Biological Farming Vocabulary + Key Concepts

This month we're going to cover some basics of the vocabulary your going to see a lot as we continue our discussion of Biological Farming. There are also a few key concepts that are the foundation for Biological Farming. 

Vocabulary:

Balance-

            -Microbial: Balance between different microbes; fungi & bacteria.

            -Chemical: Balance between different minerals; to much of one will inhibit availability in others minerals. Example: Phorsphers & Zinc; to much of either one will make the other unavailable.

            -Energy: Depending on the plant; reproductive (fruit blossoms) or growth (after blooms)

Mineral Availability: Just because minerals are in the soil, that doesn’t mean they are available. Microbes are KEY, without microbes the plant cannot pick up the minerals. Microbes are the stomach of the plant.

Timing-

            -Plant Physiology: The grower needs to know so they can feed the appropriate energy (growth/reproductive).

Microbes: Are what do the solubilizing of minerals; are the driving force of the ecosystem. Digest minerals, that the plant can use.

Energy: All life lives off energy; people, plants, , microbes- interaction of different minerals.

Brix: The measure of suable solids in sap and fruit. Also proportional to the percentage of sugar. More minerals = more nutrient density.

Photosynthesis: a process used by plants and other organisms to convert light energy, normally from the Sun, into chemical energy that can be later released to fuel the organisms' activities (energy transformation).

Genetic Potential: The potential charastics of the plant according to its genetic code. Growers don’t realize their potential because they don’t give the crop everything it needs.

Ryzosphere: microscopic area/zone around the root tip. Thousands of microbes feed from the exudates of the plant and in turn reach out and souilblize minerals making them available to the plants.

Organic Matter-

            - Active: Carbon substances where microbes are actively digesting.

            - Non Active: Carbon substance found in soil are not being digested.

Key Concepts:

1.     Microbes are the stomach of the plant. They digest and make minerals available to the plant.

2.     Imperative to plant - resistant disease – has higher amounts of minerals in tissue.

3.     All life lives off energy, sun provides, interaction of minerals.

4.     Nutrient Dense Food; surplus of energy. Food that is lacking in nutrients can pull energy from the body. Example: A granny smith apple takes more energy for your body to digest this means that the apple did not have a lot of nutrients in it to begin with.

Harvest Update: Open Season

It's finally happening! Our farm stand is opening this week with pre picked berries! Here are all the details you'll need!

Officially Opening: Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at 9 am
Farm Stand Hours: Monday - Sunday 9 am to 6 pm
What We Have: Pre Picked blueberries, and raspberries. 

We expect our farm stand to be open from June 17, 2015 until August 1, 2015. We estimate our U-Pick blueberries will open around the 4th of July. The price of our U-Pick blueberries will be $2.75 per pound. Keeping an eye on our social media, and here on our blog is the best way to stay informed about our harvest. 

If your wanting more than a flat of raspberries we kindly ask you call a head and place an order with us. You can reach us at 541-752-0460, please call during business hours. 

We are so excited to finally start the season, and we can't wait to see you all out at our farm stand and in the field this summer! 

Trellising of Black Raspberries

As we have previously stated we will be having black raspberries starting in 2016. We are so excited about it but in order to get there we have a ton of work to do. In the early spring we planted these cute little guys. Now that they are wanting to grow and get some energy going we need to put in some trellising. We planted 20 acres of black raspberries and we have to put trellising on all of it! What a task! Luckily we have an excellent crew who has worked very had and done a fantastic job. 

Here is our quick look at the process of how we put in our trellising:

If you would like to see more photos check out our Facebook album! 

Mother's Day Special for 2015

This Mother's Day give a Healthy Living Choice with this great gift pack! This special is available for a limited time so get yours today! This special includes 1- Chocolate Blueberry Cluster and 1- 4oz Dried Blueberry. 

This product's price also includes shipping! 

Check it out now on our website!

Up & Coming Announcement From SVO!

