Creative Outlet Nursery & Farm LLC, Brush Prairie
Melissa Church grew up next to a nursery and has been growing for herself, family and friends for over thirty years. She has “always loved watching stuff grow” and sharing with others. Last year she decided to offer CSA shares, “so I could do what I love.” Part of the decision to convert to a CSA farm is choosing a name. It was when she was driving home one day and thinking how growing has provided an outlet for her creative nature, she realized “Creative Outlet” was just right for her farm.
When asked what her favorite part of being a CSA farm is, Church said it was like she gets “to give people a present every week” and enjoys the excitement as they look through their baskets to discover their bounty for this week. She only gives top quality produce, consistent with her beliefs that her shareholders deserve the best, and firmly believes that healthy eating deflects many health problems. This year she is offering 30 shares, with half shares available. Organic eggs are also available separately from the shares.
One of four Certified Naturally Grown farms in Clark County, Creative Outlet offers the basic vegetables found in a traditional garden plus a few of the unusual, including new items members may not have tried before. Different varieties of the “ordinary” vegetables are included. This year she is growing snap peas and said, “We will see what shareholders think of unbuttoning their peas.” She said the variety of shelling peas for “unbuttoning” is called Green Arrow. Strawberries are also available this year. A recently planted orchard, grapes and blueberries will provide a variety of fruit in coming years.
An enthusiastic farmer, Church, who became a Master Gardener in 2008 through the Extension Office, said she will “talk about growing and chickens with anyone who will listen.”
Visitors are welcome, but please call for an appointment and driving directions.
Contact Information
Creative Outlet Nursery & Farm LLC11602 N.E. 192nd Avenue
Brush Prairie, WA
Melissa Church
(360) 608-2137
creativeoutletnursery@gmail.com