Hannah Dunn – "Modern Pioneer"

Singing Bird Farm out of Lorane, Oregon is operated by a grandmother/granddaughter duo. Hannah Dunn left Minnesota, “the land of 10,000 lakes,” to put her grandmother’s farm back into production.

Traditionally the land was used to raise livestock. These days Hannah has a half-acre market garden that is grown using intensive regenerative techniques. This means no till, no dig and no chemicals. It means the food is grown like you think food should be grown: heirloom seeds and healthy soils. She is also experimenting with Korean Natural Farming methods!  

Hannah’s favorite produce is fresh greens which will be available May-October week-in, week-out. Her grandmother is known for wonderful raspberries and Hannah’s first strawberries of the season should be ripe any week! Strawberries will be available mid-June – September.

In addition to greens, berries, tomatoes and radishes you will find tomatillos (great for a salsa verde), squash, beans, melons, herbs and peppers! She also has a baked good each week that always sell out – come early!

Moving forward, Hannah would like to have a CSA (community supported agriculture) which would offer weekly set amount of produce to subscribers. Allowing those of us in the Grove to eat in season from May to October.

It’s the narrative these days that the younger generation is afraid of work, or won’t go outside. Maybe that’s true for some, but Hannah is a modern pioneer, putting land back into regenerative production and chasing her dreams.

We, the community get to enjoy the fruits of her labor and pioneer spirit! 

The South Valley Farmers Market is every Saturday May 7 – October 29, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Seventh and Main streets. You can find craft vendors, fresh produce, chicken, eggs, pork, prepared foods, poems and artisan items.