Farm News/Announcements

Very quick farm news to start getting word out.

1. First CSA deliveries are THIS WEEK.  Waverly pick up is Tuesday at the Farmers' Market from 3:30-6:00.  Cedar Falls is Thursday at Roots Market from 4:00-6:00.  Bring a bag or basket to take your veg home.  It starts slow - but what you get is good!  Tripoli - we will be dropping off on Tues.

2. Tom Sawyer Day II - Saturday June 11.  Stay tuned for more details.

3. the unseasonably warm weather is wreaking a bit of havoc with the Spring greens.  We may overpick a bit in week 1 - which means we're less sure about week 2.  But, we'll manage as we are allowed to.

4. Egg shares will be figured tonight.  We'll have info at the distributions.  Expect an email for those of you who have expressed interest.

5. We did have a predator visit last night and lost some hens in the deal.  We are *not* pleased.  Working on resolving this situation.

Infectious

Tammy and I completed the Waverly Farmers' Market at midday today.  Well, actually, Rob completed it while Tammy went to the 'ribbon cutting' for the Waverly Community Gardens.  All produce grown there will be donated to the 'food insecure' in our area via the food bank or community dinners.  Various churches or organizations have taken on a plot to maintain.  GFF has taken on two of the 30 foot by 30 foot plots.

After these events we went to lunch in town.  It was there we were reminded how one person with a negative attitude and a desire to spread discord can turn a positive feeling rapidly to a negative one.  We rode out that little storm and sat for a bit longer than usual having a nice conversation.  Score one for us.  We also made sure to tell the beleaguered employees that they were doing fine and not to let one person's bad day ruin theirs.

It's easy to be critical when you don't have to present your critique to the person at whom it is directed.  And it is scary how easy one bad thing can make so many people unhappy for so long.

So... rather than dwell on it - I thought I'd share with you a list of positive things I witnessed being done today:

• Several people attended the ribbon cutting for the Waverly Community Gardens.  There are some folk who are putting a lot of effort into something that could be very good.  
• When I arrived at market, other vendors were very quick to move forward to help us put up our pop up tent.  Thank you!
• More than once a vendor helped direct a person to *a different vendor* to help a customer find what they were looking for.
• More than once I witnessed vendors helping people carry things to their cars and more than once I witnessed other customers helping each other.
• I heard many (earned) compliments being given to the vendors at the market.  For those of you who attend such things - these compliments do mean something to us.
• There were some individuals that stopped at the market just to say 'hello' even though they were leaving town and were not in a position to make purchases.
• I heard a 4 (or 5) year old say thank you to a non-parental adult *without* being prodded.
• Even though the day started with hail in Waverly and then a bit of lightning and rain at the beginning of market, the weather became pleasant and attendance was fine.  The real winner was the fact that we were not blown away by the wind like we have been recently. 

The Big Push

There is dirt under our finger nails and we're both tired.  Must mean lots of work in the fields.  Don't expect great amounts of humor or exemplary prose from me tonight....

Farm Report:

• Five 200 foot rows in the brassica/allium field are in and watered.  That includes onions, leeks, cabbage, kohlrabi, broccoli, brussels and kale
• The prior planting of these things has been cultivated.  The in row weeding still needs doing, but part of the battle is done.
• Pea rows are cultivated.  We still need to replant or spot plant areas that did not germinate.  
• Tomatoes are in....  about 500 of them.
• Potatoes are in... all 11 200 foot rows.
• Green bean plantings 1-3 are in.  Dry beans are in.  Limas are in.  Pole beans are in.
• The room that held the broilers prior to their move outside has been cleaned out and is now home to ducklings.  For the uninitiated, we start birds when they are chicks in smaller boxes (with heat lamps) to keep the birds warm and safe until they have feathers, etc.  Then, we begin day ranging them.
• Overground water line is mostly patched up and ready to go for the season.  A couple of non-critical fixes still needed.
• How does the laundry pile up so fast?  Oh yeah.  Farming.  Dirt.  ya, got it.
• The bees are doing very well so far this year.  John added a super (another box) to the hive - something that didn't happen last year.  Essentially adding a super gives the bees more room to make honey, etc.  We like that.
• The process of squaring the formerly triangle fields has taken more steps forward.  It won't be the final shape until next year.  We'll use cover crops to begin getting some of it into shape this year - which means we'll improvise some on placement of crops.
• Tammy did a great job patching up the fence for the hen pasture.  Necessary since they were too interested in the crops we were putting in.
• The kittens (Bree and Hobnob) are still not entirely sure they like farming season.  Unfortunately, they'll just have to figure it out.  I guess they really are cattens, soon to be cats.... hm
• Iris are blooming on the farm.  Not as many as we once had, but enough for us to enjoy. 
• Our last plant sale day is this Saturday at the Waverly Farmers' market (8:30-11:30).  
• We will be adopting a plot or two with the Waverly Community Gardens this year.  All food grown there is intended for the 'food insecure'  One plot will be winter squash and if we do two, the other will be potatoes.  We will be calling for volunteer help to keep these plots clean (they are 30'x30').  At this point, we are targeting most of what we grow there to go to the Food Bank - but we may also see some go to local community dinners, etc.

And, finally - for those who are hoping for a return email, etc.  Please be patient.  I have enough energy to post a general update - but not much more beyond that.  We hope one more high level effort day will put us in good stead for the 'heavy planting' cycle.  Remember that we plant throughout the season.  but, some crops have one window (and that window is NOW).

On tap for tomorrow:  winter squash, summer squash, zucchini, cucumber, peas, lettuce, radish, melons, watermelon....   ambitious.  Probably too ambitious - but we'll give it a try anyway.

Nice Weather = Busy Farmers

The fields are workable and the weather (while windy) is nice enough for us to put in very full days.  Consider this a very short(?) farm report.

