About Us

True North was founded in April 2020 by the Creach Family, Tonye Marie Castaneda & Peter Wagner. It is located on the Columbia River in Stevens County Washington. All of our products are raised on our farm near Northport, Washington.

Now more than ever, we see the need to build strong communities. Our goal here at True North is to do that by bringing back small-scale farming and self-sufficient businesses, while providing a rich assortment of goods to keep our local economy booming and essential resources always within arm's reach.

We are pleased to offer the opportunity for consumers to know exactly where their food comes from, how it's raised, and what is in it. We are working hard to develop systems that are symbiotic in nature, allowing us to utilize every part of every animal from meat to manure. We grow 80% of the feed needed for the winter months when grazing isn't available, and we also handle every stage of growth in our livestock from birth to butcher.

True North aims to be a one-stop-shop to meet all your dairy, beef, pork and poultry needs. This opens up endless opportunities for business and employment in our community, as well as securing a food chain here at home that makes us all feel better about what's happening in the rest of the world.

Creach Family Story

In May 2003, Phil and Em Creach celebrated their first wedding anniversary while awaiting the imminent arrival of their firstborn son. Just three short weeks after his (very late) entry to the world, they packed up all their belongings and headed East to North Dakota to help friends get their 460-cow dairy up and running after a recent relocation. So as not to bore you with all the details, let me just say, the regimen of a full-scale commercial dairy is not for the faint of heart. They returned to their beloved Washington one year later, vowing to NEVER again live the life of a dairyman.

Fast-forward a few years, a couple more babies (both boys), a small homestead and an economic recession, and Phil and Em decided it was time to pull out any and all skill sets they had previously acquired, which happened to include... you guessed it, dairying. It turned out that owning a single milk cow could be quite lucrative to a family that was otherwise broke. And neighbors and friends were amenable to the idea, supportive even, despite the new resident aromas. Word to the wise: NEVER say never.

As the years passed, they cranked out a few more kids (some girls this time!), faithfully milked their beloved guernsey cow, Elsie, providing milk in glass half gallon bottles as well as heavy cream, yogurt and butter to their local community.

They attempted to raise Hereford beef cows, and quickly realized how expensive it is to feed cows when you're not growing your own hay. So, they sold the small herd of Herefords, started collecting ancient haying equipment and began leasing several pieces of land just up the road.

It wasn't long at all before they found their dreams were too big for the 2 acres and the 900 square foot strawbale structure that had been home to the family of seven (with one on the way). They started looking for a new piece of land with water a plenty, and enough cleared ground to grow crops and graze cows.

In 2016 they purchased 17 acres of raw land just half a mile away and began the arduous process of homesteading and everything that entails. Between that and the land they continued to lease, they were ready to start expanding their venture and begin building a farm and business. By 2019 they were living in their new square-log home, had built a large barn, fencing and infrastructure as well as a home for Phil's mom.

A friend was selling a few Belted Galloway beef cows in 2020 and after some preliminary research and bit of caution, the Creaches decided it was time to jump back into the realm of beef cows once again... this time for real. Determined to make dreams into reality, they were joined by fellow farm enthusiasts Tonye Marie Castaneda and Peter Wagner whose vision has helped to shape True North and give it the means to become what it is today.

As of 2023, Phil & Em and Peter & Tonye Marie have expanded the vision of True North to include Heritage pork from Old-Line swine breeds recently brought over from Europe, as well as free range poultry and eggs. They have also welcomed Eli Creach (19) to the team who is now working as a farm manager/ ranch foreman. Nathan Creach (17) is working as head milker. All six of the Creach kids are being trained in the various aspects of running True North, but it's a special thing when they become adults and hang on to a passion for the family farm. See our Meet The Crew section below!