The Dutchers and their Blueberries

We spent the last few weeks roaming through the UP, stopping at every local hardware shop and general store we could find (if you’ve been to the UP, you know that a hardware store there is never just a hardware store… it’s sure to be a treasure trove of things you never knew you needed). It was mostly a fresh air pursuit, a chance to celebrate 10 years together in the woods and the mountains and the piercing Gitchi-Gami.

But, as always, we managed to tuck in a few Bløm-related jaunts. Not because we felt like we needed to work on vacation. Not even as an attempt to write off the trip. Just because this work is a reflection of what we love, so it shows up even when we aren’t “working.” We made a mid-trip visit to Barrel + Beam, a destination we’d had on our radar for years. A chance to enjoy other session meads made with Michigan ingredients?! Uh yes, please. It did not disappoint. That Peach Mead (and the ciders we tried, too)… *chef’s kiss*

We’d toyed with the idea of trekking over to the eastern UP on our way home to visit the Dutchers, the blueberry farmers who supply us with about a hundred pounds every year of naturally grown beautiful blueberries. At the last second, we hung a louie and headed over. And boy, was it worth it. Dirt road driving most of the way, past the St. Marys River, up to the patch at the back of their farm. They trampled barefoot through their garden beds to show us the French Charentais melons they grow just for their own table, and the piles of ripe tomatoes they take to market. And the blueberries - they grow several varieties in a dozen or sow rows, some of which were developed locally to be perfectly suited to that region. They aren’t certified organic, but most small farms aren’t. To us, what’s more important is knowing John and Cindy and knowing that they spend their lives caring for this soil and these plants. Bounty goes to the birds, the cows and goats, and the few neighbors.