Tag: farmer notes

With a quarter of a million acres already burned just in our great State of Washington, it is hard to think about birds, or anything else actually.  However, I do think about birds… and all the wildlife these summers when the all-to common inferno fires up around the West.  People first, of course, but I can’t help but think of all the displaced or burnt wildlife these cataclysmic events leave behind.  I still take coffee on the south porch each morning and jot down a few notes, but with smoke all too common there is a certain pall that enraptures the countryside.  There is an eerie quiet.. Until, yes, a bird song breaks that spell.  Might be a hummingbird barn-storming the flower pot.  It could be the subtle voice of the waxwing, or the more urgent voice of the wren.  I welcome them all as we endure the month of August – the last full “summer month” before fall.  Thank goodness!

We’ve not had too many fires locally since one tried to burn town down a few weeks ago.  But fire blazes all around us here in Eastern Washington and Oregon and now north of the Border.  Some days ash falls on the tractors and trucks and loading docks here at the farm.  Still, every so often the sky breaks and the bluest of blue magically appears when one doesn’t think it possible for months.  And there is no way of guessing when, why, or for how long it will last.

So far Bluebird crops are safe.  So far, and as I write this, harvest of the spring grains looks to begin about on schedule next week.  The crops look good.  The crops haven’t been under the smoke for very long now, as summer started so strong and lovely, before taking a down-ward turn not long ago.  People joke about “smoked” grain, or flour and yet grains are extremely hardy and so far, we’ve never noticed a taste difference even after a month in the field – at least in the 25 plus years I’ve been doing this. 

What do we do at the Bluebird mill?  Well, we keep on truckin’… We’ve had a decent summer of orders so far, and our small but mighty crew delivers as orders come in: On time; highest quality; seldom complaining.  Most would argue that these dog – days – of summer are the hardest to get through.  I know they are for me.  But without summer we would have no grains.  And without grains we would have no flour.  No flour, no bread.  No bread, no cuke and tomato sandwiches or – if very lucky – a fresh BLT!  Or morning flapjacks, or blueberry muffins…

August will be all about harvesting, and bringing in the various grains to storage.  Some of these grains will be cycled through our processing and milling line quite quickly after harvest, as our inventory is at the year’s low.  In honesty, some of the orders will come out of the fields, and end up packaged within a couple weeks of harvest.  Fresh grains and flours during these darker times may indeed bring nearly the light of bird song?!

Our hearts are heavy for all those who are suffering such loss.  We are ever grateful to all the fire crews, and the amazing volunteer efforts going on right now all over the Northwest.  Dire times bring out the best in folks.  Please consider giving in whatever way, shape and form that you can to some of the many donation platforms to help those families who have lost just short of everything.

September and it’s golden light (I hope!) is coming.  But right now, it is a long ways off and we’ve got a road to travel until then.  Let’s travel it with caution, and no sparks!

Stay Safe,

Farmer Sam

Early July is when the later fledglings fledge: Cowbirds, waxwings, phoebe’s and yes, Bluebirds!  The early morning light – real early now – brings a cacophony of bird rustlings.  There are worse sounds to wake to, although I admit the western chats have not only been numerous this spring, but extra chatty!  Maybe too chatty at 4 AM for some, including me.  That said, once I am up and have a cup in hand and sitting on the south porch, I am never sad because then I can observe the wild-world outside for real.  A front-row seat so to speak, and one that never disappoints.

Then I get to leave earlier for the Farm. If we have an irrigation cycle going I make sure that pivots are running as well as move hand lines to a new set.  “Changing pipe” is a ritual for all who have farmed in the arid West these past 50 years or more.  Forty foot, 3” sections of pipe, walked across the field 60 feet at a time to the next riser (pipe hook up) can either be dreaded, or embraced.  Since it usually comes in early dawn, or in the evening, or both, this contemplative activity/ strength training – is an easy one for me to like.  Most of the time.  And although the field at Bluebird is mostly irrigated by center pivot, the north end is done with old style irrigation pipe.  By me. 

When we first began Bluebird over 20 years ago, I moved 80 acres worth of irrigation hand line twice daily.  This process gives one a real chance to study their soils, as well as the wildlife surrounding them.  Organic farming enhances some wildlife activity through the simple fact that we are not using any poisons.  I love to see the variety of insects, and beneficials once an organic crop gets grooving.  Of course, “lady bugs” are high on that list, and I often see several amongst the grain and cover crops we rotate.  And birds!

We will be shutting off our irrigation systems by mid – July, as grains will be filled and cover crops turned in.  Thus, as water tables drop and thirstier crops (alfalfa) get more thirsty, Bluebird will not be using any water.  This was one reason many years ago I decided to grow more and more grains; they are easier on the resources in many ways.  And more direct food supply.  

Since many of us have a big anniversary this month – 250th I believe – it feels good to have a truly independent, small mill.  The daily challenges of being small and independent never go away, yet the pleasures of being able to make internal decisions, and pivot when needed to meet customer inquiries or full-fill longer term accounts go well beyond these bumps.  Most of our customers buy from Bluebird because of the high quality products we have.  The quality control we have as a small, independent mill is front and center and very real each day.  Our crew does a great job of maintaining the high bar for customer service and product quality.  Thanks, folks!

