Our Story
We, Lily Matlock and Luke Klimaszewski, started Lil Starts Farm in 2013 on ourone acre rental property farm in NE Portland. The farm started as a plant nursery selling at Montavilla Farmers Market and by 2014 we were selling produce at local farmers markets, through a CSA program and to local restaurants. With the support of friends, neighbors and the whole community the farm grew bit by bit every year. We are beyond lucky that Janett(Lily's mom) lived and farmed with us until we lost her to cancer in 2017. We will always hold this time sacred.
In 2018 our family also grew when we welcomed our first, and only, child. Well human child- we cannot forgot to mention our pups Lucy and Olive who we said goodbye to last year and to Zoot and Maggie who joined our family this year.
In 2019 Lil Starts signed a 5 year lease at Headwaters Incubator Farm and worked their way up to farming a total of five acres with the labor and love of their incredible staff. And with a lot of help from the Headwaters community. This program, run by EMSWCD, leases land and infrastructure to several small, local, sustainable farming operations. We learned so much from fellow farmers and staff at Headwaters and our farm grew more than we ever thought possible. Farming became a full time job for both of us and our main source of income. We do still pick up side work when needed.
Our Headwaters lease ended in 2023 and we were faced with some serious decision making. Amazingly an opportunity came our way to farm and live in Willamina Oregon. Susan Richman, owner of Belle Mare Farm, was looking for a small, sustainable vegetable operation to farm in community with her. Susan has been using regenerative farming practices on this property for over 15 years to raise chickens, a small head of cattle, and grains. We moved our farm and home to Willamina in January of 2024 and are working in partnership with Belle Mare Farm to steward this land and provide food for our community.