First Cut Farm potato field

First Cut Farm owners Sam Bowhay and Linda Fenstermaker. Photo by Shawn Linehan.

At First Cut Farm, we love eating! After earning a political science degree from Grinnell College, Sam Bowhay moved to Western Washington in 2011 to become a chef. He bought a one-way ticket to Seattle to work as a volunteer at a small farm that collaborated with many notable Seattle chefs, who he hoped to meet in order to find his way into a fancy kitchen with no relevant experience.

But Sam never did work in a kitchen. He instead fell in love with the constant problem solving and physical activity required in diversified vegetable farming. He learned the trade by working for Local Roots Farm and Ralph’s Greenhouse for 7 seasons. Sam then started First Cut Farm in 2019 with help from his wife Linda Fenstermaker and enormous support from Ray deVries of Ralph’s Greenhouse. Since then, First Cut Farm has steadily grown from 2 to 25 acres and from 1 to 8 employees. We grow certified organic potatoes, bok choy, green beans, onions, and shallots for the wholesale market.

Find our high quality produce at PCC in Seattle, Skagit Valley Coop, and various farmstands throughout Washington. For wholesale purchases, use the form on our contact us page or buy our products through the Puget Sound Food hub.