I don't know if T wants me to put this out here - but I'm going to any way because I am extremely proud of her.
We just received a letter in the mail from the college she works at - and it is a good letter. Says something about being pleased and granted tenure and stuff like that.
As a simple (minded) farmer, I am mildly perplexed by all of this. Don't really know what it means. But, since the letter seemed to be saying nice things about T, that must mean it is good.
Well done and congratulations!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
We're nuts...
But, of course - you already knew that.
We realize we aren't really all that big in terms of farms - or even CSA's. We have only five acres of vegetable plots and our entire farm is 14 or 15 acres (depending on the day and which number pops into our heads when asked). We have 93 CSA members signed up for this year.
Conventional farmers look at 14 acres and call it a 'hobby farm' and we are also aware of numerous CSA's that have hundreds of members. So, in the grand scheme of things - we're small.
But, in comparison to how we USED to think of things - this is big.
For example, we used to go looking for a new tree or a couple of bushes. Or, for that matter, we might consider a group of 25 bare root shrubs to give us a hedge line. That WAS considered a huge move.
So, what do we do now as a small project? We order a couple hundred bareroot trees/shrubs from the DNR. One hundred Nanking Cherries, 50 Hazelnut and 50 Norway Spruce. That's all. Thing is - this isn't the first time we've ordered from the DNR. Below you can see a two year old(!?) pic from one of our plots. In the foreground - you can see zucchini and summer squash. In the background, you can see our highbush cranberries and wild plums. they are twice that size now (the cranberries & plums - it's a wee bit too much to expect of summer squash and zucchini). I think we had 500 plants in that order.
Can't do anything small anymore.
We realize we aren't really all that big in terms of farms - or even CSA's. We have only five acres of vegetable plots and our entire farm is 14 or 15 acres (depending on the day and which number pops into our heads when asked). We have 93 CSA members signed up for this year.
Conventional farmers look at 14 acres and call it a 'hobby farm' and we are also aware of numerous CSA's that have hundreds of members. So, in the grand scheme of things - we're small.
But, in comparison to how we USED to think of things - this is big.
For example, we used to go looking for a new tree or a couple of bushes. Or, for that matter, we might consider a group of 25 bare root shrubs to give us a hedge line. That WAS considered a huge move.
So, what do we do now as a small project? We order a couple hundred bareroot trees/shrubs from the DNR. One hundred Nanking Cherries, 50 Hazelnut and 50 Norway Spruce. That's all. Thing is - this isn't the first time we've ordered from the DNR. Below you can see a two year old(!?) pic from one of our plots. In the foreground - you can see zucchini and summer squash. In the background, you can see our highbush cranberries and wild plums. they are twice that size now (the cranberries & plums - it's a wee bit too much to expect of summer squash and zucchini). I think we had 500 plants in that order.
Can't do anything small anymore.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
...and then a biting wind
Ah...I told you all the hard part was coming.
Little teases of warmer weather. Hints of the possibility of Spring. Promise for some weather to grow things.
Take that! Forty mile per hour gusts hitting us from the north-northwest and cooler temperatures have a way of quickly reminding you that you can't put the winter coat away just yet. And, it always surprises me how quickly I get UNUSED to the cooler stuff. And, this isn't nearly as bad as what we had earlier in the winter. In fact, I would have said this was pretty nice just a few weeks ago.
Guess I'll have to get over this and buck up.
But, it was nice to hear a robin singing in downtown Des Moines yesterday.
Little teases of warmer weather. Hints of the possibility of Spring. Promise for some weather to grow things.
Take that! Forty mile per hour gusts hitting us from the north-northwest and cooler temperatures have a way of quickly reminding you that you can't put the winter coat away just yet. And, it always surprises me how quickly I get UNUSED to the cooler stuff. And, this isn't nearly as bad as what we had earlier in the winter. In fact, I would have said this was pretty nice just a few weeks ago.
Guess I'll have to get over this and buck up.
But, it was nice to hear a robin singing in downtown Des Moines yesterday.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The Smell of Rain
For the first time in a what seems a long time, we had that lovely smell that only comes when the weather is warm enough to waft the combined smell of earth, plant matter and rain. Temps were only in the upper 30's F, but it was evidently enough to give a spring like feel to the day.
Ok, granted - there is still snow, the ground is still frozen and all of this will likely turn to snow as the system works its way through. But, you have to give me that moment where I almost felt like I was playing hooky from weeding the gardens....
Ok, granted - there is still snow, the ground is still frozen and all of this will likely turn to snow as the system works its way through. But, you have to give me that moment where I almost felt like I was playing hooky from weeding the gardens....
Monday, February 16, 2009
The Supply vs Demand Bowl
Nearly everyone is aware of the basic concepts of supply and demand.
But, the question here is - which one drives the other? Of course, I'm looking at it from the perspective of a vegetable farmer - so that can give us some context. And, it is ONLY a blog post - so don't expect to read this and pass your econ test tomorrow.
Demand takes an early lead.
I've had many growers indicate that they simply respond to what the market tells them to grow. If the newest thing showing up in food shows, etc is kohlrabi, they will increase production of that crop. Others are a bit more pragmatic and simply grow based on direct requests for new items and/or prior sales of things they already grow. But, in these cases, the producer will tell you that their crop decisions are largely based on an interpretation of demand.
What does this mean?
Positive take:
It means that every person who consumes food has a say in what gets grown, how it gets grown and where it is grown. If the producer base consists of a broad base that is waiting for market pressure - then the market pressure needs to be increased with demand for a quality product grown in a sustainable fashion.
Negative take:
Producers often are not willing to spend the time to promote things that are new and different - even if they could potentially do well with them. In fact, both producer becomes complacent and simply works to maintain or increase demand while they try to increase the supply of a less diverse set of crops. The consumer becomes complacent as they spend less time considering their options.
But, Supply makes a come back!
On the other hand, suppliers/producers have a responsibility that includes the education of those who make up potential demand for a product. Who else is more aware of the nuances of the product than the producer? We have to walk the fine line between education and propaganda to do this. But, a better informed consumer should be able to alter the demand to include a more diverse set of crops grown in more sustainable fashions.
In short - we all need to care enough to consider our options.
As a supplier of food - we need to take the time to continue to learn our job of growing food and educate the consumer as to their food choices. We need to be willing to innovate and take risks even if it means that we will not see immediate success in our first growing season with that new trial.
As a consumer of food - we need to take the time to learn how food is grown and who grows it - then make it clear that we want GOOD food. We need to be willing to take the time to put a little effort into getting our food and perhaps.....stop considering convenience to be the number 1 requirement?!
But, the question here is - which one drives the other? Of course, I'm looking at it from the perspective of a vegetable farmer - so that can give us some context. And, it is ONLY a blog post - so don't expect to read this and pass your econ test tomorrow.
Demand takes an early lead.
