In the News...

Here are a couple links to recent articles. Enjoy!

http://blogs.laweekly.com/squidink/2011/11/windrose_chipotles_farmers.php

http://www.lamag.com/features/story.aspx?id=1553557

Watch us on the Cooking Channel!

On Sunday October 16th at 8pm EST check out "He Cooks, She Cooks" with Suzanne Goin and her husband David Lentz as they visit the farm! This special show is about their cooking styles and their relationship with the farmers market. The Cooking Channel is on the following systems:

4DTV - ch. W5270
DirecTV - ch. 232
Dish Network - ch. 113

You can also view the broadcast schedule via the website: http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR OCTOBER!

As the first day of fall is just around the corner, we have a few new events coming up in October.

The first is Sunsets "Savor the Central Coast" where we will be at the lovely Santa Margarita Ranch on October 1st & 2nd paired up with Chef Anontio Varia of Buona Tavola. Check out the link to the event site for tickets and additional information: http://www.savorcentralcoast.com/

The second event in October is an apple tasting and farm tour with Slow Foods SLO. Come join us for a tour of the apple orchard, then a tasting of all the varieties of apples you can handle! Chef Deborah Scarborough of The Black Cat Bistro in Cambria will be serving up an apple crisp featuring our apples topped with Happy Acres Goat Cheese Ice Cream. Bring a picnic basket, a blanket and a love of apples and spend the afternoon! $15 per person, kids under 12 are free - Sunday October 16th from 2:30pm to 5:00pm, reservations are required via: http://www.facebook.com/SlowFoodSLO#!/SlowFoodSLO?sk=events





We will keep you posted on the fall crop coming in - can't wait for all the winter squashes and pumpkin pie!

From all of us at Windrose Farm!

Annual Tomato Tasting!

Bee's knees

confused radish

So the wonders of nature seem to continue. This radish had a moment of indecision before getting back on track. We had an experience this Monday that will stay with me for many years to come, I got to witness a swarm of bees with their new queen. I heard a strange humming from the herb garden and walked out to a cloud of bees buzzing around a crab apple tree. I had seen a swarm moving through the fields before, but this one had decided to settle right next to the house. The swarm appeared very calm, and individual bees would bump off of me as I moved closer to get a good look.



start of the swarm

All those little dots in the blue of the sky are bees. The queen had landed on a thin branch and the rest of the group started to land on/near and group together.


gathering together

Slowly the bees continued to group on top of each other until a very calm lump had formed. Scouts would come back and land on the outside of the clump, do a quick little report "dance" and settle in. 


group formation

We knew they would stay like this for at least the night, then move on to find a suitable hive. The next morning they were still there, completely silent and motionless, all facing the sky, creating a yellow and black striped ball. It was truly amazing to see them so still and silent, waiting for the sun to warm them. Every once in a while a scout would return and sink into the ball to deliver the latest news. They left sometime in the afternoon, which I did not get to witness, but I'm sure it was with the same grace and unity with which they assembled. I already had a love of bees, but this close encounter just instilled in me more how amazing and important bees are to us. 


bees awaiting





Just another day on the farm....



Plane down!

 So just when you though life was normal, a plane crashes in your pasture. Apparently one of the neighbor's radio controlled planes veered off course and let gravity win. The more amazing thing was that none of the sheep ate it!


Horse vs. plane

Uma was more than brave for a horse, and searched for crew members. However, on this "Lost" there was no black smoke, only giant horses.

No survivors on horse island

This whole thing is no stranger than the current weather, 80 degrees last week to RAIN and 60 degrees this week! Has Mother Nature given up completely?

On a more serious note, if you are concerned about the governments support of Roundup Ready GMO crops please go tot the following site: http://fooddemocracynow.org and help increase our voice!

All of us at Windrose Farm!

Whole lotta shearing going on

One of these things is not like the others

Big thanks to everyone at the Earth Day Food & Wine Event this past weekend, we had a great group of people come to the farm to buy plants. As spring appears to have finally sprung, our sheep shearer has arrived to help put up the wool sweaters.



one side



not a fun new yoga position



Ready for summer!

Now the real trick was shearing the llama, Walterina. She was displeased to say the least, and was so unlady-like as to spit at us four times! Not to mention the body wracking hiccuping sobs that followed, very much like a two year old after a crying fit when they can't catch their breath.


Post hair cut



This is what an angry llama looks like

 That's all the news for now!

Windrose Farm & Artisan Restaurant team up at the Earth Day Food and Wine Event

Enjoy the fun at the Earth Day Food and Wine Event!

We are teaming up with Artisan on April 16th from 1pm to 5pm at the Pomar Junction Winery. Come sample a plethora local wines and artisan food products!