• We welcome Denis back to the farm as he works for us again this season.  He joins Andrea who has been working for a few weeks.  Jo has also put in some time on the farm.  We expect Anden to return as well.  So, the crew is taking shape.
• The wind...the wind.  Uf.  
• The meat birds are out on pasture now, with the electric fence up to keep them in (and predators out).  Those birds go through ALOT of water on hot and windy days.
• The beeps (baby turkeys) and peeps (baby hens) are doing reasonably well in the poultry pavilion.   Per the norm, we have lost a few baby turks.  Usually the losses are contained in the first few weeks until their immune systems kick in to full gear.  Would you believe some of these little turks are trying to fan?  They don't even have tail feathers yet (silly birds).
• The high tunnel is undergoing changes as the greens are bolting.  Time for some warm weather crops in there.
• Tammy got to taste the first radish of Spring today.
• All 2000 + feet of potatoes are IN THE GROUND.  Ha!
• The 60 tomatoes in the ground are wondering what they did to deserve their present fate.  Well.  How would you feel if you were subjected to 30-40 mph winds your first two days out in the field?
• 400 feet of green beans, another 200 feet of hybrid green/dry, another 250 feet of lima types, 100 feet of pole beans and 450 feet of dry beans are in.  Cool.
• We'll be doing our last plant sale day on Saturday at farmers' market.  After that point, we will cease to sell plants and move on to the next phases of the season.  We do still have tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and some spices.
• Iris Fest was attended by a smaller (but no less appreciated and enjoyed by us) crowd this year.  We get the feeling that perhaps Memorial Day weekend is not the best choice for this festival (especially when the Iris fail to show - we had two open).  Any suggestions would be welcomed.  The event isn't a popularity thing - it's a matter of finding the best way to serve those who are interested in such joining others of like mind in a party at the farm.  We are grateful that those who came found ways to deal with the howling winds.  Seriously, we didn't order that part of the weather - I think it was a 'throw in.'
• We'll try a separate post to talk about the recent Tom Sawyer Day - it is worth it.... so stay tuned.
• The first CSA distributions are the FIRST FULL WEEK of June.  So - June 7 Waverly.  June 9 Cedar Falls.  Remember - the first few weeks start slow and then things pick up.  
• I am getting the feeling that the only reason we are both awake is because we are too tired to get up so we can get ready for bed.
• We have turnips, radish, arugula, mustard, spinach, lettuce, peas, cucumbers, swiss chard, beets, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi and onions in the ground and growing.  Remember - we plant multiple successions of most of these to spread out the harvest and try to get around any blips in the weather.  So far so good for most of these.   
• Goals for tomorrow?   Plant the rest of the tomatoes (about 440 of them), plant vegetable amaranth (calaloo), marigolds, calendula, cucumbers, cabbage, kohlrabi, kale, onions, radish, winter squash and whatever else we can before it rains.  Forecast calls for rain tomorrow night and Thursday.  Every item we can get in the ground *right now* will be a plus for us and for all who get veg from us.  Here's hoping!

Iris Fest on Monday!

We will be holding our annual Iris Festival on Monday.  And, as is usually the case, the festival occurs before the iris really get going.  But, the presence of open iris flowers is not necessary for this event.

Monday - May 30 starting at 4pm and running until approx 9pm.
At the Genuine Faux Farm northwest of Tripoli

The event is a POTLUCK.   We will also have a grill available for those who wish to use it.  Some have arranged to bring meats to grill and share, others have brought their own meats as desired.  Please consider bringing an ingredient list for the food you bring for the potluck.  We do have some attendees with dietary restrictions (gluten, nuts, etc) and this would help them to enjoy the feast.  We will share some greens from our high tunnel!

This is a family friendly event.  If you have a lawn game you wish to play, feel free to bring it.  We have a limited number of lawn chairs and we do have some dishes.  So, bring a chair and it would not hurt if you brought a few plates, etc in case we run out.

If weather permits, we will light a bonfire.  If it is too windy, we will have to wait until the wind dies down. 

We hope to see CSA members and friends of the farm there.

Rob & Tammy

New Lyrics by A Man with a Hat

It must be that time of year again...

Last year we had The Safety Plantz

This year...

I Wanna Wash My Hands
(sung to the tune of I Wanna Hold Your Hand by the Beatles)

Oh yeah, I´ll tell you something
I think you'll understand
When I say there’s something
… something on my hands
I wanna wash my hands
I wanna wash my hands

Oh, please, say to me
You'll let me drop this can
and please, say to me

This isn’t what you planned

Now let me wash my hands
I wanna wash my hands

And when I clean the coop, it’s crappy, inside
It's such a feeling
That the smells
I can't hide
I can't hide
I can't hide

Yeah you, got that something

I think you'll understand
When I say there's something
You’d better wash your hands
You’d better wash your hands
Please go and wash your hands

And in wet compost, I try not to slide
It's such a feeling
Through my gloves
I can't hide
I can't hide
I can't hide

Hey we, got into something
I think you'll understand
When I say that something
Makes us wanna wash our hands
We wanna wash our hands
Please let us wash our hands
We wanna wash our ha-a-a-a-a-a-ands

Mad Dash

When the forecast calls for rain, the farmers (on this farm at least) tend to get a bit frantic.  Yes, we need rain to make things grow.  so, we won't exactly complain about the rain right now.  But, we can't do certain work when it is raining or until fields dry after a rain.  So.....

things get crazy around here when we know rain is coming.

I think neither of us sat down for much more than ten minutes at a time during the day today.  Unless you count the time we were on various tractors.  And, I'm not sure you would call that sitting with the nice bumpy ground we have out here.  It's more like a spinal adjustment.

Rather than give a run down of what we did - we thought it would be fun to give a few observations each of us had throughout the last few days.

• There is a mingling of pride and consternation when one checks the "to do" list at 9am and realizes that the things accomplished so far for the day would normally be enough to make a person pleased with the effort... for the day.  But, we were only 1/4 through the list.  Good thing we were only 1/4 of the way through the day!
• One tray of cauliflower seedlings can take you about 90 feet down a row.  And it takes an awful lot of onion seedlings to do a 'two abreast' row of 200 feet.
• The seed potatoes arrived today.  We wanted to put them in right away - but there was the simple matter of brassica, onions, cucumbers and peas to plant, tall grass to be mowed down, seedbeds to be prepared, a market on Saturday AM, a Spring CSA distribution on Saturday, chores to be done AND Gilder to frame for it.
• I keep telling myself - "Self, get the digital camera out.  People want to see pictures."  Unfortunately, my self replies with, "YOU go get the camera, I'm busy."   I'm not sure if this is a good sign when one's own self is indignant with a request...  I'll have a word with him later.
• Came up with a name for our new BCS tiller.  Barty.  A prize for anyone who can tell us why we named it Barty.
• Felt complimented when a member of the roller derby team, the Push-up Brawlers told us we must be the official farm of the team.  We have three illustrious CSA members who participate on the team. 
• Back to the sitting down thing.  It's actually a dangerous thing to sit down on the farm (for us anyway).  The exception is if we are sitting on a tractor to do a job of some type.  But, if we stop moving, it's amazing how quickly the "tireds" can move in.  It's even worse if a cat happens to see you sitting down.  Quickest way to take an unplanned nap.
• And, it is kind of scary when you compliment each other on eating supper early - at 8:30 pm.

Happy Friday!

Tom Sawyer Day Reschedule

the reschedule of last week's Tom Sawyer Day is Sunday 2-5pm at the farm.  (May 22).  If you plan on attending, please let us know.