I've had many growers indicate that they simply respond to what the market tells them to grow. If the newest thing showing up in food shows, etc is kohlrabi, they will increase production of that crop. Others are a bit more pragmatic and simply grow based on direct requests for new items and/or prior sales of things they already grow. But, in these cases, the producer will tell you that their crop decisions are largely based on an interpretation of demand.
What does this mean?
Positive take:
It means that every person who consumes food has a say in what gets grown, how it gets grown and where it is grown. If the producer base consists of a broad base that is waiting for market pressure - then the market pressure needs to be increased with demand for a quality product grown in a sustainable fashion.
Negative take:
Producers often are not willing to spend the time to promote things that are new and different - even if they could potentially do well with them. In fact, both producer becomes complacent and simply works to maintain or increase demand while they try to increase the supply of a less diverse set of crops. The consumer becomes complacent as they spend less time considering their options.
But, Supply makes a come back!
On the other hand, suppliers/producers have a responsibility that includes the education of those who make up potential demand for a product. Who else is more aware of the nuances of the product than the producer? We have to walk the fine line between education and propaganda to do this. But, a better informed consumer should be able to alter the demand to include a more diverse set of crops grown in more sustainable fashions.
In short - we all need to care enough to consider our options.
As a supplier of food - we need to take the time to continue to learn our job of growing food and educate the consumer as to their food choices. We need to be willing to innovate and take risks even if it means that we will not see immediate success in our first growing season with that new trial.
As a consumer of food - we need to take the time to learn how food is grown and who grows it - then make it clear that we want GOOD food. We need to be willing to take the time to put a little effort into getting our food and perhaps.....stop considering convenience to be the number 1 requirement?!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Friday Moment (or... good or bad teacher)
I had a Friday moment today. This is ok - because it IS Friday. A good teacher can be flexible and go with the flow. A good teacher can adjust to the needs of their students. (side note - this is the end of week 7 out of 14 weeks in the semester at my college - at a normal school, this would be a good time for a break. Our school is NOT normal, however. We take our break after NINE weeks.) A bad teacher gives in to student wishes too often. A bad teacher does not follow through and is inconsistent with assignments.
So, you be the judge. For today's class we were going to have a discussion on 5 different theorists using the jigsaw method. Students were assigned their theorist to research and were to bring that information to class today. Jigsaws really only work well if there are an approximately even number of students in each group. So, we start the class today with over 20% of the class missing, with two of the groups being especially hit hard by absences and only having 2 vs 6 group members. The activity won't work. So, what's a prof to do? I could lecture instead of discuss. Or, I could throw the plan out the window and let them out a half hour early.
Heck with good or bad, I opted for good common sense, and, of course, being a hero. Test next week. TF
So, you be the judge. For today's class we were going to have a discussion on 5 different theorists using the jigsaw method. Students were assigned their theorist to research and were to bring that information to class today. Jigsaws really only work well if there are an approximately even number of students in each group. So, we start the class today with over 20% of the class missing, with two of the groups being especially hit hard by absences and only having 2 vs 6 group members. The activity won't work. So, what's a prof to do? I could lecture instead of discuss. Or, I could throw the plan out the window and let them out a half hour early.
Heck with good or bad, I opted for good common sense, and, of course, being a hero. Test next week. TF
Friday, February 13, 2009
Why is Eating Local Good?
I was just asked how eating locally positively impacts the environment. In answering such questions, I often find myself thinking....
All together now....
A dangerous pastime. I know.
As a result, I'm dumping a bunch of thoughts as to why eating locally produced food can be a good thing:
All together now....
A dangerous pastime. I know.
As a result, I'm dumping a bunch of thoughts as to why eating locally produced food can be a good thing:
- If you buy from a farmer you know, you can express how you want that farmer to do their business. You have MORE influence over how local producers go about their job than you do if you have no idea who is growing the food.
- Eating in-season and local shows a tremendous reduction in fossil fuel use. Food typically travels an average of 1300-1500 miles to get to our grocery stores.
- People who have a more direct connection to their food, food producers and the land tend to be more aware of the environment.
- Promoting local food sources encourages diversified crops. Diversity is more environmentally friendly than monocropping (single crops in large fields). Diversity is a more stable agricultural system that requires less in the form of governmental supports.
- Food that is picked ripe - or at least closer to ripe. Which means better taste and better nutrition.
- Varieties that were developed for taste and nutrition, rather than for shipping and shelf-life characteristics.
- Local growers have a tendency to buy more product for their businesses from other local businesses.
- More outdoor summer jobs for people who would like them.
- A world wide system of strong local food networks is safer than a world wide system of shipping from concentrated centers. As a computer scientist, I know that a redundant system is one that can keep going with less apparent distress than a centralized one.
- More local foods means more local foods producers - which means another alternative for local business development that promotes healthy communities, environment and economy.
- And...because this list MUST go to 11.... A stronger local food system can actually mean greater diversity in the selection of foods that we all have. That doesn't mean you will be getting bananas from us any time soon - but there is more diversity in food product than most of us know about. We simply allow ourselves to have tunnel vision within the limited set provided in our grocery stores.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Tomato Trellis Trials
Last year, we participated in a study sponsored by PFI and the Ceres Foundation to look at three different trellising techniques: cages, stake and weave and cattle panels. Unfortunately, the year was atypical for tomato production - so it is difficult to draw any real conclusions from the study. However, my curiosity is sufficient that I believe we will run our own trial again this season (without PFI and the other two farms).
The question is - what heirloom variety do we use this year for the trials. Last year it was Cherokee Purple. The variety tastes excellent, but is one we don't have the best success with on the farm. We'd rather spend the 60 plants it will take to do the trial on a different variety that we know tends to do consistently well for us. (never fear, we'll still grow Cherokee Purple - they are great tasting - just not 60 plants worth).
Candidates for the trial include:
Italian Heirloom
Trophy
German Pink
Wisconsin 55
Our tomato variety page is here.
Requirements for choice as the variety to test are:
- a variety that we want the kind of production 60 plants can give us. In other words, we need the demand for that sort of tomato!
- indeterminate cultivar
- larger plants (indeterminate tends to handle that)
- sufficient production levels to perhaps show some differences by trellising method
German Pink may eliminate itself because it produces very large (wonderful) fruit - but not a huge number of them (about 13-15 per plant). Trophy and Wisconsin 55 are our workhorse red, intermediate sized tomatoes. There is always demand for moderate sized slicers. Trophy tends to hold on to its fruit better than the 55's. But, could the 55's be easier to keep up with using a method other than cages? Hm.
Our initial thought is to go with the Italian Heirlooms. Larger, 1 pound fruits start earlier than even the Trophy's and 55's. They are meaty, tasty and one of our favorites. But, would it be better to go with one of the other varieties?
We'll keep you informed. Any votes out there?
