We understand some of our friends are having another difficult season with too much rain. It is a helpless feeling when the weather doesn't even give you a chance to do what you need to do.
We are grateful that, thus far, the weather for us has been pretty good. Just enough rain to keep things going, but not so much that we can't get back into the fields and do the work we want to do. In fact, a good friend of ours stopped by and saw our fields and remarked "Hm. A *lot* more is planted this year than last." In short, things look far better and the farmers are much more hopeful and positive. We're quite pleased that he noticed.
Just to give some of you more background - check out our June posts from 2010. Scroll to the bottom and read up so you get things chronologically. You can see a theme that we were having a little difficulty getting into the fields early in the month - and it just got progressively worse.
Last night's little storm that woke us up in the middle of the night was reminiscent of *several nights* last spring and summer. It's no wonder we struggled so much. Not only were we stressed about difficult working conditions, we weren't getting the sleep we needed.
But, even then, we reminded ourselves to do our best to stay positive and be grateful. Look at all of the wonderful things that happened last June.
And this June, things are much better. And after a quick look back, I'll remember to give thanks for all of the good things this month brings us.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
One for the Record Books
It happened for the first time ever... and we are ever so proud!
** It is at this point radio stations tend to break for a commercial. I seem to recall news stations do the same thing. You know the ploy by now - "Coming up, a cure for cancer and we'll tell you how it works when we come back..." Unfortunately, many of us tune out or fall asleep while they work up to it. Or, once you get to it, you're disappointed. So, please remind me to get to the point before this happens to you! **
The day of a CSA distribution can be frantic and consists of a complex decision tree. We try to pick as much as possible the same day as distribution. This includes picking, cleaning and packing for the trip. The whole time we are doing this we are assessing each crop and trying to determine how much *should* be picked and how much is *needed* for a reasonable distribution number. This includes considerations for future CSA distributions, produce for our workers, the needs of the Waverly Child Care, our own food and the possibility of food donations.
** Coming up - we will tell you what happened today that has never happened before in our CSA. It's great, really! **
Note: I'm having too much fun with this - sorry.
All of the things I mentioned above fail to take into consideration having checklists, bags, eggs and whatever sundry things we are bringing for various individuals on that day. And, of course, we try to send out a weekly email and do what we can to keep everyone informed. It's alot, but it's a good job for lots of good people - so we're fine with it.
On the other hand, it takes alot to get 40 different family units in line to pick up produce in a 2 to 2.5 hour period of time. Lives have so much going on in them and so much can get in the way or distract us from an errand such as this.
So - what happened today that has not happened before in our CSA?
Every member of the Tuesday Waverly pickup either
1. Came and picked up their share
or 2. Sent someone in their place to pick up their share
or 3. Called and made other arrangements
Does this sound trivial to you? It doesn't to us. Thank you to our CSA members - this made our day.
R & T
** It is at this point radio stations tend to break for a commercial. I seem to recall news stations do the same thing. You know the ploy by now - "Coming up, a cure for cancer and we'll tell you how it works when we come back..." Unfortunately, many of us tune out or fall asleep while they work up to it. Or, once you get to it, you're disappointed. So, please remind me to get to the point before this happens to you! **
The day of a CSA distribution can be frantic and consists of a complex decision tree. We try to pick as much as possible the same day as distribution. This includes picking, cleaning and packing for the trip. The whole time we are doing this we are assessing each crop and trying to determine how much *should* be picked and how much is *needed* for a reasonable distribution number. This includes considerations for future CSA distributions, produce for our workers, the needs of the Waverly Child Care, our own food and the possibility of food donations.
** Coming up - we will tell you what happened today that has never happened before in our CSA. It's great, really! **
Note: I'm having too much fun with this - sorry.
All of the things I mentioned above fail to take into consideration having checklists, bags, eggs and whatever sundry things we are bringing for various individuals on that day. And, of course, we try to send out a weekly email and do what we can to keep everyone informed. It's alot, but it's a good job for lots of good people - so we're fine with it.
On the other hand, it takes alot to get 40 different family units in line to pick up produce in a 2 to 2.5 hour period of time. Lives have so much going on in them and so much can get in the way or distract us from an errand such as this.
So - what happened today that has not happened before in our CSA?
Every member of the Tuesday Waverly pickup either
1. Came and picked up their share
or 2. Sent someone in their place to pick up their share
or 3. Called and made other arrangements
Does this sound trivial to you? It doesn't to us. Thank you to our CSA members - this made our day.
