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About Appeal tribune. (Silverton, Or.) 1999-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2017)
Appeal Tribune Wednesday, February 1, 2017 3A ‘Our little farm is doing big things’ Bear Branch offers consumers a convenient way to stock the pantry ANNETTE UTZ FOR THE STAYTON MAIL For those ready to get away from the cans and frozen goods and waiting for local produce to crop up, Bear Branch Farms will soon have a conve- nient way to stock the pan- try and curb the appetite for farm-fresh goods. Bear Branch works on a Community Supported Agriculture basis, which is essentially a farm share. Customers pur- chase “shares” and re- ceive a weekly box or bag of quality, non-GMO, pes- ticide-free produce di- rectly from the farm. There are over 60 varie- ties of vegetables, fruits and herbs available throughout the season. The farm is currently sell- ing 2017 CSA shares, in- creasing from 50 in 2016 to 125 this year. “Our little farm is do- ing big things,” said Janis Newsom, who owns and operates the farm with her husband Nate. “It is super exciting. Yes, we’re gearing up for an exciting season.” For the CSAs, the sea- son is split into two 13- week sessions to help families work around sea- sonal commitments and to lower upfront costs. Sum- mer 1 runs from May 13 to Aug. 5 and Summer 2 is Aug. 12 through Nov. 11. The farm tries to have at least nine varieties of produce available weekly, up to 14 during mid-sea- son. There are also three size options and costs are in line with both size and length of membership. A small share (avg. 5-7 lbs. per week) is $260 for Summer 1 or 2, medium shares (10-15 lbs.) go for $325 and large shares (15 – 20 lbs.) are $390. The farm is Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cer- tified to aid in the cost, en- abling those facing diffi- culties to still be able to access fresh products. To receive weekly Bear Branch CSA goods, pickups are scheduled weekly at the farm, Foot- hills Church in Stayton and the Salem, Silverton and Albany farmers mar- kets. The system has changed from last year in that members bring their own bag, box or basket and produce will be in bins with labels that in- SPECIAL TO THE STAYTON MAIL Bear Branch Farms maintains a consistent presence at local farmers markets. struct members to take a certain amount of each item based on box size. “We tried this out dur- ing our winter CSA and the customers loved it,” Janis said. “We are very excited about this new style as it gives you more options as far as picking the exact sizes for zucchi- ni, tomatoes, etc. that you enjoy and depending on how you plan to use it. “You can’t actually cus- tomize your box but there is a ‘swap bin’ available so customers can trade out items if they have aller- gies or dietary restric- tions or simply don’t like something.” Boxes can still be washed and prepacked if desired for an additional fee. Another new develop- ment is a “member share” program, rather like a produce checking ac- count. For those who don’t appreciate surprise vege- tables, customers can buy a $400 share and visit the farmers markets to gath- er the produce of their choice, with the cost (mi- nus a 15 percent discount) being deducted from their deposit. Either way, Bear Branch sends out weekly emails to all members with recipes for unfamil- iar products or new ways to cook old favorites. The email gives farm updates, explains what produce will be receive in a given week and a reminder about pick up times. “You can also join our Facebook group to swap recipes and chat with oth- er CSA members along with farm owners for tips and tricks,” said Kayla Newsom, Nate and Janis Newsom’s oldest daugh- ter. “It’s a lot of fun. Peo- ple share their ideas and post photos of their dish- es. It also adds a sense of community and commu- nity support of agricul- ture.” In addition to these programs, Kayla pointed out that they have a dona- tion system in place for those in need and a work share program. With all of this in place, plus supplying local res- taurants, the family owned and operated farm has come a long way since beginning operation in Oct. 2015 under the guid- ing hands of Janis, Nate and their eight children. “We absolutely love it here,” Janis said, “and be- tween the (CSA), the SNAP program and dona- tions we can make sure that everyone can have healthy and nutritious food to eat. That is our passion.” annetteutz1@gmail. com or follow at twit- ter.com/AnnetteUtz Wurstfest brings out the best in Mt. Angel CHRISTENA BROOKS SPECIAL TO THE APPEAL TRIBUNE MT. ANGEL – The 9th annual Wurstfest will light up the Festhalle for two days, Friday, Feb. 24 and Saturday the 25. Spon- sored by the Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce, this mini indoor Oktober- fest features beer, wine, sausage, German music