Uncategorized July 5, 2018

Upick Berries

UPick Berries

There is nothing that will make you appreciate delicious berries more than the sweat and work that goes into picking them. Working for those juicy goodies will only make them taste even better, and that’s why we love the opportunity to visit local farms for their U-Pick berry events. There are several farms on Whidbey Island that give you the chance to take the family and pick your own strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries!

  1. Bell’s Farms: 892 West Beach Rd, Coupeville.

 

Bell’s Farms is practically famous on Whidbey Island for their plump and juicy strawberries. They host the annual Strawberry Daze Festival where you can not only pick strawberries, but also enjoy a glass of strawberry lemonade and other delicious strawberry treats while you are there. Bring the kids they have a petting zoo and fun activities too! UPick strawberry season can vary so follow their Facebook page for real time updates.  https://www.facebook.com/Bells-Farm-164501900234634/

 

  1. Bonnie’s Blueberries: 4414 N Jones Rd, Oak Harbor.

Boasting of 75+ year old blueberry bushes, Bonnie’s Blueberries is the perfect place to pick your own fresh Rubels, Atlantic, and Jersey blueberries. This small, mother and son run business is a favorite in Oak Harbor due to their welcoming personalities and of course the delicious blueberries! Their blueberry season typically runs somewhere around July 1st through September 31st, however the blueberry crop is totally dependent on mother nature. For updates on Blueberries and when they will be ready, call 360-679-3600. If you just can’t’ wait that long Bonnie’s Blueberries offers frozen berries year-round, just call to place your order!

 

  1. Hunter’s Moon Farm: 935 Bunch Lane, Oak Harbor.

 

Hunter’s Moon Farm, a certified organic blueberry farm, provides the chance to pick a variety of late season blueberries. The farm is open Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10-4pm and the blueberry season is expected to begin the end of July and run through the middle of September. To stay up to date on their season and other happenings around the farm, you can sign up for their mailing list here: http://huntersmoonorganics.com/ . Hunter’s Moon is also known for their blueberry honey, snack bars, syrup, and jam which you can grab while you are there for your blueberry picking adventure! You can also follow them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Hunters-Moon-Farm-764648210260935/

 

  1. Crescent Harbor Blueberry Farm: 2726 Laurel Lane, Oak Harbor.

If you’re looking for more of a “private” blueberry picking experience. Crescent Harbor Blueberry Farm is the place to go, and they don’t stop at blueberries! This small, family farm also offers raspberries, Marion berries, tayberries, and boysenberries. U-Pick berries at Crescent Harbor are available by appointment only. To make your appointment and get updates on the crop availability, give them a call at 360-679-4210.

 

  1. K&R Farms The Stand: 36699 SR 20, Oak Harbor.

 

Previously known as Dugualla Bay Farm, K&R Farm “The Stand” is making its presence known in Oak Harbor. Stop by for a U-pick strawberry and raspberry experience, then reward your hard work with a hearty serving of ice cream! The Stand has not released their U-Pick days just yet, so you will want to follow their Facebook page for updates on their crop, and hours of operation as it changes from week to week. https://www.facebook.com/KandRFarmsLLC/

 

Map of UPick Berry Farms:

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Uncategorized March 15, 2018

From Their Farm to Your Table

From Their Farm to Your Table

Farm, table, whidbey island, fresh, local, locally grown, farmers

 

Just like most things nostalgic, many of us can recall our parents or grandparents growing something tasty in a small veggie garden. Remember those little cherry tomatoes that grow and develop into vibrant, juicy, delectable, red balls of happiness that burst in your mouth and send a tingle all the way down to your toes. If you have not been lucky enough to experience this taste and feeling you need to put that on your to do list this summer!

There is just something extra yummy about fresh out of the ground, sun-warmed produce.

You may be a little challenged in the gardening department or more likely just too busy to tend a garden. You may be wishing you could grow your own fresh produce instead of digging through bins at the store for an acceptable looking vegetable from halfway across the world.

If this is you, a farm share may be the perfect solution and an experience that every Whidbey resident should have at least once!

Wait a minute, what on earth is a farm share? (Don’t worry, many say the same thing when they first learned about them!)

A farm share allows you to purchase a weekly “share” from a local farm’s crop. We are so lucky here on Whidbey to have agriculture and amazing produce farms just minutes away.

Check it out!

Some things you should know about how important and special farm shares are…

#1 Eating seasonally tastes better! When you purchase fresh-grown produce, you are receiving crops that change with seasons. Unlike the grocery store, where everything is available most of the year, farm shares are providing you with produce that grows and ripens at different times of the year. Naturally ripened food that doesn’t have to travel far tastes different, better…

#2 Get creative & adventurous in the kitchen! With trying new produce comes trying new recipes, experimenting with your new-found veggies, and learning how to cook with the seasons. This is an excellent chance to experience produce you have never tried or may have never heard of before. You may end up with things like arugula, green garlic, beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, chard, pears, apples, strawberries… the list goes on and on!

#3 Support the rural/agricultural feel of Whidbey by supporting our local farmers! By participating in a farm share, you are not only enjoying fresh produce each week, you are supporting a local farmer and the local economy. Farms shares cut out the middle man. Instead of being sent off for packaging and delivery, produce is harvested and put together in a box, basket, or bag for you to take home and enjoy. By paying for your share upfront, the farmer can use that money to purchase seeds, bulbs, and other necessities to keep their farm running, and provide you with high quality produce. Another bonus: knowing how much crop they need helps farmers plan better for the growing season, resulting in less waste!

So, where on Whidbey Island can you participate in a farm share? Several farms in Coupeville, Freeland, Langley, and Clinton participate in Community Supported Agriculture programs (CSA). The growing season typically runs the end of March through November/September, and prices range from $200-$800 a growing season, depending on how large of a selection you want each week. Some of these farms offer fresh eggs, poultry, and pork as well. Each farm has a different process for sign up, payment, and pick up so be sure to check out their website to find out how you can get involved in your very own farm share.

Find Your Farm:

Prairie Bottom Farm- Coupeville

Wilbur & Julieanna Purdue

http://www.prairiebottomfarm.com/csa/

 

Rosehip Farm & Garden- Coupeville

Linda Bartlett & Valerie Reuther

http://rosehipfarmandgarden.com/data/csa.html

 

Deep Harvest Farm- Freeland

Annie Jesperson & Nathaniel Talbot

https://deepharvestfarm.com/csa/

 

12 Birches Farm- Langley

Anna Petersons

https://deepharvestfarm.com/csa/

 

Ebb Tide Produce- Langley

Blake & Bobbie Mennella

Jack Baars, Whitney Heitzman

https://www.ebbtideproduce.com/services

 

Full Cycle Farm- Langley

Britt & Eric Conn

http://www.fullcyclefarm.com/food.html

 

SkyRoot Farm- Clinton

Beth Wheat & Arwen Norman

http://www.skyrootfarm.com/community-supprted-agriculture/ 

 

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