The question is - what heirloom variety do we use this year for the trials. Last year it was Cherokee Purple. The variety tastes excellent, but is one we don't have the best success with on the farm. We'd rather spend the 60 plants it will take to do the trial on a different variety that we know tends to do consistently well for us. (never fear, we'll still grow Cherokee Purple - they are great tasting - just not 60 plants worth).
Candidates for the trial include:
Italian Heirloom
Trophy
German Pink
Wisconsin 55
Our tomato variety page is here.
Requirements for choice as the variety to test are:
- a variety that we want the kind of production 60 plants can give us. In other words, we need the demand for that sort of tomato!
- indeterminate cultivar
- larger plants (indeterminate tends to handle that)
- sufficient production levels to perhaps show some differences by trellising method
German Pink may eliminate itself because it produces very large (wonderful) fruit - but not a huge number of them (about 13-15 per plant). Trophy and Wisconsin 55 are our workhorse red, intermediate sized tomatoes. There is always demand for moderate sized slicers. Trophy tends to hold on to its fruit better than the 55's. But, could the 55's be easier to keep up with using a method other than cages? Hm.
Our initial thought is to go with the Italian Heirlooms. Larger, 1 pound fruits start earlier than even the Trophy's and 55's. They are meaty, tasty and one of our favorites. But, would it be better to go with one of the other varieties?
We'll keep you informed. Any votes out there?
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Now for the Hard Part
The last couple days have been wonderful -with temperatures well above normal for early February. There is a LOT less snow at the farm than there was just a little while ago. It's a good indicator of how long we've had snow cover when your brain keeps sending little alarm bells that things look very different when you walk outside.
Perhaps the nicest thing was all of the natural light we had yesterday (Tuesday). Even when I was working in the office, I felt everything was bright and cheerful. Not bad for someone who is as even tempered as I am (always mad).
Average high temps at this time are around 30 degrees Fahrenheit and lows are around 12. I suspect we're all going to have a difficult time accepting that after a few days of relative warmth. There's nothing quite like a couple of warm days, lots of snow melt and a good bit of sunshine to start making all of us expect (unreasonably) that we'll be running around in short sleeves and putting on sunblock in a matter of a few days.
Sorry everyone, I think we have a bit more winter to get through yet. In fact, it is not at all unreasonable to expect another two or three day long cold snap that puts us down below zero again. As a veg farmer, I might like to see another snow fall or two. Nothing horrible, just a little cover for the ground.
Regardless, it's time to start keeping your eyes out for your first robin. Many of them do not go as far south as you think and will show up on a sunny day as early as January if there's a nice microclimate by a building or some such thing.
Perhaps the nicest thing was all of the natural light we had yesterday (Tuesday). Even when I was working in the office, I felt everything was bright and cheerful. Not bad for someone who is as even tempered as I am (always mad).
Average high temps at this time are around 30 degrees Fahrenheit and lows are around 12. I suspect we're all going to have a difficult time accepting that after a few days of relative warmth. There's nothing quite like a couple of warm days, lots of snow melt and a good bit of sunshine to start making all of us expect (unreasonably) that we'll be running around in short sleeves and putting on sunblock in a matter of a few days.
Sorry everyone, I think we have a bit more winter to get through yet. In fact, it is not at all unreasonable to expect another two or three day long cold snap that puts us down below zero again. As a veg farmer, I might like to see another snow fall or two. Nothing horrible, just a little cover for the ground.
Regardless, it's time to start keeping your eyes out for your first robin. Many of them do not go as far south as you think and will show up on a sunny day as early as January if there's a nice microclimate by a building or some such thing.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Excuse me sir, but may I have more gruel?
If you aren't involved in agriculture, you probably missed this news story in November - despite its appearance on the front page in Iowa. And, I'm writing about it because I suspect many intelligent folk (read in - you!) are generally unaware of how these things work.
The November GAO report identified $49 million dollars that were given out between 2003 and 2006 for farm program payments to ineligible or inappropriate recipients.
I'll admit, this is a small percentage of the nearly $15 billion paid out annually for farm commodity crop support programs. However, take the information above AND the fact that 10% of the recipients receive 67% of the total payout. This makes it clear to me how this program impacts our nation's agricultural system. Small, non-commodity crop producers need not apply.
And, before you tell me that $49 million is a drop in the bucket in the grand scheme of things - let me remind you that just $10,000 to small farms such as ours would serve nearly 5000 of us. That much money is enough to put a roof on a barn such as ours. Or put up high tunnels for extended local food production. Or put in reasonable cooling facilities for produce storage. Or help us to put up a wind turbine - or solar panels.
If we're going to put money into agriculture, why do we insist on putting it into a structure that encourages reliance on a price structure support? It doesn't increase the desire to innovate or pursue sustainable alternatives. All it does is encourage us to work harder to milk the highest yields of a limited number of crops for the highest monetary return. Then, we have to come up with programs (such as CRP - which I am not entirely against for other reasons) to encourage farmers to reduce production of those commodity crops.
Meanwhile, the bottom line (highest yield per acre) is bought at a cost that is yet to be fully realized. Why do you think so few of our farmers are willing to try to reduce tillage or spray levels? One factor is the simple fact that price supports like these can make innovation risks seem more costly than they are. All it takes is a little bit of misperception and alot of institutional bias and you leave our farmers with a very limited set of choices.
And... if there is one thing I am learning, it's to understand why people do things the way they do. That 10% that receives 67% of the payments are likely driving policy. That leaves 90% of the commodity crop farmers playing the game - in part - because they believe they have to if they want to make a decent profit.
The November GAO report identified $49 million dollars that were given out between 2003 and 2006 for farm program payments to ineligible or inappropriate recipients.
- eligible recipients must earn less than $2.5 million annually.
- eligible recipients must be actively engaged in farming.
- farm programs focus on commodity crops (corn, cotton, rice, soybeans and wheat)
I'll admit, this is a small percentage of the nearly $15 billion paid out annually for farm commodity crop support programs. However, take the information above AND the fact that 10% of the recipients receive 67% of the total payout. This makes it clear to me how this program impacts our nation's agricultural system. Small, non-commodity crop producers need not apply.
And, before you tell me that $49 million is a drop in the bucket in the grand scheme of things - let me remind you that just $10,000 to small farms such as ours would serve nearly 5000 of us. That much money is enough to put a roof on a barn such as ours. Or put up high tunnels for extended local food production. Or put in reasonable cooling facilities for produce storage. Or help us to put up a wind turbine - or solar panels.
If we're going to put money into agriculture, why do we insist on putting it into a structure that encourages reliance on a price structure support? It doesn't increase the desire to innovate or pursue sustainable alternatives. All it does is encourage us to work harder to milk the highest yields of a limited number of crops for the highest monetary return. Then, we have to come up with programs (such as CRP - which I am not entirely against for other reasons) to encourage farmers to reduce production of those commodity crops.
