CSA Season Starting!

The following is an enhancement of the email sent out to our CSA subscribers this week.  There is actually MORE info for you here if you wish it!

The email list:
  If you wish to opt out of this list, you can do so ONLY if you have another email that IS on the list.  This is our primary method to reach you with announcements and other CSA information. 

On the other hand - if you are reading this here AND you are a CSA member AND you did not receive a copy of the email - it would be good to contact us to remedy that situation.

CSA Pickup for Waverly
  Where: Waverly Farmers' Market - 200 block of 1st Ave SE
  When:  3:30pm to 6:00 pm on Tuesdays
  Beginning: June 5
  Ending: Approx 3rd week of October.
  Who:  Rob and/or Tammy will be there.  Jeff Cornforth will be working with us at distributions starting in week 3.  It is possible that Anden Drolet will be there for the first two weeks.


CSA Pickup for Cedar Falls
  Where: Hansen's Outlet - 127 East 18th St.  We will be in the lot BEHIND the store.  Look for the blue truck with the red hood and black topper.  We're nothing if not colorful!
  When:  4:00pm to 6:00 pm on Thursdays
  Beginning: June 7
  Ending: Approx 3rd week of October.
  Who:  Rob and/or Tammy will be there.  Anden Drolet will be working on Thursday distributions from the beginning into August.

CSA for Tripoli
   Apparently there are only two of you again this season.  There were a few others who reserved spots, but failed to follow through and are not responding to us (if you are one of these people and are reading this - we ARE trying to contact you.  Is it possible we're being blocked?).  So, we will do as we did last season.  Wednesday delivery to your door.

Reaching Tammy & Rob
   A note about calling our cell phones.  Please use them if there is a problem - we will have them on when we are at a CSA distribution and we will be prepared to answer at that time.  HOWEVER - if it is prior to the beginning of the CSA distribution, it is likely we will have them OFF.  Why?  Because we'll be too busy trying to get your produce picked, cleaned and packed - or we might be on the road getting to the distribution point.  If you call at these times, be prepared to leave a message. 

This brings me to another point.  You should expect to leave a message most times you call.  Why?  Because we can't always hear our phones or drop what we're carrying in time to answer.  We try to check the phone for messages at noon and in the evening at a minimum.

What do you need to do to pick up for the CSA?

• Bring a bag or box to put your loot...er... produce into.  It can often be a good idea to have multiple bags if there are things that are a bit more fragile than others during a week. 
  
• Check yourself off on the check-in list
• Look at the sign at each station it will tell you how much of each item is allotted to you. (one number will be for large shares, one for standard shares - if you forget the check off list will have the size of share you signed up for)
• Select produce from each station/basket/tray to fill your allotment.  

What will be in this weeks' share?
   We always tell people to adjust their expectations early as things start slowly.  But, we think you'll enjoy what you'll get.  Wait until July, you'll have no worries about volume!
Anticipated this week:  arugula, spinach, radish, leeks/green onions,beets    Depending on the volume of arugula/spinach we may make it an OR proposition or make it into a greens mix.  Cedar Falls will likely be getting kale/swiss chard in stead of spinach/arugula.  Beet greens should show up in there somewhere.

AND - the arrival of garlic scapes this year is early.

What if I want more/less of something:
   We are finding that one of the best ways to handle it is to ask others around you if they want to trade.  But, if this does not suit, ask one of us - we usually have a good idea of what has been left behind and what is extra.  AND...if you tell us you are opting out of something, we can offer it to someone else.  (note, we have tried trade in boxes before and found that alot of produce got damaged in the process)  Excess at the end of market gets donated to the Cedar Valley Friends of the Family on days one of their volunteers comes to pick up (Waverly) and we donate to the Food Bank (Cedar Falls). 

What if I cannot make it - or realize around 6pm that I have forgotten to pick up?

• If you know you will not make it on a given week ,let us know in advance.  You can designate someone else to pick up if you wish.  If that is the case, just let us know and we'll try to make your substitute feel welcome.  If no one will pick up your share, we will make arrangements for getting it to someone in need - but remember, we need to know so we can make adjustments.
• If you realize "UH OH!  It's 5:55pm and I forgot to pick up my share" - give us a call.  We don't start packing until 6pm.  If we know you are coming we can gather your share for you and be ready when you arrive.  If the situation is more difficult than that, call us anyway.  We might have a solution to handle the issue if you give us a chance to work one out.

Recommendations for those splitting shares
  If you have never split a share before, try one of these approaches we are aware of that have been made to be successful.

1. Come at the same time and negotiate as you pick up.
2. Alternate every other week with those you share with.  Many things will easily store in your fridge for 7-14 days.  If one family is traveling, you can swap some weeks around.
3. Have a dinner together on the distribution night.  Use some of the produce there and split the rest.
4. Remember - we do not split the share for you.  We aren't going to even begin to guess how you want it split, nor do we normally have time to do that sort of processing.  
5. Also remember, early season share sizes are smaller.  They pick up as the season goes on. 

Large vs Standard Sized Shares
   Large shares get some benefits that standard sized shares do not get.  Obviously, they get more produce during the season.  This difference is not as obvious early on, but it becomes more pronounced as the harvest increases.  Examples of differences might be with respect to one veg type (6 cucumbers vs 4) or more of a set of things (standard: kale OR chard, large: kale AND chard).  But, it also means that large shares get items we have less of.  For example, the first tomatoes might only be a few dozen.  The large shares will get a taste of them typically one week before other shares.



Egg Shares
  This is a long ways down - but if you signed up for egg shares you should read this!
   We made a decision to do away with egg shares.  It is simply too time intensive to maintain our egg shares and contracts.  All it takes is a couple of exceptions to the established patterns and a couple of days where we're too tired to update the books.  Add in the fact that we try to pass this back and forth between the two of us...  You get the picture.  It doesn't work.
  Add to this the tendency of our laying flock to give us varying egg numbers as the season progresses and you have a recipe for farmer irritation.  At present, the ladies lay between 4 and 5 dozen eggs a day.  It could go as high as 6 and as low us...well...0.

