Is it Just Me or is it Hot in Here?

You probably recognize our farm logo pictured above. Pretty, yes, but also purposeful. The image actually comes from a sunflower here on the farm.


I caught this bee at work one morning during a tour of the fields. The sunflowers have long been a favorite of ours because of their beauty, their long history in agriculture, and also their resilience. After the flooding of 2007, the next spring, throughout the Valley down river of the farm sunflowers sprouted from piles of mud and debris. During these dog days of summer when the temperatures reach into the 90s and even over 100, the sunflowers just soak it up. They do not require any of the pampering that other plants do to make it through these periods of adversity.

They have volunteered in our potatoes this year and their stunning display as they serenely follow the sun in its arch across the sky each day without complaint is a real inspiration.

Just like our Hannah, who last Tuesday braved record temperatures in downtown Chehalis at the farmers market. Thinking ahead she provided cold water and even a sprinkler on the street to help cool off the brave customers that made it out that day. When she returned to the farm that evening she reported record temperatures of 113 degrees confirmed by two thermometers on banks downtown. Even King 5 news showed up apparently noting that Chehalis was the hottest spot in western Washington according to their radar observations.