Who we are






					Mike Paine Owner, Farmer, Inventor Mike is your farmer. After several years of farming experience and completion of his masters in sustainable agriculture (from UC Davis) he decided that it was time to strike out on his own and launch Gaining Ground Farm last year. Mike is equally passionate about the tangible, delicious results of the farm and the role the farm plays in the greater politics of food and agriculture. Ask him about the economy of food or politics of the small farm and you may wish that you had taken a seat. Come the summer season he uses up every moment of daylight and can most likely be found running between the greenhouse and the field. The chinese proverb about sneaking up on a farmer is true with Mike, you will always find him grinning. If he had to pick his favorite farm activities, it would most likely be listening to the hum of the tractor, surveying the field at the end of a long day, and eating freshly picked baby greens for lunch. Mike is one part crazy about vegetables, one part a glutton for hard work, and all about doing what you love.

					Jill Paine Owner, Farmer, Bee-keeper Jill is the second half of Gaining Ground farm. She splits her time between a full time job, being a part-time farm hand, and farm business manager. Jill also runs the Feed a Family program and is committed to finding ways to get fresh, local vegetables to low-income families in the greater Portland area. Her love at the farm (aside from Mike and the dogs) are her flowers and bees. Both of which she hopes to expand upon this season. If we are all lucky, the summer will bring fresh honey and giant sunflowers. Highlights of the summer for Jill are the first ripe tomato, a greenhouse full of salad greens, august late afternoon sunshine, and harvesting dinner. She usually is finishing one project and moving onto the next, (with several more in the works) so one never knows where the season may take us!

					Kamili and Luna Farm Dogs Kamili and Luna are the canine protectorate of the fields. The local deer live in fear. The two spend their time, chasing Mike around the fields and have even learned to walk in the furrows. They can be found in the afternoon lounging in the sun or enjoying their favorite snack, a freshly picked carrot.