If you wish to learn more about what a Tom Sawyer day is - go to our website (www.genuinefauxfarm.com) and put mouse over "events" then choose "tom Sawyer Day"

now - to get outside before the rain gets here.

Rob & Tammy

Shocking!

It's time for a blogging update about the farm.  We'll try and take some pictures and put them out here soon.  But, it always seems to fall down the "to do" list - and there you are. 

So, for now - let us entertain you with some short stories or news of the farm:

Shocking!
We've had some upheaval on the farm as we contracted work to get electricity into two of our outbuilding that did not have it before.  It can be pretty difficult when you have to adjust all of your activities around multiple pieces of equipment and people with different agendas on the farm.  We keep telling us it will be worth it in the end.  It will, won't it?

Roughing It
Farming season is truly in full swing when our hands are rough enough to exfoliate one's face.  And, since I have a tendency to rub my jaw when I'm contemplating a problem on the farm...  Well, let's just say if part of my face looks clean shaven, it may not be because I have shaved....

Tiiiiimberrrrrrrrrrrr
Yes, the large Silver Maple that was growing out of the garage foundation was taken down late last year.  Yes, we are still trying to clean it up.  Yes, we are getting tired of working on it.  Yes, it does help build muscles.  Yes, we're approaching completion.

I said "Porches," not "Porsches!"
Our back porch has been an Achilles heal for this house ever since we moved here.  The roof leaked for some time... You don't need the laundry list.  However, Tammy's parents visited and put in some time working on making it less, well, you know.  It's good to see some progress. 

I'd rather HAVE gas than BUY gas
Ok.  We understand if people want to complain about how much it costs to fill up their vehicles.  However, consider this - when we fill up our truck, we usually fill up the gas cans that we use for the tractors and tillers on the farm.  We usually don't let the truck run much below the halfway point on the gauge.  Yet, we find ourselves paying three digits on the fill each time.  If *you* are paying $100 or more for a fill and you don't need that gas guzzler...  The good news - we are using less gas than we did last year at this time thanks to Durnik, the Ford 8n/9n tractor.

That's all my brain can do for a day.  Sad, isn't it?  We'll do better next time!

Bread for the World (Part 2)

There is no doubt that there are many "food insecure" people in the world.  And, more than you think in your home town.  So what's to be done about it?

A few jumbled thoughts from this farmer:

1. Encourage more small farms growing foods for local consumption
Farms just like ours are exactly the sort of small business that people with less money could potentially get started.  Granted, we have some advantages - we were able to buy a farmstead  and we both have strong education backgrounds.  The latter training helps us to climb the learning curves a bit faster.  But, small, diverse farms can be labor intensive businesses.  Labor intensive businesses are the sort that employ more people - often people who have limits on their employment options for whatever reason.  And, often people who work on small, food producing farms get the added benefit of fresh produce as part of the compensation package.

And - while we're at it - let's work on removing the stigma that physical labor is somehow unrewarding, unskilled and something to avoid at all costs. 

2. Make land available to farms of this type
Iowa is a good example.  Approximately 5 years ago, land near us sold for approximately $3500 an acre.  I just read an ad where sealed auction bids were to start at $7500 an acre for comparable farmland in the region.  Absentee land ownership is increasing as people seek to make land an investment vehicle.  Granted, some of these folks treat the land well - but many (probably most) do not.  A large percentage of the land is rented out - to farms that grow corn/soybeans with little to no attention given to how the land is farmed.

As long as we continue to see land and commodity crops as investment vehicles, we will see land costs continue to increase.  A huge portion of the land in Iowa is owned by people who are retirement age or older.  There should be incentive for them to sell their farms to someone who WANTS to farm - and do it well.  Instead, we seem intent on locking up a key resource so it can't help to keep our population fed.

3. Level the farming 'playing field'
Before people think that I'm calling for my share of subsidies, etc etc.  Let me first point out that whatever I might get now or in the future from the government for what I do will never compare to what commodity crop growers receive.  It's a function of farm size and farm type.

Now, let me also say that I don't necessarily want any subsidies.  What I want is to have the right to farm the way I farm.  But, it is difficult to do what I do when subsidies regiment how everyone else farms.  I don't want to do anything that deprives my neighbors from doing their farm work.  Yet, I somehow feel that the onus is on me to always show that I'm not infringing on them.  Even when the techniques and seed they use can impact me so easily.

How can we expect new farmers to enter the field when the cost of entering the fray is prohibitive?  All this does is shut people out from yet another way to do what we Americans seem to believe is part of what makes this country great - the ability to pull oneself up by their 'bootstraps.'  

4. Education, stupid!

I still point to the blitz to educate kids about the hazards of cigarette smoking and the success that effort had in changing our culture.  A full effort to educate people about how to grow, store, prepare, present and eat good food can lead to a better fed populace.

Many food insecure people believe that they get more for their money when they buy a bag of potato chips than if they buy a head of broccoli.  Part of the issue is that the skill of preparing foods and making the most of what is in season has been lost by most of our population.  So, I ask you.  Why don't we have a food unit in our schools for every year of education?

5. Every food pantry should have storage capability for fresh food, etc
Our food pantries are on the front lines of the battle.  Let's arm them with the tools to make this successful.  Get them proper storage facilities.  Get them connection to people who can teach food preparation and cooking classes.  Get the connections to people who can teach canning and freezing.  Get them a big pool of recipes.  Connect them with gardening opportunities for those with low income.   While they do not have to do all of this, I still see the food pantry as an entry point to help the food insecure.

6. Extend WIC, FMNP and school food programs to help day care, schools and assisted living facilities buy fresh and local foods.
As farmers' market vendors, we are aware of the coupons issued to give folks who qualify some funds to buy fresh food at the farmers' market.  However, if a parent is already unlikely to go to a farmers' market or use fresh produce, they may not use the coupons.  In the case of seniors, many of them are unable to get to the market.  So - let's get the food to where many of these folks are. 

I'm finding I could type on this for quite a while, but don't have the time to do so.  Feel free to add on this topic!

Ramping Up....

Here it is.... May - and the temps have gone through the roof today.  Don't worry, I'm sure they'll come back down enough to make us all wonder if we were dreaming.

The farm is beginning to get into full swing and the CSA season is approaching.  So, we thought it was time for a newsy, farm reportish type of post.  There is much of substance here - read it all and you may learn something you wanted to learn!

CSA Signups:
We are currently at 86 members signed up for the 2011 season.  Last year we had 111 signed up and we schedule for 120 slots.  So, folks - we could use a little word of mouth power!  Our goal is to get 14 more to reach 100.  Obviously, we'd prefer to get to 120.  But, that seems out of reach right now.  Obviously, our deadlines on our brochures and website do not apply.  We're still taking applications.

