"Putting-by"

 

That's what we do here on the farm. So do hundreds of urban folks who visit us during the summer. They make the trip out here to get their blueberries, and we just love to see them. There are several things that Beverly and I and other farmers really have enjoyed about people who have come to the farm over the past 25 years. They want to connect with the farm and nature, to have frehs berries and produce, and introduce their children to the source of their food. They meet the people who produce it, and enjoy the farm because of the natural field and forest nearby.  We further appreciate their desire to elarn more about conservation by visiting our conservation corner. There is nothing like picking fresh ripe fruit and vegetables, preserving them - and summer - in a jar. The taste of those tomatoes or peaches instantly  brings back the warm days of summer. "Putting by" is the old-fashioned terms for the practice of preserving food and materials for use in the winter months. You will find farm, fresh products from apples to zucchini in the Tri-County Farm Fresh Produce Guide,

 

Have a great time "putting by!"

 

Enjoy this week's Dirt!

Spreading Roots, Spring Forth

 

**Editor's Note: Strong supporter and yearly Songster Writer Clair Klock has farmed for the past 25 years with his wife Beverly. They started with a leased field and then developed their own blueberry farm at 931 NE Salzman road in Corbett on the western end of the  Columbia River Gorger. They concentrate mainly on U-pick and ready, fresh-picked blueberries. The berries are available later in the season than most in the Willamette Valley because they are grown at a higher elevation. The Klock's have always run the farm as a teaching center for agriculture and conservation, answering any questions asked. Clair and Beverly give a free annual Berry Care Seminar in late January or early February for the public. Klock Farm can be found as part of the Farm Fresh Produce Guide or by calling 503.695.5882