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My Houzz: The Orchard and the Life-Changing Decision
Toxins give way to pure, wholesome produce and passionately green living in this home and orchard in Eastern Oregon
Artist, freelance writer, home tour contributor for Houzz, designer, actor, mother and author of the blog La Maison Boheme. Greenman lives in a 1970s Texas ranch house, which she has transformed into a bohemian haven and family home. She loves eclectic, boho style but also has a soft spot for Midcentury modern and Swedish design. Learn more at www.sarahgreenman.com.
Artist, freelance writer, home tour contributor for Houzz, designer, actor,... More »
In 2005, Robert and Linda Cordtz took a remarkable leap of faith by leaving their longtime home and investing their life savings in an ailing orchard. Driven by their passion for green living and their love of wholesome food, they bought a conventional orchard in Eastern Oregon and began the tedious and tender work of transitioning the trees from conventional to organic.
Robert used to work for the Forestry Service removing toxic waste from natural places. During that time he saw more than his share of environmental destruction from chemicals and man-made pollution. "When I retired from that job I decided that I didn't want to touch another toxic thing ever again," he says. When Linda speaks of their work creating a sustainable future, she becomes serious and says that any toxin on this property "stops here."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Robert and Linda Cordtz, their dog and some laying hens
Location: Eagle Creek Orchard in Richland, Oregon
Size: About 1,700 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
That's interesting: The orchard consists of 5 acres and houses 1,200 fruit trees watered from Eagle Creek, which flows directly out of the Wallowa Mountains.
Robert used to work for the Forestry Service removing toxic waste from natural places. During that time he saw more than his share of environmental destruction from chemicals and man-made pollution. "When I retired from that job I decided that I didn't want to touch another toxic thing ever again," he says. When Linda speaks of their work creating a sustainable future, she becomes serious and says that any toxin on this property "stops here."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Robert and Linda Cordtz, their dog and some laying hens
Location: Eagle Creek Orchard in Richland, Oregon
Size: About 1,700 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
That's interesting: The orchard consists of 5 acres and houses 1,200 fruit trees watered from Eagle Creek, which flows directly out of the Wallowa Mountains.
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by Sarah Greenman
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| The couple sells their organic produce at the Boise and Baker City farmer's markets. They also have a fruit stand on the property for those willing to make the drive. And after having tasted their succulent tree-ripened peaches, I can assure you the drive is very worth it. |
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by Sarah Greenman
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| The Cordtz home is sprinkled with bright red accents, from the red roof, to the vintage stove, to the red bench in the entryway, to the red pears that hang heavy on the branches this time of year. Linda invites me into the kitchen, where she's peeling, cutting and dehydrating peaches. She moves to the sink, saying, "We're headed to the market in Boise this weekend, and there's a lot that needs to happen before we go." She bought the stove secondhand for $250. "It works beautifully. The woman who sold it to me didn't like the color," she says. "Can you imagine? I just love it." Stove, oven: circa 1950s, O'Keefe & Merritt |
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by Sarah Greenman
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by Sarah Greenman
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| Linda's tools are within easy reach of her workstation. Open shelving, hanging pots and pans and a multipurpose kitchen table help her to stay focused and efficient. She never stops working as we talk about the house and the orchard. The sink is original to the house and shows signs of age and use. "I don't mind living with old things. It reminds me to take care of things and be grateful," she says. "Ten years ago, I didn't know what brown rot was or cling peaches," she adds. "I'm not some sort of organic elitist. I just knew that I wanted to live in a new way." |
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by Sarah Greenman
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| The two found the property online. "Linda and I were frequent visitors of Hell's Canyon, so we were familiar with the area," Robert says. "My kids had moved away, and we were ready for something different. We wanted a place where we could grow our own food." As a kid in California, Robert's family had an avocado orchard. "After high school, our family bought a vineyard together, which was quite successful until Gallo moved in and drastically changed the price index," he says. "So I'm pretty familiar with farm life." On their wish list: "Four seasons, gates to the property and a nearby national forest," Linda says. "The last thing on the list was, I swear, 'a few fruit trees.'" The orchard includes 17 varieties of peaches in addition to prunes, pears, apples, plums, apricots, walnuts, hazelnuts, grapes and more. There's also a steady supply of fresh eggs from laying hens. |
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The entry is a welcoming and busy jumble of farm gear, art and paperwork. A cheery red bench serves as a catchall for wide-brimmed hats, daily harvest lists and other essentials.
"Well, this is us," says Linda, motioning to the overflowing daily life of her home.
"Well, this is us," says Linda, motioning to the overflowing daily life of her home.
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by Sarah Greenman
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| Knotty pine walls cloak the upstairs bedroom in a warm glow. A simple bed and side tables are the only furniture. Most of the art in the Cordtz home is curated from local consignment and thrift stores. A side table provides space for family photos, vintage postcards and other meaningful objects. Linda shows me a photo of a family war veteran. "I'm always amazed by and curious about the people who came before me," she says. |
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| A second room across the hall serves as an office and a guest space. A Tongan staff and a thrift store butterfly adorn the hallway wall. Linda has a special love for tribal art. The "finders, keepers" nature of thrifted art means that many pieces in the Cordtz home have unknown origins. |
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| A hodepodge of work, correspondence, art, keepsakes and invoices makes up the home office. A midcentury table and chair set serve as a desk and seating. The rest of the room is filled with traditional pine furniture to match the trim and the ceiling. Robert built the hanging cabinetry on the far wall. |
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Linda is a gifted artist and enjoys mask making, among other art forms. This green mask hangs alongside the home's exterior with bits of foliage stuffed into the top. Linda laughs at her creation and says, "Today he's doing the Rastafarian look."
