Chamburn Farm is Pasture Perfect

Eight years ago, Jim Wilburn and his husband Paul Chamlies moved from their home in Northeast Portland to a 6.5-acre property in Oregon City with the goal of raising and growing their own food. ChamBurn Farm quickly grew into a busy operation with a gang of happy, healthy animals that produce remarkably delicious and earth-friendly pasture-raised meat and eggs for the community.

Neither Jim nor Paul had much farming background, but living in an urban neighborhood sparked their passion. “The Hollywood Farmers Market was the first place we ever bought farm-raised food,” Jim recalls. Fueled by a love for animals and local, sustainable products, they started with a backyard poultry flock and attended small farm school at Clackamas Community College, eventually building ChamBurn from the ground up, including the barn, greenhouse, multiple pastures and a picturesque patio for hosting special events.

ChamBurn Farm is home to various critters, all loved and well-cared for. Meat chickens and turkeys are pasture-raised in batches during the dry months to ensure optimal nutrition and quality of life. Pigs can be spotted in the summer rolling happily in their muddy wallows. Lambs and alpacas spend their days frolicking in the fields, all managed with rotational grazing so the animals have constant access to abundant fresh greens and natural foraging, including the grass-fed cows raised on a nearby property. The 100-hen layer flock produces a colorful rainbow of free-range eggs and extra calcium is always readily available in the coop to support internal eggshell production.

All non-grass eaters are fed non-GMO specially curated feed from a local family-run feed mill. “It’s a mixture of raw ingredients and the vitamins and minerals necessary for each animal’s nutritional needs,” Jim explains. “Lance mills it the morning I pick it up, so it’s super fresh, not sitting for weeks or months in the supply chain.” Sustainability and animal welfare are cornerstones of the operation, and as members of the Oregon Pasture Network, they’ve been recognized as going beyond best practices to produce high-quality products through pasture-raised agriculture. “When you visit ChamBurn, you see the animals hanging out, enjoying themselves, and that’s the real test,” says Jim. “Giving them the best life possible is our number one priority.”

The farm distributes its meat and eggs through two CSA models or direct retail sales, with local delivery available in Portland and the surrounding areas or pick-up at the farm by appointment. Monthly and yearly subscriptions offer minis and full-size bundles of farm-fresh eggs and chicken, pork, beef and lamb (upon request), but any combination of products can be purchased at their online store and delivered straight to your doorstep. The impressive selection of grass-fed, pasture-raised meats is stocked in excellent cuts, including several kinds of sausage, all processed in local USDA or ODA-inspected facilities. Jim loves to teach people how to cook, so he’ll often include a recipe and is always open for questions on the best preparation methods.

Visitors to ChamBurn are greeted by Luke, the fluffy barn cat, two friendly Katahdin hair-sheep (one named Cletus who follows Jim everywhere), and a group of panting, excited Great Pyrenees dogs. The gentle giants work as guardians for the livestock and breed litters of AKC puppies that are available for purchase as farm guardians or family pets. Jim and Paul work extensively with a puppy temperament specialist and the prospective owner to ensure their new friend is a perfect match.

As lifelong foodies and lovers of fresh, high-quality food, Jim and Paul are thrilled to host private farm-to-table experiences on their gorgeous patio featuring ChamBurn’s magnificent bounty. Guests can sit at the long, high-top bar that functions as a chef’s counter and marvel at Chef Jim’s culinary prowess as he crafts delectable dishes with fresh meat and produce from their greenhouse and fruit orchard. The menu is designed per request, whether you dream of a Mediterranean meal with homemade pita and falafel or a Tuscan feast with brined and wood-fired grilled pork chops and fresh Cacio e Pepe Cavatelli. The space can accommodate up to 30 people and includes a sitting area with comfy chairs and a fireplace.

Jim and Paul’s passion for sustainable, nutritious meat shines through in every animal they raise. Any of their CSA subscribers will attest to the exceptional quality of their meat and eggs, and that’s the biggest reward for ChamBurn. “I love being able to grow premium food for ourselves and our community,” Jim says. “We’re dedicated to consistency, reliability, and standing behind our word, and that’s how we’ve established our strongest customer relationships.”

ChamBurn Farm is located at 20925 S Nursery Ln, Oregon City. Please call or text 503-956-9778 to schedule an appointment to visit the farm, pick up an order or visit their website at chamburnfarm.com.