So - if you signed up for egg shares.  We are putting you on an email list to remind you of the availability of eggs.  Here is what it means for you:

• Eggs are pay as you go ($3/dozen)
• If you want to be CERTAIN you get eggs for a given week, you need to send us an email or make a phone call to reserve them.  If you want to be SURE we see the email - send it at least one day prior to your distribution for the week.  We can't guarantee we'll have time to check email on distribution day after 6 am (and maybe not then).
• If you do NOT reserve them, you may still be in luck.  We'll bring a certain number with us to each distribution.  If they are not all reserved, it will be first come first served.

For those where we are working to figure out old contract status.  We are getting there.  Waverly - give us until week 2 of the CSA.  Cedar Falls, we should have you all figured out and evened out.

More Than a Teaspoon

I'm currently tired enough that I'm bound to misquote here.  But, I seem to recall somewhere in the Harry Potter series that Hermione says something to Ron about having the emotional range of a teaspoon....  Sometimes it feels like it might be nice to have a simpler set of emotions and tasks on our plate.  This is one of those moments.  But, I know that I like variety and challenges, so I'll get over it.  One way of getting over it - and of keeping everyone informed regarding the farm - is to put a blog post out there so you can see what's on our minds.

Tall Farmer
We both spent a good part of the day while we were working outside thinking about the "Tall Farmer."  He underwent surgery today to remove some tumors and word is that all went as planned in a 6+ hour surgery.

Doorman
The back door has been falling apart slowly but surely.  In fact, it has been getting worse as more people spend time on the farm.  Tammy and I get used to closing it a certain way, but it is pretty hard to get the plumber, new workers, etc etc to close it that way.  As a result, it wasn't looking very promising for continued use.  Happily, my Dad is here for a few days and he was willing to pick up a door and put it in for us.  It's pretty cool when a good sized project like that gets done and you only have to lend help when an extra hand is needed.

Speaking of Doors
We were?  Oh, yes we were!  We're pleased to have working overhead doors on the granary and the truck barn.  Already has come in useful.

Bandits
Getting tired of a particular raccoon that gets into the bee hive each night.  Its days are numbered.  If only that number were one....  Though if it decided to move away, that would be fine too.

Taters...preciousssss.
Two days.  2200 feet of taters in the ground.

Beans, beans the Miracle Fruit
Not to be outdone....1000 feet of green beans.  1600 feet of other bush beans.  All planted before noon today.  Earthway seeders are great when the rows are well prepared.

Organic Certification
Our inspection is tomorrow AM.  I don't mind the visits at all.  It has more to do with how human schedules never seem to match with nature.  We are frantically planting before rain (we hope).  It is likely to rain tomorrow afternoon or evening.  We want as much in as we can get prior to that.  We'll try to do that and the inspection.  Why not?  We can do anythin' an' everythin'.

Three Cups of Tea and Three Trays of Leeks
If it's iced tea, I'll take it.  If it's leeks, they're in the ground.  That's something like um....  1000 leeks?  Hope they're good this year.

Water Wands are Not (Entirely) Magical
I suppose the whole idea of a water want and the ability to put a water breaker on the end to soften the blow of water on target plants could be considered magical.  However, these wands are not the sort you wave once and solve problems.  In fact, with all the hot, dry and windy weather, we've become more acquainted with our water wands, hoses, etc than we really want to.  It eats time to have to water plants two or three times a day to keep them alive.

Insta Tan Part II
Another bout with wind.  Another day of Insta Tan.  We're getting so used to it, that we don't think anything about taking a trip into Sumner for a quick dinner (we just had to get away from the farm for a few minutes) and NOT doing more than washing hands (up to the elbow) and face (mostly).  Had goggles on for a while, so got to do the Inverse Raccoon look too.  One downside...blowing your nose and getting enough dirt to pot a geranium.

Heat & Bolting
A small crop report item.  We had some greens timed for early June.  Lots of it is already bolting.  Before reaching maturity.  A series of 80 to 90+ degree days does it every time.  Not cool.  We'll just keep planting and do what we can.  It's enough to get a farmer grumpy some days.

Gang of Four at Grinnell Heritage Farm
Our first of four visits for the Gang of Four occurred Sunday.  We had the pleasure of helping transplant sweet potatoes and learn how to use a water wheel transplanter.  Andy was nice and told us the goal was 4 rows - we got 8 done.  By the way...a "row" was probably 400 feet.  There were four left for his crew.  All I can say - it is fun to work with this group of people.  Wish we all were closer.  Or worked the same farm.  That'd be one heck of a farm!

Pieces of Barn
High winds = pieces of barn periodically taking flight.  Rethinking where we have the broilers now and will begin the process of moving them tomorrow.


Henlet - Shakespeare should have written it....
The henlets are outdoors now in their own little building and with their own section of electric fence.  They eat different food than the hens and we need to give them time to grow before we integrate the flock.

Asparagus, Asparagus...There's something funny about asparagus!
Looks like this will be the last week picking asparagus.  They want to fern out and they've been going for a while.  It's not quite what we wanted.  But, that's the way it is sometimes.  At least we got asparagus!  And it has been yummy!

Events - YOU SHOULD CHECK THIS OUT!

• Friday 4pm to 6pm at Hansen's Outlet - Plant Sale.  Many plants still available.  
• Saturday  8:30am to 11:30 am.  Waverly Farmers' Market.  Lots of plants available!
• Monday  3:00 pm to 9:00 pm.  Iris Fest at the farm!  Potluck. We will provide a turkey to share (cooked!)  We do not plan on firing up the grill.  You may bring other items for the potluck.  Bring chairs, games, attitudes ready to enjoy the day and the farm! 

Insta Tan, Free Highlights and Mulch

Have you looked in the mirror lately?  Wishing your complexion showed a bit more of that healthy, outdoorsy glow?  Or maybe you are just jealous of someone else at work or school who has killer highlights in their hair.

Well.... WE HAVE THE SOLUTION TO THESE and OTHER PROBLEMS!

Insta-Tan

This will work wonders in a matter of moments.  All you need to do is come out to the Genuine Faux Farm on a day where the forecast calls for "Breezy" weather.  It is best if the day is sunny and the weather is dry.  Apply suntan lotion.  Go out into the fields and VIOLA - instant tan!  Of course, it won't be as smooth as your skin might normally be.  In fact, we guarantee that your skin won't be as smooth as it normally is after this application is removed.  But, we accept that this is small price to pay for beauty.