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| While the orchard certainly requires a high level of labor during the high seasons, it also provides its owners with reflective space, peace and serenity. In their quiet moments, Robert or Linda might be found in this hammock. |
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When the Cordtzes moved onto the orchard, the trees were in pretty bad shape. The property spent many years as a conventional orchard and was suffering from liberal use of poisonous toxins. "Petroleum-based fertilizers are hard to come off," says Robert. "We moved onto the property and stopped it that day. It doesn't matter how long something has been in a state of mal use, you can always choose to end it. And that's what we did."
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| On a schoolroom chalkboard nailed to the side of the fruit stand, Linda has created a recommended reading list for her customers. "I guess I'm a little evangelical about my work. Some people go door to door selling their religion, but here on the orchard I'm living my religion," she says. |
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The Cordtzes believe there is no better way to feed your family than to grow your own food or purchase it from a local farm or ranch.
"Know your farmer," Linda says. "Go to their farms and see what they're doing."
"Know your farmer," Linda says. "Go to their farms and see what they're doing."
by Sarah Greenman
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The Cordtzes are deeply committed to their work at Eagle Creek Orchard and to providing their community with fresh, nutritious food. Here's Robert walking up to the house with two buckets of peaches.
"This might sound out there, but Robert is gifted intuitively to commune with the trees," Linda says. "A couple years into our work here he said, 'I can feel that the trees are healing.' He was right."
Houzz call: Share your creative family home with us.
"This might sound out there, but Robert is gifted intuitively to commune with the trees," Linda says. "A couple years into our work here he said, 'I can feel that the trees are healing.' He was right."
Houzz call: Share your creative family home with us.
Comments
sherriekvamme To know and live appreciation for the gift of each piece of fruit, for all of what we have and for the gift of each day is indeed an art and a lifestyle that should be embraced. Thank you Cordtz's for inspiring and teaching and sharing your gifts. Thank you Sarah Greenman for sharing the Cordtz's.
8 months ago · Like
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patricia beharry That red stove is to die for. It is gorgeous.
8 months ago · Like
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Ieteke Ruypers Volpini Admirable people... great story and images!
8 months ago · Like
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jasmineaubert so nice to hear about the return to clean, chemicals free, agriculture the Cordtzes are great pioneers --- i wish i could live next to their orchard it is so hard to find good, chemical free fruits. many blessings on them ---
8 months ago · Like
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meowlam So heartening to see you living your dream, educating and feeding your customers and your land!
8 months ago · Like
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gillianne As much as I appreciate features on straight decor and architecture, this more lifestyle-focused piece captures my heart. Thank you! I'd like to see more.
8 months ago · Like
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Moore About... Design Love your style, your home, and your STOVE! Mine doesn't have that nifty towel bar - am jealous! 
8 months ago · Like
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kpmiller How refreshing to see a REAL home with all the stuff that goes with it piled on the stairway and tacked to an overflowing bulletin board -- all evidencing that REAL people live here! I always enjoy the featured homes on this site from a design aspect ... i enjoy this home from a “living” aspect.
8 months ago · Like
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CAROLE MEYER Just LOVE this kitchen with the RED stove!!!!
8 months ago · Like
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Kathie Waters You have the same exact kitchen sink I have! Isn't it a joy?! When we build our new home someday, the old sink comes with me... Love the article and bless you for your part in healing the earth one tree at a time!
8 months ago · Like
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Carmel Inspiring.
8 months ago · Like
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Vicki Williams Interior Design I loved their home and their ethic. Thank you. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is one of my favorites too.
8 months ago · Like
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reginepedersen Inspiring story. You are so doing the right thing for all of us. I hope to one day follow your foot step... Thanks!
8 months ago · Like
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ragsangle LOVE,LOVE,LOVE this looks like a home and the story that goes with it is totally awesome! I am in the process of homesteading this is the BEST on Houzz has ever had!
8 months ago · Like
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Texas Lightsmith wonderful piece
8 months ago · Like
Rose Construction, Inc. I like the house, and I like the owner's philosophy. Good for them! And good for anyone who buys their fruit!
8 months ago · Like
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fredericklc What a sweet story. I am in awe of people living their dream!
8 months ago · Like
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peruanita123 I love this house. It looks as if there are people doing their daily things & not a totally uncluttered home where there is no movement or signs of people living in them :)
8 months ago · Like
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lifeseyephoto Fantastimo!
7 months ago · Like
trail6 Gotta love Nor Cal, Oregon, and WA State. All areas with healthy, organic attitudes. That's the West Coast for you. Your farm gives you such a warm feeling just looking at your photos.
3 months ago · Like
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Ideabook published on Sept. 15, 2012.
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