So we’ve had many people ask about the progress of Gert Lund and his crops. The news is not that great. On Wednesday morning he got frost that wiped out a third to half of his beans and peas, he has had only about ¾ inch of rain, and it just hasn’t been hot enough to get the carrots germinating the way they should. He did tell me that he has started to deliver spinach to Blush Lane. Spinach is a cooler weather crop so it is thriving in these conditions. He said the forecast is looking good for rain on Monday and Tuesday and then warm after that so he’s hanging on a couple more weeks.
Gert isn’t the only one dealing with a myriad of issues in local agriculture. Many of our farmers are facing drought, high hay prices, cold weather, and now the threat of grasshoppers. It’s not been a good year so far. Gert said that he really appreciates the support though and that it helps to confirm why he does what he does.
The rhubarb from my parent’s garden is finally producing enough to start picking so this week we are making Rhubarb Crisp as the special sweet. These rhubarb plants are the ones I grew up with and are a few decades old. The crisp comes in a mason jar, ready for warming. We’ve also got the last of the Edgar Farms asparagus on our tart on Wednesday. Many of the other Alberta crops are starting to slowly come in so we’ll start to feature them as the month goes on.
Don’t forget about our Forage Birthday Party on Friday, July 17th! We’ll be serving a bison burger, cupcake, and saskatoon berry lemonade for $10 and some of the proceeds will go to Community Crop. No need to book ahead, just drop by between 5PM and 7PM.
Here’s the menu for this week:
Monday - Beef Burrito
Hoven Farms organic beef, Gull Valley Green Houses peppers, rice, black beans, and cheddar all wrapped in a Tres Marias tortilla with fresh salsa $11
Tuesday - Bison Shepherd’s Pie
Buffalo Horn Ranch bison, carrots, peas, and beans topped with whipped potatoes $10
Wednesday - Asparagus Tart
The last of the asparagus! Edgar Farms asparagus on puff dough with Sylvan Star gouda and potato mousse served with green salad $13
Thursday - Chicken Caesar Salad
Sunworks Farm organic chicken, romaine lettuce, croutons, parmesan cheese, and our caesar dressing $13
Friday - Roast Organic Chicken
Sunworks Farm roast organic chicken served with picnic potato salad and our famous gravy $40 whole $26 half $15 quarter
This Week’s Soup – Chicken and Wild Rice $7
This Week’s Stew – Italian Beef Stew $8
This Week’s Salad – German Potato Salad $4
Something Sweet – Rhubarb Crisp $4
Forage Hours Monday to Friday 2PM to 7PM – 3508 19th Street SW – (403)269-6551


desperate it is. Peter Haase of Buffalo Horn Ranch is reducing his herd to half if rain doesn’t come soon. It costs too much to feed them hay instead of the lush green grass that there should be right now. Gert Lund’s carrots are yet to germinate and by today, his dugout will be dry. Without rain in the next week or so, he says he’ll just plow the fields and wait for next year. It costs too much to haul the water to the farm so eventually finances will dictate the outcome. He also told us about plans for new golf courses that will surround his farm. I’m sure they won’t have any trouble finding water to keep the greens lush and soft the way the golfers like them.


annatto seed new york steak, and rib eye with house made steak sauce and baby baked potato. Call the Cookbook Company for tickets.