It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Dale Bahr, a pillar of our community and a true steward of the land. Dale passed away peacefully last week, with his beloved wife Carol by his side. For many years, Dale and Carol dedicated themselves to preserving Bahr Farm, the last working farm within the city limits, ensuring its legacy continued through relentless determination and hard work. Dale was a mentor to many at Our Harvest, and his impact on our organization is immeasurable. Thanks to Dale’s generosity in entrusting Bahr Farm to Cardinal, Our Harvest will honor his wishes by continuing to cultivate this historic land. Rest in peace, Dale. Your legacy will live on through the fruits of our labor.
Beautiful words from Stephen of Our Harvest
Monday morning I got some sad news that Dale Bahr, our farm's former owner and my mentor of 12 years, passed away at the ripe old age of 86. As it was neither sudden nor unexepected, it was a sad day here at The Bahr Farm. Dale's legacy is none short of serious recognition.
Describing Dale in just a few words I would say he was a stubborn, hard-working man with a kind heart and a deep connection with the natural world. When I first started in 2012 he kindly let me eat lunch in his house with him and his wife Carol every day. He also shared raincoats and gloves with me when I forgot to bring mine or they had degraded beyond repair.
His kindness not only extended to me and other workers on the farm, but also the wildlife here. When he would till the fields he was ever so careful not to disturb killdeer nests tucked away in the weeds. He hated food waste, and made it his mission to save as much from going to the landfill as he could.
Dale loved farming and spent almost every waking hour in the field. When I started as an apprentice under Dale's mentorship in 2012 I learned so many skills that boosted me up to becoming the manager of OHC's farm operations, in large part from skills I learned from him. He even showed me how to save his impossible to find black mustard seed so we could continue planting it for his (now our) greens customers.
Dale died shortly after breaking his hip after a fall on the farm showing me how to prune the grape vines growing against his old market shed. I believe that he gave up after realizing that he would never come back to the farm as health problems compounded post-fall. I have trouble believing he's really gone because the Bahr Farm lives on. His most precious gift he left us was the Bahr Farm and all it's greatness. We are eternally grateful he put it in the hands of Cardinal Land Conservancy to forever give us the opportunity to grow produce here in the richest soils I've ever seen. Rest in peace Dale. You've earned it!
Farmer Stephen
