Final Harvest Report for 2015

Happy Monday Everyone! As most of you are aware of we closed our U-Pick about two weeks ago now (wow how time flies!) and we had such a great season! Thanks to everyone who came and bought/picked from us. We wanted to make one final harvest report, because tho we are done harvesting (and processing!) our blueberries we still are picking and processing blackberries, and Aronia berries.

We have finally finished harvesting and processing our blueberries. If you ordered bulk 30 pound boxes from us you should have received a phone call letting you know they are ready to be picked up. If not, feel free to call us at 541-752-0460.

Our blueberries did incredible this year. We harvested, and processed a record amount! We made it through the hot weather and our farming practices are really starting to show. If you missed it check out the following table. In 2010 we test our berries for what minerals where in them and how they stacked up against our competition. This summer we did it again, and we have seen a ton of improvement. 

Our blackberries are still being harvested and processed. We are not selling any fresh but we will have frozen in the coming weeks. (Just the same as raspberries- we expect to have these suckers back in stock in mid September.)

Our Aronia berries are just a baby crop and we are still at least a week away from picking them. It's just a baby crop and we are excited to start experimenting with them in freeze dried powders and spreads. If you are unaware what Aronia berries are check out this post from us, it give a good over view of them.

We also wish to remind everyone we have switched to our Fall/Winter Hours, Monday - Friday 10 am to 4 pm.

Lastly we are trying to get to 1000 likes on Facebook, when this happens we will be doing a contest/giveaway of our products! So tell your friends, family members, and neighbors about us!

News from around the farm for July

July is Here! 

We have been so busy on the farm and we have so many things happening. The biggest is we have started our harvest for the summer. We started June 17, and June 29 we opened for U-Pick Blueberries. We are also getting ready to harvest on a larger scale for our frozen processing. 

Details of our Harvest

If you have been following us on any of our social media we have been sending out weekly updates called “Harvest Reports” in which we summarize what is going on for the week, what we have available for purchase at our farm stand and how we think our berries are ripening. This is the best way other than giving us a call, to find out how things are going. 

We had a fantastic response to our raspberries this year, we have barely been able to keep up with demands for them this year! However all good things must come to an end. This week is the end of our red raspberries, and we will just have blueberries and maybe some black raspberries. (If your interested in black raspberries please keep in mind they are baby plants and there isn't a whole lot out there. There will be tons next year, so thank you for your patients.) 

We have frozen in raspberries if you missed out and we sell them not just online, but at our farm stand as well, so you can still get your fill! We will have frozen raspberries starting in august some time. 

We have fresh picked blueberries, since opening our variety has been Duke, an early variety, but this week we are changing to Blue Crop (this is the same variety that is our U-Pick field). If your interested in buying more than a flat or two at a time please call us to place an order. 

U-Pick is officially open! We are open 9 am to 6 pm daily (includes weekend). Please bring containers to take home the berries in. Our U-Pick variety is Blue Crop and our price is $2.75 per pound. We only offer U-Pick for blueberries. 

Please Note: July 1-3 due to high temps we will be closing our U-Pick field each day at noon to cool the field with water. If we continue to have high temperature we will continue to close the field to protect the crop. For updates please follow our social media or give us a call. Thank you for understanding and your patients. 

Blackberries are coming up pretty soon as well. Right now we are estimating they will be ready some time in late July or early August. If you want to be notified about when we have fresh blackberries please call to have your name put on a list or to reserve fresh blackberries. 

Our 30 cases will be ready around the 13 of July. If you have placed an order with us to reserve berries you can expect a call from us the week of July 6 letting you know all the details. We will also post about our 30 pound cases on all social media.  If you would like to reserve a 30 pound case (or more) please call us and we can add you to our list. 

Plus....

We have also been voted the best U-Pick Berry Farm of 2015 by the readers of Willamette Living Magazine. We would like to thank everyone who voted, and even if you didn’t, you are the whole reason we do this, with out you guys we wouldn’t be in business. So THANK YOU! 

Social Butterflies!

We have had a very busy month on Facebook, Twitter, and our Blog. It’s the best way to keep up to date with our harvest this year. Each week we post about our harvest, recipes, and more! On Facebook this summer we have a goal of getting to 1,000 likes, we are currently at 838, at 1000 likes we will be having a give a away of a gift basket full of our products. So if you haven't liked us please do so, and share our page with all your friends & family! We will announce details for the give away on our Facebook once we have hit 1,000 likes. 

We would also like to announce that we now have an active Instagram account. You can follow us @SVOrganics . On our Instagram you can see more details about our harvest and yummy recipes we love to make! 

This month Pinterest we will be doing a few different things. First we have a brand new board celebrating all the great things about America, especially the delicious food! We are also adding to our Blueberry, Raspberry, and Blackberry Inspired boards, as well as Harmonious Berry Blends. 

Coupons and Specials:

For those of you who received postcards you can still redeem the coupon on them when you come see us at the farm. Just remember to bring it with you when you come see us. If you don’t get those post cards all you have to do is find our ad in Oregon Family Magazine and tell us about it and get a great saving! Each of these is a one time only, and will be valid during our 2015 Fresh harvest, only valid at our farm stand. 

If you come out to our farm stand and show us you have liked us on Facebook, or Follow us on Twitter then you can save 10% off your total order! This offer will be available as long as our farm stand is open. 

