brian westgate

photo by Henry Moore, August 2001

After finishing four years in the Marines, Brian Westgate headed north to Alaska in 1982, where he staked a claim to 40 acres and built a log cabin.

"The cabin was six-sided, and small, about 480 square feet. It was remote, about 35 miles from the nearest road. I stayed for 15 years, then the long winters and the darkness finally drove me out."

With his friend Sharon Harris, he left Alaska for land she owned near Moab, Utah.

"We stayed there for a year, but it was the opposite of Alaska: too hot and sunny."

They started searching around the West for the perfect place. In October of 1999, they found it in Moscow, Idaho. They bought a house and he started working as a carpenter.

They became friends with Mike Forbes, and Mike suggested that Brian work for MaryJane Butters at her farm. He started in July of 2001.

"I really like working at a farm with strong ideals of sustainable agriculture," Brian said. "I feel honored to be offered a job there."