Having grown up on a 7th generation farm in New England, Independence was not foreign!   Uncle Fred – dressed as a Paul Revere type – led the town parade by driving his 4 horse team with the parade’s first float, “Spirit of 76’,  50 years ago.  I remember it well as a lad of 11.  I remember even better all the candy that was flung off of various floats as the ¼ mile long procession traveled down mainstreet.  Those were exciting times on many fronts; the dignity of all the “patriots” even then was unifying.  

Unification was an absolute when it came to fighting successfully for our country’s independence.  What was the reward for gaining this Independence??  For one, we got to spend the next 250 years defending it!  Not only from other nations, but from within our own country.  Our history is a messy one, as are most.  Democracy is a messy, inexact process that ebbs and flows like most every other process.  Democracies seldom last long; they’re too complicated.  And the bigger the land-mass the harder it is to keep unification.  Iceland has roots of democracy that go back 1000 years, however they did not gain their full “Independence” until after WWII.  So, as sloppy as things seem in the ole’ USA, let’s take stock in the fact that we have outlasted every other democracy and have our “Independence” much longer than most.  

Of course, there are various tiers of independence, and it is always in question as to just who is and isn’t independent and various systems are tied to one another and so forth.  The words messy, biased, uneven etc. all play their parts within.  Still, I can think of no other country that continues to offer more opportunity.  Opportunity itself, is not a given.  Opportunities take work to act upon the same as true independence.  At least we have the freedom to choose.

Our democracy may be particularly fuzzy right now; the list of improvements to be made is long and broken health and food systems are near the top.  We’ve been here before and prevailed.  So I encourage all you readers to enjoy our 250th and celebrate this 4th as we should.  Then, let’s get to work finding the good soil that will benefit us all.  It’s somewhere out there in that fertile middle ground.

Yours,

Farmer Sam

The Western Tanager is one of the latest arrivals of our birds around here.  While it is more common up higher in the full coniferous forests, we are lucky to have them here with our mix of fruit trees and fir and pine on the North slope above the aspen.  Although they come in late May, Tanagers seem to sanctify June.  As we leave behind the most wonderful May this year, I heard a tanagers this morning as I sipped coffee and watched the bluebirds dip in the bird-bath.  Then caught a glimpse as a brilliant male zoomed up to an aspen limb.  This was a welcome site, to go along with the other birds and bird voices: Orioles, flycatchers, towhees, warblers to name a few.  Lest us forget, the persistent and ever-present Chat… always chatting away with urgency down along the creek.  And hummingbirds that are zipping about at full-throttle.  I’ve been seeing young clutches of grouse about, and soon will surely see some ducklings as all our vernal pools were full this spring here in the foothills.  What joy.

Down at the Farm the einkorn I seeded back in early May is growing along on all that residual moisture from the late fall/winter.  I’ve yet to turn on any irrigation, and plants are in the 3-leaf stage of growth.  We’ve had some nice warm rains as well, and that has kept everything green green.  Further south  in the Columbia Basin at our partners farm there his spring wheat is cranking along very nicely, and he looks to have an early August harvest.  Out on the prairie the Schmaltz family has their crops in, and the spring wheat there looks strong despite working on merely ½” of rain!  Once more, this is where true Regenerative farm practices shine – under adversity!  Are we not experiencing a lot of that these days!!

The crew at the mill have been servicing various orders both big and small with our top-quality grains and freshly milled flours.  Our supply of most everything is solid through the next 3 months so we should easily make it to harvest with our current inventory.  Our inventory, you might recall, is largely stored in its field-run, or raw state and doesn’t get cleaned or milled too far ahead of order fulfillment.  The freshness of the finished goods therefore is at their peak when it leaves our doors.  Many of you know this difference.

That will not change moving forward.  That won’t change despite the Farm Bill finally passing both House and Senate on the way to Big Desk!  What was in the Farm Bill for most farmers?

A lot of the same safety nets: Strengthened crop insurance; an increase in reference prices for “key commodities” (Soy, corn, wheat)  It also dilutes animal welfare rules for some livestock businesses, while it cuts SNAP and conservation funding in half.  The cost to US taxpayers for the 5 year duration of the Bill rolls in at approximately $1 trillion.  

Why is this important to the largely unsubsidized organic food industry?  Because this is the continuation of an uneven playing field for our pricing.  As food prices rise largely due to an increased pricing by distribution companies and store chains – little trickles down to producers.  Thus, the subsidies.   Yet none for healthy foods…  One reason organic foods cost more; they more closely reflect the true price of production.

As the economy slows and here at Bluebird we continue on in the current – albeit uneven marketplace – our loyal customer base becomes ever more important.  Our steady direct to consumer sales help us navigate these times, and we are fortunate so many understand the difference between our organic grain and flour products and most others.  Thank you!

The short month of June holds the longest daylight and is the kick-off of the intense growing season.  The combination of long sunny days and warming temperatures bring forth the ‘juices of June.”  Here in the North Cascades, June can also be one of our dampest months.  I will have to let you know how this June rolls out, come July!

Meanwhile, please get out and enjoy the long days, and congratulations to all graduates!  A reminder that there will be more youth on the roads, both driving and recreating so heads up!

Yours,

Farmer Sam

Certified Organic Regenified Grain Fields

Certified Organic and Regenified Heritage Red Wheat at Schmaltz Family Farm. Just look at that soil biomass!

It stands to reason that what I’ve always considered one of the longest months is followed by the shortest.  Hello February.  Some years it could be spelled more appropriately as “Feburrary”.  Last year, our coldest temps were in February and I recall other years we received a fair bit of snow.  However, I will be surprised if that is the case this year.  Maybe the cold, but our big moisture cycle beginning back in October 025’ lasted up to the first of this year, and now has cycled out.  I am grateful for all the moisture we did pick up, as our snow pack on the valley floor remains quite thin.

