Rene' and Anne Berblinger began farming in the Gales Creek Valley in western Washington County in 1999. Brandon Mazur, Adam Baratta, Stephanie Moore, Anna Lund, Jordon Roe, Norman Hamilton and Tobias Berblinger will be working with us for the 2010 season. Our farm, on the northeast side of Gales Creek Road, includes 9 flat acres of wonderful soil, a steep wooded hillside - the west side of Clapshaw Hill - and a riparian area with cottonwoods. We produce more than 300 varieties of great tasting and beautiful vegetables and herbs. Many of our varieties are heirlooms. Gales Meadow Farm is Oregon Tilth Certified Organic, so you can enjoy our delicious fresh produce knowing that it is free from pesticides, herbicides, and the effects of chemical fertilizers.
Early in the season, we sell starts of hardy vegetables including beets, onions, lettuce, and chard. In May, we have starts of tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, squash, and cucumbers. We have more than 40 varieties of tomatoes, more than 30 sweet and hot peppers, and five kinds of eggplant. Our starts are available at the Hollywood, Hillsdale, and Forest Grove Farmers Markets, and at a special Earth Day Sale in Cannon Beach http://www.evoo.biz/march-2010
As the season progresses, we offer the best familiar summer and fall vegetables and many unusual varieties at the Hollywood farmers Market (May - November) and the Cannon Beach Farmers Market (July - September). Stop by our booth, ask questions, get recipes, and share your recipes with us! Check the website for a preview of what's fresh this week, as well as tips on planting, descriptions of our produce, and recipes.
Our farming practices build the soil and provide habitat for wildlife including native plants, insects, birds, and microbes. Over the years, we have installed a photovoltaic system to power our greenhouses and farm house and a water-saving drip irrigation system. Every year, we plant more native trees, shrubs, and insectary flowers. We reuse our pots, recycle our agricultural plastics through AgriPlas and use compostable Trellis Earth bags and brown paper bags for our produce.
In addition to the Hollywood Farmers Market (May - November), we can be found at the Hillsdale Farmers Market (March-May), Cannon Beach Farmers Market (July-September) and the Forest Grove Farmers Market (May). Restaurants and caterers which use our products include Castagna, Bon Appetit at Intel, Keuken, DinDin, and Fleur de Lis French Bakery. And those fabulous Ruby Jewel Treats . . . the mint and lavender for the ice cream comes from Gales Meadow Farm.
Blake van Roekel of Keuken is our consulting chef. Daniel Landau is our webmaster. He wants us to have a webcam to show the growth going on in our fields. Check back, it could happen!