GFF and KUNI public radio:
In an effort to promote the CSA and to support public radio.  Genuine Faux Farm has underwritten KUNI for a short period of time.  Listen for the little blurbs that promote us and tell us if you hear them.    We figure we have supported public radio with donations - so why not increase the amount and underwrite their work with our farm?

CSA Members Welcome!
To all of you who have joined us already for 2011 - Welcome!  At this point, we anticipate starting deliveries the first FULL week of June.  Waverly (June 7) and Cedar Falls (June 9).  Things we want you to know from the outset:
1. Bring a bag(s) or box to pick up your produce.
2. Make it habit to come to the pick up location each week.  If you can, give yourself a couple minutes to converse with other CSA members or your farmers.  It really does increase the value of your share.
3. The first weeks start slow (though we're doing things to try to increase the early produce).  It's the nature of growing things in Iowa.  Just you wait until late July all the way through October!
4. If there are problems or questions - we want you to let us know.  We can do nothing for you if you say nothing!


Waverly Farmers' Market:
The Waverly Farmers' Market began on Saturday and will continue on Saturdays until mid-October.  It is located on the 200 block of 1st Ave SE (by the post office) in Waverly.  8:30am-11:30am
Tuesdays will begin the on the 7th of June.  3pm-6pm

Heirloom Plant Sales:
The season for our heirloom plant sales is upon us.  We have a wide range of tomatoes, peppers and eggplants.  We would be happy to start other plants for you if you ask.  If you ask for something that we think you would do just as well to plant from seed, we will tell you that.  Email us with a request, come to the Saturday markets and browse and buy - or otherwise arrange to get them.  We are looking at having a date or two where we set up in Tripoli.

Want an idea as to the tomatoes we grow - check this web page on our site!  Want to see our general information on varieties we grow (a work in progress) - go here.

Spring CSA:
A small, pioneering group has helped us kick off our Spring CSA expansion this year.  We are hopeful that what we learn this year will provide us with the ability to expand this service to more people next season.  We prefer to start these things small so we can get a feel for what it will take before we dive right in.  This season, our goal was to provide six weeks of produce (generally greens).  A thank you to the fine individuals who are working with us on this first trial.

Poultry:
We are raising broilers (chickens), turkeys and ducks this year.  Our first batch of broilers (200 of them) are about 12 days old right now and will ready to 'go to the park' when they are 10-12 weeks old.  If you want to reserve some birds, let us know by email.  Give it the subject line "poultry" to help me sort.

You may also reserve ducks or turkeys at any point (same subject line).  We do not take deposits on these.  We have only had someone back out on us once, which encourages us to continue along these lines.

Pricing for 2011 is being reviewed.  Our feed cost went up 18% and you all know what is happening to fuel prices.  But, we don't want to increase our prices unless we ascertain that these are likely to stay at these higher prices.

Eggs:
The eggs shares are also under review to figure out how to make them work during the CSA season and beyond.  The tracking process is not as easy as we need it to be - so we are looking at making some adjustments to make it easier for all of us.   Those of you who requested egg shares for the CSA season - please be patient.  We have not forgotten you.  And, if you have paid for eggs on contract, your contract will be fulfilled.  We just need to revamp our tracking so it works throughout the season - rather than falling down each time our situation changes with Tammy going back to school, etc etc. 

Festival Dates:
Our festival dates are set!  We still need to update the web page with these - but hope to do so yet tonight.

Iris Festival: May 30 (our traditional Memorial Day event)
Summer Fest: August 27
GF7: October 2

If you with to know more - check our web page and use these dates if they differ when you visit it!


Tom Sawyer Days:
Tom Sawyer Days are volunteer work days that are open to anyone who might like to experience working on the farm.  You need not be a CSA member to join us on these days.  BUT - we do like to know who is coming so we can plan for the event!  We have moved our Tom Sawyer Days around so they do not land on the same day of the week.

Our TSD's are: May 14, June 11, July 15, August 13, September 11 and October 16.

NOTE: the first one is THIS SATURDAY!  Anyone up for it?  Give us a note.

Why should you attend a festival or a work day?
It's not about us wanting to get your "free" labor.  It's not about popularity nor is it about gaining sympathy for the hard work we have to do.  It's about *connecting you to your food and how it is grown*.  We believe too many people are disconnected from the production of something each of us needs every single day.  Let's do something about that together.

Music to Work By

It's probably no secret - since we post it here - that Rob likes his music.  And he's been enjoying some pretty good stuff as he works lately.

Some CD's getting some serious play time of late:
- the violet burning - The Story of Our Lives
- Switchfoot - Oh! Gravity.
- Over the Rhine - Ohio
- Midnight Oil - Capricornia
- Lost Dogs - Old Angel
- Innocence Mission - Umbrella
- the Choir - Burning Like the Midnight Sun
- the Choir - Chase the Kangaroo
- the Call - Reconciled (RIP Michael Been)
- Anberlin - Dark is the Way, Light is a Place

wait - that's only 10

- Undercover - Forum

there - this list goes to 11.

Now, here's hoping the fact that the buttons on my iPod acting flaky isn't a forerunner to the death of said machine....

Black and Blue Division

It must be Spring at the Genuine Faux Farm.  We can tell because the number of bruises, cuts, sore muscles and joints and other various dings are getting harder to track.  The conversations Tammy and I have sometimes might be disconcerting, confusing or amusing depending on how you're feeling at the moment.

"Where'd you get *that* bruise?"
"Which bruise?"
"*THAT* one."
"Oh, I don't know.  I think that's where I ran into the tailgate on the truck... no, wait.. that was *this* bruise..."
"It looks painful."
"I suppose, but it only hurts if you bump it into the tailgate on the truck..."

Or maybe we come to wrong conclusions such as this one:

Rob earlier in the evening. "You know, I was really dreading how I would feel at the end of the week.  I'm not as sore as I thought I would be."

Rob later in the evening (after sitting down for dinner).  "Uh oh.  I think I'm really dreading how I'll feel in the morning."

And, yet another disturbing conversation:
Tammy, digging into the cabinet in the bathroom:  "Hm, we don't have any bigger bandaids.  We just have a bunch of these little bandaids."

Rob: "Pffft.  If we had a cut the size of those little things we wouldn't bother with a bandaid.  Maybe we should donate them to the daycare."

Other things we notice (with maybe some exaggeration for effect) this time of year.