As to the long month of January:  Goodbye.  It seemed plenty long this year as clear days were few, fog and gray skies dominated while hardly a snowflake fell.  Despite the gray days and some chilly temperatures at times, the silence of a frozen landscape in of itself held beauty.  Frosted trees; bitterbrush and sage coated in a rhime made them less skeletal looking and more alive.  Deer could be first noticed by their crunching footsteps before actually catching sight of them.  Our Labrador Clyde loved rolling in the snow at the top of our hill here, then sliding all the way to the bottom on solid crust.  Finches pilfer the feeder, and chickadees take a second seat.  Here from the  afternoon table, I notice our first nuthatch atop the elderberry.  Owls speak before dawn and coyotes sanctify twilight.  On my evening walk last, I wondered how a landscape so quiet and chilled could be so noisy!

February – being short to March – has always been a month when thoughts turn to farming as daylight grows.  Our production rotation is being worked out for another season which fits into the following season, and the seasons after that.   Larger the rotations are, the richer the soils stay and the denser our grains become.  With last year’s  red wheat testing 16 percent protein, emmer 17.5, and our einkorn testing almost 22, Bluebird quality grains certainly add nutritious punch to your menu.  Each year we challenge ourselves to hit a higher notch above the last, and this tells us how our soils are balancing out.  Mineral balance in the soil equivalates to that balance in our grains and flours.

Speaking of, here at the Farm our mill has been humming with fresh batches of grains and flours being turned out weekly.  Thus, the ship-out door has been busy as well.  Some might agree there is a lot of uncertainty floating around these days, and at times it is hard to know what is true.  Rest assured that we have a great supply of all our Bluebird products, and we remain consistent with quality and delivery.  Our crew here, both new and seasoned, is jiving right along.  I have spent a fair amount of time the past couple weeks on the fulfillment floor and time flies right by!  Thank you one and all for continuing to buy our products.

With the gathering daylight comes a little better chance of spending more time outside each day.  I always try to get at least a walk in with the dogs, and on the best days an early morning or evening ski.  Although our snowpack is paltry, the ski trails have been good and as long as you put on creeper chains for your boots, the walking isn’t bad either.  These are my times for reflection and time to remember how fortunate we are that Bluebird has grown over 20 years, and Brooke and I remain still such a part of it.  One of the biggest joys for me is talking to and meeting customers.  Please stop by.  If I’m not there one of our staff is always happy to help.  

Soon after I moved to the Methow in the early 1990’s I met a gal named Wanda Myers.  We became good pals.  Wanda had grown up here on a homestead on a country road with a 10 acre apple orchard behind her parent’s place.  After high school she went to work for a while as a back-country Forest Service and trail crew.  She showed me a lot about this beautiful valley I’ve since called home.  Wanda passed to the other side early in January, after many years of staying just ahead of a nasty cancer.  On what would be our last walk together around Thanksgiving, we stopped and sat on the banks of  Methow River not far from her place.  We watched the water ouzels play about the rocks with their suction-cup feet.  We saw the last of the  salmon come to spawn.  A pair of bald eagles sat awaiting.  We listened then, almost in unison, we mentioned how we loved this place more all the time and could never possibly take it for granted.  Because Wanda loved this place, and loved her life so much it is all the harder to say goodbye.  However, she never quit on the moment, and enjoyed each one as if it were the last.  I am grateful to know this truth.  Peace, my friend.  

And peace to all of you.  Enjoy February, because March comes next and one never knows how the shifty moods of March will play out!

Yours,

Farmer Sam

I begin these first-of-the-New Year notes on the cusp of the full Wolf Moon.  How can one not love that name?  As we strolled up the driveway last night with the stars still vibrant despite the growing brightness, the only sounds were that of an owl and a chorus of coyotes.  Although not the howl of wolves, a couple weeks earlier when daughter Mariah and I went hiking for a Christmas tree not far from our place, there in the fresh snow to greet us was a heavy, solitary line of wolf tracks.  To be outside at night under the waxing Wolf Moon knowing there are indeed wolves nearby sanctifies the mood of January for me.  What’s more, it fills me with an inner glow of hope.

Then there are all the finches new to the feeder, and juncos, chickadees, nuthatches and quail scattered beneath.  Following a truly torrential month of December for most here in the Northwest, we ended, finally, with some cold and snow – enough to whiten the hills and change the atmosphere just in time for the holiday season.   We feel grateful, and so enjoyed this time as I hope many of you did, also. 

2025 was another interesting year.  Given a myriad of uncertainties – economic and otherwise – Bluebird Grain Farms continued to hold its own.  In the final quarter of 2025 we engaged with a fair amount of prep work for expanded growth in 2026.  Aside from securing the winters’ on-site inventory of our high quality organic grains, travel plans were set for trade shows, speaking engagements, marketing material and such.  As things tighten, 2026 is going to be a year I believe where many of us are going to make more choices of value and really make decisions based on those values.  Food comes to mind.  

There has been much rhetoric this past year about health initiatives and such, and federal funding of $700 million has been promised for a “Regenerative Pilot Program”.  This includes helping farms make the switch to more soil friendly, and soil building farming practices.  Most of these funds will be channeled through existing programs like the NRCS and other branches of the USDA.  I am very interested to see how all this actually plays out.