For those who wish for a deeper, layered look, we suggest running a tiller for half an hour.  We specialize in the 'Reverse Raccoon' look.  Simply apply goggles over your eyes while running the tiller.

Highlights of Your Day, Month - or Just Your Hair

We make no claim of instant gratification here.  However, if you spend enough time outside at the Genuine Faux Farm, those of you with darker hair will be awarded with highlights that rival the best any salon can give you!  We recommend that you wear a hat so that the resulting ring of darker hair can accentuate how fine those accents in your hair really are.  

Who Needs an Emery Board?

Spend some time digging in the dirt at the Genuine Faux Farm and you'll no longer have need for that Emery Board.  We use a twofold approach to removing the need for this little accessory.

First, you will find that your nails, one way or the other, are going to be shorter.  And, any cracks or sharp points will tend to wear off.  Don't worry about any new splits or other issues with your nails.  In most cases they are replaced by other splits, etc in a short period of time, eliminating the need to address the original problem.  There will be no need of a manicure either, since your cuticles will get pushed back when you plunge your hands in to the dirt.

Second, if you really feel you need an emory board to file down something - just use your hands.  A few days working in the dirt and your hands will rival a cats tongue for roughness.  We find this to be incredibly useful when building fine furniture.

Free Mulch, Compost and Potting Soil

While you are working on your tan, do not forget that the farm will throw  in a free bonus of mulch or potting soil that will be deposited in your nose, ears and eyes during your stay.  For those that wish the potting soil, you should clean the soil out of your ears, etc upon arriving home after your visit.  For those that wish to have mulch, make sure you come on a windy day where we are applying straw.  And, of course, compost requires that you do NOT clean out your ears right away.  The first sign of a giant ragweed germinating out the side of your head is an indication that your compost is nearing readiness.  It also probably means you forgot to the turn the compost in a timely manner.

Who needs a spa?  Come work on the farm!

Pooooooooooooooof

We've taken refuge inside the house earlier than usual.

Why?

There is only so much time a person can have dust blown into your ears, eyes, nose and mouth.  The wind wasn't too bad until we got to mid-afternoon.  But, it went from breezy with gusts to constant poooooof.

People who have read the blog or newsletters in the past know that we often site wind as the hardest weather to deal with.  But, this wind is particularly onerous.

Why?

Glad you asked.  It's because the temps are abnormally high for mid May and the air is drier than usual.  This makes it particularly tough on our young plants.  In fact, it is really making it hard for our Spring crops to reach their potential.  Arugula should not go right to bolting this time of year - yet we have some doing just that.  Before we even get one picking out of it.  What gives?  We had that crop in at the right time....

And - we have some reminders for everyone:

- Plant Sale at Hansen's Outlet in Cedar Falls from 4pm to 6pm tomorrow.
- Waverly Farmers' Market from 8:30-11:30 am Saturday
- Tom Sawyer Day at the farm Saturday from 2:30-5:00pm  RSVP if you plan to attend.

Finally - a thanks to the group who visited us from the U of Iowa today.  Hope the stay blew you away....in the figurative sense.  We know the wind tried the literal sense.

The Weight of the Nation on HBO

Rob and Tammy from Genuine Faux Farm joined several other Practical Farmers of Iowa members in a discussion for HBO a couple years ago (2010 - you can see a reference on this past blog post) at Grinnell Heritage Farm. The website for the film is here: http://theweightofthenation.hbo.com/
We are told that you might see PFI farmers in Part IV of the main film and perhaps even more in the bonus feature: Healthy Foods and Obesity Prevention: Increasing Markets for Fruit and Vegetable Farmers

The focus of the film series is on the obesity problem we are currently seeing in the United States.  The timing of the release has to do with the impending FARM BILL.   If you don't think you should pay attention to the farm bill - then you are wrong.  The farm bill should really be a FOOD BILL.  Why do you think we have so much support for corn syrup and soybean oil (for example)?   Why do you think many farmers get most of their crop insurance paid for them and small farms such as ours can't get reasonable crop insurance?  Pay attention to this bill if you really want to make a difference in our country.

Note: we do not have television on the farm and our internet is way too slow to view. So - someone else view it and let us know if it is good or not! 

What we do know is that the discussion we had in Grinnell was fascinating and intense.  I don't recall everything that was said and I certainly don't recall everything Tammy or I might have said.  I suspect I was too scary looking and they edited parts with me out of the mix.  But, Tammy's cool - so she might be there.  

I wonder if I would still say the same things now with another year or so of experience?  But, I do know this - we want to produce good food.  We want our right to produce this good food to be defended.  We (GFF) are not asking for handouts or subsidies, but we are asking for a leveled playing field.  Let's change this so that those less fortunate aren't finding that they must select potato chips instead of broccoli because of cost. OR, worse yet, because they don't know how to use broccoli and turn it into a meal that costs less than the potato chips.  Let's change this so people have the option to select farming as their career. 

Upcoming Events

Just to try and keep up with everything that's going on:

Tuesday - May 15 - Egg delivery/pickup in Cedar Falls at Rudy's parking lot.  5:30pm.  You need to 'reserve' your eggs.  email Tammy prior to noon today or call her by 4:00pm.  We need to know how many to bring.

Friday - May 18 - 4:00-6:00pm at Hansen's Outlet in Cedar Falls.  GFF Plant sale.  We'll have heirloom tomatoes (20+ varieties), peppers and eggplant with us.

Saturday - May 19 - 8:30 - 11:30 am in Waverly.  Waverly Farmers' Market.  We'll have plants at the farmers' market this Saturday as well.  Come see what the market has to offer you.

Saturday - May 19 - 2:30-5:00PM at Genuine Faux Farm.  Tom Sawyer Day.  Come plant trees and bushes on the farm.  If that doesn't sound like fun, we have other things we can have you do - which could even include painting.  Well, actually priming....a building.

Friday - May 25 - 4:00-6:00PM plant sale at Hansen's Outlet in Cedar Falls.

Saturday - May 26 - 8:30-11:30 AM Waverly Farmers' Market.

Monday - May 28 - 3:00-9:00 PM.  Iris Fest 2012 at the Genuine Faux Farm.  Potluck with turkey provided by the farm.  We'll cook up one of the big birds we still have in our freezer from last year. 

Saturday - June 2 - 8:30-11:30AM.  Waverly Farmers' Market.  We anticipate that this will be the last Saturday market that we will have plants for sale.  Our attendance at the market from this point will depend entirely upon available produce.

