The Heron Letter - October

October at Blue Heron Farm Market

“O suns and skies and clouds of June,

And flowers of June together,

Ye cannot rival for one hour

October’s bright blue weather.

When loud the bumblebee makes haste,

Belated, thriftless vagrant,

And goldenrod is dying fast,

And lanes with grapes are fragrant…”

— Helen Hunt Jackson,

October’s Bright Blue Weather

Reflection

October settles over the farm like a quilt stitched in gold and blue. The mornings are sharp with cool air, but by afternoon the sun lingers kindly, coaxing us outdoors to soak in its warmth before the days grow short. There is both a slowing — a quieting of the fields, a thickening of wool, a softening of pace — and a kind of rush, too: the instinct to gather, to finish, to enjoy every last bright afternoon before the skies turn gray and evening arrives too early.

Here on the farm, we’ve learned not to resist the turning of the seasons but to embrace them, each in their time. Summer’s abundance has passed, and autumn’s work is upon us — gentler perhaps, but no less meaningful. This season asks us to savor and prepare, to find comfort in the rhythms of land and kitchen alike.

Looking Back

September was a season of both urgency and joy. We pushed ourselves to the limit to open by the weekend of the Bluemont Fair, pouring our hearts into every loaf, every label, every detail of the little blue-doored market. When the doors opened, the response was more than we could have hoped for — neighbors, friends, and strangers alike offering encouragement and gratitude, and telling us how happy they are to have a farm store right here on our road.

The feeling is mutual. To see others enjoy the fruits of our work — wholesome bread made with honest flour, jars of honey golden as autumn light, the simple abundance of potatoes and herbs — is a reward beyond measure. It is a reminder of why we do this: not just to grow and bake, but to share.

What’s Fresh Now

October brings with it the flavors and comforts of the season:

• 🍞 Wholesome baked goods (freshly baked and stocked each weekend) spiced with fresh grated ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves

• 🥔 Fresh potatoes and sweet potatoes from the field

• 🍯 Raw honey, artisan pickles, and Appalachian salts

• 🧀 Local cheeses and goat cheese

• 🌾 Stone-milled local flours

• 🥚 Pasture-raised farm eggs

• 🧶 Blue Heron Farm Roving and Fiber Products

• 🍂 Seasonal produce and herbs, fresh-picked

• Beautiful locally made pottery

  
  

Farm Animal Update

The animals, too, are in tune with the season. The sheep are thickening their fleeces against the chill, while the hens fluff their feathers as they scratch contentedly in leaf-strewn yards. The meat birds near the end of their journey; in a few weeks, they will be processed and their meat offered here at the market — the culmination of a season of care, a cycle that begins with us and continues with you at your family’s table.

Coming Soon

-Butternut Squash Bisque from Market Table Bistro (Round two!)

-Honey Goat Chevre from George's Mill

-Bok Choy

-Turnips

-Lettuce

-Fresh Corn

-New autumn-inspired baked goods!

Closing Thought

Our legacy is stitched into every row planted, every loaf baked, and every jar set on the shelf. Our parents and grandparents taught us that the land gives back what we put into it, that integrity matters in both farming and in life, and that the truest abundance is found when food and community are shared, and woven together.

As October unfolds, we carry forward that legacy, grateful for the chance to offer the work of our hands to our neighbors. Come by in the morning for a hot cup of coffee (always free until it runs out), linger a while, and take home a taste of the season’s bounty. Whether you stop by for bread, honey, or simply a quiet moment, we hope you feel welcomed into our story — one written by soil, season, and family, and shared with love.

💙 With gratitude,

Jess & Farmer Jen