Thanks to Skagit River Ranch

Thanks to the Vojkovich family for doing the right thing, raising beef, pork and eggs we feel good about eating, and being good friends over the past 7 years. We began buying from S.R.R. at the Columbia City Farmer's Market in 2001. When starting our business, we knew that we could only serve beef from Skagit River Ranch. This is the most delicious and healthy meat around.
One market day, someone asked how we could call ourselves "Green" and serve meat! While we are aware of the atrocities of industrial meat production, we would not ever serve that kind of meat, and we consider this organic, local meat to be in a different food category all together. How so? First, we have visited Skagit River Ranch, you can too. The farm is green and beautiful and managed in a more sustainable manner than many large vegetable farms. The cows and other animals on the farm eat what they want (and are biologically evolved) to eat, so they remain naturally healthy and don't need drugs. Animals are not confined concentration-camp style. Cows are not shipped, stressed or tortured by an industrial meat packing facility. The USDA approved mobile slaughtering unit comes right to the farm, so a cow's last moments are peaceful right there in the field that has been home. Also, this farm is within 100 miles of Seattle, so very little fuel is used in transport. We are helping to maintain green places when we support local farms like Skagit River Ranch. I'm sure even the most ardent vegan would rather see this farm remain a farm than a subdivision.
Then there's the whole human aspect. Eiko and George have offered us lots of helpful business advice, consulting, an occasional reality check and friendship. We were tickled pink when another farmer tasted our burger and was amazed by how GREAT the beef was! He said he also raises cows, takes good care of them and they are delicious, but ours may be even better.
Thanks Vojkovich Family!

Season of Thanks

GreenGo would not exist if not for the help of many people. I'm going to try to give recognition to a few of our key players over the next few posts. I will start with our long-time quesadilla provider, friend and mentor, Dev of Patty Pan Grill. It was she who suggested the markets as an outlet for our food production given our limited financial means. There were a few times last summer when we questioned the sanity of taking this advice, but mainly we are thankful to Dev for her support, encouragement, mentorship, quesadillas when they aren't loaded with beets, and unique perspective. She's kind of like a surrogate big sister since we are both aliens in our biological families.
We were about ready to scrap the market program after our difficulties last summer, but Dev had some simple great ideas to re-tool our menu, so I think it will work better now.
Thanks a million Dev!

Nash's Organic Farm

On Tuesday, we had a super fun trip to Nash's Organic Farm in Sequim, WA. The farm lies spread over several fields in the fertile Dungeness River Delta. Our favorite item is Nash's Carrots, we always have a 5 lb. bag in the refrigerator. We also love the friendly folks at the farmer's markets. A huge THANK YOU to Kia who gave us most of her day, taking us on an extended tour of the farm and sharing a wealth of knowledge with us. The farm has a great story, here is my rough re-telling...Nash Huber started growing veggies in various vacant patches of land about 25 years ago, he and his crew still grow on various rented fields in the area, they sell produce at Farmer's Markets, to PCC and a few larger wholesalers. A few years ago, through the PCC Farmland Trust project they acquired the 80 acre Delta Farm which is their only chunk of land saved for farming forever. This part of the farm used to be a dairy, it has a beautiful old barn, fields, happy pigs, various fowl, and a crew of dedicated folks who make it all happen. While we enjoyed the whole farm, I think the Delta Farm was our favorite...we loved being with the happy pigs foraging in the field, "talking turkey" with the big flock of (soon to be eaten) beautiful turkeys, being honked and chased by the riotous geese, the various sizes and colors of chickens, the big Combine pulling into the barn, watching Nash work, seeing how Sunchokes grow, snacking from the fields....I could go on and on....or you could go for a visit next time you're on the Peninsula. Thanks KIA!

And The People Rejoiced!

Hooray for Change! Democracy may survive! Our Election Night Party was fun and inspiring! We enjoyed serving Burgers and Squash Soup and toast...outside in the hail and rain, sheltered in our market tent, warmed by our stoves and a wonderful bon fire. (Thanks to Bryn for exceptional fire skills) Delicate folks stayed warm inside watching history unfold. Lots of little kids had a great time meeting new friends and having their own party.
A special Thanks to the many people who made the evening a success, Farhad for his house, Otto Family for pickles, bread, friendship and every type of support under the sun, Murfin Family for support and friendship, Skagit River Ranch for Beef, Rockridge Orchards for Cider, Tall Grass for Bread, Joni for making the extra effort, Town and Country for the straw the kids had a blast playing in, market folks for making the trip, every person who attended.
Working together for change and strong community.