R & T
Sunday, June 19, 2011
GFF Crop Report
While this may not be the most scintillating of prose - it does serve a purpose. We wish to keep our CSA members and other interested parties informed of our crop status. While we realize many will not read this in detail - it is one way that we can try to avoid miscommunications.
For example, last year our winter squash was destroyed by rain. Some people though the lack of winter squash meant we *did not grow that vegetable* - which, of course, is far from the truth. Just ask the four of us who frantically put in the seed for that crop last year just prior to a downpour.
Plot E1 - Brassicae & Allium
Leeks and onions all transplanted (these are allium family). The first batch of onions (white onions) look to be on target for July maturity. Others are tagged for August and September. Leeks are usually October or November.
Planting 1 of Kohlrabi looks to be 2 weeks out from first harvest (so 3 weeks from peak). Planting 1 of Broccoli is about 2.5 weeks out from first broccoli heads. All cabbage, broccoli, caufliflower, kohlrabi, brussels sprouts and kale scheduled for this field are IN. Kale will get its first pick this coming week - but it will be a light picking as the plants are still small.
Plot E2 - melons/watermelon
companion flower seeds have germinated. Transplanted melons and watermelons have appeared to 'take', but we don't expect much growth for another 4-5 days. The melon/watermelon from seed are all in and are beginning to germinate.
Plot E3 - beans and potatoes
most of the potatoes have germinated. It was slowed a bit by a need for some rain - which we finally did get. There are sections that seem slower than others to get going, but I don't think we'll have any 'blank spots' in the rows this year. Dry bush beans look good. First and second green bean plantings look good. A few of the lima types need a spot seed (normal). We hope to get the next green bean succession in tomorrow.
Plot E4 - pumpkins, dry beans and sweet corn
NOTE - we don't grow sweet corn for the CSA - just enough for us to freeze. And, per the norm - they aren't planted yet. Ah well. But, the pumpkin transplants are hanging in there so far. This is the only plot that needs some major work yet this season.
Plot E5 - fallow
Plot E6 - All tomatoes have been in for a while. Of the nearly 500 plants, only two succumbed to high winds or other issues. We need to put in the companion basil and carrots. We are finding that carrots are easier for us with later plantings (to avoid some of the crab grass issues).
Plot E7 - winter squash
All winter squash is in (both transplants and seeds). Most seed has germinated. companion flowers almost all in. The cucumber beetles have found the crop, but we're hoping the plants have enough energy to fight them off. The transplants have a jump and should be fine.
Plot T1 - summer squash/zucchini/onion
Plantings 1 and 2 are in. Planting 3 hopefully tomorrow. Seeds finally germinating after a slow start (the dry hot weather actually stopped them for a bit). Germination levels are good. Looks like July 20 or so for first picking.
Plot T2 - pepper, eggplant, dry bean, okra
All plants and seeds are in. Plants look quite good so far this season. Enough heat to make peppers and eggplant happy and not too much water. Typically, first green bell peppers arrive around July 15. We may have a trickle of them a bit earlier this season.
Plot T3 - peas and cucumbers
plantings 1-3 are in. Planting 4 soon. Peas required a spot reseed that is taking (somewhat). We need to get fences up and a weeding is needed. Peas probably won't get going until early July. Remember, our soil holds moisture so earlier peas are difficult for us to even think about.
Plot SW - short season crops
lettuce, arugula, mustard, radish, turnips, etc etc. This one is hard to report on. Suffice it to say that some successions have been good, others not so good. But, since they are 'short season' we can always replace a lost crop with a new one. It just means we don't always have an item when we want it.
High Tunnel - we've got some tomatoes, peppers, broccoli and leeks in there now. Some other things going in this week when (if) it rains.
For example, last year our winter squash was destroyed by rain. Some people though the lack of winter squash meant we *did not grow that vegetable* - which, of course, is far from the truth. Just ask the four of us who frantically put in the seed for that crop last year just prior to a downpour.
Plot E1 - Brassicae & Allium
Leeks and onions all transplanted (these are allium family). The first batch of onions (white onions) look to be on target for July maturity. Others are tagged for August and September. Leeks are usually October or November.
Planting 1 of Kohlrabi looks to be 2 weeks out from first harvest (so 3 weeks from peak). Planting 1 of Broccoli is about 2.5 weeks out from first broccoli heads. All cabbage, broccoli, caufliflower, kohlrabi, brussels sprouts and kale scheduled for this field are IN. Kale will get its first pick this coming week - but it will be a light picking as the plants are still small.
Plot E2 - melons/watermelon
companion flower seeds have germinated. Transplanted melons and watermelons have appeared to 'take', but we don't expect much growth for another 4-5 days. The melon/watermelon from seed are all in and are beginning to germinate.
