Cascadian Farm Organic Goodness

We have four different organic farming programs here at Cascadian Farm.  But the goal of each is the same: produce great tasting organic crops that contribute to better health for consumers and the environment!

• Cascadian Home Farm. Our original farm, founded in 1972 by Gene Kahn, is considered the "heart & soul" of the company. Operated as a small organic farm (28 farmable acres), the farm's focus is on producing organic fresh produce (berries & vegetables) for sale to local retailers and to visitors at our roadside Farm Stand. Our main crop is organic blueberries... yummy! And our organic ice cream is to die for!

One of the goals of Cascadian Farm is educating people about the basics of organic farming. As I mentioned in my last post, scattered among the lower farm fields is a self-guided tour, for folks that stop off at the Roadside Stand and are interested in learning a little bit more about what goes on at the Farm.

Since some of you might never make it to the amazing Skagit Valley, I thought I would take you though a part of the Farm Tour here on the blog. It's a little technical, but also pretty darn interesting!

For several weeks now growers in eastern Washington have sown their fields to fall and over wintering green manure crops as summer crop harvests are completed. That task will continue for just a few more weeks until the shorter days and cooler temperatures do not allow for sufficient crop growth prior to winter. The primary aims of growing a cover crop are to

• reduce soil erosion due to wind and water
• provide food and habitat for fauna and flora
• capture soil nutrients within the crop rooting zone and retain these for the following season
• help break up compacted soils
• build soil structure and quality
• add soil nitrogen by including legume species
• help suppress weeds, pests and diseases.

By carefully selecting the right species for your location, season, crop rotation and intended goal, you can go a long way to preparing your soil for next season's crop, while at the same time giving back to mother nature and the environment.

For details on suitable cover crops in your area search for articles from your university extension office or check out these resources:

http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/ccrop/

http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/covercrop.html

http://www.sare.org/publications/covercrops/covercrops.pdf