Blueberry, Strawberry, Jicama Salsa

Makes about 3 cups of salsa

Ingredients:

1. 1 Cup fresh blueberries
2. 1 Cup diced strawberries
3. 1 Cup diced jicama
4. 1/3 Cup chopped cilantro
5. 1/4 Cup finely chopped red onion
6. 2 tablespoons finely chopped jalapeno pepper, stemmed + seeded.
7. Juice of 1 large lime
8. Salt, to taste
9. Tortilla chips, for serving

Directions:

In a medium bowl, combine blueberries, strawberries,  jicama, cilantro, red onion, jalapeño, and lime juice. Stir until well combined. Season with salt, to taste. Serve with tortilla chips at room temperature or chilled. 

Note: This salsa is also great with grilled fish, or chicken. It is best eaten the day it is made. 

Blueberry Breakfast Parfait Pops

Inspired from Mom On Time Out   Makes 4

Ingredients:

1. 4 Yoplait Greek Yogurts (2 Blueberry, 2 Vanilla)
2. 4 Blueberry Nature Valley Breakfast Biscuits, crushed
3. 1/2 Cup Fresh or Frozen Blueberries

Directions:

Fold blueberries into vanilla yogurt. 

First two popsicles:

Layer 2 tablespoons blueberry yogurt, 1 teaspoon breakfast biscuits, 2 tablespoons vanilla yogurt, 1 teaspoon breakfast biscuits, and 2 tablespoons blueberry yogurt in popsicle mold. (Adjust according to the size of your mold.) Sprinkle additional crushed biscuits on top and press in slightly to adhere.

Second Two Popsicles:

 Layer 2 tablespoons vanilla yogurt, 1 teaspoon breakfast biscuits, 2 tablespoons blueberry yogurt, 1 teaspoon breakfast biscuits, and 2 tablespoons vanilla yogurt in popsicle mold. (Adjust according to the size of your mold.) Sprinkle additional crushed biscuits on top and press in slightly to adhere.

Freeze for at least four hours before removing and enjoying.

June 2015 Favorites

It seems like June just flew by, but I guess thats what happens when crops start being ripe and things started getting really busy around the farm. In case you missed anything here a little recap from this month in all the things we liked and had happen. 

I think the biggest news that came from us this month was opening the our farm stand for the summer. Since that post we have had a harvest update and will probably have them weekly until the end of our harvest 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. 
U-Pick Blueberries are now open! Our U-Pick price is $2.75 per pound. 

Click here to see more...

This month we focused on National Men's Health Awareness and a couple of really delicious posts we really enjoyed were: Healthy Greek Yogurt + Honey Blueberry Muffins and Marinated Tomato + Mozzarella Pasta 

In news from around the world we found this article sadly amusing, and a reinforcement that GMO is not the answer to problems in agriculture. 

For those techies out there we discovered Garden Plan Pro, an app in which you are able to plan your garden!

Harvest Update: U-Pick Blueberries, End of Raspberries + More!

Well its finally here, the most exciting time of the year! We are happy to announce our U-Pick Blueberry field is now open! 

Yes we are opening a touch earlier than expected, but it's great for you guys! That much sooner you can get your hands on delicious Blueberries! We are open everyday from 9 am to 6 pm. 

Our first U-Picker of the season!

Our U-Pick is only for Blueberries.

The variety is Blue Crop, they are huge, sweet berries. 

Our U-Pick price is $2.75 per pound.

Please bring your own containers to take the berries home in. 

Dogs aren't allowed in the field so please them at home.

(left) Red Raspberries (Right) Black Raspberries

 Please Note: On Thursday, July 2, 2015 + Friday, July 3, 2015 we will be closing our 
U-Pick at noon for watering due to heat (there is a possibility for this to happen on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 as well). The field will remain closed for the rest of the day. We will be cooling the field through the use of water so ensure the berries do not get sunburned due to expected temperatures of 90+. Thank you for your understanding and sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. 

We still have red raspberries, today, Monday June 29, 2015 and tomorrow June 30, 2015 will probably be the last days we have them. So please come and get them while we have them fresh. We will have frozen but those be ready until the end of August/early September.

We also still have some Black Raspberries (aka black caps) for sale. If you have never tied them come and get a sample, they are super yummy and really high in antioxidants. Click here to read more about Black Raspberries. 

Blueberries, Red Raspberries, and Black Raspberries

We also of course have blueberries pre picked and ready for pick up at our farm stand. The great thing about having three different types of berries right now is we have cute little flats you can get all three or two types of berries in!

I would also like to take a moment and remind those of you who have not signed up for our monthly newsletter to do so. Our newsletters contain news like what your currently reading, coupons, what we are up to around the farm, events you can find us at, and more!
Signing up is easy, just click here.

Harvest Update: Raspberries, Blueberries + More!

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for coming to check in! We are happy to report the red raspberries are in full swing and are selling like hot cakes. We are having a hard time picking enough to keep them at the stand. So if your wanting to get your hands on some of these awesome berries, in a big way, please call a head and place your order. This way we can guarantee  you will have all the raspberries your heart can desire.

For our fresh picked blueberries we are still picking duke. We think that next week we change our variety to Blue Crop. These are our big, sweet berries that are the same variety for our U-Pick Field.

Speaking of U-Pick, we are still expecting to open our field around the 4th of July which is coming up! Our price per pound will be $2.75.

For those of you who are curious we have been tireless working on black raspberries, making sure they will be nice and healthy for next year. We have been going out and picking some that are just for us. But they are making us really excited, and we are so proud to be adding this to our collection of berries we offer.

The blackberries have finished blooming and we are now seeing a fantastic berry set.