Plot E3 - beans and potatoes
most of the potatoes have germinated. It was slowed a bit by a need for some rain - which we finally did get. There are sections that seem slower than others to get going, but I don't think we'll have any 'blank spots' in the rows this year. Dry bush beans look good. First and second green bean plantings look good. A few of the lima types need a spot seed (normal). We hope to get the next green bean succession in tomorrow.
Plot E4 - pumpkins, dry beans and sweet corn
NOTE - we don't grow sweet corn for the CSA - just enough for us to freeze. And, per the norm - they aren't planted yet. Ah well. But, the pumpkin transplants are hanging in there so far. This is the only plot that needs some major work yet this season.
Plot E5 - fallow
Plot E6 - All tomatoes have been in for a while. Of the nearly 500 plants, only two succumbed to high winds or other issues. We need to put in the companion basil and carrots. We are finding that carrots are easier for us with later plantings (to avoid some of the crab grass issues).
Plot E7 - winter squash
All winter squash is in (both transplants and seeds). Most seed has germinated. companion flowers almost all in. The cucumber beetles have found the crop, but we're hoping the plants have enough energy to fight them off. The transplants have a jump and should be fine.
Plot T1 - summer squash/zucchini/onion
Plantings 1 and 2 are in. Planting 3 hopefully tomorrow. Seeds finally germinating after a slow start (the dry hot weather actually stopped them for a bit). Germination levels are good. Looks like July 20 or so for first picking.
Plot T2 - pepper, eggplant, dry bean, okra
All plants and seeds are in. Plants look quite good so far this season. Enough heat to make peppers and eggplant happy and not too much water. Typically, first green bell peppers arrive around July 15. We may have a trickle of them a bit earlier this season.
Plot T3 - peas and cucumbers
plantings 1-3 are in. Planting 4 soon. Peas required a spot reseed that is taking (somewhat). We need to get fences up and a weeding is needed. Peas probably won't get going until early July. Remember, our soil holds moisture so earlier peas are difficult for us to even think about.
Plot SW - short season crops
lettuce, arugula, mustard, radish, turnips, etc etc. This one is hard to report on. Suffice it to say that some successions have been good, others not so good. But, since they are 'short season' we can always replace a lost crop with a new one. It just means we don't always have an item when we want it.
High Tunnel - we've got some tomatoes, peppers, broccoli and leeks in there now. Some other things going in this week when (if) it rains.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
A bit of fixing up
The farm got a new look this week as we had a roof put onto the granary. The look is different, but it is nice to be able to save this building, which was one of the first of its kind in the area. Our thanks to Dan Gingerich Construction for another fine job on the farm.
We're sorry to see the cupola go, but sometimes you just have to go with what resources allow. Given the size of the holes exposed in the sheeting around that cupola, it was time to fix this roof. A little longer and we don't have much for a building.
We're sorry to see the cupola go, but sometimes you just have to go with what resources allow. Given the size of the holes exposed in the sheeting around that cupola, it was time to fix this roof. A little longer and we don't have much for a building.
Friday, June 17, 2011
GFF goes visiting
On Wednesday we managed to get in 6+ hours of work before leaving in the morning to visit friends at Scattergood Farm in West Branch. Over the winter several vegetable farmer friends were commiserating about conference and meeting season ending so we would be without the great moral support for the year to come.
Several farms decided to do farm work swaps/social support days. Each month, beginning in June, we will travel to a different farm, help out for several hours, then have dinner. June is Scattergood Farm, July is GFF, August is Grinnell Heritage and September is Blue Gate. Great fun, good commiserating and some good work, complete with strawberry covered knees, was accomplished.
Andy contemplates a project. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Lots of contemplating going on. I wonder if the red hat helps?
At one point, 9 people were picking strawberries, which then had to cleaned! By this time, there was very little strawberry 'tasting' going on. We suspect there was plenty of tasting during the picking phase.
After working, it was time to relax and eat dinner.
Mark grilled for us. Yummy dinner options!
Several farms decided to do farm work swaps/social support days. Each month, beginning in June, we will travel to a different farm, help out for several hours, then have dinner. June is Scattergood Farm, July is GFF, August is Grinnell Heritage and September is Blue Gate. Great fun, good commiserating and some good work, complete with strawberry covered knees, was accomplished.
Andy contemplates a project. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Lots of contemplating going on. I wonder if the red hat helps?
At one point, 9 people were picking strawberries, which then had to cleaned! By this time, there was very little strawberry 'tasting' going on. We suspect there was plenty of tasting during the picking phase.
