Christine and John met at University of California-Davis and bonded over a shared love of agriculture. Chris grew up on a farm in California’s Central Valley and John’s grandparents had a farm in the Santa Clara Valley. Together, they worked in the Animal Science Department at UC Davis and on a cattle ranch in Woodland, California. Reclaiming their roots, the Decks started farming in Oregon five years ago. “We just felt called to it, we were looking to do something meaningful,” says John. “A lot of people have left farming in the last 100 years, and one of the things we’re trying to do is create a model of a more sustainable small family farm.”

Look for Christine, John and their kids at the Saturday Portland Farmers Market through May, and the Eastbank Farmers Market each Thursday through September. For more information about their farm and pasture-based practices, visit: deckfamilyfarm.com.