Tuesday - June 5 - 3:30-6:00PM  first CSA pickup - Waverly Group.  At the Waverly Farmers' Market.
Wednesday - June 6 - TBA first CSA pickup - Tripoli Group
Thursday - June 7 - 4:00-6:00PM first CSA pickup Cedar Falls Group.  At Hansen's Outlet.

Sorting Hat and More

Sorting Hat
The annual sorting hat activity on the farm took place on Friday.  Well, the first iteration of the sorting hat.  We transplanted somewhere in the range of 1800 tomato plants for about 32 heirloom varieties.  We have a fairly complex plan for what we intend to plant on the farm, but that still leaves about 1000 plants that go up for sale.  The net result is that we have to select plants to stay on the farm to fill out the plan.  Then, we have to decide what plants are ready to go to market (and hopefully new homes).  And, of course, we have to decide which plants need a little more hardening off/TLC.  Finally, a few plants have the "mercy rule" applied.  It always takes more time than we think it should.  But, it's part of what we do.  We have tomato plants for sale.  Want any?

Waverly Farmers' Market
In case you all forgot, Waverly Farmers' Market is *every* Saturday from May through the beginning of October.  Judging by the "crowds," there were several people out of town and many others who didn't remember.  Don't get us wrong.  We were pleased to see everyone who DID come out to the market.  And, we'll be equally pleased when we see others there next week and the week after that.  We just need to remind ourselves that just because we think about market every week, that doesn't mean it has as much of a hold on the lives other people live.  So - it is our job to remind you!  Hey!  Waverly Farmers' Market.  Saturday 8:30-11:30 AM.  Street near the post office in Waverly.  Come see us!

Two for One in the Bargain Bin
 Speaking of farmers' market.   (We were?)  Saturday market days...and the afternoon to night prior... can be pretty hectic.  Typically, most of Friday afternoon and evening is spent preparing for market.  Potentially longer, depending on what we need to have ready.  We get up early Saturday to handle all of the chores, load the truck, pack additional items that were kept in refrigerators (eggs for example) in hopes of getting set up prior to the 8:30 AM start.  We often forget about the 30 minutes we should allow for travel time (assuming you don't remember something you forgot and turn around).  By the time we are packed up (usually by 12:30pm) we need to find a little food and sit and debrief for a while.  Average return time is 2pm to the farm.  After the truck is unloaded, we often give ourselves permission to read, nap, take it easy for an hour or so.  After that, we do our best to motivate ourselves to do farm work.  It doesn't always work out.  But, when we do, it is like getting two days out of one.  Or at least it feels like that's the case.  We both thought market was 'yesterday' a couple of times this evening....

Birds Evicted
 The broilers have been officially evicted from our garage.  We are, to say the least, relieved.  If you've never raised birds before, they can kick up alot of dust -and it coats everything in the building now.  The birds have been out in the Chick Inn for a couple of nights now, but we just got to removing the boxes, bedding, etc from the garage in the "second day" today.  Maybe relief isn't a strong enough word for this.  Now to get the hen chicks out of there.

Till 'Til the Cows Come Home
We managed to get a few more beds tilled and put in several trays of lettuce in our second day of Saturday as well.  The soil is finally looking great.  We're going to probably work ourselves silly next week.

What Friends Are For
GFF will be going to Blue Gate Farm for an 'emergency' work day.  While this does not mean anything to most who read the blog initially, we thought we'd mention it because it should mean something.  This is a reminder that there are many things more important than all of those niggling, irritating things that we let get under our skin so often.  One of those important things is that friends are more important than most anything else.  When you can make a difference for a friend, you go make that difference.  'Nuff said. 

Farm Report

It's time to do a farm report.  It's also time for a little drier weather?

• We're farmers.  We talk about weather.  We complain about weather.  It's what we do.  But, the reality is - we can't get into our fields.  The time between rains hasn't been sufficient to dry them out.  We have alot of plants waiting to go in.  
• Speaking of plants - we've got about 700-800 tomato plants into pots already.  We'll have a nice selection for next Saturday's market.
• There's a roll up door on the east side of the granary now.  That's really good since we were both getting VERY tired of the sliding doors that are temperamental when it comes to the sliding they are supposed to do.
• Have you ever been so tired you can't go to sleep?
• We have a great dandelion crop this year.
• It looks like we'll have two bee hives on the farm this season.  We like those little guys, so this is a good thing.
• Speaking of bees, we've seen five or six different native bees hovering around the dandelions so far this year.  We're not experts at telling them apart, so there could be more, but we aren't able to differentiate.
• It must be the growing season.  The indoor cats don't want to sit on our laps in the evening.  They'd rather sit in an open window.
• We asked our mechanic (Dale's Service in Waverly) to take a look at the truck before we got deep into the season.  They put it on the lift and evidently it tried to do a "lift and separate."  The "left rear main leaf spring" is broken.  This apparently keeps the frame and the bed of the truck together...or something like that.  Let's just say, we'd better get it fixed.  Our poor vehicles.  They've had a rough week or two.  They should have known when they signed up to work with us.
• Thursday is the "Green, What Does it Mean?" event at UNI for high school students.  Rob will be there speaking for all but one session (they set one aside for lunch).  It was pretty cool last year and we think it's an important event.
• We had some wonderful transplanting help on Saturday afternoon.  Thank you to Jo, Shawn, Joey and John.
• Thank you also to Jo Foster's Environmental Biology class that came out and did some things on the farm with us Friday.
• While we are at it.  Thanks to Dawn Wiegmann for putting together the health fair and partnering with the Waverly Farmers' Market.  
• And, to Rick Montgomery, for helping get the Waverly Farmers' Market going again this year.
• And, to Emily Wilson, for running an excellent kids cooking class last Sunday (really?  that long ago already?)
• And, to Ron Lenth and Iowa State Extension, for sponsoring the poultry field day at our farm.
• Spring CSA - next delivery is Saturday May 12 at the Waverly Farmers' Market 8:30-11:30 AM
• Eggs - those who are getting eggs from us prior to the regular CSA season start.  We will have them available at the Waverly Farmers' Market (same times as above).  We're trying to cut down time off the farm in the month of May in hopes that we can get things going once things dry out some.
• Plants - we will have them at Waverly Farmers' Market on Saturdays. We will also have them at Hansen's Outlet in Cedar Falls on May 18 and May 25 (Fridays) from 4 to 6 pm each of those days.  We still need to discuss whether Roots wants to retail some of our plants.  We are working on a date for Tripoli.
• Iris Festival on our farm is slated for Monday, May 28.  More details forthcoming.  This is a potluck event.  CSA members and friends of the farm are invited.

