Meet the regenerative farmer growing produce off-the-grid in rural Idaho

The pond at Jamin Smitchger’s farm in Viola, Idaho, is filled with the sound of birds and buzzing insects. As the sun beats down on an early summer afternoon, a red-winged blackbird flits between tall grasses at the water’s edge, chirping with increasing agitation as humans approach its home.

“So, this is the lifeblood of the farm,” Smitchger said, pointing at the water. “And over there is a little creek that flows into it.”

A red-winged blackbird flies over the pond at Viola Gardens. (Credit: Rachel Sun / NWPB)

Smitchger built the pond to irrigate crops on his off-the-grid farm. In the process, he said, it’s also brought in more biodiversity.

“You can kinda see here, that there’s a story in this mud. Quite often, you can see deer tracks. You can see, ‘coon tracks. These,” he said, pointing, “are all just bird tracks here.”

Behind that pond, there’s a roughly two-acre farm with over 100 different types of vegetables, fruits and herbs.

Smitchger uses regenerative farming practices, which generally focus on factors like improving soil health and increasing biodiversity.

Near his home — a work in progress still covered in house wrap — there is an “equipment row.” It includes old machinery, lawn mowers and tools salvaged or sourced from garage sales.

There’s an old diesel tank, which Smitchger plans to convert into a biochar kiln. Biochar, he explains, is what you get from heating organic materials in a low-oxygen environment. It’s used to improve soil health, which can support plant growth. It’s also an effective way of storing and sequestering carbon.

As he walks, he snips off bits of plants for sampling. First, he picks some strawberries. Then, arugula, mint and spinach.

“It has a little bit of dirt on it, but you’re welcome to eat,” he said, pinching off some lettuce leaves for himself and putting them in his mouth. “There’s lots of food here, so don’t be shy.”

Smitchger rattles off plant names as he passes by them. Carrots, rosemary, salsify, pumpkin, cucumber, rhubarb. He grows some plants that are rarely cultivated by farmers, like camas and wapato, which are native to the region. These plants are also a traditional food eaten by Native American people in the area.

The wapato, which grows in Smitchger’s pond, was gifted by a friend and Coeur d’ Alene tribal member, he said.

Jamin Smitchger weeds in one of his greenhouses at Viola Gardens. (Credit: Rachel Sun / NWPB)

Some other plants, such as fenugreek, are specifically requested by his customers. 

A lot of Smitchger’s farm relies on resourcefulness and some help from friends. Some of those friends live on the farm. They’ll help with projects around the farm and aid with harvest.

The farm itself is open to “any honest people,” Smitchger said, provided they contribute.

“ This isn’t a hippie commune,” he clarifies. “Like, I don’t allow alcohol, drugs or smoking. No substance abuse type stuff. I just live a clean lifestyle.”

On most days, Smitchger said, he works from dawn to dusk.

“I’ve always had this passion for agriculture and for growing things,” he said. “That’s been my life. That’s been my career. And I’ve worked a lot for other people. I worked for other farmers. I just really wanted to have my own little farm.”

In 2017, Smitchger said, he invested his life savings to buy this property. It was a risky gamble. Many small farms face distinct challenges. 

“Most people, they’re not gonna wanna buck those odds,” he said. “But I decided that I thought I could do it.”

Bright red strawberries peek through a thick canopy of leaves at Viola Gardens. (Credit: Rachel Sun / NWPB)

Smitchger also works on a smaller budget and narrower margins than many people might be comfortable with. 

During an interview in June, Smitchger said he had about $200 before the most recent market day. But, he said, that can go pretty far out on the farm. 

His biggest bills are insurance, he said. The farm, which is entirely off-the-grid, relies on solar power and a backup generator for energy. Most of his food is just steps away. 

The rest of that food will be brought to local farmers markets, or sold wholesale. Smitchger says a benefit of regenerative farming is that it tends to produce higher yields. 

That makes him one of the more affordable vendors at local markets, he says, and means a wider range of customers can afford to buy from him. He wants his produce to be easily accessible to all. 

“I don’t want just rich, wealthy snobs to be buying my products,” he said. “(There are) the 30,000 college students in this area, which all need to eat, too. And why can’t they eat healthy as well?”

It’s still a hard life, Smitchger said. Right now, he’s worried about drought after a particularly dry May and June. The creek is running low, and he worries the pond may dry up without more rainfall. 

But even with the long hours and the uncertainty that comes with farming, Smitchger said, it’s worth it to him.

“I sure haven’t been made rich,” he said. “But I do have a good view of Gold Hill and the Hoodoo range. I wake up to seeing green fields every day, which has its own sort of payment.”

Animal footprints, including raccoons and birds, are seen at the edge of Jamin Smitchger’s pond in Viola, Idaho. (Credit: Rachel Sun / NWPB)