Jon Stevens is a 5th generation farmer, hailing from Ohio who eventually landed on a small farm on Camano Island.  With his wife, he has created a small, sustainable farm with a farmgate produce stand, a home bakery, and a charming nursery.  This farm and the people attracted to it have led to speaking engagements on topics ranging from how to create soil to sustainable farming and beyond.

He teaches a class in farming which he designed.  Called “The Honorable Farmer”, this class is a “hands on, how to,” kind of class and is in high demand.  Also the author of “Dear Friends – Letters From The Farm 2009″, a compilation of his weekly newsletter from the farm emailed to over 400 people, he has encouraged many to try a small garden for the first time.

Jon initiated a film series earlier this year with Snow Goose Books and the Blackbird Bakery  which has grown into a monthly “Slow Foods Port Susan First Friday Food For Thought Film Series”.  With over 50 attendees each month, he has helped call the local community to greater consciousness about topics from dirt to GMO issues to water to post petroleum farming.

Serving as the farmer representative on the board of the local Slow Food USA chapter, his wit and humor has made him welcome in helping bring multiple food oriented groups into a unified program of enhanced living in his community.  Harvest Jubilee, which he co-chaired this last year is one of those.  With his deep Christian faith woven through all of this, he has become a valued member of his community.  Now serving on the advisory board of the Edmonds Community College Horticulture Program at the Monroe Penitentiary, Jon is moving towards working on regional issues to ensure the survival of at risk people in the years to come.”

Jon’s website is http://theopengatefarm.com/