MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:
EMILY ASMUS
Welcome Table Farm - Walla Walla, WA
BY ALYSSA MARTINEZ NEUMANN, COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING SPECIALIST
In 2007 when Emily and Andy Asmus started Welcome Table Farm in Walla Walla, WA, it represented the physical manifestation of their love of food, community, and leading an integrated life. It became an opportunity to be part of a greater solution and return the generosity their family has received throughout the years by way of mentorship and education.
Often, approaching situations with a solutions mindset can be enough to provide a fresh surge of optimism and renewed perspective. While studying environmental sciences at the University of Oregon, Asmus considered pursuing law but started to feel overwhelmed by a career focused on litigation against environmental crimes and damages.
“Thinking about that was a whole life of saying ‘no, don’t do this,’” said Asmus. “I chose to pursue farming to be part of the ‘yes’.... I found a career that kept me active in my body and my mind, fed me really well, and created an integrated life.”
When the Asmuses were ready to start a small farm business, it made sense to return to hometown roots.
“It’s been the generosity of the Walla Walla community that has helped launch Andy and me here. I think what goes hand in hand with that generosity, and the time people have spent teaching and mentoring us, is wanting to return that to the community,” said Asmus.
Asmus is passionate about giving back to help others move forward. This summer marked the fourth year of Farm Kids, a program by the Blue Mountain Land Trust and Welcome Table Farm for children to learn about life on a small organic farm. From healthy snack recipes to pollinator lifecycles, children can discover local food systems through hands-on activities and games. It’s an opportunity for youth to learn outside the conventional classroom environment.
“We have built a farm system for our family and really wanted to share it with other people and kids in the community,” said Asmus. “Farm Kids is a unique educational offering in that most programs for kids are trying to hit educational benchmarks. They have to learn these concepts in science or develop these math skills, and we can operate outside of that. What we’re hoping kids learn is to love being here, playing in the creek, getting to harvest foods, interacting with friends outside free of devices. It’s pretty simple and a life-altering goal: To learn to love being outside.”
This program brought a source of added life and positivity during the abundant yet long summer days at the farm. As someone who values the exchange of knowledge and ideas, Asmus appreciates the lessons and larger perspectives shared by the kids, especially after a year of adapting to challenges.
“I’ve learned to look at smaller things with more detail. If you spend enough time at one sunflower, you’re going to see all the different critters that visit that single bloom. They show me that this place is still beautiful and special, even if it’s weedy or dry in July, that there are pockets of goodness that exist beyond my to-do list. And it’s when I set that down and just interact with what is here naturally that I’m reminded of why it’s all important.”
Camp is in session.
Learn about the importance of providing kids with access to summer fun and education at Welcome Table Farm in Walla Walla, WA.