All Things Good to Eat

April 12th, 2013

It’s that time again. The Bainbridge Island Farmer’s Market is back! Opening this Saturday, April 13th at the Town Square from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Come to meet, greet and enjoy the fresh produce available in a fun and family friendly setting.

Old favorites who are returning this year include  Butler Green Farms, Persephone Farm, Farmhouse Organics, Baywater Shellfish, Paulson Farms, Tani Creek Farm and Laughing Crow Farm. These and many other locally sourced organic growers are here to provide the freshest meats and produce possible. For a full listing of the vendors click here This details who and what will be available.

Another outstanding resource for natural and organic farm producers, nationally, not just for the Northwest is here This is an easily navigated site where one can explore the bounty of organics to choose the healthiest and freshest in produce. There are also links to purchase on line from a large number of members as well as the ability to subscribe for CSA’s.

CSA? Community Supported Agriculture. The idea is for the producer to offer a certain number of “shares”, to the public. This may be in the form of a box of vegetables or other farm products, honey, fresh organic meat, or herbs and flowers. Each subscriber will receive a box of the fresh products weekly through the farming season. The advantages work both for the farmer and consumer.

For the farmer they get to spend time marketing their products before moving into 16 hour days in the fields. They receive payment early in the season which helps with the cash flow and most importantly they get to meet and know the people who will consume their produce.

The subscriber gets ultra fresh produce and exposure to new vegetables and ways of cooking. Typically you will visit the farm at least once a season to witness the process in the fields. This also allows the consumer to develop a relationship with the grower. Many kids are found to favor, “Their” farm and will be more open to trying new foods from there that would be perhaps unknown to them otherwise.

With the spring and summer upon us it’s time to get out, explore what’s new and organic at the farmer’s market. Meet the producers try something new, fresh and healthy.

Help the Kids!

March 11th, 2013

kidsOnly 3 days left to the Coyote Farm Kickstarter fundraising project. They’ve experienced enough community support to reach their first goal — now only days left to reach their stretch goal so that all the new babies can have a new safe home.  If you haven’t had a chance to see the video and read their story follow the link to http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1103312156/for-the-love-of-goats-coyote-farm-creamery?ref=live .  There are some cool rewards for you to choose from.

New pictures from this morning at

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1103312156/for-the-love-of-goats-coyote-farm-creamery/posts/425129?ref=email&show_token=5a3bb5f2c1f348f3

winter-calf-2w44-021413-2

This just in from our rancher at Harlow Cattle Co. in Spanaway, WA:

All,

Sharing my joy… February babies on the ranch bring a smile on a winter’s day.  Enjoy my pleasure as herdswoman tagging a few of the 20 odd new calves in the winter cow herd.

= )  Becky

women_ag

2013expoposter-2

Something New From Something Old

November 26th, 2012

cider

Twenty five years ago, on a trip to Victoria BC, I discovered a new treat.  All of the pubs served something called hard cider! Alcoholic apple juice! Now granted, folks with more “bar time” than me might be surprised that this was a new discovery, but chances are most Americans had little experience with what we now call hard cider.  A non-alcoholic apple beverage called cider was for sale in most grocery stores, but I’m hard pressed (pun intended) to define the difference between non-alcoholic apple cider and apple juice.  A quick search on Google confirms that I’m not alone.  A few states have laws that draw a distinction; cider is unfiltered and juice is filtered. But more often than not, it is simply a matter of labeling.

Hard cider however, has a definitive status and a fascinating history. Probably since the beginning of time, humans have enjoyed the result of fermentation. In Biblical times, we find Noah’s sons getting into big trouble because of growing, fermenting and imbibing the fruit of the vine. As far as apple cider goes – history tells us that apple trees existed along the Nile River delta as early as 1300 BCE. In what is now England, Roman explorers found the locals drinking hard apple cider in 55 BCE.  By the beginning of the 9th century, cider drinking was well established in Europe. In the new world, apple trees for hard cider were the first fruits planted in the British colonies. Historians tell us that John Adams started each day off with a tankard of hard cider for breakfast. It is important to note here that only in America is the term hard cider used.  For most of history and currently in the rest of the world – the term cider always means fermented (and therefore alcoholic) apple juice, with an alcohol content that can range from 2%  to 8.5% ABV (alcohol by volume).

