Tulips Springing
A gift that being a farmer gives you is living life by the seasons. They all have their defining features and creatures — for me in spring, it’s unpredictable weather; it’s watching tulips ripen; it’s little baby frogs living in the greenhouse lettuce, purple sprouting broccoli, absurd amounts of raab, piglets in a pen and bringing new crew onto the farm. Going into my third season at Red Dog, I’m in a throws of nostalgia: this time last year I was doing a lot of the same…picking tulips, for example. Here I am doing it all over again, but I...
read moreEarth Day Recipes
This week is earth week! Produce-wise, April and May can be the slimmest pickings of the year on local PNW farms, when the overwintered and stored crops have mostly been eaten and we turn our attention to growing and transplanting seedlings. It can sometimes be difficult or uninspiring to cook with locally grown fruit and veg at this time of year so I am going to list two recipe suggestions that are fun, unique ways to eat on Earth Day, using Red Dog Farm ingredients provided to all our CSA members! 1: PSB Pizza — a Red Dog crew...
read moreA “Galaxy” of Creative Plant Names
Hi CSA readers! Eli here! With spring in full swing, we are doing a lot of greenhouse work at the farm these days! Just a couple of weeks ago I was assigned to be greenhouse assistant for the springtime, so I have gotten to spend a lot of time getting to know all of the baby plants that we’ll be growing on the farm this season, and those we’re selling for you to grow at home! Working in the greenhouse with Eva has been an absolute joy. It is a truly amazing experience to begin with a tiny seed and know that each little dried-up seed will grow...
read moreCSA Means Springtime
Welcome to 2023 CSA! CSA has become synonymous with spring, and it is such a pleasure to distribute our stored winter roots, burgeoning greens, and tulips! You’re getting just a taste of tulips this week, with more to come. We have been so thankful for some sunny, dry weather these past weeks, but overall the temps have been unseasonably cold (a snow blizzard yesterday morning!?). Tulips and most crops are running behind schedule, but will be caught up in no time. This time of year is what I call “scrounge harvest”. I tell our harvest...
read moreThankful for the Abundant Season
2022 proved itself to be the most unusual farming year I’ve ever experienced, one in which many, many valuable lessons were learned. Literally nothing went as planned this year- from planting plans to staffing plans- there was constant change and upheaval. I’ve learned over the past 24 years farming that being flexible is paramount to success as a farmer. This year, I learned that to my core. Previously I thought I was flexible, but that was only practice, as it turned out! Amazingly, despite the record-breaking spring rainfall, staffing...
read moreWinter Bounty
Winter farming is in full swing at the farm! Many market and Farmstand customers are shocked when they hear that we still harvest in the winter. What is there to harvest? How do these crops survive a Pacific Northwest winter? Are farmers willing to harvest outside during this time of the year? I asked all of these questions when I first started farming at Red Dog. To my surprise, there are lots of crops to be harvested in the winter. In fact some crops that we planted in the summer will survive all the way through the winter and may be in the...
read moreThe Fields of Red Dog Farm: A Musical Journey
Dan here! As the season is coming to a close, I reflect back on many fond memories throughout the season here at Red Dog Farm. I relocated to Jefferson County this year, specifically to work on the farm and find community. I’ve lived all over the US and even some parts of Mexico. I’m somewhat of a rambler if you will. One of my favorite parts of working at Red Dog Farm is the love I have for my co-workers. It’s a truly special group of people I have the honor and pleasure of working with daily. We all have our stories, our journeys that...
read moreGiving Thanks for Good Food
For many people, this Thursday and Friday mark Thanksgiving Day and Native American Heritage Day. It’s an often-complicated weekend that has different significance to different people—many times including family, food, travel and reflections of history and the things we have. For my family, it’s a chance to reunite, spend quality time, make good food, and take care of one another. I’m so excited to spend time with my family and share with them the food that my friends and I grow and harvest here at Red Dog Farm. One thing I’m especially...
read moreRooted in Nourishing Roots
What a time to be a farmer! Just when we thought the rains were coming, here we are basking in the November sun! No complaints here. Nothing lifts the spirits like some sunshine when this time last year we were swimming in mud brought about by an atmospheric river of rain. It’s wild to witness the farm as the seasons change. For me, this farm feels more and more like home. And when the fields start to empty and the crew shrinks, I imagine it’s what a parent must feel like when their kids go off to school and the house starts to feel a little...
read moreThe Rain Has Arrived!
Working on the farm is a lovely experience. There’s something very satisfying about working outdoors, in all weather conditions. I feel that it creates a deeper connection with the natural world, to really experience each and every season. With that in mind, I am pleased to announce the rain has arrived! I’m sure if you’re reading this, you are well of aware of the wet weather the region has started to experience once again. I, for one, welcome the precipitation. Sure, it’s not always easy working in the rain. A hot cup of coffee during break...
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