Meanwhile, the bottom line (highest yield per acre) is bought at a cost that is yet to be fully realized. Why do you think so few of our farmers are willing to try to reduce tillage or spray levels? One factor is the simple fact that price supports like these can make innovation risks seem more costly than they are. All it takes is a little bit of misperception and alot of institutional bias and you leave our farmers with a very limited set of choices.
And... if there is one thing I am learning, it's to understand why people do things the way they do. That 10% that receives 67% of the payments are likely driving policy. That leaves 90% of the commodity crop farmers playing the game - in part - because they believe they have to if they want to make a decent profit.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Uninvited vandal
I saw a picture from someone who has a worse raccoon problem than we do! This was apparently taken in her KITCHEN! And we thought WE had a raccoon problem! The buggers tore up the barn last night - ripped a sack of lime pellets to shreds, scattered the lime (which is certainly NOT edible, so they were just being destructive), tossed around empty trash cans and dumped the cat's water dish. Luckily, we HAVE learned to keep chicken and cat food in WELL secured containers.
The photo comes from http://www.rhymeswithorange.com/
Saturday, February 7, 2009
What do you miss?
Ok,
We had a wonderful meal of baked whole chicken with barbeque sauce, broccoli, corn and milk.
The cool part. The chicken and broccoli were from our farm. The sweet corn from a local farmer. The milk and butter from a local farm. Only the barbeque sauce doesn't qualify for a locavore - guess we're going to have to start making our own.
The broccoli and corn were two things we froze last summer for use this winter. They tasted very good - but frozen or canned NEVER matches up with fresh from the garden.
So - what fresh garden produce are you missing right now?
R's Vote: Green Beans - so fresh that they SQUEAK when you chew them.
We had a wonderful meal of baked whole chicken with barbeque sauce, broccoli, corn and milk.
The cool part. The chicken and broccoli were from our farm. The sweet corn from a local farmer. The milk and butter from a local farm. Only the barbeque sauce doesn't qualify for a locavore - guess we're going to have to start making our own.
The broccoli and corn were two things we froze last summer for use this winter. They tasted very good - but frozen or canned NEVER matches up with fresh from the garden.
So - what fresh garden produce are you missing right now?
R's Vote: Green Beans - so fresh that they SQUEAK when you chew them.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Birds of a Feather
Both of us were able to attend the Cooperator's Meeting for Practical Farmers of Iowa on Thursday of this week (R went last year). It is, in reality, a two-day event. But, something about T having a real job precluded our being there for day two. Well, that, and the fact that there is much to do and less time to do it in.
Last year, GFF was involved in a tomato trellising trial project funded by the Ceres Foundation and coordinated by PFI. One result of this was the field day we hosted last fall. It is likely that we will be involved in some different research projects this year. One (or so) horticultural and one with respect to poultry. We'll keep you posted as we learn more.
However, the biggest benefit to us comes from the opportunity to see and converse with others who do things similar to what we do. It is a splendid opportunity to commisserate, share ideas and explore resources. Everyone in the horticulture group is just as interested in learning more as we are, which means we can discuss topics in some depth.
Perhaps the strangest things about being involved in groups like this is how your perceptions of the group, individuals in the group and your place in the group change. For example, there are members of the group that we identified early as those with experience and knowledge in the areas we aspired to enter. They are no less admirable now than they were then - but we find ourselves speaking to them as peers and are no longer shocked when they divulge problems in production that we once irrationally believed couldn't cause them grief. Instead, we have learned that many problems and issues will persist regardless of experience and prior successes. We are working as a group to continue to fill our tool boxes with strategies and processes that we can use. Each time I attend a PFI event, I come away with hope that we can...eventually...make a difference in how we grow things in this state.
Here's hoping.
Last year, GFF was involved in a tomato trellising trial project funded by the Ceres Foundation and coordinated by PFI. One result of this was the field day we hosted last fall. It is likely that we will be involved in some different research projects this year. One (or so) horticultural and one with respect to poultry. We'll keep you posted as we learn more.
However, the biggest benefit to us comes from the opportunity to see and converse with others who do things similar to what we do. It is a splendid opportunity to commisserate, share ideas and explore resources. Everyone in the horticulture group is just as interested in learning more as we are, which means we can discuss topics in some depth.
Perhaps the strangest things about being involved in groups like this is how your perceptions of the group, individuals in the group and your place in the group change. For example, there are members of the group that we identified early as those with experience and knowledge in the areas we aspired to enter. They are no less admirable now than they were then - but we find ourselves speaking to them as peers and are no longer shocked when they divulge problems in production that we once irrationally believed couldn't cause them grief. Instead, we have learned that many problems and issues will persist regardless of experience and prior successes. We are working as a group to continue to fill our tool boxes with strategies and processes that we can use. Each time I attend a PFI event, I come away with hope that we can...eventually...make a difference in how we grow things in this state.
Here's hoping.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Pastimes
T was good enough to find a YouTube cut of the Beauty and the Beast Disney animated movie with the song about Gaston that includes the wonderful lines:
You know, Lafou, I've been thinking.
A dangerous pastime.
I know...
Here it is - take this link.
And, speaking of pastimes - here's another that sometimes gets my attention. I'm a postal historian/philatelist and I'm slowly putting some things together that match our farming endeavors with the hobby. This one is a bit contrived - but it's pretty. The only thing I have to say about it is to put a bit of a DIG on the "Crops of the Americas" label. The truth - most of the pictured items were grown by Native Americans. In fact, squash, dry beans and corn were known as the 'three sisters' and are a wonderful example of early companion planting. It was also not uncommon to include sunflowers in the companion mix. However, the implication is that these are present day crops of the Americas - either not true in the forms shown here or certainly not on the scale implied here. At least they didn't do 'commodity crops of the Americas!"
We have seen a 100+ acre field of sunflowers and I will say that it was something to behold!
Then there's this 1890's advertising cover. It more than likely contained a personal correspondence since the addressee has the last name, Faxon - and it's addressed to a Hotel - indicating likely travel. If anyone knows if the Faxon squash strain still exists somewhere in the world, let me know. I don' t necessarily want to grow it - I just want to know - because I can't help myself.
You know, Lafou, I've been thinking.
A dangerous pastime.
I know...
Here it is - take this link.
And, speaking of pastimes - here's another that sometimes gets my attention. I'm a postal historian/philatelist and I'm slowly putting some things together that match our farming endeavors with the hobby. This one is a bit contrived - but it's pretty. The only thing I have to say about it is to put a bit of a DIG on the "Crops of the Americas" label. The truth - most of the pictured items were grown by Native Americans. In fact, squash, dry beans and corn were known as the 'three sisters' and are a wonderful example of early companion planting. It was also not uncommon to include sunflowers in the companion mix. However, the implication is that these are present day crops of the Americas - either not true in the forms shown here or certainly not on the scale implied here. At least they didn't do 'commodity crops of the Americas!"
