Magic Skagit: Dave Hedlin of Hedlin's Family Farm
MAGIC SKAGIT: DAVE HEDLIN OF HEDLIN’S FAMILY FARM
Dave Hedlin
Located right in the heart of La Conner, Hedlin’s Family Farm has been farming produce since 1906, for three generations with a fourth lined up. The current owner of the farm, Dave Hedlin, has been farming in this location with his wife Serena Campbell since 1974, after working on the farm with his grandfather and taking some years off to get an education. In the last 25 years, Dave’s farm has become almost fully certified organic. Becoming certified organic wasn’t too difficult for him since they have always used more sustainable farming practices. “We've always had a real strong sense of stewardship for the environment and the community, so it wasn't a big change for us,” said Dave.
At Aslan Brewing Co, we get a large amount of our malt through Hedlin’s Family Farms, who supply the organic grain to Skagit Valley Malting. With making certified organic beer comes difficulties of finding organic ingredients, and we are so lucky to get organic malt only 35 miles away!
Farming organically is very important to the Hedlin family. They value the planet and its resources, as well as the closely surrounding community, and being an organic farm helps create sustainability within those values. Even though it might create a more expensive product, it is worth it to them. “[Our customers] expect a high degree of stewardship from us, and we work hard to provide that, and they work hard to provide a price where we can pay a living wage to our employees and take good care of the land.”
At Hedlin’s Family Farms, they grow a large variety of produce from grains to vegetables to fruits. Dave describes the farm as “diverse even by Skagit county standards.” The location of the farm in the Skagit Valley, along with the climate definitely plays a huge factor in the success of farming in the area.
“WE CALL IT THE MAGIC SKAGIT, AND TRULY IT IS A MAGIC PLACE,” SAID DAVE, “WE'RE IN THE TOP HALF OF 1% OF SOILS WORLDWIDE. AND IF YOU COMBINE THAT WITH OUR MARITIME CLIMATE, WE'RE ABLE TO GROW OVER 80 CROPS OF COMMERCIAL SIGNIFICANCE HERE.”
Some produce they grow includes eggplant, cabbage, beets, spinach, a large variety of tomatoes, and of course, grain. They also produce a large variety of seeds.
At first, grain was something that they grew for soil enrichment and occasional profit, but with specialty markets, like organic beer, it has become a bigger part of their farm. The grain also breaks disease cycles on a number of other crops that they grow. Keeping the soil rich while also profiting from the grain makes it a lot more fun, according to Dave!
The Hedlin’s Family Farm has seven year-round employees, two of which are family members and then a group of five brothers, the Rodriguez brothers. Of the Rodriguez brothers, the eldest has been working on the farm for 36 years. During peak harvesting seasons they have about 35 to 40 seasonal employees. Dave considers himself very lucky to have such dedicated employees that have been with the farm for so long.
The Hedlin’s Family Farm is just one of the many awesome partners that Aslan Brewing Co. has that takes the intentional steps to make a more environmentally friendly product. “I think there's a real opportunity in America today to basically reinvent food, and I think Aslan is doing that to some extent here with their organic beer,” said Dave. Thank you, Dave!
Photo Credit: Skagit Valley Malting
