Bluebird Farm and Gardens Update

This year we supported Bluebird Farm and Gardens in Empire with a $3,608 microloan for purchasing a pavilion and compost spreader. Bluebird Farm, started in 2021 by Austin Weed and Chelsea Loomis, grows a diversity of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, and offers CSA subscriptions, flower shares, plant starts, eggs, and pastured lamb. The farm follows National Organic Standards protocols and their intention is to leave the land in better shape than when they purchased it.

According to Austin, “We have heavily invested in farm systems to allow us to decrease time spent planting, thinning, weeding, and washing crops. We have increased production area and yield each of the last two seasons without increasing labor. As we continue our expansion towards our final production size and market diversity, we know further mechanical efficiencies are needed – even with hired labor – for the long term sustainability of our farm.” A commercial compost spreader (to be purchased soon) will effectively disburse valuable compost quickly and efficiently, vs. cumbersome hand spreading.

Austin said that their summer is going very well and that this season has been average thus far, although every year has its unique challenges. With the nice spring we’ve had in our region, their strawberries ripened about 10 days earlier than usual. Their CSA has 50 members. The couple does not have additional workers but is looking to add an employee or two next season.

Composting is an integral part of organic farming, and Bluebird Farm purchases high quality compost from Morgan Composting. They also make compost on farm with bedding from their sheep herd and unsold produce. Any other fresh products that are left over are donated to Food Rescue NW Michigan.

Part of Oryana’s loan was used to purchase a new pavilion for their roadside stand. “We are enjoying our new pavilion,” said Austin. “It is self service, and was very nice to have during strawberry season. We also use it for on-farm CSA pick up, and look forward to it being the centerpiece of our U-Pick flower garden starting in August.

We wanted to know what some of Austin and Chelsea’s favorite summer dishes are. “Summer cooking is all about raw and lightly cooked vegetables,” said Austin. “Vinegar-based slaws with broccoli, cauliflower or cabbage. Potatoes and fresh zucchini with herbs on the grill. Watermelon salad with mint and feta. Fresh pico is a farm favorite! We really enjoy making chimichurri and adjika (an eastern European dip similar to salsa) when chili peppers start coming in.” (Can we come over for dinner!?)

What Chelsea and Austin look forward to this fall is seeing the bounty and fruition of a long season of labor. The abundance of September is a very treasured and special feeling for them. You can visit Bluebird farm stand at 10750 S Fredrickson Rd. in Empire.