A while back we announced that in the year 2016 we would be having Black Raspberries for sale. Well we haven't added just one crop, but in fact two. At this time we would like to announce that in the harvest of 2016 we will also have Aronia berries. 

Aronia Berries are also know as "chokeberry" but have been rebranded into the Aronia. Native to North America, and most commonly found in wet woods and swamps. Places in Europe and Russia have been growing Aronia berries since the early 20th century. Uses for this berry include wines, syrups, juices, soft spreads, teas, salsas, chili starters, extracts, beer, ice cream, and gummies. Here in the United States, Iowa has been at this super foods heart. 

We are excited to start offering this along with all of our other berries and we think it will complement what we are already offering. Aronia berries are thought to be higher in antioxidants than all of our common super foods that we already know and love. While studies are still being conducted as to what exactly they can do, there are strong theories and reports that suggest these health benefits:

• Reduce blood pressure
• Reduce oxidized LDL cholesterol levels
• Reduce inflammation
• Reduce the chance of a heart attack
• Reduce recovery time following a heart attack
• Reduce weight gain
• Reduce eye inflammation
• Reduce muscle recovery time after workouts 
• Regulate Blood sugar
• Reduce the chance of developing cancer

We are excited to include Aronia berries as a new flavor to be included in our spreads, powders, dried, and frozen. We will keep everyone updated as we develop our new products and approach 2016's harvest. Who knows we might even sell them fresh at our farm stand!

For even more information (health benefits and such) please check out these links:

1. Heal With Food 
2. Superberries
3. Nutrition & You

April Events For SVO

We sometimes do events in our local area. This month we will be attending two events that we are very excited to share with you, and invite you to come out and see us! 

April 22, 2015

Earth Day Vendor Fair Hosted by First Alternative Natural Foods Co-Op

This event is going on at both of First Alternatives locations (South & North). We will be at the South Store location (1007 SE 3rd St.) from 12pm to 1:30pm. Then we will move over to the North Store Location (2855 NW Grant Ave.) and will be there from 2pm to 3:30pm. 

We will have our products with us and have sample available! YUM!

Check Out Our Facebook Event for the South Store Location

Check Out Our Facebook Event for the North Store Location

April 25, 2015

Step Into My Parlor Tyee Open House Hosted by Tyee Wine Cellers

You are cordially invited to join Tyee Wine Cellars (26335 Greenberry Rd) on the Buchanan Family Century Farm. Celebrating Tyee's 30th Annual ReOpening, the Buchanan Family will be hosting a "meet and greet" in Tyee's historic Milking Parlor turned Wine Parlor. Come see how we've aged! 

In addition to tasting new release 2012 Tyee Estate Barrel Select Pinot Noir, 2013 Tyee Estate Pinot Gris, 2013 Tyee Gewurztamier and 2011 Tyee Estate Barrel Select Pinot Noir, we will be featuring Winemaker's choice Tyee Library Wines and Tyee New Releases for tasting and purchase. 

Featuring: Marshall Adams on flamenco & classical guitar

Product Demos & Sales from:
Sunset Valley Organics (We will be there from 3:30 to 6pm)
Willamette Valley Cheese Company

Admission: $10 {waived for Tyee Wine Club Members + 1 guest}

Check Out Our Facebook Event For Tyee's Open House

October Updates

The days are getting shorter and colder and that means fall is in full force. We have been keeping busy around the farm and getting all our crops ready for winter. We are also enjoying watching our blueberry fields turn from their lush green color to autumn’s deep red. 

With all of our berries being now out of season we have frozen available in blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries. Unfortunately however, the raspberries sold like hot cakes and we are out of them till next season. 

For this upcoming holiday season we have added new gift boxes to our website that make for the perfect healthy holiday gift, these are also a perfect treat for your. We are currently sold out of our blueberry speed, but never fear, we will have it back in stock in mid-November. 