Wire to Wire

Today is/was one of those wire to wire days.

We set an alarm to make sure we got up and moving quickly.  That was a good thing because we were pretty exhausted and were both sound asleep when it went off.  Usually one or the other (or both) of us is awake before the alarm.

We had a visit from Jo Foster's Environmental Biology class today from about 9am to noon.  That meant, of course, that we had to get chores done, do a little mowing so paths were ready for a tour, gather tools, etc before they got here.  Tammy likes to have zucchini or pumpkin bread for groups like this, so she started that in the morning as well. 

We managed to be mostly ready and Tammy was able to finish things up while Rob gave the famous GFF nickel tour!  On completion of the tour (final stop was to see the baby chicks), we had some Q&A and then we got to split people into groups to do some farm tasks.  The group was fabulous and worked hard and did their best to be helpful.  We are most grateful!

But, as with all things like this, there is prep and there is 'tear down.'  So, we had to do that as well.  The group will be pleased to hear that we managed to finish the raking they came very close to completing before the rains came this evening (with an hour to spare!).

Since our first Waverly Farmers' Market is tomorrow morning, we had to go get our truck in Waverly (getting a checkup).  It needs some repairs - but it is a 20 year old truck.  On getting back home, we needed to pick for the market, clean, pack, etc.  We also needed to get all of the seedlings watered, etc etc etc.  We managed to get everything put away and under cover before we had the back end of a thunderstorm come through.  I need to print a few more labels/signs and we're catching some ZZz's until tomorrow - which will come early.

so - come see us!  Talk to us!  Buy some lettuce, asparagus, spinach, kale or green onions.  Try one of our Silvery Fir Tree tomato plants - great for pots!  Tammy will be inside the W with a table at the Health Fair.  Rob will be outside with the Farmers' Market contingent.  We'll have our organic canvas bags with our logo for sale and we'll have the MACSAC cookbooks along for the ride.

R & T

Slivers and Onions

It's 9:06 PM.  Do you know where your farmers are?

Well, this one is at the computer, typing a blog post.  The other one is getting to take a shower after a long day.  We flipped a chicken to see who got the first shower.  Heads, Tammy got to shower first, tails, I got to shower first.  While Tammy was trying to catch the chicken, I ran inside and took a shower.

The rain we've had the last couple of weeks has our fields pretty wet - making it very hard to get into the field to plant.  This happens every year.  Here's hoping we can hit it right.


Slivers
We've spent quality time in the Poultry Pavilion the last several days.  Happily, it hasn't just been Tammy and myself working in there.  My dad, the best dad IN THE WORLD... ok, ok.. You can all argue for your fathers as well and we'll agree in the end that they are ALL the best.

Now that I've been sidetracked.  Let's get back to the point of this section.  We've had some wonderful help from my parents the last couple of weeks, and it has been deeply appreciated.  We also made a request of the fine, upstanding Dr. Ben, who was kind enough to come and help us put tin on the ceiling of the new chicken room.

We've all gotten to improve the muscles that involve holding arms over our heads.  Isometrics anyone?  And, yes, we've been working with alot of old lumber - hence lots of opportunities for splinters.  We also got to take down ceiling (mentioned in the prior post as the Poo d'Etat).  The room is getting closer, but these things always take so much longer than we'd like.  The birds need that room - probably yesterday.

Onions
The annual dance of the seedling trays is in full swing.  We have many trays of onions and other plants looking for the chance to go into the ground.  Until they do, we have to keep them safe, watered and healthy.  The great transplant of tomatoes into pots is continuing - but has stalled a bit with the Poultry Pavilion, among other things, taking priority.

But, by way of a quick field/farm report.  We have managed to put in another 400 feet of spinach, 200 feet of kale, 200 feet of chard, 200 feet of radish and a mixed 200 foot row of arugula, mustard and calaloo.  The older planting of spinach should be able to be picked by next Saturday, as should arugula and mustard and radish from that planting.

The Spring crops in the high tunnel are winding down, but there is still some excellent lettuce in there!  Asparagus is happy.

Other Stuff

• Our little Honda (we named him Clyde) had its first semi-major issue.  Not bad given it has 150K miles on him.  Something about the key not wanting to go into the ignition when it is out and not wanting to come out when it is in.  Just got him back today.  
• We have a new water heater in the house.  Finally, we got the 40 year old water heater replaced.  We even managed to do it before the old water heater decided to rust out and turn it into an 'emergency.'  But, you have to wonder.  We made the decision to do the water heater and Clyde decided to have his little 'issue.'  Timing is everything.
• The first Waverly Farmers' Market is this Saturday.  Half will be at the regular location and the other half will be at the W with the Health Fair (to promote the Farmers' market).  We will be at the W.  At present, the plan is for Tammy to be inside and Rob will be outside.
• Another 3000 lbs of feed picked up from Frantzen Farms north of New Hampton.  Must be that time of year.
• We just heard from Eric at Hansen's Outlet that there is still Bronze Arrowhead lettuce from our last delivery available there.  Go get it folks!  They are big, beautiful heads of lettuce, alot of goodness there.  
• Waverly Child Care got a nice batch of lettuce from us today.  Once the spinach gets going, they'll be getting some of that too!
• Week 5 of the Spring CSA is completed and we're pleased with the value our members have gotten this Spring.  And, the asparagus is just getting going.  
• Asparagus, asparagus!  There's something funny about asparagus.....
• The kids cooking class appeared to go well last Sunday.  Those of you who attended, please feel free to give us feedback.  We'd be happy to sponsor more of these, but we have to know what works so we don't just start shouting at an empty room.
• The poultry gathering at the farm on Monday also went well. Thanks to Ron Lenth for setting this up and Iowa State Extension for sponsoring this field day.
• And, the Choir's newest album - The Loudest Sound Ever Heard is getting a work out on our music players.

And now, I bid you all adieu.   It's time to stop typing when you see two of each character you type.