We have seen a 100+ acre field of sunflowers and I will say that it was something to behold!
Then there's this 1890's advertising cover. It more than likely contained a personal correspondence since the addressee has the last name, Faxon - and it's addressed to a Hotel - indicating likely travel. If anyone knows if the Faxon squash strain still exists somewhere in the world, let me know. I don' t necessarily want to grow it - I just want to know - because I can't help myself.
Monday, February 2, 2009
In Need of Repair
I've been thinking (all together now)...a dangerous pastime.
Then, I happened to read something on those thoughts and then I thought some more. Think. Think. Think. (as a certain Milne character might say)
What are some of the biggest blocks for an increase in local food producers?
I can give you one. Health Care.
In fact, I think you could expand this into the category of - what stops many of our conventional farmers from innovating and trying new things? Health Care.
Before you think I'm posting on this because we're having difficulties, let me assure you that we are fine. Both of us are in good health and we do have reasonable health insurance. Why? Because, one of us works full time off the farm. And it is SOOO easy for people who have health insurance to not make this a priority issue.
And, there lies one of the key points. If you haven't figured it out yet - farming and growing food (at whatever level), is a full-time endeavor. Yet, if you want health insurance, someone in your family must work another full-time job. Add into this, the current levels of unemployment and the fact that many businesses would like to cut costs AND the higher rates for insurance. What MUST we conclude - it's time to reorganize our health care system.
And, while we're at it, let's find a way to stop penalizing local food systems to further our health network. Or better yet, let's make it possible for the healthiest foods to be delivered to our schools, hospitals, retirement homes and other institutions that are key to the health of people.
Let's fix this people. Are you busy? Yes? Do something anyway.
Look at this information provided by the Center for Rural Affairs. Towards the bottom are several models for solutions. I am not advocating at present for any one of these - just that we must see progress. There's been talk - and no effective action.
You may also find food for thought at the Access Project. The Access Project is a result of some of the work at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. Once again, I'm not advocating a specific solution - but we need to be pushing to get one.
Then, I happened to read something on those thoughts and then I thought some more. Think. Think. Think. (as a certain Milne character might say)
What are some of the biggest blocks for an increase in local food producers?
I can give you one. Health Care.
In fact, I think you could expand this into the category of - what stops many of our conventional farmers from innovating and trying new things? Health Care.
Before you think I'm posting on this because we're having difficulties, let me assure you that we are fine. Both of us are in good health and we do have reasonable health insurance. Why? Because, one of us works full time off the farm. And it is SOOO easy for people who have health insurance to not make this a priority issue.
And, there lies one of the key points. If you haven't figured it out yet - farming and growing food (at whatever level), is a full-time endeavor. Yet, if you want health insurance, someone in your family must work another full-time job. Add into this, the current levels of unemployment and the fact that many businesses would like to cut costs AND the higher rates for insurance. What MUST we conclude - it's time to reorganize our health care system.
And, while we're at it, let's find a way to stop penalizing local food systems to further our health network. Or better yet, let's make it possible for the healthiest foods to be delivered to our schools, hospitals, retirement homes and other institutions that are key to the health of people.
Let's fix this people. Are you busy? Yes? Do something anyway.
Look at this information provided by the Center for Rural Affairs. Towards the bottom are several models for solutions. I am not advocating at present for any one of these - just that we must see progress. There's been talk - and no effective action.
You may also find food for thought at the Access Project. The Access Project is a result of some of the work at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. Once again, I'm not advocating a specific solution - but we need to be pushing to get one.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Animal Dreams
What do vegetable farmers dream about?
Apparently this one dreams about being chased by farm animals. I wouldn't qualify this one as a 'bad' dream. I might say it was a 'funny' dream (alot of funny 'strange' a bit of funny 'haha'). In fact, when I woke up at the end of the dream, I remembered it well enough to think to myself - "Self, that was both weird and oddly amusing. You should blog about that."
My thought this morning after getting more sleep was, "Self (I call myself 'self'?!?), how could you have found that dream to be amusing? It's just weird and not worth sharing."
Suffice it to say that the whole thing started with cats on the roof I was trying to put on a building, followed by lots of turkey chicks being let out in the yard by some unknown individual who meant to cause me grief. Of course, the next part has me trying to deal with turkeys that had grown to be bigger than I was. I found I could herd them by leading them and found myself running through a maze of fencing with turkeys and numerous other critters following. The appearance of a car commuter lane on the right really added to the ambiance.
For those who might care - NONE of the animals were goats.
Apparently this one dreams about being chased by farm animals. I wouldn't qualify this one as a 'bad' dream. I might say it was a 'funny' dream (alot of funny 'strange' a bit of funny 'haha'). In fact, when I woke up at the end of the dream, I remembered it well enough to think to myself - "Self, that was both weird and oddly amusing. You should blog about that."
My thought this morning after getting more sleep was, "Self (I call myself 'self'?!?), how could you have found that dream to be amusing? It's just weird and not worth sharing."
Suffice it to say that the whole thing started with cats on the roof I was trying to put on a building, followed by lots of turkey chicks being let out in the yard by some unknown individual who meant to cause me grief. Of course, the next part has me trying to deal with turkeys that had grown to be bigger than I was. I found I could herd them by leading them and found myself running through a maze of fencing with turkeys and numerous other critters following. The appearance of a car commuter lane on the right really added to the ambiance.
For those who might care - NONE of the animals were goats.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Local lunch
I am taking a couple of minutes for lunch (as in, I don't really have the time, but I am MAKING the time so I don't freak out in class in a few minutes). As I was snarfing my yummy food (taking time does not, unfortunately mean "slowly savoring"), I was reflecting on a) how nice it is that I have lunch here and don't have to do somewhere to find food and b) how colorful my lunch is today.
What's on this locavore's lunch list? Ham and Bean chowder - made with beans grown in my own garden (still experimenting with how to grow dried beans on any sort of doable scale), onions and spices from my own garden and ham from a friend's farm that is about 40 miles away. Also on the menu was some very yummy and very orange hubbard squash. While not from my own garden, darn that flood and those squash bugs!, it is still from within a county, and I know the farmer who raised the squash. So, a very nice local lunch today.
tf
What's on this locavore's lunch list? Ham and Bean chowder - made with beans grown in my own garden (still experimenting with how to grow dried beans on any sort of doable scale), onions and spices from my own garden and ham from a friend's farm that is about 40 miles away. Also on the menu was some very yummy and very orange hubbard squash. While not from my own garden, darn that flood and those squash bugs!, it is still from within a county, and I know the farmer who raised the squash. So, a very nice local lunch today.
tf
Monday, January 26, 2009
Veg is GOOD for you?
One of the advantages of being involved in a group such as Practical Farmers of Iowa is the possibility that other persons interested in things you care about might share things they find.
A recent post referenced a Feb 2009 article by Donald R Davis in the HortScience journal. While this is pretty much a literature review - the topic is interesting.
