The Chilean Farm

Grandpa raises cows & wheat crops

Our friend Rodrigo, who Scott met during his 2010 earthquake reconnaissance, took us to his family farm this weekend.   A few years ago Rodrigo mentioned his family farm and that he thought we would like his parents; lots in common.  We eagerly agreed that we would love to visit and plans were made. (Double click on the pictures to make them bigger.)

Every farm needs a family bunkhouse!

Just like any big city getting out of Santiago on a Friday night was a challenge.  The farm was about a 6-hour drive south and we didn't arrive until close to midnight.  Of course for Chileans this is relatively early and everyone was around to receive us and chat a bit.  We all stayed in the bunkhouse at his grandparents place; it was built so that family members could come and relax for extended stays.  A fantastic idea that we will adopt in Lower Lincoln.

Rodrigo (left), Scott & Carlos at the new house.

There are really two farms, the one owned by Rodrigo's grandparents, Harold and Lilian, and the one owned by his parents, Carlos and Lilian. Carlos and Lilian were just starting to build their house so we stayed on the grandparents farm where they grew blueberries, apples, beef cows and traditional crops.  It is a BIG operation. Carlos and Lilian just recently retired and moved from Santiago to the farm.  Lilian is growing peonies at the moment.  In time they will have several other operations.

Lilian and Meleah discuss expansion plans

Lilian grows peonies for export, is in her fourth year of production and is expanding her infrastructure. The peonies had been cut and the plants were going dormant when we were there. She showed us pictures of the whole growing, harvesting and shipping process; its pretty impressive. Of course the possibilities are dancing around in my head of possible operations at Lower Lincoln where much of the infrastructure is already in place (I know, Don, you've been telling me this already!)

The family chapel in the forest.

Carlos is still getting his bearings and is thoroughly enjoying the more relaxed lifestyle on the farm.  He keeps in touch with the outside world, but you get the feeling he does not miss Santiago where he spent much of his career.  My favorite place was his meditation area (family chapel). The farm was definitely a working farm, but the value of family and being together was clearly evident.  It was so relaxing and drew you in so that it was difficult to leave, just like Lower Lincoln.  There was no moon during our visit and one night the power went out.  We took the opportunity to look at the stars.  Oh my goodness, the sky was so black and the stars so bright.  Like our visit, so much was foriegn about the sky and yet it was the same.  The foreign southern cross constellation and same milky way.  The same things with different names like Orien's Belt that they call the Three Marias.

Lunch on the farm was fabulous.

On Saturday, we toured the farm and then were treated to an amazing BBQ.  Four types of meat cooked expertly by an attentive Carlos with bowl after bowl of yummy salad dishes that Lilian and Lilian made.  Grandpa Harold  made sure we all had snacks and pisco sours as the meat cooked on the BBQ pit.  Rodrigo's brother and girlfriend were also there for summer vacation so there were nine of us all together.

Rodrigo demonstrates the picking strategy

Scott's favorite was the blueberries.  Grandma Lilian had no less than 30 acres of blueberries!  There were lots of varieties that ripened at different stages so where they had already been picked we were free to graze.  Many of the blueberries that we get in the states during winter are from Chile so now we assured that they are high quality!  Likewise our blueberries supply the Chileans during our summer.

The biggest cabbage ever!  To extend the season some veggies were grown in hoop houses.

The climate is similar to Oregon and so are the crops.

Here we are just before we left.  From left to right is Carlos, Juan Pablo, Grandma Lilian, Grandpa Harold, Rodrigo, Meleah, Scott and Lilian.  Lucia took the picture.