SUGARFIELD GUIDE
TO FARM ENJOYMENT ACTIVITIES
for guests, campers, students, well-wishers and dreamers
WELCOME TO SUGARFIELD
The farm is on 9.5 acres located on a dead end road across from a slough which is a swamp next to a larger body of water. Our swamp is tidally fed and fills up twice a day and empties into Young’s River which empties into the mighty Columbia River and then out to the Pacific Ocean and then back again. There are 5 buildings - the farmhouse, the cottage, the barn, the outbuilding and the sauna. Pony bought the farm in the summer of 2023.
There are no ghosts on the property, but the barn is home to a Barn Owl; she lives on the second floor. Sometimes she sits on the piece of wood sticking out of the busted hay access door. We don’t know her name and even if we did, our mouths probably cannot make the shape to make the sound to say her name. We’ve seen her circle over the driveway and over the field, presumably to hunt for tasty, velvety voles. She might scream at you. One time she pooped on Pony and made us late for a dinner reservation at Daphne.
This is the North Coast and there is water everywhere! Often there is mist! Haunting and damp and marvelous mist! The air is often wet. We are often wet from traveling to and fro in the field from dew condensed on the grass or from doing whatever on one of the (on average) 140 days of rain per year. It is our earnest wish that you are visiting on a day when the weather is complimentary to your desired activities. And if the weather is not cooperative, wait 5 minutes and it might change, and if it still does not cooperate, we generally have an extra raincoat or pair of boots you could borrow.
SAFETY
There are some inherent risks to farm fun, but we have compiled some notes to help keep you safe and sound.
You probably have our phone numbers if you are at the farm, but just in case:
Pony 917-613-3560
SA 415-963-2586
Our address is 36059 Binder Slough Lane Astoria, OR 97103
The back 9 field is very uneven and wild. Please wear sturdy shoes and watch your step! You might turn your ankle and fall down!
Keep gates closed!
Is something on fire? There is a hose in the front yard of the farm house and one on the east and west side of the cottage. Need more than a hose? Call 911, please. The address is above.
Our neighbor Burt keeps cattle in the field to the north of the farm. Sometimes, rarely, they get into our field. Don’t try to move them or scare them away. Tell Pony or SA and we’ll handle it.
If any of our animals get out, let us know that too.
If you want to kayak or canoe, please do! You should only put in at high tide because low tide in the slough is very deep mud and it’s dangerous!
Tide chart here: https://tinyurl.com/sugarfieldtides
If there is a tsunami, we’re kind of fucked, sorry. We’re in a lowland river valley. Best plan is to drive up Tucker Creek road (about 2 more miles south on Young’s River Road.) Drive until you are up the hill and pretty far inland. A tsunami is unlikely, but we think about it sometimes. Especially when we think about safety.
CAMPING
Please! Camp! Car-camping or RV-camping is allowed in the driveways, certain grassy areas, and in the front paddock next to the barn (when no animals are present.) Most areas of the farm get swampy during the rainy season (October-May) so stick to the gravel driveways in rainy weather. Tent camping is welcome out in the back 9 field. A marvelous thing about camping out there in the summer is that the thick grasses make a gentle pouf upon which to pitch your tent. Delightful! Mind the electric fence, it is probably on. Talk to Pony or SA if you would like to hang with the animals. You should! They are lovely! We’ll arrange things to make it safe for you and them.
Pee in the field! If you would like to use a toilet though, there is one available on the first floor of the farm house. SOS - “save our septic” if it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down.
Quiet hours on the farm for overnight events are 11pm to 7am
Please pack out your trash with you when you leave, we have very limited garbage can space.
BRING/DON’T BRING
Please DON’T BRING alcohol or drugs to the farm
DO BRING (if you want)
Flashlight or headlamp
Camp chair
Sunscreen
Sturdy shoes
Rain gear (just in case)
Food and drinks for yourself
Books
Games
Drawing supplies
Bikes
Swimsuit
Kayak/Canoe
Tarot cards
DOG STUFF
Your good dog is welcome to hang out on the farm with us. We will designate an off-leash area (might be different for different events) and outside of that area dogs must be on leash. Owners are responsible for cleaning up dog poop, We have poop bags if you need some. Please respect the “no dogs beyond this point” areas which is for the safety and comfort of our animals.
SURE, YOU CAN USE OUR WIFI
Network: Sugarfield
Password: mingobingo
WHO ARE ALL THESE ANIMALS AND WHAT ARE THEIR NAMES?
Our sheep are Romney Marsh Sheep which do well in the swamp because they originated in the swamps of Kent, England, and were then exported to New Zealand and other soggy places. Ours are all named Rebecca (even the boys) in memory of a beloved sheep that SA’s mom kept for wool and friendship when SA was a child.
The horse is called Mingo who is lovely! He is very big. Please watch his feet and get yours out of the way. He likes to be scratched near his shoulder and on his forehead. If he is really into getting scratched he makes this hilarious face where his lip sticks out. He has a pretty strict diet, so please don’t feed him anything unless we tell you it’s OK. Even if he tells you it’s OK. Please be careful opening gates when he is around, he will try to get out and that is dangerous!
There is a big, white guardian dog with the sheep named Bubbles, he’s cool. He will bark in the night because it is his job.
We have 2 border collies that go by Seamus and Honey. It’s better if you ignore them for a while. If you do get to hang out with them, please observe our NO FETCH rule. And NO BABY TALK unless you are Michelle.
WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE AND WE HOPE YOU HAVE A REALLY GOOD TIME.
