Burbank and the Blackberry
Burbank and the Blackberry Recently I had the pleasure of being sent a radio and written feature from KUOW here in Seattle, on Luther Burbank and the Himalayan Blackberry. The article reveals the little known fact that the blackberry was actually an experiment by the legendary ‘wizard of horticulture’, Luther Burbank. In fact, he brought this blackberry from the East because of it’s incredible propensity for growth and abundance, like many an eastern export! Yet, we find many a garden clubber, homeowner, farmer, and conservationist alike, a wee bit troubled by this plant and it’s seemingly uninhibited expansion in the landscape. Ultimately, much like Burbank himself, the blackberry lends itself to…
Drought, Trees, and Water
Recently there have been many articles relating to NASA’s research and predictions of “mega-droughts” for the American West. See one example from the BBC, here. The ultimate conclusion reached by the scientists states that “The cause of the drying was twofold: reduced precipitation – that is, reductions in rainfall and snowfall; but also increased evaporation, driven by higher temperatures, leading to more parched soils.” Certainly, in California, and even in Washington, where the snow-pack is at record lows right now, and where February has felt more and more like April with each passing day, none can deny the significance of such a report. NASA’s findings of reduced rainfall and…
Autumn Update
A Joyful Season The seasonal shift has already begun, and so too at the farm our priorities will begin to change. Last Friday marked the final Port Susan Farmers Market of the 2014 season, with the Camano Island Farmers Market ending a couple weeks ago. We said hello and goodbye to many new familiar faces of customers and vendors whom we’ve gotten to know this year. The connections made were great strides taken towards the community building model we seek and require as a community farm. Fall Garden Prep Workshop We will be offering a hands on workshop on Saturday October 25th 1-4pm, for fall bed prep here at the…
Ananda Farm no-till community-grain-growing experiment
Ananda Farm no-till community-grain-growing experiment – This Saturday, April 26, 11 am – 4 pm Lunch served at 1 pm ($5) The first annual community grain sowing happens this Saturday at the farm on Camano Island What is this for? To prepare seed beds and sow grains and chickpeas at the farm for the 2014 season. Why? Last year we began the exploration of no-till grain growing, with Barley, Oats, Quinoa and Rye. No till means no tractor and thus no disruption to the life in the soil, and no dependence on oil. The goal is sustainability as a farm and community, and cultivating uplifted consciousness in our farming methods.…
Spring Garden Tour and House Blessing
Enjoy Lunch and Tour the Farm Sunday March 16th Vegetarian Lunch at 1:00pm @ Haven Place Haven House Blessing @ 2:15pm Garden Tour at 2:30pm Parking @ 732 Haven Place, Camano Island Directions Spring is Coming… The plants have gone dormant for the winter, but we haven’t! Help us welcome our second spring here on Camano Island. Come view transformations in the landscape, meet new animals, see the first plants of the year, and enjoy lunch with friends. Walk about the Farm… We love working out here with Mother Nature and are looking forward to sharing with you! See for yourself where this year’s fruits, vegetables, and herbs will grow. We’ll…
Open House August 10
Join us for our first open house, August 10, 10 am to 3 pm. We will have tours and samples, nature activities and food and herb processing demonstrations. All free – all are welcome! Click here for directions, or set your GPS to 749 Tycory Lane, Camano Island, WA.
A Great Success!
A big thank you to all those who turned up to help with the farm activities on Sunday, from Lynnwood to Bellingham (Dave and Marylin) and out to Whidbey Island (Krishnapriya). Many hands lead the lavender harvesting charge and processing, too (Sadie, Chandi, Betty, and many others), leaving the entire house smelling of divine essences. Bundles hang on the walls drying, and bowls filled with flower trimmings await honey infusion. Hailey will be joined again today for more processing activities. Randa lead the kitchen charge, creating delicious lemonade, farm salad, and a fresh Tabouli salad that warranted 3 servings on such a hot day. Dakshina supplied the farm with much…
Healing Gardens
Now is the time to visit the healing gardens on the Ananda Farms at Camano,Island. I had the pleasure to visit on Saturday to help Hailey and Zack during the Saturday harvest. Something touched me so deeply when Zack talked about the harmony, how they planted certain combinations together, and the ancient ways of the Native Americans. It was so moving. I could resonate on the deeper truth of his wisdom while we picked. We didn’t even touch the surface of the bounty that lays in this land. It felt like each plant was raising up sweetly as a choir,in joyful service to us. Then the next day after service,…
Farming with Spirit!