Having the good fortune to already work with one of the premiere Regenerative certified farms in the country, we have seen first hand the eventual benefits of dedicated Regenerative practices.  Without question this is how we hope the world farms one day.  It would reduce the landmass needed as crop volumes gradually increase.  It will cut way back on carbon emissions: Minimized soil disturbance; minimal crop inputs; more nutritious food; less waste all contributing factors in this.  Twenty-five percent of the world’s carbon emissions are generated by agriculture.  True Regenerative farm practices would reduce this significantly.  I hope these funds go to those that want to make the change for generations, and not just dip into a short-term money pool.  We need the next generations of farmers to embrace true Regenerative farming. 

Meanwhile, we plan to keep chugging right along here at Bluebird Grains doing what we set out to do 20 + years ago and continue to practice daily and that is to inspire change, and offer up the highest quality whole grains and whole grain flours milled to order.  Authenticity is not guaranteed by a label.  Bluebird carries a lot of labels, too!  Rengentified, Organic, Kosher, Whole Grains, SQF… just to name a few.  And while we go through all of these annual inspections and pay the subsequent fees, it is our original story that we lean on the most and want to make sure all of our customers remain confident in.  Being pioneers in the small-mill/local grain movement, and first in the ancient wheat movement, here at Bluebird we aim to always stay true.  Fear not!  We’ve no intention of deviating. 

So… Here is to 2026!  Most of all, here is to your health.  We want to continue our role in promoting good food for all people.  My New Year’s resolution is to work to get more whole and nutritious foods into our schools and health care institutions. Please reach out of you have any creative collaborations you want us to entertain. We value local direct connections the most. 

Cheers,

Your farmer, Sam

 

 

That fast, we are into the final month of yet another year!  The full “Cold Moon” is scarcely in the rearview mirror as you dear readers read this.  The winter Solstice is not far ahead and if one listens close distant bells can be heard.  Such is the sanctity of the short daylight.  Such is the grace of the Christmas season.  No better bird signifies this than the cheery black-capped chickadee, whose voice the feeling of winter seems to cling to.  As the year’s darkest month deepens, the chickadee’s notes seem to grow more urgent, reminding us to remember the light.  Amen.

Of course a little bright snow doesn’t hurt.  So far this year, very little.  November couldn’t have been nicer and I am reluctant to let go of its gray days, abundant, beautiful rains, and sodden country lanes.  Just what this farmer had hoped for and to be sure, this year November delivered.  The day before Thanksgiving the moisture turned white here in the Valley for the first time.  This may be later than many years, but it is okay with me.  That deep soaking is now covered, insulated, and well preserved for spring and the fields all tucked in.  Thank you, Mother.  The real snow may now cometh.  

Bluebird had a busy November and we anticipate a bustling December as the holiday season is often true to form.  We can not wait to help any shoppers out with gifts, and we love to spread good cheer with our fresh flours and grains that are used in all sorts of holiday meals.  We are building our popular gift boxes and we already are shipping some.  Get your orders in!  

Last year my second book “Colors” was just coming off the press around Christmas time.  I can’t remember if it was available on our website then or not, but for those of you who enjoy the style of these Farmer Notes, “Colors” is my latest collection of poems and stories that might make an entertaining present. I am told I do not “push my stuff” enough, so there ya’ go.  Glad to get that over with!

On a little less smiley note the various struggles of the country’s farm economy continue.  One thing news sources talk about is the climbing costs of Farm chemicals.  When we are dealing with finite resources – all the ingredients that make up the wide swath of herbicides and fertilizers that current farm systems seem to be chained to – it is hard to imagine these costs ever going down.  Add on tariffs of varying sorts and consistency, and the stage is set for drama, if not disaster.  Many “family farms” simply can no longer hang on.  Even some much bigger farms, and certainly farm suppliers (read Bayer; Cargill) are shuttering parts of their business or, “restructuring”.  One thing you readers may not hear mentioned on news channels, or piled onto the concern table is: The widespread degradation of our country’s soils.  In many cases, this is due to the list above.  So long as we as a nation continue to prop up, and support these high chemical input systems that degrade the nation’s soils, this treadmill is unlikely to change and more and more producers are going to be forced off the cliff.  “Profit” by filing paperwork is no farmer’s dream.

How about Farm subsidies for those who want to build back the soil!  And sequester carbon, rather than pump it into the atmosphere through chemical manufacturing and use.  I sure  hope to live to see the day this sort of tax-support becomes mainstream.

Meanwhile, there are some farms and farmers who have already re-set their systems and whose main focus is soil health and always has been.  We are fortunate to have concentrated on that all along, and now work with a couple other farms who have been in this game just as long.  Rest assured, from these soils come your Bluebird goods.  Unsubsidized, unpolluted, always fresh and tasty.  We are indeed fortunate.  And we give thanks for this every season of the year, not just during the holidays.  As well, we are grateful to all of you customers: New, old, near and far.  This holiday season I raise a toast to all of you.  And as always, encourage all to lend a hand to those much less fortunate.  See ya’ next year – 

Cheers,

Farmer Sam

“See how upon bare twigs they lie, 

Raindrops, lately of the sky – “

 

So begins the autumn poem After Rain by Rachel Field.  It sets the tone for the mighty month of November very well.  A month sometimes left unloved by many; November is one I love the most.  And rain we have had!  Perfect and pure; unabashed and soothing to the once parched countryside. I have mentioned before how Mother Nature always seems to even things out, and fall rains before the snow is a recipe for moisture recharge that will be most noticeable come spring.  The mountains themselves are already filling with snow which will soon be here in the Valley for keeps.  Amen.