October Special:

Head on over to our website to check out our special this month! In honor of Halloween we have paired a 4oz bag of dried blueberries with our delicious 3oz bag of chocolate blueberry clusters for $11 (plus shipping). We will have the chocolate clusters available this month and for the holiday season. Get them while you can! Link

This is also the time of the year when we are able to ship our frozen berries at a better rate by ground. This is not offered through our site, so if you try ordering through it you will end up paying normal prices. If you interested in this please call our office at 541-752-0460 between 10 am-4pm Pacific time, Monday through Friday.

Follow us on Facebook, and Pinterest

If you have already followed us on Pinterest please note we are currently updating to a company Pinterest site and request you like our new profile page so that you still see all of our pins. Thanks for your help in making this transition as smooth as possible!

GMO in Oregon: A Year of Progress

Last year we posted about what exactly GMO's are and what they can do to our bodies. In a years time two counties have passes measures that prevent GMO plants being planted in their boundaries. Those counties are Jackson (15-119 Ordinance to Ban Growing of Some "Genetically-Engineered" (defined) Plants) and Josephine (17-58 Josephine County Genetically Engineered Plant Ordinance). For now these are the only counties that are able to act against GMO's in Oregon because Gov. K... banned the counties from acting on their own and moved it to a state level, to be dealt with by Oregon's government, however 150,000 signatures have been gathered, which means come November the people will vote on GMO's and determine the fate of the state. The measure Oregonians will be voting on will be require food to be labeled regarding weather or not the contain GMO's.

In the mean time the best way to prevent eating GMO's is to eat certified organic foods, they by definition can not contain any GMO's. Most certified organic farmers are even now having additional testing for GMO's so they can say with certianity they do not contain any GMO's.

Here is some additional information on Oregon's Measure 92

The Non-GMO Project has also taken off like wildfire, in just walking around my local grocery store I am seeing more and more Non-GMO Project labels. This non-profit organization is the only third party verification and labeling for Non-GMO's in North America. They currently have over 20,000 verified products from 2,200 brands,

It's our right to know what is in the food we eat, what has been done to it, and where it comes from, and it's good to hold everyone in the food industry accountable. There is still a lot we don't know about GMO's, so just because we don't know they aren't bad for us doesn't rule out that they are bad.

If you live in the state of Oregon, remember to vote this November because our votes are going to have a huge impact on food labeling and GMOs.

Home Garden Care: Strawberries

You can enjoy fresh strawberries during the summer from your garden, and the best part is they are relatively easy to take care of. Here are some tips and tricks if your new, or looking to learn more about growing strawberries.

Different varieties produce fruit at various times during the growing season. After your strawberries are finished producing fruit, usually in summer or fall, cut or mow the plants down to 1 or 2 inches above the crowns. When winter arrives, it's time to care for your strawberry plants by keeping them warm until spring. Cover strawberry plants once temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Use 3 to 4 inches of loose mulch, such as straw or leaves. This is necessary in climates where winter temperatures are regularly below freezing. Remove mulch in spring when the strawberry plants start to grow again or when temperatures remain regularly above freezing.

Protect strawberry plants temporarily in warmer climates on unusual cold, freezing nights. In the evening, cover plants with a sheet of spunbound polyethylene, recommends University of Oregon, and remove it in the morning. A bed sheet or piece of burlap can suffice in a crunch.

Bring potted strawberries to a protected area where freezing temperatures are not an issue. Potted plants are not as insulated as ground plants and are more susceptible to winter injury. A covered porch, garage or basement might work well. If you cannot move the container, cover the plants with mulch as you would ground plants or drape a piece of burlap over top of the container.

Some other resources to consider:

Sunset Article

Old Farmers Almanac

Then with all your delicious berries you can try out this yummy recipe!

