Farmers Feeling the Change of Seasons

Believe it or not, spring has arrived! She crept in quietly this year, cloaked in rain gear we normally expect in mid-winter's January and February months. Yet her tell-tale signs, like a familiar friend, are beginning to make their presence known.

Our surrounding open space is shaking off the dry, brown grasses of last fall as this year's new blanket of verdant green comes forth again. Already a few California poppies are blooming on the slopes of Mt. Burdell, heralding the arrival of more wildflowers that will soon carpet our hills and meadows.

This predictable cycle of renewal signals a deep urge within many of us: It's time to prep the garden, plant flowers, and pay homage to the earth and all it provides. 

Novato's farms and farmers are also feeling the change of seasons. To keep readers current on the latest from our local "fields and forks", I am pleased to present the following updates from several previously featured vendors.

The , located at the College of Marin in Ignacio, invites the public to their annual Spring Plant Sale on Saturday & Sunday, April 21-22, from 10 a.m.-3pm. Here you will find organic vegetable starts, herbs, annual and perennial flowers, perennial shrubs and berries, fruit trees, and more to get your garden going this year. Marin Master Gardeners will be on hand to lead farm tours of the facility, and an informational session on backyard composting is slated from 2-2:30 p.m. Event goers will be treated to live music (Saturday only), bouquet-making, and special tastings. For more information, call 415-720-2051. You may also send inquiries by email to jbrager@conservationcorpsnorthbay.org  or www.conservationcorpsnorthbay.org

Don't forget to visit the IVC Organic Farm Stand open year-round to the public every Wednesday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. where you can buy freshly harvested organic seasonal produce.  Currently, the farm stand has loads of organic bare root strawberry plants (Chandlers and Seascapes) for sale.

Next up is Stemple Creek Ranch, a sustainable farm just north of Tomales, owned by the Poncia family of Novato and known for its organic, free-range meat. Now is the perfect time to get on their wait list for spring harvest grass-fed beef and lamb. Customers interested in purchasing half/whole lambs and/or quarter/half/whole beef are encouraged to place orders now. You can purchase a variety of cuts of their humanely raised meat at the year-round San Rafael farmers market at the Marin County Civic Center every Sunday morning.

Mark your calendars now to attend the annual Stemple Creek Ranch Open House/BBQ at their ranch on Saturday, May 5.  Detailed information will be available soon on their website and RSVP’s will be required. If you're interested in attending, email info@stemplecreek.com to be included on the list for event updates. 

Got eggs? If you haven't discovered Novato's Just Struttin' Farm, you're missing out on one of this city's best resources for farm fresh eggs. Farmer Deann DaSilva's heritage breed hens lay eggs that are as much a feast for the eyes as for the table. With Easter just around the corner, stock up on her beautiful colored eggs to make this year's hunt "egg-stra" special! They are available for purchase at , 1551 S. Novato Blvd., on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings starting at 8 a.m. until they're sold out, and at Farm Girl Nursery, 100 Pacheco Avenue, on Saturdays (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) and Wednesdays (2-5 p.m.). At $6/dozen, from organically fed, free-range chickens, they're a great deal! 

Last, but far from least, Nicasio Valley Cheese Company recently introduced two notable offerings to their impeccable organic farmstead cheese collection. It's hard to improve on perfection, but master cheese-maker Scott Lafranchi has done just that with Organic Garlic & Basil Foggy Morning. The addition of fresh herbs to the already sublime original Foggy Morning, elevates this creamy-tangy farmer's cheese to new heights. Equally notable is their new washed-rind San Geronimo, a full-flavored medium-bodied cheese with elements of raclette and fontina that shines as a table cheese, or melts perfectly to create a memorable grilled sandwich.

You can find Nicasio Valley Cheese Company products in Novato at and . For a full selection, visit their booth at the Sunday Civic Center Farmers Market, or their farmstead store (open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.) at 5300 Nicasio Valley Road in Nicasio.