2008 Summer News from Canyon Bounty Farm

For greenhouse information check this website in early 2009

Once the greenhouses close in early June, I shift into my seed mode. Which means I tend to the various seed crops growing on my 7-acre certified organic farm. I’m growing 13 different seed crops that I have contracted with several organic seed companies. These seed contracts range from melons to peppers to beans to wheat and much more. There’s also the seven "fun" garden-scale projects like trialing various polenta-type corns, or focusing on some quality sun-dried tomato varieties.

The 2-acre wheat section is almost ready to be combined. The kernels have lost their soft, doughy texture and are becoming crunchy hard. This is a hard red spring wheat variety that is used for bread products.

I decided to try growing wheat last year. I realized no one else was producing a local wheat in the Treasure Valley. Since I am already a seed farmer and have the equipment to combine and clean the seed I thought I should just go for it. I had to invest in a stone burr flour mill. It’s a wonderful machine. Two granite stones grind those crunchy kernels of wheat into some pretty tasty flour.

If you’re interested in buying flour you may purchase it at Idaho’s Bounty, at Morning Owl Farm Stand, or right here at the farm (please e-mail to arrange a time). If you want to taste the flour already baked into some delicious bread you can buy the organic whole wheat loaves from Le Cafe de Paris (336-0889) at the Capitol City Farmers Market on Saturdays in downtown Boise. The "Beth bread" is also for sale at Morning Owl Farm market. For more information about flour and recipes, click on the flour link on the upper left-hand side of this page.

And to just temporarily shift back in to the greenhouse mode, I want to thank everyone for an incredibly successful greenhouse business. I had a record sales season; and always enjoy welcoming new and returning customers to the farm.

Let’s grow good food!

Thanks, Beth
July 12, 2008

Buy local each season.
Make a gardener very happy.
Support a local farm.