This blog post is going to be very newsy - and hopefully to the point.
1. Our CSA still has many openings for the regular season (June-Oct). Send us an email if you are interested.
2. We just learned that the Cedar Valley RC&D office will be closing (in New Hampton). Yet another situation where the budget requires changes. If there was a positive force in the area for local foods, smaller farms and rural improvement - this was one.
3. With the help of the superhero Bandsaw Man, we now have a primary tillage implement for Durnik the tractor. The result - primary tillage for one 60'x200' used to take 2.5 hours. With the new tool? 22 minutes. Nice. Gas used? Less. Nicer.
4. The Waverly Farmers' Market will begin the first Saturday in May (May 7). We will split the market for that day only between two locations. Some vendors will be a part of the Health Fair at the W and some will be at our regular market location. We will all be at the normal location from there on out.
5. Our organic certification paperwork was in on time for early application. Materials are approved, all that is left is to undergo the yearly inspection.
6. The Climate Prediction Center is showing a slightly cooler and wetter April/May, but likely normal weather patterns late May-July. That's ok with me.
7. Winter term is in finals week for Tammy at the college. The normal silliness that ensues with end of term hold true yet again this year.
8. We're wondering whether Facebook is worth our time? If you use facebook notice that there are two settings - "Top News" and "Most Recent." FB assumes "Top News." But, if our posts are not deemed to be "Top" for you, it will be hidden some way down the page. If you want to see most recent posts from all of your 'friends' you need to choose "Most Recent."
9. The conversion to the 'new' computer is almost complete. The hard part is getting all of the drivers and software updated and making necessary conversions. Remember, I had the old machine for over six years.
10. We've appreciated the work done by the Printery in Waverly. We found that their costs for printing new business cards were well worth it. While we were at it, we had some invoice books made. Good investment.
11. Work in the high tunnel is still very much a learning process. Planting trays in that building is far nicer than in the basement or garage. The early Spring greens are nice. But, it is another thing on the farm that makes it hard for us to go elsewhere. If it is sunny with outdoor temps in the high 30's, you have to vent the tunnel. Then, close it up at night.
This list - it goes to 11.
Would a small farm be more or less cost efficient with horse or two in place of a small tractor?
ReplyDeleteYou've been talking to Tammy haven't you? :)
ReplyDeleteA valid question. But, unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how I am feeling at the moment) the answer is 'no, horses would be less cost efficient for us.'
The limited size of the farm means we do not have room for what I would feel is sufficient pasture and running room for an animal of that sort. In addition, we can not provide our own feed or bedding for the animals. So, in addition to purchasing the animals, we would have to continuously bring in food, bedding and veterinary skills. Then, there is the matter of training (or maintaining training) and acquiring the equipment so we could use the horses. I'd call that one a wash (coming out even) with the tractor. On the other hand, a tractor does not eat when it is not working and is perfectly happy sitting in a shed taking up a spot that is exactly its own size.
The biggest factor, however, is the interest in the farmer in working with horses. I have no real background in it and no resources to pull from in that area. But, I suspect I would be more tempted if the farm was 50-100 acres rather than 14.