The Gibbs Family
Co-founder and owner Grant Gibbs is a modern-day pioneer who has integrated farming and forestry operations on his 80 acres into what he calls “a 1930s-era full-circle farm.” Grant has invested over 30 years in managing and maximizing this land’s productivity, using every natural farming technique ever heard of and then some. He is also an inventor and a mechanic, able to fix or create just about anything and for the cost of what most people spend on a latte.
Along with his son Woody, Grant operates a small logging business called “Lite Logging” in which they use sustainable forestry practices to manage the health of a forest. The logging industry has slowed recently so he spends less time in the woods, and he picked up a wonderful winter job in the maintenance shop at Stevens Pass.
It’s a rare day when Grant finds time in his work life to recreate, but when he does he enjoys such hobbies as backpacking, mountain climbing, trials bike riding, and pickin’ his banjo.
Grant is recognized as a leader in the organic farming movement and a steward of the land. He is featured in publications such as the book Renewing The Countryside-Washington, and the documentary film Broken Limbs, by Guy Evans and Jamie Howell. Grant has been invited as a guest speaker at numerous events including the annual TILTH conference, and Evergreen State College. Grant in wonderfully generous with his knowledge and is often found leading workshops or farm tours on topics ranging from farm machinery repair to organic pest control.
Woody and Danielle, with their children Napiqua, Arlo and Pheobe, live in a hybrid yurt-house on the farm. Woody is the oldest of Grant's four sons and is wise in the ways of farming, logging, and carpentry. His helpful hands are a gift to the Gibbs Farm. His wife, Danielle, manages the market gardens, growing abundant varieties of vegetables, herbs, and berries. She strives to create extremely healthy soil and beneficial insect habitat in order to grow happy plants which produce the most nutritious food. One of her passions is farmer's markets which she believes is one of the best ways to provide healthy food access to all people. Though a native of North Carolina, Danielle gained a lot of her farming knowledge working on a 150 acre farm in Ipswich, MA, moving out west in 2001 to intern on Gibbs Farm and as Garden Manager at Tierra Learning Center.
Second son Rusty and his wife Amanda, with their sons Milo and Toby, live in a creative low-impact house above the apple orchard. They designed and built it themselves using sustainable, alternative, and energy efficient techniques such as solar power and a living roof. Rusty and Amanda help out on the farm when they are not busy with their Gibbs Graphics business in which they paint murals, signs, and do graphic design. Amanda, originally from Snohomish, WA, met Rusty at the Northwest College of Art. Rusty and Amanda’s hobbies include hiking, skiing, soccer, and traveling to exotic countries.
Ivan, third in line, also lives on the farm, with his wife Randi and son Bruce. Ivan has a strong passion for organic farming as he incorporates principles into the Leavenworth Golf Course where he holds the position as Superintendent. During the winter months, Ivan enjoys spending his time skiing the extreme terrain at local ski areas and the surrounding backcountry of the Cascade Mountains. Other interests include trials bike riding, snowmobiling, backpacking, and making hard cider.
Andrew, a graduate from Western WA University, lives in Bellingham and comes to visit the farm as often as he can. Andy’s interests include playing guitar, writing, swimming in the river, hanging out with friends.