Strawberry Shortcake Pops

makes 12 popsicles

2 cups fresh strawberries, washed and hulled

1/2 cup crushed Nilla wafers
2 cups plain whole milk yogurt
1/3 cup honey (more if desired)
12 6 oz. Dixie cups
wooden popsicle sticks

In a medium bowl, combine the crushed Nilla wafers, yogurt, and honey. Set out 12 6 oz. Dixie cups, and fill each one with 2 tablespoons of the yogurt mixture. Set in the freezer to chill for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a blender or food processor, puree the berries. Divide the berries among the 12 cups, and freeze for another 30 minutes.

Finally, divide the remaining yogurt mixture among the cups, add a popsicle stick to each one, and chill completely, several hours or more.

To serve, simply cut or tear the cup off. 

From Babble

GMO's, Monsanto, & Your Role

The issue of GMO's are becoming a hotter and hotter topic, and there is a serious demand for labeling of foods that contain GMO's or don't. The good news is that if your buying your food from Certified Organic farmers or sources then that food does not contain any GMO's. This is because of the use of GMO's is prohibited in Certified Organic practices by the USDA, "The use of genetic engineering, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), is prohibited in organic products. This means an organic farmer can’t plant GMO seeds, an organic cow can’t eat GMO alfalfa or corn, and an organic soup producer can’t use any GMO ingredients. To meet the USDA organic regulations, farmers and processors must show they aren’t using GMOs and that they are protecting their products from contact with prohibited substances, such as GMOs, from farm to table." Organic 101: Can GMOs Be Used in Organic Products?

In the aspect of getting legislation passed that would require companies to say whether or not their product contains GMO's there is a large push for it not to pass. Most of the pressure is coming from a company called Monsanto, they are the same company that produces round-up. 

For more information about what exactly a GMO is click here, it's a great article that explains the difference between non-GMO and GMO. 

The best thing that anyone can do while the politicians sort things out is to support you local Certified Organic Famers. Your supporting your local community, and your putting your money into what you believe is right for your health. 

Hope this helps everyone out a bit, we will be continuing to follow this topic through its process. 

Autumn is Upon Us!

Happy start of september! We have finished up our blackberries and are putting our fields to bed for a nice long rest after they did so good this summer. They deserve a break! We will NOT be at the Corvallis Farmer's Market this fall, and WILL be open at our farm during the week. Monday to Friday 10 am to 4 pm.

We love watching our fall colors come into our blueberry bushes:

Business of the Week Article

The Corvallis Sustainability Coalition does interviews with their members every week, last week we were featured! Check out the article here & check out the CSC site here.

Superbowl Commerical Dodg Ram "Farmer"

For those of you who might have missed the superbowl or its famous commericals this is one that hit home for us. Please watch and enjoy!

Summer's Finally Heating Up!

Saturdays are always a busy day for us here on the farm. Today is no different. The U-Pick field is busy with people coming out of the field with huge gorgeous berries. We are still on the first pick of the field, and plan on doing a second, however those berries look to be just as large as the first pick, and it’s pretty amazing! Our U-Pick price is $2.65 per pound, and we are open from 8am to 6pm daily.

We have another berry that is just coming into season, blackberries that are plump and as large as my thumb! We have two sizes available at the farm stand and at the Corvallis Saturday Farmers Market which is one pound for $5.00 and five pounds for $18.00. This is the first weekend we are having them and we expect the season to go for at least three weeks. If you are wanting to get a lot we in courage you to place an order, or wait until we are mid season and have a lot more of a supply.

This weekend’s heat is sure to help ripen every crop, and we are anticipating the start of our frozen picking season to start this coming week. Which also means we are going to start packing this year’s crop in our frozen boxes, please call ahead to find out if we are indeed packing or if your wanting to pick up more than 2 boxes (30 pounds per box) at a time.

Have a great weekend everyone! Keep cool!

Raspberries and Blueberries Are Here!

This is the first year we are having raspberries, and they are in full swing at the farm. During the week please call a head to place an order and will have freshly picked raspberries waiting for you. On the weekends you can find our booth at the Corvallis Farmer's Market (located on the Riverfront in Downtown Corvallis), we are right across from Denison  Farms at the end nearest Great Harvest Bakery.