So, if cider drinking has such a long and popular history, why was it such a discovery for me in Victoria?  It is somewhat of a mystery why hard cider all but disappeared from the American table. Historians tell us that as late as the early 1900’s hard cider was the drink of choice for “every-day” Americans. In 1840, conservative presidential candidate William Harrison managed to convince a majority of working class Americans that he was “one of them” by associating himself with the symbols of “log cabin and hard cider”. (Lest we think that photo-ops of politicians drinking beer, bowling and grocery shopping in order to present themselves as “one of us” is a new thing.) Shortly after that though, hard cider all but disappeared from the American scene.

There are a number of reasons that have been bandied around about why hard cider fell so far out of favor. Of course Prohibition in the 1930’s probably played its role. But most other alcoholic beverages came back easily when it was repealed. Some think that a killing freeze in the eastern states during prohibition is to blame. After all of the apple orchards were wiped out, farmers replanted trees much more suitable for eating than fermenting, since alcoholic beverages could not be legally sold. There are also anecdotes about farmers in a fit of temperance-driven passion chopping down all of their cider apple trees. Another factor blamed is the in-flow of German immigrants in the late 1800’s with their superior brewing methods, which greatly improved the taste and popularity of beer.

Whatever the reason for the disappearance of hard cider, we are greatly enjoying its comeback.The Pacific Northwest in particular, is home to many small cider makers, which provide a wide variety of ciders to bars and stores. There are also some fun events to attend in your search for great cider. The Cider Summit, billed as The Largest Ever Tasting of Artisanal Ciders From Around the World has held events for the last 5 years in Seattle and Portland, with one planned for February in Chicago. There is also the Cider Stomp in Portland OR, which is a combined blue-grass festival and cider tasting extravaganza held in early November and definitely on my list for next year.

A short drive north from Bainbridge Island you will find Finnriver Farm, whose ciders have been served at the Harbour Public House &  Pegasus Coffee House.  We visited the farm on a sunny day in late October and had a wonderful experience. Owner Christie Kisler greeted us and led us through an adventure of tastes. The first cider tasted was the Artisan Sparkling Cider which has a crisp dry taste.  This is produced using “method champenoise”, which is rooted in the history of the Champagne region of France. It is also more labor intensive and takes longer than most cider methods. Must be worth it though, Finnriver’s Artisan Sparkling Cider has won a Silver Medal from the Great Lakes International 2011 Cider and Perry Competition, a Silver Medal from the 2011 Northwest Wine Summit and a Double Gold Medal from the 2011 Seattle Wine Awards.  Moving on to dessert choices, we thoroughly enjoyed the Black Current Wine with Apple Brandy, which would pair perfectly with chocolate. However, everyone’s favorite wine was the Spirited Apple Wine which is made from organic apples and then blended with oak-aged, custom-distilled apple brandy. This had a nice kick to it (18% alcohol) and is made in the port style.

While we enjoyed the cider in the cozy tasting room, we learned a lot about the farm and the fortuitous partnership of Christie and her husband Keith Kisler. Purchased in 2004, the Kislers have created a farm that evokes family farms of days gone by. Along with cider, Finnriver provides fresh eggs and produce to area restaurants, farmer’s markets and homes. Keith is a fifth generation farmer from eastern Washington and grew up with farming in his blood. Christie’s childhood in New York City did not provide much farming experience but she had dreams of living on a farm and brings excellent marketing skills to the enterprise. As hostess of the tasting room, she also brings that all-important personal touch to the experience. Whether you are traveling from Bainbridge or from Seattle, Finnriver is a wonderful destination for a very fun, and refreshing day trip.

farm_cse1

Farm to Table Dinner

A benefit for Friends of the Farms
Friday Aug. 17, 2012 6 – 10 pm (food until 8:30 pm)
Madrone Lane, Bainbridge Island, WA

  • Food from over 10 local restaurants and caterers
  • No-host beer & wine garden
  • Music by Pearl Django

To register click here.

The Farm to Table Dinner is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy fabulous food and support Friends of the Farm, an organization dedicated to preserving local farming on Bainbridge Island.  And all the while, you will be entertained by award winning gypsy jazz band Pearl Django. (check out their music here.)

apprentice-with-samFriends of the Farms began its life as an organization in 2001. The primary goal has been to ensure access to land by the farming community.  The organization has a 5 year contract to manage farmland that the city had the foresight to purchase.  The city of Bainbridge Island currently owns five farmland properties totaling 60 acres, some of which was donated.  Three of those properties – Johnson Farm, Morales Farm and Suyematsu-Bentryn farms – are currently being farmed by a collaborative group of farmers.