After working, it was time to relax and eat dinner.
Mark grilled for us. Yummy dinner options!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Was the sun coming up or going down?
Yet another day has come and gone and here we are looking at each other and wondering - is this the end of the day or have we already gotten up to start the next?
Speaking for myself (I'll ask Tammy how she feels later), while I wish I could get more done each day, etc etc - I've enjoyed this season more than the last three. We've got better tools, better ideas of how to handle things and (knock on wood) better weather. Does it mean we're caught up? Of course not. What made you think that?
RECENT EVENTS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS on the FARM:
Speaking for myself (I'll ask Tammy how she feels later), while I wish I could get more done each day, etc etc - I've enjoyed this season more than the last three. We've got better tools, better ideas of how to handle things and (knock on wood) better weather. Does it mean we're caught up? Of course not. What made you think that?
RECENT EVENTS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS on the FARM:
- All melons and watermelons are IN the field and hopefully will get watered in tonight.
- The next succession of beets and radish are in.
- All peppers, hot peppers and eggplant are in the ground
- A couple 200 foot double rows of onions got the royal weeding treatment
- Both the turkeys and the ducks have graduated to having the 'run' of their rooms (rather than smaller boxes). It won't be too long before each is day ranging.
- We're continuing to deal with the raccoon issue. They've found a few of our hens and we're trying to stop it before it becomes a catastrophe. Current score: Raccoons 5, GFF 2
- We got our potatoes and winter squash put into our Waverly Community Garden plots.
- The red exclusion cages we made 5 years ago (and had numerous people help paint them) have been shored up for another year of service. It may be their last year. But, at the time we made them, we expected maybe 3 years out of them. thanks for the help Dad!
- We have no more vegetable plants for sale. They have all sold or been donated to community garden projects.
- Dan Gingerich construction will be out starting tomorrow to put a roof on the granary. Unfortunately, it made sense financially to take the cupola down. Sometimes you don't get everything you want. But, we'll accept this if we can use the building and no longer worry about it leaking so much.
- We make a trip tomorrow to Scattergood Farm in West Branch. We have teamed up with four other farms (Heritage Farm in Grinnell, Blue Gate in Knoxville area and Scattergood). The goal is for us to converge at one of the four farms each month (June-Sept) for a work day followed by food. We remember how much it meant to us when Mark and Dana came up last year from Scattergood. It went a long way towards turning our attitudes about the year around. We hope making this happen can help all of us be more successful.
- For those who don't know - a web flat can hold 18 3.5" pots (so, 18 peppers or tomatoes or eggplant) or a flat can old a 72 hold insert for things like broccoli or onions or squash. So..please explain this to me. There is a pile of web flats that is nearly as tall as I am. These are web flats that HAD plants in them that we have put into the ground. How is it that *all* of our cold frames still have web flats with plants in them that need to go into the ground?
Saturday, June 11, 2011
A June Picture This
A sea of squash and melon starts in early June.
Kohlrabi plants just germinating for us! Yep, the variety *is* called "Winner." We sure hope so.
And, here are some broccoli, onion, cauliflower and kohlrabi with rows run the 'old' way. We're doing a SARE grant funded study to see if we can accomplish companion planting with some larger equipment.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Losing it By Degrees
Ok - the roller coaster makes this farming business a bit more difficult than one would think. What is it with 95 degrees Fahrenheit and high winds followed by 95 degrees Fahrenheit and no wind followed by 65 degrees F with a *northeast* wind?
Everyone on the farm Wednesday worked admirably through the warm weather. But, you know it is warm when you see everyone sloooowing dooowwwn and you're pretty sure they are not aware of it. A shade and lemonade break was in order! Tammy bought me a nice thermos to keep drinks cold (1 liter bottle) and I went through that thing seven or eight times yesterday. And, that doesn't account for all of the fluids I had to down to stay hydrated. Then, there was today. I actually found myself putting on another layer at one point when I was on the tractor. I am sure everyone who was outside Wednesday couldn't make themselves believe that the next day would be this different.
But, on to the farm report of this blog post:
- The first week of CSA deliveries is completed. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting all of the new members and, of course, were pleased to see the returning members as well.
- this week, we got in all but a handful (five or so) of the sweet peppers - for the workers who helped and want to brag - we put in 567 of them on Wednesday. Tammy and I put in another 151 eggplant that evening (about 100 to go).
- ten trays of onions went in on Wednesday. That would be somewhere in the order of 450 feet (double rows).
- today, we put in over 1200 feet of winter squash. That includes transplanting four trays of plants (an experiment this season to see if we can incorporate this technique).