and vendor booths. Friday is senior day, and Saturday morning will bring the Wurst Run & Walk, 5K and 10K races through the streets of Mt. Angel. Race registration is at http://racenorth- west.com/wurstrun. The library is hosting its regular kindergarten corner, where kids can do crafts and take home a free book. Music and dancing will be on show throughout the two-day festival, which runs 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days. Adult admission is $5, or $10 with a specialty beer stein. Those under 21, who must be accompa- nied by an adult, are free. www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC LOCAL ADVISORS Salem Area Vin Searles Jeff Davis Keizer Area Surrounding Area Sheryl Resner Bridgette Justis FINANCIAL ADVISOR FINANCIAL ADVISOR FINANCIAL ADVISOR FINANCIAL ADVISOR Mission | 503-363-0445 Liberty | 503-581-8580 Keizer | 503-304-8641 Sublimity | 503-769-3180 Michael Wooters Garry Falor Mario Montiel Tim Yount FINANCIAL ADVISOR FINANCIAL ADVISOR FINANCIAL ADVISOR FINANCIAL ADVISOR South | 503-362-5439 West | 503-588-5426 Keizer | 503-393-8166 Silverton | 503-873-2454 STATESMAN JOURNAL FILE The Mt. Angel Kinder Dancers perform at the Mt. Angel Wurstfest in 2015. Mt. Angel schoolchildren also will perform at this year’s event Feb. 5-6. Derek Gilbert Chip Hutchings Walt Walker FINANCIAL ADVISOR FINANCIAL ADVISOR Commercial | 503-362-9699 Lancaster | 503-585-4689 FINANCIAL ADVISOR Stayton | 503-769-4902 Caitlin Davis Tim Sparks FINANCIAL ADVISOR FINANCIAL ADVISOR West | 503-585-1464 Commercial | 503-370-6159 February plans at the Senior Center CHRISTENA BROOKS SPECIAL TO THE APPEAL TRIBUNE SILVERTON – Along with its usual low-cost yo- ga, Zumba and tai chi classes, the Silverton Sen- ior Center is offering a va- riety of events to those aged 60 and over during the month of February. A few are open to all ages, including the Sweet- heart Dance on Sunday, Feb. 12. It’s $5 per person or $7 per couple. The Vin- tage Boys will play, and refreshments will be served. The event runs from 2 to 4 p.m. On Sun- day, Feb. 25, the public is also invited to the commu- nity pancake breakfast fundraiser. The meal is $5 for adults, $3 for kids un- der 12, and free for kids under 4. Starting Feb. 4., sen- iors can get free tax ad- vice every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Coordi- nated by the AARP, this tax help doesn’t end until April 15 has passed. Ser- vices will be provided on a first-come-first-served basis. Also scheduled for Feb. 4 is a free community volunteer fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., a chance for at- tendees to peruse the va- riety of service opportu- nities in our area. Local non-profits and service clubs will be on hand to explain their volunteer needs. Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m. is the center’s free “Compassionate Friend” grief support group for anyone who’s experi- enced the loss of a loved one. A free gardening class with expert Dale Small is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Feb. 8. Tuesday, Feb. 21 will bring a free hypnosis class at 1 p.m. led by How- ard L. Hamilton, followed by a free Alzheimer’s sup- port group at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23 is a Mt. Angel resident lands scholarship CHRISTENA BROOKS SPECIAL TO THE APPEAL TRIBUNE PARKLAND, Wash.— Anthony Beyer, a Mt. An- gel resident and student at Blanchet Catholic High School, has been awarded a prestigious Pacific Lu- theran University Presi- dent’s Scholarship worth $26,000 a year. PLU offers a number of merit schol- arships to recognize aca- demic achievement, lead- ership and service, as well as the promise of con- tinued success in these areas as a PLU student. The Presidential Scholar- ships are renewable for three additional years of undergraduate study. More than 500 incoming first year students apply for Presidential Scholar- ships each year, and the standards are high: Stu- dents who have demon- strated significant leader- ship and service and have achieved a 3.8+ GPA or 1310+ SAT (math and evi- dence-based reading and writing scores) or 28+ ACT are eligible to apply. Pacific Lutheran Univer- sity, a private liberal arts university in Tacoma, seeks to educate students for lives of thoughtful in- quiry, service, leadership and care — for other peo- ple, for their communities and for the Earth. chance to get free legal advice appointments from attorney Phil Kelley. Call ahead to 503-873-3093 to reserve an appoint- ment between 9 a.m. and noon. OR-0000385315 Michael Kim DDS “Your friendly local dentist” New Patients & Emergencies Welcome Cosmetic Implant Bridges/Partials Extractions Crowns/Fillings Root Canals ENTER FOR OUR MONTHLY KINDLE DRAWING AT EACH APPOINTMENT WE ACCEPT MOST INSURANCE 410 Oak St, Silverton, OR, 97381 503-873-3530 kimsilvertonordentist.com
