Our Philosophy
Our choice of operating a small, organic farm comes from our desire to live in a way that is ethical and sustainable and to do simple things to improve our community. We've attempted to evolve Blue Skies Farm into what we believe a small farm would have been like 75 years ago or like small farms we've seen in Europe.
Like those farms, much of the work here is hand work, including the seeding, hoeing and harvesting. In addition, rather than fostering the agri-entertainment concept that so many pick-your-own berry farms have, Blue Skies offers only an opportunity to step back for an "outing to the farm" to pick berries, enjoy sitting in the shade, tossing a stick for the dog and being unhurried for a morning or afternoon.
We happened on this viewpoint from several sources. Among them was through our educational backgrounds, our individual upbringings, and our continued self education through reading.
Among the places we've gleaned our inspiration are the writings of Henry David Thoreau, Aldo Leopold, Helen and Scott Nearing, Carlo Petrini in the Slow Food movement, Wendel Berry, Michael Pollan and Angelo Pelligrini to name just a few. In addition, Paul spent several years under the tutelage of Professors Marlin Johnson and Jim Cheney at UWC Waukesha where, for several years in the early 1980s, they taught a course called Wilderness University that examined agricultural and wilderness philosophies.
Of late, Paul and Louise give credit the many Midwest chefs - Rick Bayless, Tracy Vowell, Bruce Sherman, Paul Kahan, Tory Miller - who have guided and supported Blue Skies by using their products and sharing secrets in vegetable preparation.
Our choice of operating a small, organic farm comes from our desire to live in a way that is ethical and sustainable and to do simple things to improve our community. We've attempted to evolve Blue Skies Farm into what we believe a small farm would have been like 75 years ago or like small farms we've seen in Europe.
Like those farms, much of the work here is hand work, including the seeding, hoeing and harvesting. In addition, rather than fostering the agri-entertainment concept that so many pick-your-own berry farms have, Blue Skies offers only an opportunity to step back for an "outing to the farm" to pick berries, enjoy sitting in the shade, tossing a stick for the dog and being unhurried for a morning or afternoon.
We happened on this viewpoint from several sources. Among them was through our educational backgrounds, our individual upbringings, and our continued self education through reading.
Among the places we've gleaned our inspiration are the writings of Henry David Thoreau, Aldo Leopold, Helen and Scott Nearing, Carlo Petrini in the Slow Food movement, Wendel Berry, Michael Pollan and Angelo Pelligrini to name just a few. In addition, Paul spent several years under the tutelage of Professors Marlin Johnson and Jim Cheney at UWC Waukesha where, for several years in the early 1980s, they taught a course called Wilderness University that examined agricultural and wilderness philosophies.
Of late, Paul and Louise give credit the many Midwest chefs - Rick Bayless, Tracy Vowell, Bruce Sherman, Paul Kahan, Tory Miller - who have guided and supported Blue Skies by using their products and sharing secrets in vegetable preparation.
Our Ideals include:
Demonstrating that small-scale agriculture is a viable option in a rapidly urbanizing area.
Preserving our area's rural heritage and landscape by revitalizing and preserving the look and architecture of our 1867 farmhouse, barn and outbuildings.
Preserving our ethnic heritage by adding a Scandinavian influence to Blue Skies Farm with the annual Juhannus Festival as well as other Finnish and Copper Country traditions.
Building a stronger local community and economy by providing safe, toxic-free day labor to youths, underemployed and elderly in our area. One of the major problems for rural youth is that they can't get jobs because they need a car. Blue Skies is often the first job for many area teens.
Demonstrating that our food source streams can be local and don't have to be trucked across the nation.
Demonstrating that fresh vegetables, fruits and meats are easy to use in creating heathy meals and that they are better for us than the processed, fast-food culture we've been taught to accept.
Exemplifying environmental concern by reusing and recycling products and equipment and by using Organic growing methods.
Demonstrating that small-scale agriculture is a viable option in a rapidly urbanizing area.
Preserving our area's rural heritage and landscape by revitalizing and preserving the look and architecture of our 1867 farmhouse, barn and outbuildings.
Preserving our ethnic heritage by adding a Scandinavian influence to Blue Skies Farm with the annual Juhannus Festival as well as other Finnish and Copper Country traditions.
Building a stronger local community and economy by providing safe, toxic-free day labor to youths, underemployed and elderly in our area. One of the major problems for rural youth is that they can't get jobs because they need a car. Blue Skies is often the first job for many area teens.
Demonstrating that our food source streams can be local and don't have to be trucked across the nation.
Demonstrating that fresh vegetables, fruits and meats are easy to use in creating heathy meals and that they are better for us than the processed, fast-food culture we've been taught to accept.
Exemplifying environmental concern by reusing and recycling products and equipment and by using Organic growing methods.
Paul with Carlo Petrini of the
Slow Food Movement.
Slow Food Movement.
Suggested Reading:
The Omnivore's Dilemma, by Michael Pollan, Pub. 2006
In Defense of Food, by Michael Pollan, Pub. 2008
The Unprejudiced Palate, by Angelo Pellegrini, Pub. 1948
Slow Food Nation, by Carlo Petrini, Pub. 2007
The Omnivore's Dilemma, by Michael Pollan, Pub. 2006
In Defense of Food, by Michael Pollan, Pub. 2008
The Unprejudiced Palate, by Angelo Pellegrini, Pub. 1948
Slow Food Nation, by Carlo Petrini, Pub. 2007
Real Food, Sustainably Grown with Organic Inputs
Real Food, Sustainably Grown with Organic Inputs
Blue Skies Farm was Certified Organic from 1995 until 2006. In 2007, after reading Michael Pollan's book The Omnivore's Dilemma, we stopped supporting the USDA and its Organic Certification Program. We continue to use traditional Organic Growing methods as described in the National Standards and by J.I. Rodale, the original founder and publisher of Organic Gardening magazine.
Blue Skies Farm was Certified Organic from 1995 until 2006. In 2007, after reading Michael Pollan's book The Omnivore's Dilemma, we stopped supporting the USDA and its Organic Certification Program. We continue to use traditional Organic Growing methods as described in the National Standards and by J.I. Rodale, the original founder and publisher of Organic Gardening magazine.
