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Customer Profile: MAZAMA STORE
Bluebird at U Dist & Ballard Market this weekend!
Next Seattle Market Delivery June 11th
 Bluebird Grain Farms T's Now Available
Special of the Month: Split Farro
Notes from the Farmer
Seldom do weather predictions come to full realization. That said, I suppose we ought to bow to the long range forecasters for prognosticating a cold April because it certainly was that. Yours truly has said before that the only season colder than winter in the Methow, is spring. I often attribute this to the wind that is shy winter-long so as to build for bare ground. Other places rain may “follow the plow.” Here, the wind does….
Alas, there is plenty of good news, not the least of which is that the chilly temps have taken away some sense of urgency that many years we feel. And, we had as pretty of a May-Day weekend as one could hope. There is PLENTY of snowpack waiting to run our way and thus NO shortage of water. Fact is we’ve lovely little potholes up here in the foothills I’ve not seen in fifteen or more years and to be sure. And birds in every one And though I’d say we’re a good two – to three weeks behind many years, we’re not behind with field work and the aspen are about to leaf out any day.
The old adage I’ve heard ‘round these parts is plant your grain when the aspen leaf out. Well, though I have before, I tend to wait a bit longer for the soil to warm as it will pretty quickly from now on. Which means we’ll be looking to put the first of our grains in this coming full moon. Perfect! Always feels good sowing seed in cycle to catch the moon’s high energy.
 All our soil testing is done and analyzed. Our fields have been worked over a couple times and there appears to be decent decomposition of straw in most soils. We will be putting down our soil amendments here shortly, then prepping our final seed beds and will begin by planting over 80 acres of green crop, followed by our grain fields and hope to have everything in by the months end.
Our green crop this year is another round with a very expensive vetch that we tried out last year. It has the potential to grow quite a bit of available nitrogen but as I believe I mentioned in last month’s newsletter, we grow green crops as much for the biological activity they foster, as for their mineral bank. We should be able to get them planted in good shape this year and get a good idea of their benefits. If we are pleased with their results, I will certainly talk more about this particular crop and let you know where you can obtain some. As well, we’ve just begun work with a second soil consulting company who I’ll talk more about in time, too.
Plenty to do but here again, I’m not feeling too daunted at the moment. Of course, some 80-90 degree days could change that in a flash. I will not forget last year when we had such a wet May we were planting into June and it still worked out to some fashion. Mother Nature is this way. As always, I feel it a true honor to try and learn from her each day, and there certainly are enough lessons to keep me humble until I become part of the fetid earth upon which we stand. But we’ve got a lot of grain to grow, clean, mill and send to you before then, I hope!
And plenty more spring-time walks with the dogs and family. I can only hope that many of you are getting out with yours to enjoy the newness of another spring, as my youngest Mariah and I did just the other day, circumventing the shoulder of Lewis Butte here with bluebirds flitting about the singing little freshets , and a full pond for the Labs to dive in at the far end. Did I mention the snowy-peaks beyond….
Very best to all, your farmer, Sam
Bluebird News
 Welcome Justin Fogle our New Seattle Farmers Market Manager. Justin comes to bluebird with a lot of enthusiasm- he will be managing our Seattle Market booths this year.
Next Seattle Market Bulk Delivery: June 11th. Please have your special orders in by June 3rd.
After many requests for Bluebird T's we now have them available. Call our office or visit our online store for a Farm T-Shirt. Youth sizes, Men's and Women's T's available.
Join our or local friends Crown S Ranch at their annual farm party Sunday, May 29th Farm Tour, Food, & Music. Contact Crown S at (509) 996-3849
It's almost time to whip up that summer tabbouleh salad- this time instead of Bulgar Wheat try making it with Bluebird Split Farro. On sale now through June. Now available in 4.5lb.
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Recipe of the Month: Emmer Sweet Potato Fritters 
The perfect savory side dish for your Mothers Day brunch, Bluebird’s Emmer Sweet Potato Fritters are a heartily delicious and nutritious way to show Mom you care. Whether you top them with the sweet tang of applesauce or the cool richness of sour cream, these crispy fritters are sure to be a favorite.
2 cups grated sweet potato (or other root vegetable)
1 small onion or ½ medium onion, grated
extra virgin olive oil
salt & pepper
Bluebird emmer pancake mix prepared according to package directions
sour cream or apple sauce for serving* (optional)
Heat a medium frying pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 Tablespoon olive oil, heat until hot, then add the grated onion and sweet potato. Saute until just tender, 3-5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. In a large mixing bowl prepare the pancake mix, add the sautéed vegetables and mix well. Heat a griddle or frying pan over medium to medium-high heat, add a bit of olive oil and drop in the batter using a ¼ cup scoop or spoon. Cook until golden on each side, and continue with remaining batter. Serve with sour cream or apple sauce.
 Customer Profile: The LeDuc Family of the Mazama Store 
The LeDuc family’s Mazama Storemay be only a recent venture, but proprietor Missy LeDuc is no stranger to providing people with high-quality food. Growing up in a family-owned deli in West Seattle, Missy learned early how to provide great service and cultivate a community of customers. When the legendary and landmark Mazama Store became available nearly four years ago, Missy and her family didn’t hesitate long before jumping in with both feet. “We liked the community and we liked the store,” says Missy. “As Mazama residents we already spent a lot of time there anyway.”
The Mazama Store operates like an old-fashioned general store, stocking a little bit of everything from groceries to gasoline to clothing to house wares, as well as offering a substantial lunch counter menu and espresso bar. The great food and airy, cozy atmosphere bring guests in and the welcoming community feeling to the place brings them back. “We like getting to know people,” says Missy. “People come back—they want to visit the store again, but they also want to visit us. We’re really able to get to know most of our customers and it’s the best part of the job.” “We hire employees that share this vision,” continues Missy, “so the store always has a strong sense of community associated with it.”
The Mazama Store used to have a thriving bakery, but for a number of years the store sold only baked goods produced in other local bakeries. Now, however, the store’s bakeryoffers more than twenty different artisan loaves, as well as homemade pizzasand a mouth-watering array of scones, muffins, and baked desserts. “It’s been fun to bring back the bakery,” says Missy. “It’s been such a growing experience. We’re just trying a lot of different things—everybody is involved-and we’re learning so much as we go along.”
The store uses Bluebird floursin several of its products, including the decadent chocolate emmer cookies and emmer brownies. Dog biscuits featuring emmer flourare also available, for the valley’s locavore pooches. And soon to be launched is a yeast bread that uses exclusively Bluebird flours; Missy is thinking of calling it “Sam’s Loaf.”
With its location in the heart of Mazama, surrounded by skiing, biking, and hiking trails, the Mazama Store provides both a launching point for recreation and a welcoming place to unwind after a run, ski, or a hard day on the job. And the relaxing atmosphere encourages you to sit down and savor the moment, as well as the food.
For more information about the Mazama Store, visit their blog.
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