A Poo d'Etat

There is much going on at the farm right now - so we'll do the "news brief" thing for this blog post.  We hope you enjoy!

Three in One?
There are a number of crazy things we find ourselves doing on the farm that make us shake our heads.  For example, if you had told us that we would own and operate three freezers and two refrigerators on the farm even five years ago, we would have laughed.   But, twenty-seven pound turkeys, two batches of broilers, lots of veg freezing, broth freezing, cooperative buys, etc etc....  So, yes, we have three freezers and two refrigerators.  We graduated to ONE freezer today by finally getting everything into the biggest freezer and the freezers that are part of the two refrigerators.  We hope these two will stay OFF until the broilers go to the park.  Oh...and yes.  It WAS a tight fit.

Two Hundred A Day
More or less.  That's what we are hoping we can manage as we transplant tomatoes into four inch pots.  There are about 2000 of them to do.  Then, if the peppers get a move on here, we do them.  And the eggplant.  Hmmmm.  The hardest part is figuring out where to put them all.

Closing at the Opening(s)
One of the things I found most humorous for signs of businesses in small towns were those that said "Open Until Closing," which made me think of this subtitle.  In this case, however, we are talking about openings in buildings on the farm.  If you follow the blog or farm happenings, you know we worked hard to rehab the truck barn last year.  We just never quite got the overhead door put in before Winter (such as it was).  We've also been struggling with the doors on the granary.  Stay tuned, it looks like we'll be getting some doors put up.  While it still goes against Rob's nature to hire someone to do these kinds of projects, that's exactly what we will do.  Why?  Because it won't get done until December if it is left to me....  And, it would likely only be one of the three doors at that.  Sometimes the right call means you pay someone else.

Dominoes
Old house.   Old buildings.  Working farm.  Lots of projects.

And every project has its own domino effect.  If you do any sort of house projects on your own homes, you know what I mean here.  How did stubbing in plumbing for a bathroom turn into replacing the water heater?

Oh.  Well.  I Guess We'll Do Something Else.
The simple (?) project of moving the burn 'barrel' to a new location away from the cold frame area got interesting.  This entailed cleaning up the new area and moving the barrel.  But, our barrel is essentially four heavy pieces of metal that have been bolted together in a rectangular shape using some brackets.  It was here when we moved in, so it's been through a bit.  Let's just say the "barrel" became a flat pile of metal as I tried to move it. 

Poo d-Etat
We are actively trying to build some new poultry rooms in the Poultry Pavilion.  To give you a summary... the building started as an open front machine shed.  It was closed up in the 1980's (we think) and made into a hog confinement.  We arrive and kicked the hogs out.  Unfortunately, some of the modifications made to the building (and time) have provided raccoons with some nice places to live.

So, what is the problem with that exactly?  Other than the fact that we fight them every year as they get into the chickens?  Let me put it this way.  Raccoons don't go outside to use the bathroom.

So, you know all of those spots that look like they've gotten REALLY wet in the ceiling?  Yep, the spots that actually have holes starting and the insulation falling through?  That isn't from a leaky roof.  It's from a raccoon leaking....  And remember, when you ask a raccoon "Number 1 or number 2?"  It will usually say, "Both."

What was a highlight of the day?  Pulling down lots of that ceiling so we can have a shot at putting together a good room for the birds.

What a wonderful smell I've discovered.  Maybe it should have been

Pew d-Etat?

Connecting the Hobby with the Profession Part II

 This envelope was mailed in 1905.  What's so cool about it?  We actually raise Barred Rocks as part of our mixed laying flock.  Our younger rooster is Fu, he is a Barred Rock, and he could have posed for this picture.

Ok, these are hens, not a rooster, but they do live on our farm!

Oh, and I think Sarcoxie is a cool name for a town.

The above item was mailed in 1901.  It's kind of fun looking at the various technologies used that were pulled behind teams of horses.  And, we see these technologies adapted for many of the implements we are now using with Durnik (our tractor).

And yes, Higganum is another cool name for a town.

This one may be worth using the right mouse button to view at a larger size.  This is a booklet that includes a speech by Representative Hull...in 1933.  What was he trying to say?  We should use the excess grain produced in our country to supplement gasoline.  Interesting.

I know a cool person who has the last name "Hull."

Mailed around 1895 (hard to read the postmark).  Bee keeping has been around for a long time.  All I can say is that if it weren't for all of the native bees on and around our farm, our crops would be very poor.  This is a topic I am very sensitive too and I worry about every season.  It can be especially difficult for us because our 14 acres of ground is surrounded by corn and soybean fields.  So, there isn't a very large contiguous area within which native species can exist and survive.  If these species were to collapse, we would have difficulty producing many crops.

This is addressed to Xeno Putnam.  "Xeno" is a cool name.  And bees are just plain cool.

And, for those of you who are curious about post number 1 on this subject.  The items were from 1883, 1912, 1913, 1905 and 1905.

And now you know - we've had a couple of cool days.

Extension Workshop at the Farm

DATE:  4/13/12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tammy Curley, Bremer County Extension, 319-882-4275 or tcurley@iastate.edu

BREMER ISU EXTENSION HOSTING SMALL FAMILY POULTRY WORKSHOP

Adults and 4-H’ers wishing to learn more about raising their own poultry for eggs and meat are invited to an on-farm demonstration and educational program on April 30^th at Faux’s Genuine Farm, 2345 150^th St. north of Tripoli.  Beginning at 6:30PM, visitors can learn the practical aspects of working with poultry, from new chicks through their adulthood.  There is no cost for the program.

Guest speakers Dave Foelske, Bremer Fair Poultry Superintendent plus the Faux’s, will share their practical experiences with raising their own backyard chickens ducks, and turkeys. 

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

And yes - please note that the farm name IS Genuine Faux Farm.  Yep, that's us.

Linking the Hobby to the Profession?

 This is one ugly chicken.  Note - the reason the chicken doesn't look as healthy as it should is because the Aultman & Taylor equipment did a better job not leaving behind any of the grain heads that other equipment was prone to do.  At least, that's what they're trying to tell you.

 For about 7 bucks you could get one of these beauties.  We have a 'similar' tool.  But, it is plastic....and cost a bit more than 7 bucks.  Still, we wouldn't be without it.

