Spring has sprung and we need more space!

The 92nd Street Farm-patch is finally taking shape. The greenhouse is structurally complete, plants are being planted, seeds sown, and the mason bees released. We have plants and seeds up the wazoo and more planed. The 46th Street Farm-patch is being prepped for summer veggies, and some herbs, strawberries and rhubarb are already going in. Our winter garden is still going kale crazy.

With all of this we need more space. Our current patches just aren't quite enough to produce for a restaurant, personal needs, and for a farm stand.  Perhaps you, dear reader, can help.

What we are looking for:  A mid to large (Seattle large, so we know we wont get huge) sized yard, front or back, that has partial to full sun. Grass sod is workable, and existing beds would be amazing. At the very least there has to have been things, even if only grass/weeds, growing there for a couple of years (i.e. no scorched earth). Ideally this location would be north of the Lake Washington Ship Canal (between Lake Union and Shoreline). West of I-5 is a bonus, but not required.

What to expect from us: We need access only to your yard, and access to an outdoor spigot for watering needs. We will also need free reign to plant what we need. In return you will get a share of the produce and an enhanced yard. Since our gardens are a mix of veggies and flowers, expect a more productive and beautiful environment.

So spread the word. Even if you personally do not have what we are looking for, perhaps you have a friend, co-worker or relative who does. Our mission is to build a life around growing Seattle's local food system, and by helping us find some growing space, you will be helping with that as well. It takes a community to feed a community.

Thanks in advance! If you have such a space in mind we can arrange a site visit. Contact us via facebook or email at flyingbearfarm@gmail.com

 - Ben

Kale

Best friends, allies, comforting beings…they come in all shapes and sizes.  I have one in particular that is leaf shaped and usually about knee-high.  She’s Kale, and what a sweet, nourishing, delicious friend she is ;)  Kale is my go-to gal for quick breakfast, salad magic, hangover/holiday curative, pasta partner and even funky bouquet element!  I love kale’s versatility, dense nutrition and ease of growing!

Ben’s winter garden, though small, is pumping out the greenery right now!  Lacinato kale, Red Russian kale, lettuces, overwintered carrots and some tiny spinach are filling out the one bed that’s in production right now.  My favorite morning meal is Kale and Eggs, which at this time of year involves going out in the rain and picking my kale leaves with my winter boots on!  Kale is one of those amazing plants that not only does incredibly well overwintering in this maritime climate, it actually tastes better once it’s been frozen a few times!  Instead of the slightly bitter and earthy taste of deep summer kale (which I really like, too), it is freshly green tasting, nutty and literally sweet.  It’s a great salad green or addition to soup or pasta at this time of year. So my kale and eggs breakfast usually consists of a mess of chopped (very rough julienne) kale, sautéed with olive oil, cider vinegar, oregano, chili flakes and garlic, and a fried egg, because that’s the easiest.  There are tons of more lovelyand interesting ways of doing this meal which I experiment with when I have time.  Try this with a poached egg and toast, add bacon (!), or bake an egg in a nest of kale…the possibilities are endless!  And starting your day with the protein and vitamins and serious life force in this breakfast will definitely leave you feeling extraordinary…ready to change the world, or at least take it on. 

So try this out and let me know what you think! If you don’t have kale in your backyard or on your balcony, nab a bunch at the Farmers Market tomorrow (Oxbow, Nash's, Children's Farm...so many stands to choose from!) along with a dozen super delicious local eggs and experiment!  Then leave a comment here and tell us how it goes!

Happy eating,
Melissa

Growing a greenhouse

With the help of friends and family, our greenhouse has sprouted and is now about 2/3 complete. We were 'blessed' with amazing weather on a day that was forecast to be wet. The sun was greatly appreciated. Today we are picking up the roofing material which is a corrugated, clear plastic material made especially for greenhouses. The south and north walls are complete, the entire structure framed, and only the east and west walls remain to be windowed and doored. Our glass art rewards for our lovely donors are also nearly complete. Look for an update on those soon on kickstarter, as we will be sending those out by the end of March.

The pictures speak for themselves. I can't wait to show you all the picture of the finished greenhouse, but that will likely be at the end of the month. In addition to work, my activities with the Sierra Club are taking me to LA this week for a 'Green Jobs, Good Jobs' conference. Even though this trip is stealing me away from greenhouse work, one of my seminars is on the local food economy. I hope to glean some great factoids to share. At least I will also be able to escape the soggy mess Seattle finds itself in this week.

 - Ben

Spring is in the Air!!

The spot

Busy, busy bees we are here at Flying Bear Farm!  Not only are we hauling booty on the greenhouse project, beginning to plant the first cool-season crops, and working hard to create a lovable marketing strategy…we’ve also just gotten ENGAGED!!

Ben proposed to me on our late-winter Nordic skiing vacation to Montana at a tiny Forest Service cabin at May Creek. Ben’s parents and two family friends were with us for the weekend at the cabin and helped to celebrate the solidification of our love for each other with wine and homemade chili hauled in on a sled over the two miles from the road.   

So in love!!

What a magical place and experience that cabin and May Creek were…I feel very privileged that my first skiing experience could be taught by my bestest friend/beloved in an incredibly beautiful place!  After an afternoon of skiing with Ben in the meadow next to the cabin, Ben hugged me, looked me in the eyes and asked if I would marry him!  Of course, I freaked out, jumped up and down, started crying and as gracefully as possible said that I would!  Even though we had already decided that getting hitched was definitely in our future, the ritual of being asked is still powerful and very sweet. 

The view from our engagement spot!

So now, along with the farm and creating a life together, we are also looking forward to some great parties and a very special, small ceremony in the future!  We’ve decided that August 24^th, 2013 is our date, with a pretty, delicious farm house celebration in Montana to follow (probably September 20^th).  

May Creek Cabin

We are especially over-the-moon for each other, and we both feel like this life is getting better and better as we go!  

 With lots of Springy love and kisses,

Melissa and Ben!