For more information or to purchase tickets go to the following website:

www.earthdayfoodandwine.com

Then the following day, Sunday April 17th, come visit us on the farm for our annual Earth Day Plant Sale. Multitudes of heirloom tomato plants, chili plants, basil & herbs are all available. Join us between 2pm and 6pm, click on the "directions" button on the right if you need them. Once again, please leave your dogs at home as we have plenty here!

April Showers bring icicles?!?

Apples & Ice

No this is not from December! The latest storm to move through brought rain, hail, winds and freezing temperatures. This is April, right?? We turned the orchard irrigation on in the night to help prevent any damage since the water comes out at 80 degrees, helping keep the overall temp up a bit. The water did freeze on the branches and grass, creating a winter wonderland.



Blossom Icicles

The cats seemed to be the smartest of us all, curled into little fur balls safe inside. So for the next few days it looks like we will have to be extra careful not forget it is not summer yet!



Fur Balls

The lambs were taking advantage of the breif bit of sunbathing that was available, just waiting for the next round to move in this afternoon.



Ethan and Buddie



The next round coming 

 Can't wait to see what this storm brings today! Raining frogs???


Produce Availability - April 4, 2011

Loose Greens - LOTS THIS WEEK!

Chicory - red & green Dandelion - loose leaf, tender & not bitter!

Endive - Super fine and tender leaves 

Escarole - little leaves, sweet as lettuce

Mizuna Green & Purple - spicy mustard, delicate & frilly loose leaf

Mibuna - mild sweet green for salad & saute 

Russian Kale - medium size leaves for salads and saute

Red Russian Kale - medium size leaves for salads and saute, hardier flavor 

Siberian Kale - medium size leaves for salads & saute 

Tatsoi Leaves - salad or saute, super sweet

Barbara's Garden Mix - endive, radicchio, golden chard & kale

Spicy Oriental Mix - tatsoi, curly green mustard, mizuna, purple mizuna

Baby Lettuces


Green Garlic - small, tender, and pungent.  LAST WEEK!
Bay Leaves - still on the branch!
Marjoram - sweet spring growth 4" size

Winter Squash

Spaghetti - firm and storing well!

TOMATO PLANTS - all kinds - plant some Windrose Farm at home!

Thanking you for your support and encouragement through the years and wishing you and yours a great week!   Barbara & Bill Spencer and all the crew at Windrose Farm.

Produce Availability - March 28, 2011

GREENS 

Delicious Mibuna

Loose Greens

Chicory - red & green Dandelion - loose leaf, tender & not bitter!
Endive - Super fine and tender leaves 

Escarole - little leaves, sweet as lettuce

Mibuna - mild sweet green for salad & saute 

Siberian Kale - medium size leaves for salads & saute 
Spicy Oriental Mix - tatsoi, curly green mustard, mizuna, purple mizuna
Baby Lettuces

Green Garlic - small, tender, and pungent 

Bay Leaves - still on the branch!

Marjoram -sweet spring growth 4" size

Winter Savory - peppery thyme flavor, use in place of rosemary - beans!

Winter Squash

Winter Squash

Delicata, Zepplin - still sweet!

Spaghetti - firm and storing well!

CRABAPPLE BLOSSOMS - use ice cubes in the water to make them last longer

Thanking you for your support and encouragement through the years and wishing you and yours a great week!   Barbara & Bill Spencer and all the crew at Windrose Farm.

Produce Availability - March 21, 2011

Back by popular demand, the market report!  We will be at the Santa Monica Farmers Market this Wednesday, March 23.  

GREENS 

Loose Greens – $6.00 / lb.

Endive - Super fine and tender leaves 

Escarole - little leaves, sweet as lettuce

Mibuna - mild sweet green for salad & saute, long slender leaves 

Kale - medium size leaves for salads & saute 

Baby Lettuces - $8.00 / lb

Green Garlic - small, tender, and pungent - $6.00 / lb

Bay Leaves - $1.00 / stem

Marjoram - sweet spring - $1.50 / bunch

Winter Savory - peppery thyme flavor, use in place of rosemary - $1.50/bunch

Winter Squash - $1.00/lb.

Delicata, Zepplin - still sweet!

Spaghetti - firm and storing well!

POTATOES - $2.00/lb.

All Blue – purple on the inside, great for pan frying

CRABAPPLE BLOSSOMS - $2.00 / stem

Thanking you for your support and encouragement through the years and wishing you and yours a great week!   Barbara & Bill Spencer and all the crew at Windrose Farm and Market

High water

Bill and Barbara on the way to Artisan for the Monday night dinner.

This last rain storm that came through this weekend only brought about 3" of rain, but on top of the 14"+ we've has this season it was more than the land could take! So for the first time since 1995, the river has made the road into the farm impassable by normal means. Luckily Farmer Bill has not only excellent tractor skills but also nautical ones as well! And nothing was going to stop us from getting to Artisan for their Monday night dinner featuring our produce along with Denner wines!

