Moving Pipes and Packing Produce
Hello, readers! My name is Sean. I worked at Red Dog Farm in 2016 and 2017, and I am happy to be back!The farm day starts a little differently for me than it did before. Usually a drive down the dusty farm road settles me in before I walk to the pack shed, where I might see farm dog Maggie waiting for Karyn, looking forward to seeing what they will do that day. When the crew has all arrived, farm manager Lane and crew lead Julia give us a morning briefing and we begin our day.But now, to keep everyone healthy, instead of gathering for a...
read moreSummer, Tomatoes, and an Easy Balsamic Reduction
Normally here, I’d like to write about goings on out in the field, and include some amusing anecdote followed by a recipe. Unfortunately, I’ve been out of the field for a time, nursing a torn tendon in my ankle. Chances are, however, that the tender and juicy green beans you are receiving this week were bagged by yours truly. The crew wanders in and out of the packing shed throughout the day as I bag various veggies, and I get to know these folks. Among them are some truly hilarious storytellers, gifted athletes, sailors, plant nerds, and at...
read moreThe Vibrant Wildlife of Organic Farms
Summer mornings on the farm are misty and cool. Usually we spend them in the field closest to Chimacum creek, harvesting greens like spinach and arugula in the crisp morning air so they stay fresh before the sun burns away the fog and the day really begins. Quiet mornings like these are some of my favorite times at Red Dog Farm. We work steadily in the gentle light, to the tune of the lively morning chorus of birds cheerfully carrying on in the hedge rows, flitting among the fruit trees, foraging for insects in the fields, and flocking in...
read moreThe Flavors of Summer
As we come to the end of July, the farm is getting deeper into the harvest of more and more varieties of produce. For example, for carrots, we’re harvesting orange carrots, purple carrots, and rainbow carrots, which come in colors from pink to pale yellow to orangey-red to deep purple. I’d love to see everyone taste the different flavors offered in each of the carrots grown at Red Dog, as well as the colorful assortment of other tasty veggies. Each one has its own unique flavor. For anyone looking for a recipe on the decadent side and...
read moreSun Versus Rain: A Farmer’s Pros and Cons
Hot! Hot! Hot! Only days ago we were all moaning about the gray glum and rain, and now, look at the world- sunny, blue skies, and dry earth- woohoo! Aside from the emotional, mental and suntan impact the weather has on us farmers, early summer excessive rain or sun can set the course for the rest of the season. Effects of rain Pros: Irrigates the crops for free Helps crop roots get deeply established, which reduces susceptibility to disease and pest pressure later Reduces aphid, flea beetle and other pest pressure Cons: Makes it impossible to...
read moreSummer is Veggie Grilling Time
Summer now seems upon us, the inclement weather of spring is dissipating, and the sun is warming our little patch of earth at the farm. With the change in weather comes summer vegetables of all sorts! Dainty yellow flowers in the squash field have transformed into plump zucchinis, and slender green beans hang delicately near the potato flowers. We have been popping Walla Walla onions out of the field along with fennel with their fragrant, anise-scented fronds. The potatoes are being dug up from their soil slumber, and red beets are rounder...
read moreSounds of the Weekend Farm
This weekend, I had the joy of living on the farm for a few days—and with it, the chance to see it in a way I haven’t before. I like coming to work at Red Dog Farm and look forward to seeing my new friends, working hard, and the always-changing nature of our work. But on the weekend, when everyone goes home, the farm is a familiar but different place. On Saturday morning, I woke up to the sound of the box truck tires clicking up the gravel road for market. In the morning light, with a cup of coffee, I started doing my rounds: checking the...
read moreSummer Veggies are On Their Way
Summertime on the Peninsula is definitely one of the biggest perks of farming in this area. The long sunny days, cooled by ocean breezes and wayward irrigation sprinklers, keep us pretty comfortable around here. Not to say it never gets hot, but certainly not as hot as my home state of Texas. When blistering days do arrive they are usually met with open arms. The chatter in the fields is dominated by the daunting decision of which swimming hole to meet at after work: Irondale Beach? Gibbs Lake? Can’t go wrong. Nothing like an upcoming beach...
read moreBirthday Veggies
Happy June 24th all! Because today is my (Phoenix’s) birthday, I decided to interview the crew about theirs! Question 1: What is your favorite vegetable/fruit that comes out during your birthday month? Question 2: What is your favorite food you like to eat on your birthday? Minotaur (February): Potatoes Year round, but especially on her birthday, Minotaur loves to celebrate with nachos. Shed Fairy (March): Red Cabbage Raab Shed Fairy likes to celebrate with an 85% dark chocolate bar. Lil Shrimp (April): Raab Lil Shrimp loves the mac...
read moreThe Sun Will Return
It seems to be a Pacific Northwest thing to have an impromptu rainy season in June. This doesn’t happen every year, but it does happen. I celebrated my 33nd birthday earlier this month and I can definitely say that I remember having as many cloudy birthdays and sunny ones, being a PNW kid. However, I would never refer to them as dreary. If the sky needs to rain itself out, let it do so. The sun will be back, I promise. What a magnificent thing it is to be witnessing the world changing right now! It may be troubling and painful at times, but...
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