As I tap these keys chickadees bounce about the aspen limbs that droop with their load of orange leaves not-quite shed.  The woodstove crackles, and snow flakes now intermix with the rain.  Robins rejoice in the easy pickings from the lawn, but their time is drawing short.  Ravens caw about during weather breaks; coyotes sing before dark; owls hoot sanctifying the cooling, and much faster falling evening time than a month ago.  One day sodden skies, the next sharp and brilliant with gathering afternoon shadows catching up in hillside coulees, and casting across golden grasses. One can fairly hear the land sigh in relief after the business of summer.   How can one not relish in this month of November?  

October stayed dry and mild and beautiful throughout the first couple weeks.  This enabled me to do a bit of fall field work, including some deeper undercutting (chisel plow) on the home field where we have a few perennial grasses encroaching after years of minimal cultivation.  Given a window of late dry weather – not likely at this viewing – I will pack down the plow ridges and try to get the field as prepped now and with this fall moisture, for next spring’s early crop.  The minimal amount of spring disturbance, the better for moisture retention and the less apt I am to stir up weed-seeds I don’t want.  My fall soil tests are showing balanced minerals, and good levels of available nitrogen due to the heavy cover cropping.

As has become an annual fall pilgrimage of sorts, last month I set off for the northern prairies with our Labrador Clyde riding along.  First along the various rivers of Montana, and then into North Dakota.  I love North Dakota; I love the prairie fall.  Good news for me, our partner and long time, well established organic and regenerative farmers the Schmaltz family happen to be my destination.  Year-long I look forward to this trip and this year was no disappointment as Blaine, Suzie and family welcomed us as always, and we spent a few days talking about farming, walking the land for pheasants, and taking to heart the whole ecosystem and wildlife sanctuary they have created through their farming practices.  Good stuff.  Their farming not only has made the wildlife happy, but the integrity of their harvests is rivaled by few as their lands now work for themselves keeping in balance.  We are fortunate to have such great farming partners and friends!  What they have achieved is a testament to the generational dedication to the land, and a stalwart work ethic that doesn’t always exclude some fun and games at times.  In regenerative farming, regeneration of all energy is a critical part, not the least of which is human energy and zest.

The quality of these grains shows when we go to hull and clean them, and then when we mill them into flour and ultimately show up on your plates!  From the vast wide open, to your cozy little homes, restaurants, and schools you can trust the organic and regenerative certification labels that come with Bluebird products.  This is a food system that is secure and consistent and healthy.  Elsewhere throughout the American “bread basket” maybe not so much.

It may not surprise some of you but it was commonplace to see mounds of soybeans, some corn and wheat surrounding various elevators.  Tariffs anyone?  A cruel irony here is the fact many of these “independent growers” are not so.  Tied to the realities and whims of a global market, in many cases tied to the banks, many of these subsidized growers are stuck in a bad spot.  Does it break my heart to know there may not be near as many GMO crops flooding the delicate prairies lands come spring?  No.  Does it break my heart to see families under such duress – some of it rather sudden?  Of course.  Would I rather see our government take this opportunity to begin subsidizing healthy crops taken from healthy, biological soils?  Absolutely.  Now is the time to double down on our domestic food systems, and make sure this supply feeds everyone in this country first of all.  We can do this.  While doing this, we may find we do not need near the sheer volume of some crops, but might instead enjoy a greater variety.  Yumm.

Which brings us back to our farm tucked away up here in the growing-cold foothills of the North Cascades.  We are doing what we do 5 days a week, year round and welcome you to drop by our small but vibrant entrance store.  Our staff is awesome, and we will be sure and get you what you need whether at our door, through the various stores we sell into, or on the web.  Times are spooky, but let’s not give up the ghost just yet.  Food security is vital to society.  This has always been.

Gather round, give thanks to our Mother Earth, and be kind to one another and in particular, those who may be in more need.

Yours, Farmer Sam

The slightest taste of autumn reaches here as we enter the golden month of October.  Following a September of continuous warm weather, some smoke and no moisture, October arrives with cooler days and nights trailing our first trace of rain.  There’s yet to be a frost but my guess is that will change before long.  I’ve heard a couple flights of sandhill cranes high overhead on their way south and the hummingbirds have finally left, along with the meadowlarks, poorwill, and bluebirds.  Hawks of all sorts abound, as do gathering robins while chickadees have moved back in.  When I went onto the south porch for coffee this morning, a great horned owl flushed from a nearby fencepost and into the pre-dawn darkness.  That gave me pause… before taking my usual seat to take in the stars – Orion the Hunter front and center in the southern sky.  

Soon, we will have the full Harvest Moon – delayed a bit this year as mentioned in my last notes.  Our grains are all harvested but up here at the house we remain busy picking apples and pears and will soon dig up our round, large spuds.  Elsewhere, corn harvest is full on, and farms that grow later harvested crops such as sunflower will be harvesting month-long.   Each year, I am more amazed at the bounty Mother Earth continues to give us, when she has absolutely no obligation to do so whatsoever!

The extension of the Farm Bill, under the “BBB”, has guaranteed many farmers across the nation status quo with continued crop protection programs and price support that comes out of our tax base to the tune of 70+ billion annually.  Corn, soy and wheat are the big winners here.  This year, however, soy is a big loser… Tariffs anyone?  Storage is filling up fast with America’s love-affair for soybean production because of a dead market: Read China.  Trains lay silent across the prairies as elevators plug up with crops.  This is another example of the interesting, if not unaffordable farm cycle we have here in North America.