 Ahhhh.  Crook neck summer squash.  We used to grow this, but have opted for the straight neck varieties.  The main reason - they don't sprawl as much as the crook necks.  We have to fight that battle with cucumbers already.

 Hay!  That barn is still standing.

And... from the "that's just plain weird" section.  Are we sure these animals have the required muscles to smile like that?

Kids Cooking Class

GFF is partnering with Emily Wilson to present a Kids Cooking class. Looking for ways to encourage your kids to eat more veggies? Do your kids love to help in the kitchen? Kids are more likely to eat the food they help prepare!  This special Kids Cooking class will feature Chef Emily teaching kids how to make a lettuce wrap using GFF lettuce.  Eating the produce will, of course, be involved, too!

Two classes will be offered - kids 4-6 years old and kids 7-10 years old.  Classes will be approximately one hour, with the little ones first, then the older ones on the same day.  We have limited space available for this first set of classes.  We are looking at either Friday May 4 after school or Sunday April 29 early afternoon. The classes will take place at a place to be determined in Waverly.  Please reply to tammy.faux@wartburg.edu (don't reply to Rob, please) if you are interested, which date works better for your family and age(s) of child(ren) involved.  There is no charge for GFF kids.

Tammy & Rob

Balls of Fluff

Below is the 'egg newsletter' Tammy sent out this week.  Rob usually puts the posts out in the blog - but we're finding this is a good way for Tammy to get some time in the blog as well.

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

Eggs delivery on Tuesday!  This Tuesday (April 17^th), we will be at the Konditerei (Wartburg) from 10-noon, CEEE (if anyone requests) at UNI from 4:30-4:45 and Rudy’s Tacos (Waterloo) (parking lot from 5:15-5:30 and in the restaurant until about 7pm).  Please email to let me know how many dozen you would like and where you will pick up.  Call if one of these times does not work for you.

(ed note: it really does help if we get a note that you want eggs and how many first.  Remember, we have to pack them and bring them along.)

A little break this week from introducing the “ladies” to introduce you to the babies.  Yep – GFF sounds (and smells) like an animal farm this week.  I picked up 75 day old pullets (baby laying hen) at Hoover Hatchery in Rudd (25 are for a friend of ours) on Thursday.  Since the Poultry Pavilion remodeling project is not done, they are being temporarily housed in the garage.  The real surprise came on Friday when we got a call saying the broiler chicks had arrived (we have them mailed from the hatchery in PA to the Waterloo post office)!  We had not expected the 250 chicks until the following week.  So, we scrambled about, cleaned the garage and made room for 2 more brooder boxes and now have 250 broiler chicks and 75 hen chicks.  EEK!

This new batch of hens is a mix of Buff Orphington, California White and Americana.  Some of the chicks consented to pose for me.  The picture with the 3 chicks are the broilers – a breed called Freedom Ranger.  The Rangers (aka “The Boyus) will be cute for about 2 weeks and then spend the next 9 weeks being eating machines.  The hens grow much more slowly and will look like chicks for about 6 weeks, but don’t reach full size for about 20 weeks.

California White (hen)

Buff Orpington (hen)

Americana (hen - lays the green/blue eggs)

 Freedom Ranger (broilers)

Friday the Thir.....oof!

We don't tend to be superstitious, but after the start we had today, I'm beginning to wonder.  It's not that anything particularly bad has happened, these are all surmountable issues.  And, it's not that I'm looking for sympathy, all of these events are things that happen on and off with the farm.  It's just the way it is.  But, it can be strange how these things tend to happen all at once.  And, I didn't know that this was the 13th *AND* Friday until I wrote down the work plan for today (last night). 

My first thought was - "All right!  Dad's lucky day!"
My second thought was - "Is Dad's lucky day, my lucky day?"

To set the tone, allow me to sum up yesterday:
I've been fighting a head cold, which means less sleep and less energy.  But, things still have to get done on the farm.  And, part of that something is reorganizing everything from "Winter" mode to "Rest of the Year" mode.  That implies alot of lifting and energy used.  We got alot of it done, but a few things just didn't get done.... yesterday was worth a blog post.  Maybe later.  Also, we picked up hen chicks.  Our chick area in the Poultry Pavilion is not ready, so we had to work up an area in the garage. 

Last night's plan for today:
I made two plans.  One in case it rained over night and one in case it held off.  Rain meant spending the day on farm paperwork, taxes, grants, etc.  If there was some time prior to rain, the plan called for some work on the tractor and maybe a little tilling/planting just prior to the rain.
 
What did the weather do?
It didn't rain overnight, but as soon as the sun started to come up, the wind began to howl.  As we started to do some things outside, it began to rain sideways.  So, it looks like we finish chores and necessary things I do office work.

What ACTUALLY happened?

The wind this morning wasn't "hold onto your hat" strong, it was "hold onto your head" strong.  First issue - several trays of onions blew off their cart.  Result, we lost a number of onion plants.  Of course, these were some of our oldest ones (closest to transplant).  Oh well, these things happen.  We picked up the pieces and got the rest off of the cart and onto the ground.  This was one of the things we meant to do yesterday, but figured they were fine where they were.  After all, they'd been fine for a week or two on that cart.

Issue #2 - the door that would not stay closed.

The chicks are in the garage, right?  Well, the wind and cold was coming from the East-Southeast.  The doors on the garage both face east.  Chicks are sensitive to breezes and cold, so we didn't want to open the overhead door any more than we had to.  So, we used the service door.  It decides to not latch properly anymore AS OF TODAY.  So, the wind had a great time "re-opening" the door for us.


The call that made us wonder if we could hit the restart button.

We decided to go into Tripoli and check the PO box and just take a moment to set ourselves for the rest of the day.  On the way in, I answered my cell.  It was the Waterloo post office telling me they had MY chicks.  My WHAT?

Schedule as we knew it?
April 12 - Hen chicks
April 20 - Broiler chicks
May 31 - Ducklings
and turkeys in there somewhere too.

Remember the part about not having an area ready for the hens in the Poultry Pavilion?  Well, if you didn't, you do now.  This means we have to move a bunch of things out of the garage that were slated to be moved - but maybe not right at this moment.

The NEW work plan for the day...
Prepare for 250 (or so) broiler chicks to arrive. 