- Our hands are so rough and dry if we touch a lotion bottle our hands wick all of the lotion out of the bottle without having to open it.
- The amount of dust that gets blown into our ears is enough to start  a small patch of arugula.
- We walked so much this weekend that the soles of our shoes lost a quarter inch of thickness.  And we've noticed that it *IS* uphill both ways (to and from wherever we're going)
- Our blisters have callouses.   Or is that the other way around?

No actual farmers were hurt in the writing of this post - just the faux ones.

Local Schmocal

Perhaps you're all tired of being preached at.  Or maybe, an abstract statement about how supporting local business will improve the local economy isn't enough.  So - here's what we're going to do.  Here is an exercise to show you how THIS local business supports the local economy simply because YOU support it by purchasing its product.

As a local business, we are more aware of other persons trying to make their own small businesses be successful.  Thus, we are often on the lookout for these options when we are in the market for something in particular.

Examples of expenses our farm has distributed to local businesses:
- printing  (The Printery in Waverly)
- liability insurance (Pfile Insurance in Tripoli)
- poultry feed (Frantzen Farms near New Hampton)
- plant starting medium and supplies (Beautiful Land in West Branch)
- seeds (many from Seed Savers in Decorah)
- fruit bearing plants (K and K Gardens in Hawkeye)
- granary roofing (Gingerich Construction in Hazelton)
- electrical work (John Axon in Tripoli)
- shoes (Thompson Shoes in Waverly)
- shoe repair (Deke's Shoe Repair in Waverly)
- hay and straw (multiple places)
- new tiller (through LeRoy's Repair in Nashua)
- lumber (from E&M in Sumner and Hasbrouk in Tripoli)

We realize some of these don't fit some definitions of 'local' - but in those cases they are often about as local as we can get them.  And, the list is not complete - and much is simplified to simply make the point.

In general, these are all expenses we would not have if we were not operating our farm business.  You may argue that we would still buy shoes.  But, I can tell you that our need for shoes, shoe repair and shoe replacement is higher than most because of what we do.  But, this is beside the point.  A business generates expenses.

Is it possible that not all small/local businesses work as hard to find local sources or retailers?  Of course it is.   Perhaps we are more idealistic about it than some.  But, I stand by the statement that local businesses owners are much more aware of the needs of other local businesses.  And, if an appropriate partnership can be arranged with another local business, it tends to be done.

'Nuff said

A Policy Post?

I don't think we've used the blog or newsletter for this purpose much.  However, I am unsettled by news from MOSES regarding the possibility that two important programs may be defunded.

These two programs are, in my opinion, two of the very best.  ATTRA and SARE.  ATTRA provides numerous resources to farmers - including us.  Their website is a great example of their work.  The quality and quantity of information there is staggering.  SARE encourages farmers to continue research towards exploring how to farm sustainably.  If we're going to cut anything, we should consider cutting subsidies to those who make millions on super farms and encourage intelligent and careful research that work towards better farming techniques.

MOSES did a fine job of summarizing below:
-----------------------------------------------------------

Organic and sustainable farmers know knowledge is a powerful tool, bringing innovation to their production systems and resulting in improved efficiencies and better economic returns.

The House has voted to slash the ATTRA budget, which could result in disappearance of their numerous bulletins and toll free information line. Almost 6 million sustainable agriculture bulletins were downloaded from the ATTRA website in 2010 alone, passing on information that can be found nowhere else. The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (also called ATTRA) offers professional, personalized help to farmers and ranchers across the nation looking for information on a wide variety of crop, livestock, energy, and marketing matters. 

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) funds research, education, and extension initiatives. SARE has consistently delivered cutting edge research and technology that is farmer-driven, regionally led, and outcomes-oriented. SARE research has provided farmers with practical production techniques that are environmentally friendly and economically sound.

Congress is about to make decisions on their priorities for the 2012 funding bill. Iowa Senator Tom Harkin and Representative Tom Latham sit on the subcommittees that decide agricultural funding levels. It’s important that you let them know you want to see full funding restored to the ATTRA at $3.0 million and SARE funded at $30 million.

It just takes a minute to call Senator Harkin’s office at (202) 224-3254. Ask for his aide, Richard Bender, or leave your message with the receptionist.

Please also call Representative Latham’s office at (202) 225-5476. Ask for his aide, Emily Clark, or leave your message with the receptionist.

The message is simple:  “Thank you for your past support. Please fund National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA) at $3 million and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) competitive grants program at $30 million, as requested by President Obama, to increase farm income, increase farming opportunities, increase alternative energy, and increase jobs.” If you have a personal statement describing your interaction with ATTRA or SARE, please tell them that as well.

Click here to learn more about SARE on the NSAC website:   

http://sustainableagriculture.net/home/sustainable-agriculture-research-and-education-sare/

Click here to learn more about the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service:

http://attra.ncat.org/who.html

Happy To Doooosday

Every once in a while, we like to post a 'what we have done today' list so people have an idea as to what tasks the farm requires of us.  One of the best (and sometimes worst) things about the farm is that a very wide range of activities are required of us.  We had a crew of three for much of yesterday, so here is a sample of what was done.

What did we do today (Wednesday was a To Dooosday)?
- Fed and watered the laying flock and collected eggs
- Fed and watered the broiler chicks (they're a week old already!)
- Fed and watered the cats....they didn't like being watered so much
- move 4-tier cold frames out of garage
- move carts with plants out of garage
- Sorted recycling and took it to the drop off in Tripoli
- paid some bills, dropped them in the mail and picked up mail in Tripoli
- opened up the high tunnel because it's a nice sunny day!
- moved stainless sink and counters from north side of granary
- moved portable chicken coop from north side of granary
- cleaned up metal around granary for recycling
- moved hog panels to back side of poultry pavillion
- moved chicken feeders to " "
- Ok - we moved lots of stuff around.  Why?  We will have roofers coming this month for the granary - can't have stuff around it.
- Performed a dance of the seedling trays - onions out of high tunnel for final hardening off period, brassica into high tunnel, tomatoes up from basement, etc etc. 
- water lots of seedling trays
- water transplants in SW plot
- put in lettuce, collard and broccoli transplants (SW) and water them in
- use the new (working!) BCS tiller to make seedbeds in the SW
- plant spinach, radish, turnip, carrot, chard, arugula and mustard seed
- repair a hose (aaaaa duct tape - so what?  it's not a permanent repair!)
- do spring wash of most of our trays, tubs and coolers (really, we have THAT MANY????)
- better pick some veg for Andrea to take home!
- get one of the JD mowers running
- fill multiple tires with air
- put together the grass catching trailer
- mow and mulch - yes, it is that time of year again. 
- mulch the new transplants and mulch the asparagus plots - not coming up yet.
- start up Durnik and do some primary tillage in 3 different plots
- discover a broken cable from the ignition to the starter on Durnik - ah well - we'll have to fix that one of these days.  For now, you can hold the cable to the starter and  ... zzzzzzzzt!
- Take down cattle panels
- cut down some unwanted invasive plants in a fence line
- tack up a fence that is falling down
- pull down pots and flats for transplants
- sort pots for resuse out.
- transplant 120 tomatoes into pots
- receive an order from Beautiful Land Products and unpack it - discover one item isn't quite right, but the rest is perfect.
- check 4" soil temperature in the SW  (51 degrees F - for those who are curious)
- put all cleaned and dried containers onto their appropriate shelves
- had a very nice kale and spinach fritata for lunch
- ok, we could only manage leftovers for dinner - but it WAS good.  Chicken from the farm and a good chard/pasta dish Tammy made a few days ago.
- wash the sheets and another load of laundry, line dry and and put away - ahhhh clean sheets!
- put hens away, check on chicklets
- close up high tunnel for the night
- make sure all tools are collected and put under shelter for the night
- move the 4-tier cold frames into garage
- move carts with plants into garage
- respond to CSA email queries and other emails
- console unhappy and unjustly ignored kittens (or so they claimed this was the case)
- read a book for a while (T)
- stare at the computer and pretend that he might try to do some office work (R)

