Better late than never

As busy as we are and with all that said, we must not lose sight of the face that we would not be able to have our business if it were not for you, our customers and visitors.

In this day and age of technology and fast forward promotion, the small business owner, is forever trying to figure out how to put it all together in a package that is attractive to our customer base.   We are told to update our Face book page at least weekly and the blog as often as is necessary to keep it interesting.
In theory, it sounds possible but in reality it is not such an easy task.  I would like to give my ideas to my PR person and say, “Make it so”, but I am the PR person and it is often made so when we have time.   I must say, personally, the ideas are always floating around in my mind but finding the time to put it into the written word take a bit of scheduling.  Needless to say, we probably are a bit behind in an updated blog but now you know why.

We would like to thank all the participants that made our 2010 Suisun Valley Harvest Celebration a success on August 15^th.  This event gave the lovely Suisun valley a chance to be promoted as the wonderful destination it is for families to spend the day and have some fun at the farms/wineries. Nothing beats great food, great wine and the perfect destination. Our valley is not large but it is quite diversified and offers attractions for everyone from children through adults.   Over 300 visitors came down the driveway to Erickson Ranch.  My heartfelt thanks go out to The Hipwaders (www.hipwaders.net), Nick’s BBQ (Nick and Barbara Bowles), Jim and Margie Furco with the Golden Eagle, Sool (www.suisunwildlife.org) , Cindy’s You pick Flower Headbands , Master Gardeners,  Erickson Ranch Jam tasting and all the staff at Erickson Ranch. What a delight it was to meet many new visitors and welcome back our familiar friends.

October 16^th and 17^th will be Fun Family Farm Days.  We are excited and looking forward to more fun at the farm with the family.  We will have, Buck Ford Pure Country Band (www.buckford.com) , BBQ, Pony Rides, Tomato Plaster and more.

To keep the fruit coming and the Fruit Shed stocked requires hitting the ground running the moment the sunlight shines on your face in the morning.  Please note the “Farmers Foot-Wear apparel”   as he begins his day.

Farmers Foot-Wear apparel

On the top step is the “slip-on” for easy access first thing in the morning to make a quick check of the shed.  On the second step is the “irrigation boot” perfect for changing the ever present irrigation pipe to make sure all waters are going the right direction.  Next in line is the traditional “Lace-Up Work Boot” that carries the farmer throughout most of the day.  Finally is the “Dress Cowboy Boot” for the occasional visit to a nearby restaurant for a relaxing dinner at the end of a long, productive day.

Blenheim Apricots

As mentioned earlier, the Blenheim Apricots are completing their spectacular show for 2010.  They have not only been beautiful but absolutely delicious.  We will be able to continue the tradition and flavor of the Blenheim through the season in our Apricot jam as well as wonderful dried apricots.

We look forward to seeing at the ranch!

In addition to keeping the fruit stand stocked and open 6 days a week we will also be participating in the Benicia Farmers Market every Thursday, making deliveries to several markets outside Suisun Valley, prepare our jams at the local commercial kitchen.  The pace that is set during the peak season can be enough to make our heads spin.

The reason I mention the activities and the busy schedule we keep is to let folks know that we would not be successful if it were not for those that work with Erickson Ranch.   We are blessed and extremely fortunate to have a tremendous crew of employees that have been with us for many years.  They are dedicated and have the same work ethic we do.  They hit the ground running and don’t stop until the job is done.

I would like to introduce you to Juan and Felipa.  They are our powerhouse couple. Occasionally their daughters work along- side them and we have a powerhouse family.  Short order is made of any task.  They are a lovely family.

Maggie in the Garden

Please meet Maggie.  She has been part of our family for over 30 years.  Maggie always has a quick smile and a welcoming attitude. She is a permanent fixture around the ranch.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for helping to make our business such a success.  When we open June 26^th this summer we know we couldn’t have done it without you.