More About Doors
A good gust of wind today was strong enough to make me wonder if I could get knocked over if I also happened to be a bit off balance.  So, if the wind was that strong, imagine what it was like trying to open and hold a door that opens INTO the wind.  Now, imagine opening that door when you have a heavy bag that requires both hands to hold them. 

On the Bright Side
We know some physics profs who could use the door opening problem as a neat exercise for their students to figure out the force exerted when wind hits the surface area of a standard size door that is angled to be perpendicular to the wind direction.
We don't have to go driving to the Waterloo post office next week to pick up broiler chicks.
We'll get on the ball and start the late batch of onions sooner rather than later.
We'll be encouraged to replace a door we meant to replace anyway.
We moved a whole bunch of stuff that needed moving anyway.
ALL of the chicks appear to be in good shape so far.
I have a super cool spouse with whom I enjoy spending my time - even when things don't go as planned.

Friday the 13th IS my lucky day.

It's That Time Again!

 First Posted; Saturday, May 8, 2010

"The Safety Plantz" by a Man with a Hat

The Dance of the Seedling Trays got me thinking about a certain tune. Then I started playing with different words for that song. I couldn't help myself - so here it is:

Revised lyrics for the Genuine Faux Farm to the tune "Safety Dance" by Men Without Hats

We can plant if we want to
We can leave clean hands behind
'Cause the seeds must grow and if they don't grow
We're in the unemployment line
I say, weeds can grow where they want to
Drive us out of our mindBut we can act like we care for this world
Leave the herbicides far behind
And we can plant

We can sow when we want to
The soil is warm, so we can try
And we can mess with peat, spend some time on our feet
And surprise 'em with the brocco-lie!
Say, we'll make a pact if you want to
If we don't, tell me who will?
And you can eat real food, good taste we'll include
And I can be green with chlorophyll!

[Refrain]
I say, we can sow, we can plant
Everything out in the ground
We can hoe, we can till
We're doing it from field to field
We can weed, we can mulch
Everybody look at our hands
We can wash, we can scrub
Nothing is gettin' them cle - e - ean!

We can water 'cuz we need to
We've got our seedling trays in line
As long as they could use it, not gonna refuse it
Everything'll work out right
I say, we can plant if we want to
We'll be plantin' all the time'Cause the seeds must grow and if they don't grow
Well we're in the unemployment line

[Refrain in early Spring when it could still frost or freeze]

Is it safe to plant, oh is it safe to plant? [6x]

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

The original lyrics of Safety Dance can be found here:http://www.lyricsondemand.com/onehitwonders/safetydancelyrics.html

A Howling Maelstrom of Silliness

Yes, that's what it was like outside today.  The temps were nice.  There was sunshine.  I now have a headache from being in the wind - and I made sure I wasn't in it all that long.  However, even if you work in a high tunnel, the wind has an impact on your day.  It is really LOUD in that building when the wind is going. 

Some quick news shorts about the farm:

• the disk harrow finally has been made to work.  As a result, we were able to disk nearly every one of our plots in a few hours.  Some will need further work - but this is a huge difference from the time required to do initial tillage in the past.
• the entire length of the old hog building that came down about 7 years ago is now cleaned up.  2/3rds of it now has cold frames along the foundation.  
• Not only have we had to mow some of our pasture areas, we couldn't catch the grass because it was TOO LONG.  April 5?  REALLY?
• It's going to freeze tonight...again....  Not unheard of.  But, the poor fruit trees are going to lose their flowers.  We knew this was coming.
• Mice in the seed trays.  This is bad.  They dig up the seed and eat it OR they mow off the seedlings.  Sticky traps?  Yep.  One down.  ? to go.
• Picked for the Spring CSA today (Monday).  Picked greens for Hansen's  Picked lettuce for Waverly Child Care.  Eggs cleaned.  Yep - ready for Tuesday deliveries.
• R worked on organizing the office for several hours today.  Why does it still look like the howling maelstrom of silliness hit it?  Wait, I think I see two pairs of cat eyes.  Hm.  Of course, it could also be that he's not finished with the job.

It's Late, But So What?

• On-farm Energy Production
  
  Tom Sawyer Days at the Genuine Faux Farm will have a whole new look and feel as a new purpose will be added. The addition of a local fuel production plant in Tripoli will encourage more small farms to grow dry beans with the express purpose of collecting methane gas.  GFF plans to ramp up dry bean production and increase the number of festival days in an effort to support renewable energy.
• Packaging Options
  
  A combination of wax and plastic will be used in an effort to meet new food safety regulations. A wax coating will be placed on each individual vegetable, which will then be surrounded by a vacuum wrap plastic. In an effort to also support recycling, GFF will encourage customers to reuse the plastic for lunchtime sandwiches. Also, a wick will be placed into the wax for each fruit, thus allowing your produce to double as a scented candle - as well as a delicious and healthy part of your meal.
• All Action No Talk
  
  An "All Action, No Talk Day" is being scheduled and sponsored by the Genuine Faux Farm.  Those interested will be required to attend three informational meetings prior to attending the actual event.  Those interested should probably say something.  But, you can put off doing anything else.
• Weed Maze 2012
  
  GFF enters agritourism with first annual weed maze.   Anticipated opening of the maze is sometime in August when the foxtail, pigweed and giant ragweed have had a chance to reach their growth potential.  Tammy was quoted as saying that this would work as long as those pesky tomatoes weren't always in the way.  An attempt to have a weed maze in 2011 was thwarted when the worker who was sent to mow the maze path was lost.  Recent field clean up revealed that the worker had survived the mild winter, eating frozen tomatoes and field mice.   
•  New Pen Pal Program
  
  In an effort to improve the general public's connection with their food, GFF introduces a new pen pal program.  Persons interested in getting to know their food will be allowed to pair up with different plants or animals on the farm to exchange letters.  While this may seem a bit odd to some, Rob points out that, "plants and animals thrive under attentive care.  Finding ways to show that you care results in a healthier and happier creature.  We're pretty sure we can figure out a way to make this work, but participants may have to send one letter (of the alphabet) at a time.  Hey, there's more than one reason it's called the 'Slow Food Movement.'"  Imagine getting to know your own personal radish or garlic friend.  Just watch out for the common taters, you won't get a word in edgewise.  Interested persons should send their first letter, with a request for a particular plant or animal to GFF at PO Box 121 Tripoli, IA 50676.