Meanwhile Willie, John, and Neil just finished the 40th annual concert of Farm Aid last month, wherein they alone have raised $85 million over this span for family farms across the nation.  Chump-change compared to the Farm Bill, yet this is all through charity!  And the goodwill of people by choice – people with a voice.  This is a complete and different dynamic and perhaps one more easy to love than mandated tax support.  We had the good fortune of seeing Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts live last month down in Oregon.  It was both enlightening and somewhat depressing to hear Neil singing about the same old things that prove to be relevant still today!  One of his last lines was “We have work to Do”…  Amen.

In other news… keep in mind, these are Farmer Notes… we are preparing for the change to cooler seasons here at Bluebird by stocking up on cereal mixes, pancake blends and making sure our silos are full of delicious grains from our 3 different production areas.  We have a very good inventory of our more popular grains, and have been cleaning and milling every week to fill different orders for those loving top quality, Regen certified, organic certified grains and flours.  With our new SQF certification we are now able to serve a larger market area as many customers are requiring this stringent food safety verification.  As heavy of a lift as this has been for our small crew, it also seems the right thing to do.  So…

We look forward to serving all of you with the efficiency and quality we have been for 20 years now.  I am out on our fields here by the Farm beginning fall field prep, as next year will be a grain production year in our cycle, as we come out of a cover-cropping cycle.  I am soil testing and doing a certain amount of tillage to help break down all the cropping residue we’ve left covering the soil.  The geese are sure loving these activities!  And lo, if my dear pal Treebeard didn’t swing by for a visit!  Tree was one of the first organic grain farmers in the State of Washington and my only real mentor in that department when I first got going almost 30 years ago now.  He also advised us in custom milling, as he was the only person we knew who grew and sold local grains and flour from his farm in Tonasket.  Once “Bluebird” got going, he handed over most of his accounts as he edged toward retirement.  We will always be grateful for the care and love he shares.

It is a great time of year to be on the land – my favorite as many of you know.  The leaves are changing, the air is cooling, the countryside is beginning to sigh in relief from the summer heat and activity.  Next up, my favorite of all: November!  Wait: Enjoy this final month of harvest and warmer weather, first.  Enjoy what the earth has given us for one more growing cycle.  Enjoy the beauty while you think of your Halloween costume – which may just include a sickle or scythe!!

Boo –

Farmer Sam

A finer April I can’t recall.  With a brilliant, boundless blush of Arrowleaf Balsamroot flooding the green foothills and birdsong filling the air against a snowy backdrop of the North Cascades, one has to pause and pinch just to confirm it is real.  Beauty at the start of May – a beauty only Mother Nature herself could conjure up.  She never ceases to amaze.

As the mountains thaw and the streams and rivers swell I am reminded once more how this specific hydrology affects the soil profile here in the valley long after the last snow patches have disappeared.  This May, all the vernal pools are filling to the brim and the hidden lives within are coming forth.  Most notably the evening cacophony of various frogs.  Such the pleasant sound  this lullaby of spring, health and purity.  The earlier spring birds have arrived and most are either nesting or working that way fast.  It won’t be long into this month of May before we see the tanagers, orioles, buntings, chats…  perhaps the first fledglings from resident robins, as well.  Stay tuned.

Early April gave us a little rain before drying off from there.  However, with all the moisture recharge the fields are in good shape as is the rest of the countryside.  The winter peas have awakened and begun to steadily grow.  On the home field here at the Farm, we have a thick, lush winter pea crop.  These peas will likely go to flower in June and that is when we will turn them under to set the stage for either a fall seeded, or next spring’s grain crop.

Our partners out on the prairie are beginning to roll and currently they are seeding spring peas into their glorious soils built up over many years of their Regen practices.  The Schmaltz Family continues to be a leader in Regenerative Organic Agriculture, and continues to push the limits of what is possible not only in crop nutrient density, but harvest volumes as well.   As always, we are very grateful to have their support.  Here in the lower Columbia Basin Lenwood Farms already has all their peas planted and soon will be onto plating einkorn.  Most of you already know the high quality of these grains we process to order, and ship out of Bluebird both near and far.

Yes, we have been doing a fair bit of shipping lately!  The flour mill stays busy, we are dehulling another lot of emmer as I write, and our supply of goods is solid until harvest.  Being founders  in the domestic “ancient grain” movement, we learned early on not to promise more than we can deliver.  As the years go by – 20 this year! – we recognize all the more how important it is to be consistent.  When I say this I’m talking about consistent service, consistent quality, consistent improvement.  We love feedback, and welcome any suggestions on how we can improve anything.  We may not always be able to accommodate, but our customers are always paramount, whether a large account or small.  

With the continued and increased push back against criminalizing prevalent herbicides such as glyphosate – now on a state by state level in many cases –  we feel most fortunate to have taken the organic path from the beginning.  Of course, the ancient wheats Bluebird is known for: emmer and einkorn, have been perfect for this path.  We will see how much traction the MAHA movement gets?  Regardless, you can rest assured that nothing much is different at Bluebird than it was when we began.  Custom milled tasty, nutritious, uncontaminated grains from our farms to your plate remains our credo.  We feel honored.