Here's a quick take:
First blush? I'm not surprised. In fact, these results make perfect sense to me. Want to know why? (that's called a "tease")
A recent post referenced a Feb 2009 article by Donald R Davis in the HortScience journal. While this is pretty much a literature review - the topic is interesting.
Here's a quick take:
- High yield cultivars (veg varieties) tend to have lower nutrient levels than lower yield cultivars.
- Average nutrient levels in fruit/veg in the US/UK has declined since the 1940's
- Application of fertilizer/chemicals increase the content of those elements while reducing other nutrients in vegetables.
First blush? I'm not surprised. In fact, these results make perfect sense to me. Want to know why? (that's called a "tease")
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Giant Jig Saw
We're putting the finishing touches on our field plans for 2009. And, even though I know better, I feel like I should be done any moment now when I hear the words "finishing touches".
However, in this case, the finishing touches are to figure out which dates everything will get done (the order is largely figured) and determine the final amounts of seed to order. It doesn't seem like it should take me so long to do. But, then I remember how many different plans I have to work with at one time.
We work with 11 different plots. Seven are in one rotation and four in the other. Each plot is approximately 10,000 square feet. And each plot has a different plan with nuances that give us a bit more to think about.
So, let's start with a relatively easy one. The tomato plot in the rotation. What's to think about?
First - you have to decide what varieties you want to grow for your tomatoes. This wasn't too terribly hard to figure out. You start with the cultivars from prior years that you want to keep. Make the final decision on the ones you discontinue and then look for a few new additions. HOWEVER, the cultivar selection has to be balanced so you have proper amounts of cherry types, snack/salad types, slicer, paste, large, small, etc. Oh, and we haven't mentioned that these are heirlooms, so we have lots of color types and taste varieties - so we'd better balance that out too. The good news? This process is fun - we love to check out different heirloom varieties - the hard part is limiting how many we do.
Next up on the list - how many of each of these cultivars will go in the plot? The balancing act begins. And, of course, there has to be some sort of back up plan if a cultivar fails to grow in our seed starting process. In this process, we determine which varieties are our workhorses and which are there as 'ornamentation.' They will all, hopefully, produce well. But, we know which ones have been most reliable for us -and we tend to grow more of those cultivars to provide the base for our tomato production. Workhorses for us have been (and will continue to be) Trophy, Wisconsin 55, Golden Sunray, Italian Heirloom, German Pink, Amish Paste and Speckled Roman.
Plot layout begins as step three (although it has been part of 1 and 2 - it's just hard to lay out steps when they are so inter-related). At this point, we determine placement of cultivars in relations to each other, spacing, trellising methods, mulching methods and companion crops.
Ah...companion crops. So, there is something we harvest from this field other than tomatoes. Basil, cilantro, summer savory and some other spices all go in this plot to help the tomatoes to grow. It just so happens that they also have value as a crop. So - guess what - we get to look at more cultivars and make more choices - hurrah!
Field maintenance - you know - cultivation, mulching, cover crops, compost application. That's got to be figured. In this case, we'll have a couple of undersewn cover crop trials going and a fall cover crop sewn where the shortest season tomatoes and spices reside.
Ok, got all that done. Now...what sort of supplies must be acquired and how much of each? Obviously, we must get seeds for tomatoes, companions and cover crops. The field plan helps us determine how many of each. But, wait - we also sell plants in the spring. Guess we better figure out how much of those we intend to carry too. Then there is the seed starting soil - how much of that do we need? And trays, etc etc. Wait a minute - do we have enough seed starting shelves built? hmmmm.
Now, when should we start these seeds? When do we get the cultivation done, and when are we going to need extra help? Rather than list all of our time considerations - we'll let you imagine them!
and remember... this one goes to eleven.
Trying to get a time line that works for all eleven plots is one giant jig saw.
However, in this case, the finishing touches are to figure out which dates everything will get done (the order is largely figured) and determine the final amounts of seed to order. It doesn't seem like it should take me so long to do. But, then I remember how many different plans I have to work with at one time.
We work with 11 different plots. Seven are in one rotation and four in the other. Each plot is approximately 10,000 square feet. And each plot has a different plan with nuances that give us a bit more to think about.
So, let's start with a relatively easy one. The tomato plot in the rotation. What's to think about?
First - you have to decide what varieties you want to grow for your tomatoes. This wasn't too terribly hard to figure out. You start with the cultivars from prior years that you want to keep. Make the final decision on the ones you discontinue and then look for a few new additions. HOWEVER, the cultivar selection has to be balanced so you have proper amounts of cherry types, snack/salad types, slicer, paste, large, small, etc. Oh, and we haven't mentioned that these are heirlooms, so we have lots of color types and taste varieties - so we'd better balance that out too. The good news? This process is fun - we love to check out different heirloom varieties - the hard part is limiting how many we do.
Next up on the list - how many of each of these cultivars will go in the plot? The balancing act begins. And, of course, there has to be some sort of back up plan if a cultivar fails to grow in our seed starting process. In this process, we determine which varieties are our workhorses and which are there as 'ornamentation.' They will all, hopefully, produce well. But, we know which ones have been most reliable for us -and we tend to grow more of those cultivars to provide the base for our tomato production. Workhorses for us have been (and will continue to be) Trophy, Wisconsin 55, Golden Sunray, Italian Heirloom, German Pink, Amish Paste and Speckled Roman.
Plot layout begins as step three (although it has been part of 1 and 2 - it's just hard to lay out steps when they are so inter-related). At this point, we determine placement of cultivars in relations to each other, spacing, trellising methods, mulching methods and companion crops.
Ah...companion crops. So, there is something we harvest from this field other than tomatoes. Basil, cilantro, summer savory and some other spices all go in this plot to help the tomatoes to grow. It just so happens that they also have value as a crop. So - guess what - we get to look at more cultivars and make more choices - hurrah!
Field maintenance - you know - cultivation, mulching, cover crops, compost application. That's got to be figured. In this case, we'll have a couple of undersewn cover crop trials going and a fall cover crop sewn where the shortest season tomatoes and spices reside.
Ok, got all that done. Now...what sort of supplies must be acquired and how much of each? Obviously, we must get seeds for tomatoes, companions and cover crops. The field plan helps us determine how many of each. But, wait - we also sell plants in the spring. Guess we better figure out how much of those we intend to carry too. Then there is the seed starting soil - how much of that do we need? And trays, etc etc. Wait a minute - do we have enough seed starting shelves built? hmmmm.
Now, when should we start these seeds? When do we get the cultivation done, and when are we going to need extra help? Rather than list all of our time considerations - we'll let you imagine them!
and remember... this one goes to eleven.
Trying to get a time line that works for all eleven plots is one giant jig saw.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Perceptions
I saw this cartoon today and started to think about perceptions. Is it smart to try to make people perceive you as smart? I was at work WAY too late last night, then could not get to sleep right away. So, any thoughts I had about being perceived as smart today are buried beneath the fog in my brain and bags under my eyes.
