County Line Harvest
is a 35-acre certified organic farm that is in year-round production. We specialize in greens - from several varieties of lettuce and other specialty greens, to hearty braising greens, to hard-to-find varieties of Italian chicories. But we also grow tomatoes, strawberries, basil, onions, beets, fennel, various herbs and edible flowers, among many others!
The farm was established in 2000 on a ranch that was right on the Sonoma-Marin county line (hence our name). Since then, the farm has moved only a few miles west to Red Hill Ranch.
County Line Harvest has been certified organic by Marin Organic Certified Agriculture since 2002 and continues its dedication to providing the community with fresh, organically grown produce.
Marin Agricultural Land Trust, with financial assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Conservation Service, purchased an agricultural conservation easement on the productive and scenic property which will forever preserve the 600-acre ranch for agricultural use.
Despite the funny weather (will we ever stop talking about it?) the farm is still humming along. Almost every week, beautiful beds of salad and cooking greens are coming up in colors ranging from deep reds to lime greens. The tomatoes are looking great, too – this week they got staked and strung. Some even have fruit set on them, but I’m forgoing a crispy fried green one for the sweetness of a sun-warmed red or gold one. It’s been months of anticipation already, a few more weeks couldn’t hurt.
The stars still continue to be the baby lettuces. Whether they are sold in a cut salad mix or in heads, they make an incredible presentation of color and flavor. Lettuces come in a seemingly endless number of varieties, but out here we grow anywhere from 10 to 15. These include:
Galactic – a deep red, somewhat frilly baby lettuce
Red Parella – a green bibb lettuce blushed with a rosy red
Oak - lobed leaves that come in red and green
Speckled Romaine – a baby green romaine with deep red
Little Gem Romaine – a baby romaine with a crisp heart
and buttery outer leaves
Several factors are considered when choosing the which varieties to grow, including market appeal and ideal climate, but our semi-coastal valley climate here seems to make just about any lettuce grow.
Summer is the time for salads of refreshing greens. In addition to lettuces, we grow arugula, rucola (wild arugula), peppercress, anchocress, red and green mustards, and red dandelion. When combined with sweet lettuces, these spicier greens add flavor interest as well as an appearance diverse in color and texture. Whenever you come by one of our farmers’ market stands, you can taste test any of these greens.
To make a satisfying salad for two:
· Select some lettuces that appeal to you -- depending on size (and how much you and your guest like salad), between 2 and 4 per person.
· Select another green to spice up your salad – it doesn’t necessarily have to be spicy, it could be Genovese basil or pea shoots, but something that will provide a contrast to the lettuce.
· Now the best part! Select your dressing!
o If you choose a spicier green, try a strong vinaigrette with a sweet addition like sliced nectarines and toasted hazelnuts; or a sweeter dressing with a strong cheese like Point Reyes Blue.
o If you chose one of the more mild greens, try a simple lemon juice-olive oil vinaigrette, perhaps with some finely grated Asiago and freshly ground black pepper.
Toss lettuces and greens with dressing, then sprinkle with other ingredients. Enjoy!