Farm Bill update: Nothing new with that, either!  The extension that exists until September will likely get extended – the rocky road to bipartisanship notwithstanding.  Remember the Farm Bill… the $30 billion annual taxpayer handout to largely corn, soy, and wheat farms?  Non-organic remains mandatory criteria for these subsidies.  In other words, the funds go to supporting a variety of unsustainable farm practices – not the least being heavy reliance on chemicals from other countries.  

Alas, cheer up, it’s spring!  Get out and feel the earth, smell the air, listen to the birds.  Nature has heeled us before, we can only hope she will continue to.  I’d say we owe her the utmost of respect and treat her in a healing manner ourselves.  

Yours,

Farmer Sam

Peas, Regenerative Farming, Cover Crop

Our field peas are just emerging—fixing nitrogen and laying the groundwork for healthy soil. They’re sprouting through a thick layer of Einkorn straw left intentionally from last year’s harvest. This straw isn’t waste—it’s a powerhouse. It locks in moisture, shields out weeds, and feeds the living soil web beneath: fungi, microbes, earthworms, and more.

 

Our March Farmer Notes:  Ahhh… the mighty month of March.  This year it comes in lamb-like on the coattails of a February wherein we experienced both the coldest, and warmest temperatures of the new year. In truth, February seemed more like March can be with a fierce start but mellow finish.  Following a few -10 degree nights, the final couple days rose above freezing and that fast, March is rolling along with stunning, sunny days and a torrent of bird life as the snowy hillsides begin to soften and south ridges shed their winter blanket.

At first there was a shift in the chickadee’s song, then a handful of robins showed up then the winged parade began for real: blackbirds; juncos, finches, grosbeaks; phoebes; geese and yes, even mountain bluebirds!  All in a week’s time.  Never have I seen the shift so sudden nor so musical.  The pace seems almost frantic.  Coyotes sing throughout the night and sometimes even during mid-day.  Owls keep to the dark woods except one evening just as the sliver of a moon rested atop the Butte with Venus straight above, a great owl soared across the lasting horizon.  The silence and swiftness of that bird sanctified the mood.  I just love this place!

Meanwhile, back at the Farm the main yard has all melted out.  Now freight and grain trucks can come and go more easily as they resupply our field crops, so that in turn we can clean, grade and fresh mill them for packaging and then send them back out to a door near you.  Or maybe your own door?   Our supply remains solid and our thoughts turn toward spring and subsequent plantings.  There remains plenty of snow on the fields here, and I suspect excellent soil moisture this year as we had wonderful late fall rains before the snows that insulated the ground winter-long.  This is so important for planting purposes, plus it will ease the strain on irrigation needs.  Our grain crops are pretty gentle on water-supply.  However, I’d guess there will be good water supply for even the water-hog crops such as alfalfa, too.

I do not like to see winter go yet with the rapidly building daylight and strengthening sun. I can’t help but feel the age-old excitement that spring brings, particularly if one is a farmer.  I will do my best to keep skiing so long as it lasts, but I’ve also begun switching the tractors over from their winter duties of snow plowing and removal.  Now they are ready for farm implements, instead.  By next month the fields will be melted and full of robins.  Did I mention this month’s upcoming full moon is the Worm Moon?  Here’s to all those wageless workers of the soil.

These are strange and interesting times some might agree.   As I’ve been mentioning more in recent notes, policy is very important and current Agricultural policy can use some improvement.  The Farm Bill’s latest extension runs out Sept. 30th, if the federal government doesn’t shut down sooner (Mar. 14?).  With so much rhetoric flying around right now??  It so happens that I’ve been invited to travel to DC the last week in March as part of the National Organic Coalition to weigh in on farm policy, and lobby for strengthening organic farming support.  The organic industry receives very few subsidies and thus, the few that we do receive – such as certification cost share – are very important.  Keep in mind we have to PAY for the USDA’s organic certification label.  And this certification fee is based not on profit, but on gross sales.  In other words, the stronger the sales, the more we pay.  Hmmm.  Such incentives?

Regardless, as many of you know Bluebird has been a voice for organic agriculture for 20 years now, and I’ve been a certified grower for 25.  I believe in what we do as much as I ever have, but also realize the difficulties and realities of all the paperwork involved, and that many small farms can easily become overwhelmed.  Also, there is an increasing temptation by some to “cook” the system.  Therefore, more and more enforcement of the guidelines is needed.

I will be part of a team meeting with State Rep Dan Newhouse, and also with Maria Cantwell’s team and Patty Murray.  Do they have more important things to do?  Well, is there anything more important than our health?

I will report back soon.  Stay tuned!

Your farmer, Sam

That fast, we are at the beginning round of 12 more moons!  The dark month of December was all the darker due to continued storms and thus, very few nights were clear enough to see the moon whether full or new!  Truth to tell, December delivered a lot of moisture right on the coattails of a wet November and our snowpack is in very good shape as we begin this new year.  I love the silence and comfort of full snow banks and pure white fields.  However, as I pointed out in last year’s notes, this sort of snow is hard on many other creatures.

Birds like the chickadee we might associate with joy for a white and quiet landscape, wherein their ‘chickadee-dee-dee’ cadence sounds more cheery and poignant.  Owls of the night sanctify the depth of winter, and one snowy day I saw the most perfect little northern pygmy owl along a brushy, unfrozen seep.  A deep winters’ landscape can be so quiet, one’s own breathing can seem disruptive.  Let alone the sound of squeaky footsteps… 

The fields are snug, the holidays have come and gone, and the new year of work has begun here at Bluebird Grain Farms as we enter our 20th year.  Twenty years…  As the younger generation exclaims: Really!?  It has gone that fast and we have learned so much.  We’ve met a vast host of customers over these years, and look forward to continuing to serve them while  welcoming many new customers.  