Good job!  Let's see if we can do half as well today!

Mishmash #3

And, once again - we do the mishmash thing.  Why?  Because it seems like a way to get a batch of things off my mind and out into the... what is this place anyway?

1. The first batch of chicks for our broilers come tomorrow.  Per the norm, there is always more that was left to the last moment to do in order to prepare for their arrival.  And, as seems to happen most of the time - they'll grow up and we'll figure things out.
2. Speaking of chickens - we were?  Oh, yes.  I guess we were.  We found an auracana hen that had died for no apparent reason today.  It wasn't an old bird, no visible injuries and was one of our more active and healthy seeming birds.  I suppose these things happen.  But, when these things do happen, we tend to get nervous that there is something else going on that we should be responding to.  We shall see - we're at least on alert just in case.
3. The new BCS tiller/tractor is now in our possession.  It's a good looking machine.  With a quick test, we can tell you that full throttle in high gear requires you to keep up at a run.  So, we won't be doing that speed.  I suspect high gear will get very little use on anything but low throttle.  We knew this would be the case, but we had to try it.  And for the record, Rob did not fall down or let go.  He was able to bring it to a stop under control.  So there!
4. Since February 28, we have been able to pick over 60 pounds of spinach out of the high tunnel.  For a point of comparison, we tend to sell spinach in half pound bags at market and people seem to like that amount.  Another point of comparison - a standard rubbermaid tub will hold 3-4 lbs when it is full (loosely packed). It's nice when something works.
5. From the "why didn't we think of this before?" category.  We ordered a self-inking stamp for our logo and address.  Prior to this, we would either print labels or hand write our address when doing mailings or other farm business.  Hand writing takes more time than we want to spend.  Labels take less time, but uses more resources than we would like.  Labels require backing paper, adhesives, etc  AND the ink we print.  It's a little thing - but it's a little thing that will save us time, save us money over the long run and use fewer natural resources as well.  Sometimes it's the little things...
6. Hi Dad!
7. Ah - about that weather....   Last time I posted I tried to use positive reinforcement with Mother Nature.  Unfortunately, I think she suspected that I was trying to manipulate her and she decided we could have more wet and cold.  Sorry about that.
8. The grading is done!  The grading is done!
9. Paperwork is currently dragging Rob down.  One might be surprised how much of it there is to do and how quickly things fall behind.  And, no, others aren't usually able to help.  The process of getting it all together in order to accept the help is nearly as bad as just doing the work.  Ah well.  Guess I post something here instead of doing the paperwork.
10. An interesting, but relatively easy dish to make.  Grill some bratwurst.  Boil up some pasta.  Saute some swiss chard with onions, garlic and whatever you like.  Cut up the brats and combine the whole thing.  Pretty good taste combination.
11. We've signed up our farm as an underwriter for the KUNI public radio station.  You just might hear our farm plugged by them during the second week in May.  We support public radio anyway - so we decided to take it to the next level.   If it gets us a new member or two for the CSA in the process - all the better.

Mishmash #2

Since I can't seem to come up with a single theme for a post - we'll do the mishmash thing again.

1. Easter at the farm was enjoyable.  We were pleased to be joined by Rob's parents and his brother and family.  And, there was a visit from that bright orb in the sky.  What was that thing called again?
2. Now that I have begun typing, a catten (not a kitten anymore and not quite a cat) is trying to sit on my arms.  She will either win or leave.  We shall see.
3. The giant maple tree we had taken down early last Winter is slowly, but surely getting cleaned up.  We rented a chipper for the afternoon and got as much as we could done.  My hands and arms still feel like they're shaking around a bit.
4. We've been pleased to be able to provide greens to the Waverly Child Care from our high tunnel this Spring.  It's good to know that some fresh produce is getting to the kids and staff that works so hard to care for the children.
5. Grading is now in earnest for Tammy.  She abides by her own rule that she will not grade during Easter weekend.  But, of course, it has its consequences.
6. In a continuing effort to work smarter and be more resilient in the face of potentially adverse weather - we have made another purchase for the farm.  We hope to receive delivery of a new BCS walk behind tractor for the farm.  It's more than a tiller, but not quite a full tractor.  Trust us, it's a good investment that comes highly recommended by others who do what we do.  Our hand was forced a bit with the breakdown of the JD tiller attachment last Fall.
7. Speaking of the weather.  Have you noticed something about the rain so far this year (don't say this too loud)?  Forget your worries about it not being perfectly warm and sunny.  That will come soon enough.  Consider this:  How many downpours have we had this year?  Thankfully - we count ZERO so far.  Just some liquid gold coming down at a rate that can soak into the ground and give us wonderful moisture for growing things.
8. We spent time with a service trip group stacking cages neatly on the east side of the farm a while back.  Well, strong winds have rearranged that a bit.  Ah well - when you work with the weather it can sometimes have its little jokes.
9. The farm was able to donate five dozen eggs to our church for the youth breakfast on Easter Sunday.  It's nice to be able to do that.  Often, we find that we are rich in many ways that have little to do with money.  And, if is even better when we can find ways to help others share in that richness.
10. A new high tunnel learning curve issue.  Aphids like high tunnels in the Spring.  And, the natural predators a slower to catch up to them.  It's not the end of the world, but it does require lots of extra time cleaning the lettuce.
11. And, finally....Number 11.  People wonder why I sometimes seem a little reticent to embrace the coming of Spring.  Don't get me wrong - I love Spring.  It's a wonderful time of year.  The Chirpa Chirpa bird (brown thrasher) just showed up here, as did some swallows.  I just saw my first Pasque Flower this morning as well.  Excellent stuff.  But, April and May are the months during which my body has to go through the 'toughening up' process.  I won't lie - it hurts.  And, if you think working out during the Winter can remove this - just ask some of the folks who have worked on the farm.  They can vouch for me when I say - you're still going to hurt for a while.

