda’s ability to produce consistently abundant food from our island is truly exceptional. When you join us for dinner at Coho Restaurant, ask your server what dishes highlight produce from Sweet Earth Farm. Depending on the season you will have a selection to choose from and you will not be disappointed.