Blueberries are also starting to come on, our first variety is Duke, we will have them at the farm stand as well as at the Corvallis Farmer's Market. If your looking for more than 10 pounds at a time please call a head so we can make sure you get as much as you desire.


U-Pick Blueberries: We will have them, however the field is not ripe yet because they are Blue Crop and are considered to be a mid season berry. We are optimistic that the field will be ready to be open around the 14th of July. Please call a head to see what is happening during the time you are wanting to come out.

Our farm stand is open from 9am to 5pm daily right now, and as soon as U-Picks start we will be open from 8am to 6pm daily.

Busy On The Farm

Everyone is getting excited for strawberry season to start! We are now into June and our organic strawberies will be ready soon! This week we will be hoeing the strawberries. We started mowing again between the rows of our blueberries. The crew is still appying fish for fertilizer on all of our berries. Keep an eye out for when out strawberries will be ready. Find us on facebook and keep updated about whats going on here at the farm.

       

News on the Farm

In the last few weeks the crew had been transplanting strawberries and raspberries. They have also been finishing up with pruning the blueberries.
If you would like to keep updated on whats going on here at the farm, visit the Homepage and sign up for our monthly newsletter. Its a great way to get deals and specials on our products as well.
Keep in mind with spring coming soon it will be warming up. Make sure you get the Chocolate Blueberry Clusters while we have them, as of April 20th, they will no longer be online until next fall.

About Our Newsletter

Sunset Valley Organics sends out a Newsletter every month. We like to keep our customers involved with what's going on here at the farm. This month's newsletter talks about how we dehydrate our blueberries. It also talks about our crew getting ready for foliar feeding. To sign up for our newsletter visit our homepage and enter your email on the right side of the page. Every newsletter offers either coupons or deals on our products, so its a great way to save.  This month's deal is $.50 cents off both kinds of our spreads. This is a leap year so we decided to put our most popular item on sale on February 29th only, because this day only comes around every four years. To find out what our most popular item is, be sure to visit our homepage and check for our  Specials on the right side of the page.

For our customers who already receive our newsletter, we apologize for the duplicate messages. We have switched to a new system and we are still learning the process. 

Pruning On The Farm

Every year in January, here on the farm, the crew takes on a big project, pruning our Blueberry bushes.  It is done at this time of year because the plants are dormant. Annual pruning is required to maintain blueberry plant strength and productivity. Proper pruning balances the production of strong, new wood while maintaining good fruit production. When pruning it’s important to take about 50% of the fruit buds out. This allows more energy to focus on the new bud growth to let them flourish. Removing all the smaller twiggy branches is an advantage to new growth because it’s gives bigger twigs that have more diameters more energy and room to grow. Weak twiggy wood generally has few buds and produces small berries.

Easy Steps to take when pruning:

1. Remove low growth that would touch the ground when loaded with fruit. Cut of short, soft, new shoots that developed from the base of the plant late in the season.

2. Cut out weak, twiggy wood from the top, middle and outer parts of the plant. Remove enough wood from the top to let light down into the plant center.

3. If your plants tend to overbear, thin the fruit buds by trimming back some of the small shoots carrying 

heavy load of flower buds. Blueberry flower buds are near the tips of the past season’s growth.

Location of fruit buds and vegetative buds (leaf buds) on dormant blueberry plants:
Fruit buds-large, plump and located on the terminal 2
to 3 inches of shoots
Vegetative buds (leaf Buds) -small, pointed and located on the basal part of shoots

1 Pruning severity may need to be adjusted to balance the production of good, high quality crop adequate growth for ensuring year’s crop. Bob Wilt (owner) has been pruning for 35+ years, so its second nature for him. Experience is the best guide on how much to prune. Weak bushes require more pruning then vigorous bushes because pruning stimulates vegetative growth.

Crew Member Pruning Blueberry Bushes

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