View from the tractor taxi

We are up to 46 baby lambs, 4 sets of triplets, only two singles and the rest are all twins. We think everyone is done, but there might be one more mom. All the rain has made the grass sweet, and the lambs are growing by leaps and bounds.

Last set of triplets and mom

So the only thing that remains is to figure out how we are getting to the Santa Monica Farmers market tomorrow!!!



Ruby Gold Tomatoes

Windrose Farm Annual Earth Day 

Open House and Plant Sale!

Join us at Windrose Farm for our open house and plant sale to celebrate Earth Day on Sunday April 17th. We will have multiple varieties of Heirloom tomato plants, pepper plants, lots of basil and other herbs. Snacks and beverage will also be available!

Hours are from 2pm to 6pm, and directions are here on the website or you can call (805) 239-3757. Please refrain from bringing your dogs as we have plenty here already!

SEED TO SKILLET BOOK SIGNING AND DINNER

Put Sunday March 6th on your calendar!

Windrose Farm is hosting a southern style Sunday Supper to honor Jimmy Willliams and Susan Heeger.

They are the authors of the amazing new gardening and recipe book, Seed To Skillet.  

I think this is the most user friendly and beautiful edible gardening book out today.  Everyone, from the newest gardener to the most experienced, will find something to learn.

We will gather at 2:00pm, then take a tour of the farm with Jimmy, Susan and Bill.  They will have lots to share and also want you to speak up as we walk.  Then a short time for visiting and book signing.

This event will also introduce you to Susan Dumeyer and David Sundeen , who are working with us at Windrose. Both are chefs who have worked in restaurants across the country. They are preparing a southern style meal based on Jimmy's recipes and Windrose Produce.  

Reservations are needed as space is limited! Email bandb@windrosefarm.org or phone 805-239-3757.
Price for the event is $35 a person and books will be available for sale as well.

“Sunday Supper” Menu

Burnt-onion greens with smoked tomatoes

Lamb ragout on creamy grits

Roasted winter squash as a vegetarian option for the lamb

Herb biscuits

Tomato jam & farm cheese

Winter squash bread with lavender cream & hazelnut brittle

Windrose Farm Facebook

Join our facebook page here.

I am new to Windrose!

One of our first lambs seems outnumbered by  large mothers- to -be.
The best times now are checking the north pasture early morning for new babies and then at sunset to see them all ready to bed down.
 
There are always a few little guys still "boinking" around!  Like all kids, they are just not quite ready for sleep.

Baby Lambs are here!

As of 10:00 this morning we have 17 baby lambs on the ground!
And at least 17 more on the way!

Santa Monica Market

it is a beautiful sunny day! greens are selling well and I am learning about this website. looking forward to being able to post and add new photos regularly.

Produce Availability - week of January 17

It's beautiful, but what do you do with it?

RADICCHIO DI CASTELFRANCO ALL'AGRODOLCE

Sweet and Sour Castelfranco Radicchio Hearts

1lb. Radicchio Variegato di Castelfranco (variegated chicory)
1 oz. sugar
2 oz. extra virgin olive oil
1 oz. red vinegar (try Chaparral Gardens Blackberry Balsamic)
salt and pepper

Clean and cut the radicchio into quarters lengthwise. Melt the sugar in a pan with some water, until brown. Stir in the oil and the vinegar. Lay the radicchio quarters in this sweet and sour sauce. Cook for about 15 minutes.

When the radicchio is soft and the sauce has thickened, remove from the stove. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve at room temperature.

Serves 4

P R O D U C E T H I S W E E K -

G R E E N S

Barbara’s Garden Greens

$6.00 / lb.

Chicory - Loose Red Verona and Castelfranco Radicchio

$1.50

each

Portugese Cabbage - large heads!

$1.50

each

Scallions - White $1.50 / bunch Last week!

L E E K S

French Leeks - $4.00/lb.

Last week!

S Q U A S H

Paydon White Acorn

Butternut

$1.00 / lb.

A P P L E S

Baking Mix (variety) - $2.00 / lb.

Mutsu - $2.00 / lb.

Granny Smith - $2.00 / lb.

P O T A T O E S

All Blue – purple on the inside, great for pan frying - $2.00 / lb.

Cranberry Red - sweet, pink - $2.00 / lb.

Available to ship and at markets:

S M O K E D D R I E D T O M A T O E S

A mix of Juliets, Romas and Small Heirlooms

$40 / lb.

C H I P O T L E S

Smoke dried Jalapeno and Serrano

$40 / lb.

Treccia an Italian Cayenne -HOT-

$40 / lb.

I had an incredible experience on Sunday, participating in a sustainability panel at the Skirball. This event was in

support of the American Friends of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The keynote speaker was Rahm Emanuel

- taking a break from his campaign for mayor of Chicago. He was brilliant, clear and very informative. I thank

Nancy Silverton so much for including me in her panel!! - Farmer Barbara

Thank you, Barbara & Bill Spencer and all the crew at Windrose Farm and Market