Wait - Pythagorean Theorem - that ought to do it! Yes, you now know that I am smart! (Bonus points for anyone who can come up with a rhyme for Pythagorean Theorem!).
tf (not so qbt today)
addendum by rf:
Unfortunately for tf, her students may rebel if they hear about things that are math related...
Wait - Pythagorean Theorem - that ought to do it! Yes, you now know that I am smart! (Bonus points for anyone who can come up with a rhyme for Pythagorean Theorem!).
tf (not so qbt today)
addendum by rf:
Unfortunately for tf, her students may rebel if they hear about things that are math related...
Monday, January 19, 2009
No...not in threes!?!
The old saying about things happening in threes is true - as long as you know when to start and stop your counting.
For example, I sprained my ankle three times...in four years. So, there you are - proof of the concept.
With this in mind, I am frantically trying to figure out a third thing to go with a pair of problems we are now having to deal with.
Our tractor (with the snow blower attachment) informed us last night that it was going on strike. This morning, our hot water heat in the house informed us that it wants some attention. We do not want, or need, a third such item - so I have to think of something of equivalent nature to add to them in order to make it a trio. Then we should be safe....until the urge to count strikes us again.
For example, I sprained my ankle three times...in four years. So, there you are - proof of the concept.
With this in mind, I am frantically trying to figure out a third thing to go with a pair of problems we are now having to deal with.
Our tractor (with the snow blower attachment) informed us last night that it was going on strike. This morning, our hot water heat in the house informed us that it wants some attention. We do not want, or need, a third such item - so I have to think of something of equivalent nature to add to them in order to make it a trio. Then we should be safe....until the urge to count strikes us again.
Friday, January 16, 2009
You know it's cold when...
- the battery in your outdoor thermometer freezes
- icicles form on your scarf after just 15 minutes outside
- a high of 5 degrees Fahrenheit sounds warm
- there is a duck in your kitchen (again)
- it takes you a half hour to put on/take off the layers you wear when you go outside
- chicken eggs chip the cement when you throw them against it - but the egg doesn't break
- water droplets tossed from a mug bounce when they hit the ground
- breathing through your mouth makes you cough and through your nose freezes your nostrils shut
- your cat won't move from her box near the radiator
- a 5 mile per hour breeze feels like gale-forced winds
- the soles of your boots don't bend with your feet like you're used to them doing
- you have to turn your whole body to look for something that is a bit to your right, just so you can see it (consider the scarf, hood, etc...)
- even the sun dogs are trying to get inside
- you can almost see the needle on the home's propane tank go down (but that might be the icicle growing on your eyelashes)
- you can actually feel the difference between -30 degrees F and -20 degrees F
- what you thought was the sound of a bird chattering away was just its knees knocking together
- baling wire breaks when you try to bend it
- you feel better only after you remind yourself of the winter you spent in Duluth where the temps didn't get above zero for the whole month of January...
Saturday, January 10, 2009
...or was it Continuously Delayed Perfection?
I'm sure this saying has been around for a while, but it is nonetheless a proverb that reminds us of lessons in the planning and production on our farm.
Strive for continuous improvement rather than delayed perfection.
Corollary - Continuous improvement versus extreme makeover.
January is our big planning month for the growing season. We have to avoid two diametrically opposed dangers. The danger of over-analyzing and failing to take any action and the danger of wanting to do it all - now. For our part, we try to walk the fine line that is an incremental approach. That doesn't mean we aren't aggressively trying to improve the workings of the farm - far from it. But, it does mean we realize a few key things about veg farming:
Case in point - Season extension.
We are certainly capable of expanding our season. In fact, on a small scale, we've picked fresh produce as late as mid-December and as early as April. Yes, others do better than this. Yes, we could do better than this. But, the question may not be "can we?"
We could invest in a high tunnel (unheated greenhouse) and work hard to expand our season on both ends. It would cost money to do this - but I suspect we could find a way to get funding. We've never put up a greenhouse - but we can get help and we're not helpless - we can figure it out. We've never grown things this way before - but again - there are plenty of resources and we have plenty of knowledge to start us out. So what stops us?
A shortage of resources? Yes, time and money are part of the equation. But, the real resource that isn't currently available for this project is personal energy to make it happen. People tend to forget what season extension implies for the grower in terms of workload. For an additional X weeks of the year, we will have to be planting/tending/harvesting/distributing. We're not ready for that responsibility. Perhaps if we didn't have an old house to maintain and a farm with older buildings to resurrect we'd consider it sooner. But, right now, we need the time away from the growing season to accomplish other necessary things in our lives!
So, what do we do? We concentrate on a reasonable season extension project - a new spring planting plan that refines what we already do so that we have a stronger first four weeks of the harvesting season. Some of our strategies for this year (for those who might care):
We've done this before with reasonable success. The hardest part was finding the time and energy to put these things in with proper timing. We were still harvesting tomatoes this year in mid-October and still delivering to our CSA through the month of October. That left little time for field cleanup, fall planting, etc. Things are not always so simple as 'just do it'....the list of things to 'just do' is often too long for that logic.
Tray planted seedlings
We favored direct planting until last year - when we had germination problems in the fields. Transplants may cost a bit more in terms of resources, but the success rate is far higher. So, the returns, in the end, are likely to be more consistent. It is far easier to keep a row clean with plants that are already established to the transplant stage. This year, we'll run our earliest lettuce planting as transplants and our summer plantings as transplants (when temps are too high for best germination rates). Eventually, we hope to convert to soil blocks so that we don't use the plastic trays as much.
Week by week season plan
This may sound a little excessive. After all, I've never been accused of failing to plan - at least where gardening is concerned. Up until now, our plans have been good, but not good enough to make the necessary improvisation that occurs each year any easier. Too much of the season plan resides in one person's head (and I'm a legend in my own mind...). Thus, making it difficult to allow for any modification other than those I make. There's far too much talent involved in this farm to limit it in this fashion. So, we're going to have a written week-by-week plan of intended tasks/goals.
I've heard from other experienced growers including Richard DeWilde and Elliot Coleman that this sort of planning is important -and I believe them. But, since I haven't tried to do this explicit planning before, it will be difficult.
Stay tuned and find out how we do with these changes!
Strive for continuous improvement rather than delayed perfection.
Corollary - Continuous improvement versus extreme makeover.
January is our big planning month for the growing season. We have to avoid two diametrically opposed dangers. The danger of over-analyzing and failing to take any action and the danger of wanting to do it all - now. For our part, we try to walk the fine line that is an incremental approach. That doesn't mean we aren't aggressively trying to improve the workings of the farm - far from it. But, it does mean we realize a few key things about veg farming:
- What works in one growing season may not work the next
- What works for some farmers may not work for others
- You must be ready to make the change and be prepared to maintain it - otherwise it will fail
Case in point - Season extension.
