Dapala Farm ‘A Constant Learning Experience’

While Inland Northwest residents were down and out during Ice Storm last winter, Daniel and Patti Christman forged ahead.

They describe their lives as 80 percent self-sufficient. In other words, they don’t have to depend on anyone for survival. And they are teaching others to do the same.

They’ve turned their Elk, Wash., residence into Dapala Farm. The Christmans began by growing organic food for themselves. Buying food at stores, “you don’t know where the food has been or what’s been put on it,” said Patti.

“It has been a constant learning experience,” said Daniel. “It has gone from being difficult to ‘not so chaotic.’” Patti said the lifestyle requires lots of planning and awareness.

The couple have learned a lot since then. In 1993, they decided to take it a step further by turning Dapala Farm into an educational site. Now they play host and teacher to a bevy of guests who contact them through the WWOOF (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) organization.

The farm functions much like a bed and breakfast. In exchange for room and board, companionship and learning, guests pay by working 4-6 hours per day on the farm. They stay as long as they want.

People working as apprentices will stay from spring through October to learn the full range of duties.

It must be nice to have the help. Daniel farms full time. Patti, a nurse, works about 32 hours a week in Spokane and devotes the rest of her time to the farm. She cans and preserves food for the off-season.

Sunday is their “free day.” But not really. They use the time to catch up on household chores.

They work long hours, but it simplifies their lives, Daniel said. “The thing that holds it (the farm) together is that we really believe in what we’re doing,” he said.

And hard work pays off. When they were without power for two weeks during Ice Storm, life continued almost like normal for them.

They had food in the root cellar, a freezer and refrigerator. Heat and hot water came from the wood stove; energy for lights was furnished by batteries recharged with a generator. The generator also helped pump water uphill to a gravity-flow reservoir.

The Christmans have a model for their chosen lifestyle. Daniel had been part of the 1970s “back to the land,” movement, Patti a farmer’s daughter.

“Our strongest factor is to do our part to save the environment,” said Daniel, “to be socially and environmentally conscious.” Their philosophy is based on the sacredness of all life.

The Christmans give tours of Dapala Farm. They charge a fee for the tours, as it takes them away from their full-time job at the farm, but they offer group discounts.

“We are interested in meeting people that are interested in our lifestyle, people that want to do something about the problems in the environment,” said Patti.

For more information, an apprenticeship or tour, call (509) 292-0423.

, DataTimes MEMO: Created in support of the Spokane County Health Improvement Partnership (HIP), Discoveries highlights people working to improve community health and well-being. If you have a discovery that deserves recognition, call 742-3660. Or visit their website at www.hipspokane.org.