So, until the next post.  Ow.

Mishmash

This blog post is going to be very newsy - and hopefully to the point.

1. Our CSA still has many openings for the regular season (June-Oct).  Send us an email if you are interested.
2. We just learned that the Cedar Valley RC&D office will be closing (in New Hampton).  Yet another situation where the budget requires changes.  If there was a positive force in the area for local foods, smaller farms and rural improvement - this was one.
3. With the help of the superhero Bandsaw Man, we now have a primary tillage implement for Durnik the tractor.  The result - primary tillage for one 60'x200' used to take 2.5 hours.  With the new tool?  22 minutes.  Nice.  Gas used?  Less.  Nicer.
4. The Waverly Farmers' Market will begin the first Saturday in May (May 7).  We will split the market for that day only between two locations.  Some vendors will be a part of the Health Fair at the W and some will be at our regular market location.  We will all be at the normal location from there on out.
5. Our organic certification paperwork was in on time for early application.  Materials are approved, all that is left is to undergo the yearly inspection.
6. The Climate Prediction Center is showing a slightly cooler and wetter April/May, but likely normal weather patterns late May-July.  That's ok with me.
7. Winter term is in finals week for Tammy at the college.  The normal silliness that ensues with end of term hold true yet again this year. 
8. We're wondering whether Facebook is worth our time?  If you use facebook notice that there are two settings - "Top News" and "Most Recent."  FB assumes "Top News."  But, if our posts are not deemed to be "Top" for you, it will be hidden some way down the page.  If you want to see most recent posts from all of your 'friends' you need to choose "Most Recent."
9. The conversion to the 'new' computer is almost complete.  The hard part is getting all of the drivers and software updated and making necessary conversions.  Remember, I had the old machine for over six years.
10. We've appreciated the work done by the Printery in Waverly.  We found that their costs for printing new business cards were well worth it.  While we were at it, we had some invoice books made.  Good investment.
11.  Work in the high tunnel is still very much a learning process.  Planting trays in that building is far nicer than in the basement or garage.  The early Spring greens are nice.  But, it is another thing on the farm that makes it hard for us to go elsewhere.  If it is sunny with outdoor temps in the high 30's, you have to vent the tunnel.  Then, close it up at night.

This list - it goes to 11.

Feeling Handy

It is definitely Spring.

Green grass, snow, robins, workable soil, wind, more critters out and about around the farm, rain...  and the beginning of dry, rough hand season.  Dirt begins residing in the cracks that form on my hands and will not go away unless I'm outside getting soaked in a rain.  No amount of scrubbing with soap and scrub brushes will get it all out until then.  And, if you've ever done any amount of gardening without gloves - you also know the early season feeling you get when dirt is shoved up under the nails.  Not pleasant, but you toughen up eventually.

Yes, yes, I know.  Wear gloves.   If you want to see logic regarding such things - go to Road Map to Zucchini look in the left margin and scroll down.  I think you'll figure it out. 

Other interesting farm things:

- Chickens in the wind.  You know it is windy when most of a chickens feathers fan out when their back end faces the wind.  It can be interesting watching them attempt to maintain their balance.  Needless to say, on days like that, they usually stay in sheltered locations.

- The seedling tray dance is in full swing.  The high tunnel has many trays of onions and leeks on the ground.  There are also trays of lettuce, broccoli, kale and other items there.  The garage has a growing unit with peppers and eggplants and a few trays of marigolds.  One four-tier has tomatoes, basil, spices, snapdragons and cockscomb.   A cart holds recently transplanted Silvery Fir Tree tomatoes.  The downstairs seed starting shelves hold more tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, broccoli, cauliflower, kale and whatever else there is.  Soon, the cold frames will hold plants as well. 

A new farm report

It's been a bit since the last farm report - and since the two of us spent a fairly busy day outside on Saturday...

I think Tammy will agree that we had our first day of the year where we both were barely able to crawl into bed at the end of the day.  Even if you don't do the 'farming' thing, I think most people can relate to the special kind of tired that one gets after spending the first really full day outside in the Spring.  And, this is not necessarily a bad thing - even if it can be somewhat painful.

In our case, we spent some time doing the Spring cleaning for one of the two rooms the hens use at night - and for a large part of the Winter when they will not go out.  For the record, chickens do not like walking in snow and will come to a screeching halt in the doorway when they see it.  It is mildly interesting watching the birds in back bowl into the birds in front.  There is always one (or two) that get the bright idea of flying OVER everyone else.  Those birds that do this usually land in the snow and just sit there.  It's almost as if the shock of the snow freezes them into place.  This is one of the few times we can walk right up to a bird and pick it up with no chasing and no squawking.  But, I suppose that is neither here nor there with respect to the point of this post.... But, you probably don't care since this was more fun!

We seeded many more trays of peppers, eggplants, broccoli, marigolds and lettuce.  The process seems fairly simple, but it is amazing how much work it can be.  This season, we have been doing most of the seeding in the high tunnel because it is just more pleasant out there than it is in the garage or the basement.  It has some advantages - but the disadvantage is that there is a bit more moving of soil, trays and other materials back and forth.  But, the simple fact that the work space is more pleasant makes it easy to forgive any of the inconveniences.  And, it happens every year - we've already made our first few "oopses."  The temps got a bit colder than expected and we lost a tray of beautiful marigolds that didn't get under cover.  Ah well, we might as well knock over three or four trays of tomatoes and get that mistake over for the year too.

One of the service trip groups from Wartburg College volunteered some time at the farm Saturday and we were able to move all of the tomato cages out of last year's field and out of the way until they are placed in the new field.  With eight of us working, we had them all pulled, cleaned and moved in ninety minutes.  To put it into perspective, we had to pull about 380 cages - not a small task and always easier with a crew.  Rob has had years where he has moved most of them himself.  Usually in sessions of 50-60 per day for a week.  The process entails alot of walking since cages and stakes have to be out of the way so the fields can be prepared for planting.

