Brent Slaugh has always enjoyed growing his own produce, but it wasn’t until recently that farming became his full-time job.

The owner of Hazel Grey Farms moved to Central Washington a few years ago to combine his passion for nutritious food and stewardship of the environment with the organic farming practices he learned from his grandfather.

In 2017, Slaugh and his wife, Lisa, purchased a 7.4-acre property in the Yakima Valley, where they grow an expansive variety of certified organic crops, including carrots, beets, lettuce, garlic, tomatoes, zucchini, sunchokes, Asian beans, squash and dill. This spring, they will also plant a plot of red and black raspberries.

“Our motto is ‘Loyal to the Soil,’” said Slaugh, who spent 30 years in the hospitality industry in California and Utah before moving to Yakima. “We feed the soil that feeds the plants, which feed the people.”

Hazel Grey Farms — named after the couple’s first grandchild — takes great pride in its commitment to organic farming practices. In addition to being USDA-certified organic, the farm also follows the add-on guidelines of the Real Organic Project.

Slaugh, 62, traces his interest in organic farming back to his regular visits to Oregon, where people share an appreciation for growing and eating “cleaner food.”

“Our mission is to grow nutrient-dense food for our family and our community,” he said, crediting his maternal grandfather’s organic garden in Wyoming for inspiring his burgeoning small business. “I feel it is my obligation to do that, and nothing makes me feel more excited or fulfilled than to see a young family buy produce from us. I know what they are getting, and that makes me feel really proud.”

After the farm’s first growing season was interrupted by the pandemic, Slaugh rode out the disruption until 2021, focusing his attention on the Ellensburg and Roslyn farmers markets, plus a few core clients in Yakima and Kittitas counties.

One of his most consistent customers has been Chef Craig Singer of Nomad Kitchen and Mercantile in Tieton, located about 15 miles west of Yakima.

“Craig has bought a lot from us since 2021, and we have become pretty loyal to him,” said Slaugh, who manages the farm while his wife oversees the finances. “We would eventually like to sell to more stores and restaurants, but we want to be sure we can deliver what we promise.”

Slaugh explained that the biggest hurdle to expanding the business is finding enough qualified labor. He needs someone who can pick produce, but most of all, he’s seeking an employee who can help him nurture the crops and the soil.

“I’m more worried about finding the right labor than I am about having enough produce,” he conceded.

Although Slaugh is approaching retirement age, he is convinced that Hazel Grey Farms has tremendous growth potential. He truly enjoys mastering his craft, and he could see himself following his passion for many years to come.

“This work gives me a full sense of purpose and fulfillment, and I think everyone needs that,” he said. “My hope is that I’m just warming up.”

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This story was originally published in the Capital Press newspaper in March 2025.