We are certainly capable of expanding our season. In fact, on a small scale, we've picked fresh produce as late as mid-December and as early as April. Yes, others do better than this. Yes, we could do better than this. But, the question may not be "can we?"
We could invest in a high tunnel (unheated greenhouse) and work hard to expand our season on both ends. It would cost money to do this - but I suspect we could find a way to get funding. We've never put up a greenhouse - but we can get help and we're not helpless - we can figure it out. We've never grown things this way before - but again - there are plenty of resources and we have plenty of knowledge to start us out. So what stops us?
A shortage of resources? Yes, time and money are part of the equation. But, the real resource that isn't currently available for this project is personal energy to make it happen. People tend to forget what season extension implies for the grower in terms of workload. For an additional X weeks of the year, we will have to be planting/tending/harvesting/distributing. We're not ready for that responsibility. Perhaps if we didn't have an old house to maintain and a farm with older buildings to resurrect we'd consider it sooner. But, right now, we need the time away from the growing season to accomplish other necessary things in our lives!
So, what do we do? We concentrate on a reasonable season extension project - a new spring planting plan that refines what we already do so that we have a stronger first four weeks of the harvesting season. Some of our strategies for this year (for those who might care):
- fall planted spinach and lettuce for early harvest
- plan tray-seeded plantings of crops such as lettuce
- over wintered leeks
- better row cover preparations for spring (we've got some serious wind to deal with)
- a week by week season plan
We've done this before with reasonable success. The hardest part was finding the time and energy to put these things in with proper timing. We were still harvesting tomatoes this year in mid-October and still delivering to our CSA through the month of October. That left little time for field cleanup, fall planting, etc. Things are not always so simple as 'just do it'....the list of things to 'just do' is often too long for that logic.
Tray planted seedlings
We favored direct planting until last year - when we had germination problems in the fields. Transplants may cost a bit more in terms of resources, but the success rate is far higher. So, the returns, in the end, are likely to be more consistent. It is far easier to keep a row clean with plants that are already established to the transplant stage. This year, we'll run our earliest lettuce planting as transplants and our summer plantings as transplants (when temps are too high for best germination rates). Eventually, we hope to convert to soil blocks so that we don't use the plastic trays as much.
Week by week season plan
This may sound a little excessive. After all, I've never been accused of failing to plan - at least where gardening is concerned. Up until now, our plans have been good, but not good enough to make the necessary improvisation that occurs each year any easier. Too much of the season plan resides in one person's head (and I'm a legend in my own mind...). Thus, making it difficult to allow for any modification other than those I make. There's far too much talent involved in this farm to limit it in this fashion. So, we're going to have a written week-by-week plan of intended tasks/goals.
I've heard from other experienced growers including Richard DeWilde and Elliot Coleman that this sort of planning is important -and I believe them. But, since I haven't tried to do this explicit planning before, it will be difficult.
Stay tuned and find out how we do with these changes!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Uffda or RF
An update from RFs earlier post about the Draft. There is now less draft. Progress over the last few weeks included two new windows in the house, and, to my knowledge, zero cases of frostbite or hypothermia.
However, only a really crazy couple of people would think about putting windows in during freezing weather in December or January. In this case, we thought December worked out ok, so tried again in January. It is cold in January. The house is old. The old house does NOT follow conventional framing techniques. That means it takes a LONG time in the COLD to get a window back in. Many kudos to RF for being brilliant and stubborn (well, once the old was out, the new had to come in somehow - very appropriate for New Year's Day!).
Here are some pics of the first window (no pics were taken of window #2 - it was just too cold...). Before, during and aft
er. Note the skillful use of the hammer! Note also that in the "Before" you can't see out due to the frost, but the after is nice and clear!
However, only a really crazy couple of people would think about putting windows in during freezing weather in December or January. In this case, we thought December worked out ok, so tried again in January. It is cold in January. The house is old. The old house does NOT follow conventional framing techniques. That means it takes a LONG time in the COLD to get a window back in. Many kudos to RF for being brilliant and stubborn (well, once the old was out, the new had to come in somehow - very appropriate for New Year's Day!).
Here are some pics of the first window (no pics were taken of window #2 - it was just too cold...). Before, during and aft
er. Note the skillful use of the hammer! Note also that in the "Before" you can't see out due to the frost, but the after is nice and clear!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Getting What You Deserve
I've been thinking (once again - a dangerous pastime).
Well, ok, I was prompted to laugh and then think. A box that held some sort of ab machine had a the tag line that was prominently displayed on the box:
"Get the results you deserve!"
Yes, I know what the advertiser wants us to be thinking - we deserve to have rock hard abs and they'll help us to get them. But, I couldn't help but wonder if somebody who helped with the design of this box/advertising/propaganda is also laughing up their sleeve on this one?
Clearly, you will get what you deserve with respect to your abs. If you exercise them (with this machine or not), they will be better. If you don't, they won't.
Call to the company from a disgruntled customer:
"Hello, may I help you?"
"Yes, this ab burning thingamabob by Rundleco isn't working."
"I see, how can you tell?"
"Well, it's been sitting here for a month and I still don't look like the model on the box."
"Ok. Well, are you certain you deserve to look like that model?"
"What?"
"Are you sure you have earned the right to have abs like the model on the box?"
"I don't see what that has to do with...."
"I'm sorry, but it seems clear to me that you shouldn't have a thin and sexy torso. I'm afraid you are simply getting what you deserve."
"I... you... wha?"
"Look, our only guarantee is that you will get what you deserve. Clearly, you are receiving sufficient recompense. Have a nice day."
*click*
Well, ok, I was prompted to laugh and then think. A box that held some sort of ab machine had a the tag line that was prominently displayed on the box:
"Get the results you deserve!"
Yes, I know what the advertiser wants us to be thinking - we deserve to have rock hard abs and they'll help us to get them. But, I couldn't help but wonder if somebody who helped with the design of this box/advertising/propaganda is also laughing up their sleeve on this one?
Clearly, you will get what you deserve with respect to your abs. If you exercise them (with this machine or not), they will be better. If you don't, they won't.
Call to the company from a disgruntled customer:
"Hello, may I help you?"
"Yes, this ab burning thingamabob by Rundleco isn't working."
"I see, how can you tell?"
"Well, it's been sitting here for a month and I still don't look like the model on the box."
"Ok. Well, are you certain you deserve to look like that model?"
"What?"
"Are you sure you have earned the right to have abs like the model on the box?"
"I don't see what that has to do with...."
"I'm sorry, but it seems clear to me that you shouldn't have a thin and sexy torso. I'm afraid you are simply getting what you deserve."
"I... you... wha?"
"Look, our only guarantee is that you will get what you deserve. Clearly, you are receiving sufficient recompense. Have a nice day."
*click*
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