- We managed to do all of the picking, cleaning, etc for CSA distributions on Tuesday and Thursday. Approximately 85 shares were delivered.
- The wind did a number on our clothesline and one a couple of cold frames (broken windows) - so we had to repair these.
- And...with wind and heat, plants in the field desperately needed water. We don't have an installed drip irrigation system so set up and time is required to do this on the farm.
- Thank you Kenny for helping us move the rest of the giant maple to a back corner of the property.
- Monday saw another 1200 feet of winter squash seed go in and 1000 feet of companion flowers.
Still to plant: melons, watermelon, hot peppers, okra, pumpkin and the sweet corn we grow for our own freezing (that often seems to go last). Of course, there are successions of shorter season crops and there are some onions still to put in. And, more companion flowers are planned. Hopefully we can dry out after tonight's rain enough to get another planting session in later in the weekend.
then - oui..... we weed.
Everyone on the farm Wednesday worked admirably through the warm weather. But, you know it is warm when you see everyone sloooowing dooowwwn and you're pretty sure they are not aware of it. A shade and lemonade break was in order! Tammy bought me a nice thermos to keep drinks cold (1 liter bottle) and I went through that thing seven or eight times yesterday. And, that doesn't account for all of the fluids I had to down to stay hydrated. Then, there was today. I actually found myself putting on another layer at one point when I was on the tractor. I am sure everyone who was outside Wednesday couldn't make themselves believe that the next day would be this different.
But, on to the farm report of this blog post:
- The first week of CSA deliveries is completed. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting all of the new members and, of course, were pleased to see the returning members as well.
- this week, we got in all but a handful (five or so) of the sweet peppers - for the workers who helped and want to brag - we put in 567 of them on Wednesday. Tammy and I put in another 151 eggplant that evening (about 100 to go).
- ten trays of onions went in on Wednesday. That would be somewhere in the order of 450 feet (double rows).
- today, we put in over 1200 feet of winter squash. That includes transplanting four trays of plants (an experiment this season to see if we can incorporate this technique).
- We managed to do all of the picking, cleaning, etc for CSA distributions on Tuesday and Thursday. Approximately 85 shares were delivered.
- The wind did a number on our clothesline and one a couple of cold frames (broken windows) - so we had to repair these.
- And...with wind and heat, plants in the field desperately needed water. We don't have an installed drip irrigation system so set up and time is required to do this on the farm.
- Thank you Kenny for helping us move the rest of the giant maple to a back corner of the property.
- Monday saw another 1200 feet of winter squash seed go in and 1000 feet of companion flowers.
Still to plant: melons, watermelon, hot peppers, okra, pumpkin and the sweet corn we grow for our own freezing (that often seems to go last). Of course, there are successions of shorter season crops and there are some onions still to put in. And, more companion flowers are planned. Hopefully we can dry out after tonight's rain enough to get another planting session in later in the weekend.
then - oui..... we weed.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Frustration on the farm
(A rare post by T) While living on a farm, especially this one, is rewarding, sometimes there are frustrations that get me wondering why we do this. Are we not allowed a day away? Are we not allowed to have some fun without penalty? According to the masked pests in residence at GFF, the answer is no. Down at least 3 hens by arriving home from a baseball game that went long. And, now the car battery is dead because we used the headlights to try to help us see in the dark. Argh somehow does not seem to cut it tonight. Tomorrow will be a better day (good news, though - R played center field well and had several nice hits...)
(an addendum by R)
We try not to be overwhelmed on the frustration side. But, at the same time, it's not entirely fair to present ourselves as never being frustrated or unhappy with the way things are going. And - it's nice to have Tammy write something.
The problem will be partially solved as R will not be playing baseball anymore. Just can't justify the drive to Newton or Des Moines to play.
(an addendum by R)
We try not to be overwhelmed on the frustration side. But, at the same time, it's not entirely fair to present ourselves as never being frustrated or unhappy with the way things are going. And - it's nice to have Tammy write something.
The problem will be partially solved as R will not be playing baseball anymore. Just can't justify the drive to Newton or Des Moines to play.
Monday, June 6, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
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:
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.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
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:
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.
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
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!
Friday, May 27, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
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
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 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
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
Friday, May 20, 2011
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.
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.
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
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
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
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!
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!
Friday, May 13, 2011
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!
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!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, May 9, 2011
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....
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....
Sunday, May 8, 2011
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.
"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.
Friday, May 6, 2011
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
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
Thursday, May 5, 2011
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:
-----------------------------------------------------------
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:
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!
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!
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