Archive for March, 2010

Its All About Greens This Week

Published by
admin
at March 17, 2010 in Farm News and Triad Farmers Market. 0 Comments

Those tender sweet early spring greens are growing out quickly now with the warmer weather. They won’t last very long since they will soon go to seed. So we are planning to bring some to market Thursday and Friday 10:00 until 4:00, Saturday 8:00 until 4:00, and Sunday 10:00 until 4:00. We plan to have turnip and mustard greens, both green and red kale, collards, and upland cress.

Of course we will have our usual beef, chicken, and eggs. We will bring plants as well. It is time to set broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower which we will have. Also, we will offer four kinds of lettuce, Swiss chard, and escarole plants which may be set out as well.

Due to a 50% increase in market rent and additional fees we expect our marketing expense to be almost double from last year. We are trying to keep from raising prices but it may be unavoidable. As with any business, we have to evaluate our expenses to set prices that return a profit or we will soon be out of business. We are trying to increase variety, thus volume, which should help. But it may be necessary to make some price increases.

If you like spring greens now is the time to get them. We hope to see you at the market this week.

Working With Nature, and Loving Each Moment

Published by
admin
at March 12, 2010 in Farm News and Sustainable farming. 0 Comments

It sure has been a beautiful week after the cold, wet, snowy weather. And we have tried to take advantage of it working the fields planting seeds and plants for early crops as well as planting in the greenhouse. Whew! I am tired but happy we could get some work done.

So far we have planted green peas, sugar snaps, beets, musclin mix, potatoes, arugula, cabbage, and broccoli. And that is just a start. Hopefully we can get more done next week.

The pastures are already turning green so the cows will soon be munching on fresh grass instead of hay. In fact, their hay consumption has already dropped considerably, partly because of warmer weather.

Our mockingbird is singing every day now so he must be pretty sure spring is right around the corner. All the birds are singing almost all day in celebration. And the spring toads have kept up their chorus for several days. Maybe spring will be early.

I’m sure you can sense our excitement about spring on the farm. Everything amazingly comes to life. Crops to be planted mean a harvest is coming soon. It is a fresh new season full of possibilities and promise. We get busy doing what we do…and enjoy doing. There is nothing more enjoyable to a farmer than planting seeds and seeing them grow and produce a crop. There is something special about being dog tired from work but happy and contented from interacting with the soil, plants, and animals. Working with the natural pace and cycle of things makes one feel connected to the life around him and to the Creator Who gives life to all.

I guess that is why I dislike conventional farming which is about overpowering and controlling nature and as much about destroying life as nurturing it.

We plan to be at the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 until 3:00. We have grass-fed Jersey beef, pastured chicken, and free range eggs. There will be some collards, upland cress, and hopefully turnip, kale, and mustard greens that are big enough to harvest. We will have cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower plants.

We will look for you at the market.

Farmer’s Market Bound, Waking Up for Spring!

Published by
admin
at March 6, 2010 in Farm News and Triad Farmers Market. 0 Comments

We plan to be at the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 until 3:00. We have all cuts of beef, whole chickens, whole chicken legs, and fresh eggs. There will be some collards but other greens have not grown yet. >From the greenhouse we will have cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower plants.

With warmer and dryer weather forecast for next week we are going to get real busy very soon. It is time to plant some of the early season vegetables as soon as the ground is dry enough. We have already been busy in the greenhouse planting tomato seeds. So far we have seeded about fourteen varieties, mostly heirlooms.

Our first chicks of the season are arriving tomorrow so that will add another daily chore to our list. And there are still some winter chores to get finished. Looks like we are going to have to hire some help to get everything done.

One thing about it, there is no time to get bored. We enjoy what we are doing so it is rewarding. Example, it was sure nice to see plants growing in the greenhouse with snow just inches away this week. And it is always exciting to see the earth awake from the winter rest to sprout new life everywhere. And we like to grow good healthy food for you to enjoy!

One thing we have decided though, as soon as a few warmer days come I am going fishing!

Hope to see you at the market!