We took a week here at the Farm to regroup following the holiday buzz, and have streamlined a few of our systems even further.  We’ve added a couple new and energetic staff members as we plan for a busy year ahead doing the same thing we have always done: Delivering top-quality, organic whole grains and flours grown with deep care, and custom milled on a weekly basis.  

With our recently certified Regenerative food processing facility, as well as a number of our Regen certified products, we now offer not only the USDA organic certification, but a Regenerative certification as well.  We feel confident that true and certified Regenerative crops will play a very large role in the future of agriculture, and consequently, our climate.  And the Regenified certification is as comprehensive and thorough as any.  The goal is not only to protect our precious soils, but to improve them.  These have always been our main beliefs at Bluebird.  We do not go through sometimes expensive, time consuming certification processes just to add another label on our brand.  We do it because we believe.  As always, we welcome feedback.  

We’ve had our hands full with all this new snow while just keeping the Farm cleared for operations!  Storm cycles are a double edged sword.  While they add twice the work to operations, they bring beautiful moisture for our semi-desert landscape, and this is critical for it to thrive.  I always am willing to put up with the greater work load for the overall gain.

Farm Bill update: Another extension has been passed, to the tune of 10 billion USD in farm aid.  The majority of this aid will go to three crops: Corn, soy, sugar.  None of which will be certified organic, Regenerative, or otherwise.  Diabetes anyone?  The incoming administration mentions not being in support of this extension?  Obviously, there will be a lot to do on any actual Farm Bill – now two years overdue.  The most recent extension ends March 14.

Meanwhile, please know that although there are few subsidies for organic crops, our inventory is very strong going into the new year and we will not be running out of our grains anytime soon.  Although we think of the holidays as the eating season, really, it is just the beginning of the eating season!  Hearty soups and fresh breads warm the soul during these deep winter months.  So, please enjoy.  We love the thought of our goods leaving our Farm directly for your table.  Let’s hope field- to- plate never goes out of style.

Up next: The full “Wolf Moon” !

And the holiday season has begun! This is hard to believe yet as I write this on Thanksgiving weekend I’m quite aware the year is nearing the end-zone and next up is the “Big One”. Like many, I actually enjoy Thanksgiving as much as Christmas. More so, in some ways. No matter, the joy and thankfulness of both sanctify this darker and quieter time of year I love. November.

Blessed and glorious November that, once again, delivered. Big time, giving us the nice, steady rains I’d so hoped for, as these rains softened and opened the soil. Then before the ground could freeze, we received a substantial dollop of first-snow to the tune a foot or so, with more that followed. The snow itself had a lot of moisture in it, as temps stayed barely below freezing. Now we have pliant, soft ground under a beautiful winters’ quilt and this starts a great moisture profile for the next growing season. Thank you, November. My favorite month and perhaps one of the most reliable, like any old friend.

Now the chickadees chime in and the nuthatch crawl up and down the porch beams and winter seems to be settling in as the calendar turns to this final month. It was another fulfilling year here at Bluebird as we still worked out some adjustments and made more efficiencies within our new digs that are already over two years old! Many of you may have noticed that the quality and consistency of our products have remained good as ever. As is our promise, we are just doing more of what we feel we do best: Offering quality foods and punctual service.

Punctual as we can be on our end, that is. Many might have noticed the poor ole’ postal service has been struggling as of late, as have a few other freight companies. We can’t always predict these sorts of things. If you are planning holiday orders please consider giving both us, and you some extra ordering time! We love putting together gifts for so many, but we want to make sure they get to where they are going on time! There are lots of empty spaces out there, still. That isn’t a bad thing.

Thinking of empty spaces, the night skies have been quiet around here lately. If it hasn’t been raining or snowing, there have been some crisp stars and a waning moon. However, I’ve not heard the owls as of late, and the coyotes come and go like usual. To step out and stroll before bed this time of year is a lesson in listening. Deep listening can lead to reflection, particularly when the only sound is one’s own rustling. I remain amazed by Nature.

I am more amazed by Nature all the time, I should say. The sudden and heavy snow is beautiful in my mind, but not all creatures feel this. Most, actually, feel undo stress. Walking up our driveway the other evening several deer were using the roadway and were not anxious to bound out across the snowy fields. I saw where both partridge and quail had moved toward the crabapple tree at the edge of our yard where they’d been scratching away for fruit. Up on the hill above our place, I noticed small partridge tracks weaving among the bunchgrass tips that barely poked above the snow. Not much to eat there, but something at least. Being ground feeders, these poor little birds were having to make fast adjustments. Likely too fast for all to survive. Some silence is lovely; some eerie I suppose. Nature. Resilience. Easy for me to say beautiful.

This time of year we think of Peace on Earth if for some reason we’ve not been thinking about Peace the rest of the year? It is always my wish. And I wish that all of you have had a nice Thanksgiving gathering, and look forward to Christmas as do I. I hope we can all take some quieter moments and think about what we can do for others.

I appreciate all that you customers do for us here at Bluebird as we enter our 20th year! Couldn’t have done it without so many of you and we are most grateful. Here is to your health. Here is to many more years together. More so than ever, we truly do rely on one another.

Merry, Merry and I’ll be in touch with you next year!

Your Farmer, Sam