One of the members has a daughter that attends Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon. For several years The Betties have spoken of taking a visit up north. It was perfect timing as the Shakespeare Festival had begun and the weather couldn’t have been more accommodating. It was a four and a half hour drive through some absolutely beautiful country. Viewing the snow covered Mt Shasta was an extra added attraction.

Everything was within walking distance as we stayed in a lovely refurbished home two blocks from downtown Ashland. The cuisines provided by the many restaurants made for delightful dining. There is nothing better than live entertainment as we watched Hamlet as well as the play, Ruined. This weekend vacation was a welcome break from the increasing preparation of the ranch for the upcoming season.

Each morning we would walk through Lithia Park, which surrounds part of the city of Ashland. What a beautiful way to start the day. The mornings were brisk with the ideal temperature for a walk. In addition to nursing my second love is gardening and of course farming. As we strolled the pathways in the park I was impressed with the size and absolute beauty of the Dogwoods, Rhododendrons, Hostas and Azaleas that grew seemingly without effort lining Ashland Creek as well as the grounds of the park.

As we returned to the reality of our lives, post vacation, I am reminded of the beauty we have at home. Our climate of course is a bit different than Ashland but it affords us beautiful gardens and some of the best farming around. Suisun Valley is absolutely beautiful this time of year and worth a “vacation getaway” for the outsiders. The gardens at the ranch are lush and as we sit on our porch we are at times amazed at what greets our eyes as we take the time to appreciate our surroundings.

Our hoop-house is full and the raised beds are bringing forth lovely produce for the 2010 season. Though it has rained a bit later into the season than we want Mother Nature is moving the season along nicely.

We are looking forward to the summer. The ranch will begin in late June once the Blenheim Apricots are ripe. Until then we will be filling the grounds with many varieties of vegetables, Dahlias and nurturing the trees to provide us with delicious fruit as we anticipate your visit.

Amongst the many changes that remind us of the upcoming spring is the return of our many feathered friends. The varieties of birds that choose to make a stop by Erickson Ranch to raise their latest generations are the Blue Birds, Wood Ducks, House – Finches , Owls, Ring-neck  Doves and the Barn Swallows . The air is filled with the sounds of each bird from the first rays of sunlight through the sunset of evening.

Several years ago the local Boy Scout troop made a variety of bird houses for the ranch. Our favorite has been the Blue Bird Box. We placed it high on a telephone pole that we can view from the kitchen window. It took a year but box has been in use every year like clock- work. Their magnificent blue color is almost explosive as the sun reflects on their feathers. The entrance or opening of the box is a very specific size that prevents other species of birds from entering and disturbing the growing family. Once the family is grown the Blue Birds are gone until the following season.

We have a new guest on the front porch this spring. Ray noticed that each time he went on the side porch a small house finch would nervously fly away. We have several potted plants on a shelf in the general area of the bird. He said, “You will never believe this”. As I stood on the chair next to the shelves and gently peeked into the flower pot, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The female finch had proceeded to built a lovely nest and fill it with 3 beautiful light blue eggs. We will quietly watch her raise her young and keep the nest as a reminder of her visit to the ranch.

Porch Finch

The Wood Ducks return each and every year. Their boxes were specifically built by the California Waterfowl Association. These boxes were strategically placed along the banks of the Suisun Valley Creek which flows adjacent to the Ranch. Like clock-work, the Wood Ducks return, lay a large clutch of eggs and it seems just as quickly they hatch and leave the “nest”.

For years the swallows have returned to Erickson Ranch. We have had the pleasure of watching a family of swallows set up housekeeping in one of our original buildings we call, “the Cabin”.  The building has been on the property since its’ purchased by the Erickson family in 1958.

Swallow Cabin

We watch with delight as the swallows build their nest and raise their young, right before our eyes. They spend the summer and one day during the fall they are gone. It is as though a signal spreads through their community and off they go.

The more attention we pay to the nature surrounding us the more we realize how fortunate we are to be part of the mix. We will continue to provide the environment that our feathered friends have come to expect from us each and every year.

Victoria and Raymond Erickson