The farming heritage of Bainbridge has been threatened by a rapidly growing “suburbanization” which has resulted in a dramatic loss of suitable farmland.  As land values increase, access to farm land becomes much more difficult.  Along with managing the public farmland, the organization helps to pair up private land owners with suitable acreage and farmers in search of land.  Friends of the Farms has developed other exciting and innovative programs and resources. They advocate for local farming by working to increase awareness of the benefits of an economy with a strong agrarian component.  They provide opportunities for educational (and fun) events such as the Harvest Fair (held in the fall), Farm Walks and public speaking.  Partnering with the EduCulture Project, headquartered on Bainbridge Island, they have created “lived-learning” experiences for K-12 students.  Through these experiences, food grown by the students will be served in the school district lunch program.  And – for those non-farmers with an itch to get involved, Friends of the Farms holds work parties on the second Saturday of every month to pitch in at the various farms. Every farmer can always use a few more “hands”!

tomato-house-workThe vision of Friends of the Farm is a community that supports local agriculture, honors the farming tradition and is nourished and energized by healthy, locally produced food.  Come to the Farm to Table dinner on the 17th.  Enjoy the music, the food and the fun, while you are supporting and co-creating this vision of a flourishing community.

20121

Left to Right:

PROFILE – Hamilton Anderson
Born: Kirkland, WA
Hometown: Kirkland, WA
Educ: Messiah College, Environmental Science
Interests:  Backpacking, Lawn Games, Ukulele

PROFILE – Ryan Montella,
Born: Abington, PA
Hometown: Doylestown, PA
Educ: Degree in Industrial
Design, Philadelphia University
Interests:  Travel, Food & Wine

PROFILE – Elizabeth Thomas
Born: Boynton Beach, FL
Hometown: Boca Raton, Fl
Educ:  Degree in Environmental Horticulture, University of Florida
Interests:  Traditional Food Preparation and History

PROFILE – Leah White
Born: Bremerton, WA
Hometown: Silverdale, WA
Educ: Degree in Environmental Science, Western WA University
Interests:  Horses & Hiking

PROFILE – Thom Young
Born: Portland, OR
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Educ: Oregon State Univ & UC Santa Barbara – Zoology, Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology
Interests:  Distance Running, Ocean Swimming & Permaculture, Husband and Dad

PROFILE – Britney Tonning
Born: Blue Springs, MO
Hometown: Iowa City, IA
Educ: Degree in University of No. Iowa – BA/Masters – Leisure Services, Non-Profit Administration
Interests:  Outdoor Enthusiast, Reading, Cooking & Crafting

Butler Green Farms grows fruits and vegetables for families in Kitsap County  through Community  Supported Agriculture (CSA) using biodynamic growing methods. Laughing Crow Farm is on Day Road on Bainbridge. Its owner, Betsey Wittick, has been farming on the island for over 20 years. Both farms also sell their produce and meats at the Bainbridge Island Farmers’ Market on Saturdays and to local restaurants on Bainbridge Island and in Seattle.

PROFILE – Sadie Beauregard
Born: Seattle, WA
Hometown:Vashon Island, WA
Educ:Degree in Urban & Environmental Policy, Occidental College
Interests:  Knitting & Hiking

PROFILE – Ben Bisbach
Born: Baraboo, WI
Hometown: Madison, WI
Educ: Graduate of University of Wisconsin – Madison in Forestry
Interests:  Piano, Hiking, Biking & Camping

PROFILE – Jared Trilling
Born: Cincinnati, OH
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Educ: Graduate of University of Montanna, Resource Conservation
Interests:  Hiking, Running, Fishing Rowing, Clamming

PROFILE – Cody Egan
Born: Plainfield, IL
Hometown: Madison, WI
Educ: Graduate of University of Wisconsin – Madison in International Studies & History
Interests: Hiking, Camping, Baking & Reading

The ever popular Persephone Farm marks 21 years in business this fall, and its 16th year of teaching young farmers. The farm sells vegetables, fruit, eggs and flowers in North Kitsap and on Bainbridge Island. Co-owners Rebecca Slattery and Louisa Brown receive about 100 applications each year for the four learning positions they offer. “We like to say the best crop we grow is our crop of beginning farmers,” Slattery said.

http://persephonefarm.com/

RSS | XHTML | CSS