Tammy and I also made sure to spread compost on this year's melon/watermelon field.  These crops are heavy feeders, so this should help them make a good go of it this year.  Once again, you must consider that we do not have a spreader for compost/manure.  So, the trips were made essentially one wheelbarrow at a time.  They are, at least, bigger wheel barrows.  Then, we spread the compost around with a garden rake.  Slowly, but surely, we are finding ways to make many tasks more efficient - this one just isn't there yet.  But, it is also a task that occurs in very late fall or very early spring -so it isn't all that bad of a thing to work oneself into shape.

The high tunnel has spinach, kale, lettuce, onions and leeks growing in it right now.  We have several plants ready to be transplanted and lots of seed ready to go in.  We're looking to put in early spinach, arugula and radish in the next week.  We'll see what happens.

It's Spring - who knows?

Short Memory

Ok, we've forgotten - or more appropriately - our bodies have forgotten.

It happens every Spring - a nice weekend comes along and we spend as much time as we can doing active things for the farm.  It's not as if we don't move around or get exercise during the Winter.  But, those who have worked on the farm with us can vouch for us on this.  A couple of full work days on the farm can make you feel as if you haven't gotten off your duff all Winter long.

We spent most of Saturday on our feet at a farm auction.  Yes, you heard that right.  But, if we're going to make Durnik (the tractor) work for us this year, we have to find implements.  In the process, we also were able to find and acquire some things for the poultry as well.  We'll try to take some pictures and show you what we're adding to the farm as a result of this auction. 

Things we were reminded of on Saturday. 

• The sun is strong enough that sun tan lotion *would* have been a good idea.
• We need to get used to walking ALOT.  The time spent walking and standing at the auction was a reminder that we add squatting, lifting, etc to days on the farm.  So, if a day of walking and standing seems like work now....
• We should never underestimate the value of good friends with good knowledge of things you are trying to learn about.

That brings us to Sunday - another beautiful day.  Once again, we spent most of the day on our feet.  The Dance of the Seedling Trays has begun for the season.  But, it might be a little less complicated with the additions of cold frames and the high tunnel.  We managed to plant 26 seedling trays today and move around another 40 or so.  Our starting tables are now nearly at capacity - so we'll probably be doing some things to increase capacity.  The high tunnel yielded somewhere in the neighborhood of 12 lbs of spinach today and enough kale and chard to make an excellent stir fry for dinner.  In short, we kept moving most of the day.

Now - brace for tomorrow.  After today's mild and warm weather, tomorrow's wind and temps in the 40's are going to feel like a slap in the face. 

But, hey!  It's Spring. 

T Shirt Design Contest

We are going to move forward with a new t-shirt design for this season.  We will be bringing back "Minding Your Peas and Cukes" and will consider bringing back "They're Real" if enough people tell us they *will* purchase them.  Don't just tell us you *might* - that doesn't help.

======================================================



T-shirt design rules:
1. Select one of the themes in the list given below the 'rules.'  You may interpret the theme as you see fit.
2. You may make as many entries as you wish on as many themes as you wish.
2. Every design needs to include our logo.  Scroll down for a usable jpg file copy
3. Designs for the front (or back) only of the t-shirt. 
4. All designs are 1 or 2 color.  Half tones are the equivalent of one color.
5. You may suggest a color for the t-shirt from SOS in Texas color scheme to best match or supplement your design
6. You may use whatever software you would like to create your design, but we ask that you provide us with a high quality JPG file for our reference.  If you are wondering if another file type can be used - contact SOS in Texas and ask them what they can use to do the screening.
7. To submit an entry - email it to us at the farm.  The subject line should be t-shirt design.  Include your name, contact information and any instructions for the design in the body of the email.  The design should be an attachment.  If your file type is acceptable to SOS, but not JPG - make a JPG copy and send that to us as well.
8. We will give appropriate credit for the designer of any and every shirt design we use.  We are not limiting ourselves to accepting only one design, we may accept several, but may not print them all immediately.
9.  Accepted designs will be given a printed copy of the shirt, some other reward to be determined and our eternal gratitude. 
10. We will be buying organic cotton shirts from SOS in Texas - feel free to see what they are about.


Who may submit design options:
  At present, we are targeting Wartburg College students for this project.  However, if you would like to try, I'm not sure we want to stop you!

Deadline: April 17, 2011


Themes (listed in no particular order):
1. Fear the Zucchini
2. Organically Grown - Protein Added (picture a broccoli w/ smiling worm sticking out of top)
3. Sasquash (picture a hairy squash with big feet... of course)
4. We've Got the Beet(s)
5. Where Have We Bean All Your Life?
6. American Gopick (take on American Gothic)
7. Common Tater, Dick Tater, Darth Tater, etc etc (don't forget the little ones - also known as Speck Taters). Now you can choose because only you can tell if this spud's for you.
8. She's my Melon Collie Baby.... sorry, had to - but imagine a puppy sitting on a watermelon....
9. Dysfunctional Veg Family - Ma Bell (pepper), Father Thyme, brothers Carrot Top, Cole Robby, sister Mary Gold and Baby ? in a corn crib. Then there is the extended family standing over by the well - we call them our pump kin....
10. Whenever someone makes a mistake, we just give them the rhubarb.
11. Oui, we weed

Our logo - a decent file you can use.  open in browser and save.

Current designs for reference:
1. Minding Your Peas and Cukes

2. They're Real!

3. Farm collage

Bread for the World

The Genuine Faux Farm was given an opportunity to host representatives of Bread for the World, the Northeast Iowa Food Bank and the Vinyard Church's community dinner program for a discussion about issues relating to supporting food systems that will work to feed everyone, including those who are less privileged.  Our thanks to Todd Post and Monica Mills for traveling from Washington, DC to visit with us.  Thanks also to Sheri Huber-Otting, Barb Prather (NEI Food Bank) and Nancy Magnall (Vinyard Church). 

Rather than report what we discussed at this time - we want to ask you:

What should we be doing to be sure everyone is fed?

Apply the "we" at whatever levels you wish.  governmental, social, personal, even with respect to our farm - your choice.  Reply on the blog - or send an email to us and we'll post anonymously for you.

Rob and Tammy

New Look Fields?

We have a little re arranging to do on the farm (again...or still).

Below is our old farm map.  Of particular interest is the triangular area in the center top.  We intend to change this so we can work the field more efficiently.  Really, triangles are cool - just not the best thing for what we do.

And, of course, here is our map for our intended farm layout beginning this year. 

Some things are done.  For example, HT1 and HT2 are our high tunnel with it's two growing locations.  We've split out NW1b with a fence for poultry grazing, but still need to put up fences for NW1a and NW1c.  We have to take down a fence, remove some brush and level out area to make the new T1-T3 configuration work.  And, there is a bunch of things that need to be moved before SW2 becomes a reality.

I smell opportunities for early Tom Sawyer Days!