What's Fresh Now — June 2011

Weather woes more than a headache for farmers

Weather is serious business for farmers. Another unseasonably cold, wet spring in the Pacific Northwest has taken its toll on many crops — delaying or in some cases, destroying what's been planted. The nippy weather has also affected pollination — if you think you've been chilly, so have the honeybees.

When harvests run late, production suffers and farm profits head south - making an already razor-thin margin for many farmers even thinner. It's important for consumers to understand that the economic viability of farmers is a cornerstone of sustainable food production and a stable, regional food supply.

This could be a make or break season for many farmers, so make a concerted effort and shop as much as you can at farmers markets, farmstands, CSAs, U-picks or order local products from home delivery services (or farms offering products like honey, cider, jams). If you really care about where your food comes from, let's support the folks who make it happen. No matter what the weather.

For a comprehensive list of farms and local food resources, visit Puget Sound Fresh.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Maze's Farm

DOWN ON THE FARM — Town & Country Style

What constitutes a CSA? Is it the traditional on-farm model of Chinook Farms in rural Snohomish County; wind and sea powered like Seattle's Salish Sea Trading Cooperative or a deep-in-the-heart of the city venture such as Amaranth Urban Farms?

We'll let you decide, but we thought it might be interesting to profile two of the models above. Both pieces were written by Cascade Harvest Coalition volunteer Sarah Graham. For more of stories about food and travel, visit Sarah's website and blog, Food First Hand.

For more info on Puget Sound CSAs check out the 2011 Puget Sound CSA Directory.

A word about the photo: American CSAs came to life simultaneously in 1986 at both Indian Line Farm in Massachusetts and Temple-Wilton Community Farm in New Hampshire. This photo is from Indian Line; featuring co-founder and original owner Robyn Van En in the middle. For more CSA history — we suggest the Rodale Institute's informative 2-part series or this excellent resource from PBS.

FARM SPOTLIGHT: Chinook Farms

Eric Fritch of Chinook Farms in Snohomish, WA is on a mission. He passionately believes in the importance of a person's connection with their food producers and has designed his farm's CSA business accordingly:

With fully 90% of his customers now picking up their box at the farm, Fritch had hoped his CSA would become "an educational endeavor" and happily reports that his customer base consists of many families with children who turn their weekly box pickup into a Friday afternoon outing.

Chinook customers will only find items from the farm in their weekly box. This means no bananas or mangoes, which is just fine by Fritch. Instead, customers are occasionally rewarded with early sneak peeks at new coastal Pacific Northwest-suitable grain varieties developed by WSU breeders (using traditional plant breeding methods) who plant in test plots at Chinook.

In addition to grains and vegetables, Chinook raises grass-fed beef and this year will be starting chickens for meat (all except one lucky bird whose lameness required Fritch family in-home nursing care, resulting in promotion to pet status).

Despite the flooding, wind storm damage, and lost crops that La Niña bestowed upon Chinook this winter, Fritch reports that their 22-week CSA season will commence as usual in June with pick-ups on Friday between Noon and 6 PM.

Amaranth Urban Farm

Nicole Capizzi operates her commercial urban farm in a rural oasis nestled in a little-known pocket of hills and horse farms just 8 miles south of downtown Seattle.

Amaranth's CSA offers organically produced vegetables, flowers and honey with on-farm and pick-up sites throughout Seattle. 2011 shares are still available (choose either a 13 or 26-week option) but filling up quickly says Capizzi.

What constitutes an urban farm?

The definition I like is a site that produces food in or around a city. In 2010, the Seattle City Council changed some zoning codes to recognize urban agriculture and define where it can happen on a commercial scale.

Is pollution a factor?

The general recommendation is to think about what's happened on your particular land and what it's close to -- to use common sense. A study coming out of UW's Forest Resources department highlights lead, arsenic, and cadmium as key contaminants to watch for in urban gardens.

Where lays the balance between funding for urban farms vs. rural farms?

Public dollars are definitely needed for programs that protect farmland and livelihoods in rural areas and educate the public about food and agriculture. One way public funding could support urban farming is to create a process for making publicly owned, undeveloped parcels, like those in utility right of ways available to farm.

Other counties have precedents for leasing farmland for income on unused land while keeping it maintained and useful. This would be a great source of land for Seattle's new urban farming movement, and could set another standard for other cities to follow.

DAY TRIPPING: Escape to History, Critters, and Nature at Baxter Barn

Whether you're a history buff, a naturalist, or a rambunctious toddler, there's something for everyone at Baxter Barn.

Located on a dead-end road in the serene rolling hills of Fall City, WA, Baxter Barn is bursting with history - from original tools like the late 1800's-era hops picking basket to displays of county archive documents and photographs, you could spend hours absorbing early Fall City farm life.

Owners Cory and Lena Huskinson have painstakingly restored the property's natural habitat with sustainability and conservation in mind. No matter what time of year, there are interesting things to do and see, including a visit with the farm's miniature donkeys.

They've also created an environment that has multiple uses for multiple users (like school. camp, scout or senior groups) with tours and educational programs and barnyard birthday parties for kids.

Baxter Barn also makes for the perfect family outing. Enjoy picnic and campfire areas off the walking path along the creek (which boasts Coho fry this time of year), native plant landscaping, over 30 birds and bat nesting boxes, and even a dedicated rock pile for snakes and salamanders. Baxter Barn is certified Salmon-Safe and a King Conservation District Farm of Merit.

Sarah Graham is a volunteer with Cascade Harvest Coalition and aspiring farmer who lives in Seattle with her husband and several four-legged children. Photo courtesy of Baxter Barn.