bluebird grain farms

Winthrop, Washington

By Terri Schmidt, Co-op volunteer writer

Sam and Brooke Lucy grew up in the country, Brooke on a cherry orchard in Washington and Sam on a classic New England farm in New Hampshire. After teaching school a couple of years in Arizona, Brooke moved to the Methow Valley. After fishing in Alaska, Sam move there to work as an apprentice to an organic grain farmer. The couple met, fell in love, married, and began their journey toward owning Bluebird Grain Farms, which now services the whole Pacific Northwest, California, Canada, and other states.

Sam worked restoring fallow land to productive use, or returning it to it’s native state. During this time Renee Featherstone was looking for someone to experiment with ancient grains. Growing Emmer seed for Renee, was the Lucys introduction to ancient grains. The couple realized there was a market for locally sourced ancient grains, since no one in the area was growing them – so they jumped in with both feet in 2004 and incorporated Bluebird Grain Farms in 2005. They employ eight people, farm 100 acres and contract with partner farms in the area totaling 800-1000 planted acres.

Bluebird Grain Farms constantly improve the quality of the soil. Their partner farms grow on intensive organic regenerative systems, using a seven year rotation followed by six years of growing other crops like legumes, corn, and cover crops. Bluebird’s goal is to have everything needed to replenish the soil grown on their own farm. The Lucys also follow the moon energy cycle, planting when the moon is waxing to take advantage of the extra energy flowing to earth at that time.

The farm grows three certified organic ancient grains, all climate resilient. Einkorn, the mother grain, is the genetic foundation for all soft white wheat; it has been grown for over 10,000 years. Emmer, the foundation for Durum wheat, and Spelt, arrived about 3-4000 years later. The Lucys obtained their seed from a Montana State University professor who spent his career gathering ancient seed stock. Before retiring, he distributed the seed to farmers – including Bluebird Grain Farm.

All ancient grains have a very tight husk. Brooke said this husk “holds an incredible amount of nutrients which it transports to the seed in germination.” The spiky husk is a defense mechanism from insects and helps in seed dispersal. Most ancient wheats on the market today are imported, and have their husks shaved off, called pearling, which eliminates part of the germ and bran. It was very important to the Lucys to maintain the quality of the whole grain and they spent years developing a cleaning system that saves the bran and germ. There is more nutrition in one cup of Bluebird’s ancient grains than in 3 cups of conventionally farmed wheat.

Brooke said, “Stores like the Moscow Food Co-op are shepherds of change, bringing high quality food to people. Customers who purchase at those stores are changing the food system. I don’t think people realize how powerful the purchase is. We really appreciate the support of small farms, which leads to positive changes in the farming industry.”

Sam and Brooke have two daughters in college, Larkin and Mariah. When things slow down in winter the Lucys enjoy back country and Nordic skiing. Sam loves duck hunting and working with his bird dogs. Brooke volunteers at the local elementary school, saying, “Children are a great source of joy for me.”

To learn more about Bluebird Grain Farms check their webpage: https://bluebirdgrainfarms.com and their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/BluebirdGrainFarms