Fresh from Our Farmers: Bloomfield Farms becomes Bloomfield Organics

The last year has ushered in a lot of changes at Bloomfield Farms, the first of which is a new name. The Valley Ford farm is now known as Bloomfield Organics.

There’s a new pastured egg operation, as well, with two flocks for a total of 650 layers. The younger flock, pullets known as Frankie’s Girls, are producing little blue eggs. The hens eat seasonally, just as the farm’s customers do. After a field is harvested, these happy hens then graze on the leftovers.

Flowers are in the works, too. Last year, the farm lost all of its bees because of the drought. They’ve added one new hive, have another planned and are planting hedgerows in advance of expanding their apiary beyond the two hives. There are a lot of bee colonies in the area and neighbor bees often visit the farm. With the hedgerows and more than 100 varieties flowers, there will be plenty for them to eat. By mid May, many of the flowers will be ready for picking and you’ll find bouquets at Bloomfield Organics’ market booths.

They are also adding a flower CSA to their subscription program, starting in May.

The farm’s current harvest includes sugar snap peas, which are arriving this week, lots of lettuces and several varieties of mustard greens, including Ruby Streak, Japanese Red and Curly Green. There is beautiful chard, several varieties of kale and collard greens that are both pretty and delicious. Soon, less common culinary herbs will join the parsley, thyme and rosemary that are currently available. When the weather warms a bit, look for a number of varieties of basil that will go beautifully with dry-farmed tomatoes.

Seascape strawberries will be here in a few weeks and before you know it, there will be delicious dry-farmed potatoes, including Peruvian Purple, Yukon Gold and the beloved Bodega Red.

The farm’s CSA program covers a large geographic area, with delivery to drop-off locations in Marin County, Napa County and several locations in Sonoma County, including Petaluma, Sonoma Mountain Village, Sonoma, Sebastopol, Santa Rosa, Bodega and Bodega Bay. They also deliver vegetables weekly to Worth Our Weight Culinary Apprenticeship Program in Santa Rosa. Prices range from $21 for a small box picked up at the farm to $37.50 for a family-sized box delivered to Tiburon. If you want eggs, you can add a half dozen for $4 or a full dozen for $7.

Currently, you’ll find Bloomfield Organics at two farmers markets, one in Larkspur and one in Sebastopol. They’ll be at the Bodega Bay farmers market when it opens in May and expect to attend the Occidental Farmers Market when it opens in June.

The farm is now an event space, as well, and has been hosting rehearsal dinners and weddings. Starting the first weekend in May, the farm stand will be open. Stay tuned for details.

Bloomfield Organics, established at its currently location, 12550 Valley Ford Rd., Petaluma, five years ago, is owned and operated by Mike and Karen Collins. Their daughter Jess and her husband Nick Papadopoulos work on community outreach, special events, new projects and partnerships with neighbors. For more information, to make a reservation for a tour and to sign up for the CSA program, visit bloomfieldfarmorganics.com or call 876-3261.

Michele Anna Jordan has written 19 books to date, including the new “More Than Meatballs.” Email Jordan at catsmilk@sonic.net. You’ll find her blog, “Eat This Now,” at pantry.blogs.pressdemocrat.com.