Working at Eagle Creek Orchard

Eagle Creek Orchard is an organic orchard under the incredible stewardship of Linda and Rob Cordtz, two of the most gracious, curious, interesting people I've ever met. I first started visiting their orchard around 2011. Every year, I look forward to eating their beautiful peaches, cherries, apricots, apples, and pears.

The orchard specializes in tree-ripened and hand-picked fruit. The fruit trees are watered from Eagle Creek which flows clear and cold directly out of the Wallowa Mountains. 1200 fruit trees cover the five-acre orchard which has been Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth since 2008.

This year, since I've moved into the area, I offered to help with their orchard tasks. I told Rob, "I don't know what you need, but I'm a quick learner". So they brought me on board! Now, I'm part of a team that will thin and harvest pit fruit through the summer and maybe into fall. This morning, standing on my ladder, shears in hand, I felt really connected to my food source and so appreciative of the gorgeous fruit that Eagle Creek Orchard produces every year.

There is a place en route to the orchard where you can see my Mama's farm from across Eagle Creek. I pulled over and snapped a few shots of her home and of the creek that irrigates this beautiful valley.