Some areas around have received substantial rains in the last few days. At the farm, we have had only about 1/4 inch in the last six weeks or so. Needless to say it is bone dry here. So our new well is getting a work out trying to irrigate as much as possible. Otherwise we would have next to nothing from the fields. However, I am afraid to look at our electric bill.
With pumping water every day we have zephyr gourmet squash, cucumbers, zucchini squash, our family heirloom German Johnson tomatoes, salad tomatoes, arugula, new fresh dug potatoes, and a few jade stringless beans.
Our sweet corn will begin maturing the first of next week. The first crop will be golden queen which is a yellow F1 hybrid. All the later plantings will be silver queen ( white ). These are both non-gmo F1 hybrid sweet corns.
There will be people selling sweet corn with a sign saying ‘no pesticides’ or ‘not sprayed’, etc. And they may be telling the truth. However, if there is no sign of a worm or bug the corn has either been sprayed with insecticide or it is a gmo variety that produces it’s own toxin to kill pests. The toxin is a bt produced by the gmo plant. If a bug or worm eats any part of the gmo corn plant he is eliminated. The thing is when you eat the corn you are eating the toxin. And you can’t wash it off because it permeates the entire plant.
Organic production does not allow gmo’s ( genetically modified organisms ). Our corn (and everything else) is non-gmo. There will probably be some worms and bug bites but you can rest assured it is healthy for you to eat.
The NC house and senate has passed a bill ( HB168) which exempts bonafide farms from forced annexation by municipalities. As long as the farm remains in operation it may not be annexed without the owners written permission. We think this is a good thing and hope the governor signs it.
As we have mentioned in previous newsletters we are waiting (still) for the USDA to approve our grass-fed Jersey beef label. We have been selling down our stock in anticipation and as a result we are low on some items. We have a few NY strip and Fillet steaks along with ground beef, stew beef, cube steak, beef liver, and that is about it. Wish they would hurry up!!
There is a good supply of pasture raised chicken in boneless/skinless breast, split breast, leg quarters, backs, necks, livers, hearts, and whole chickens.
Market hours at the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market are Monday and Tuesday (10:00 until 3:00); Thursday and Friday ( 9:00 until 3:00 ); Saturday ( 8:00 until 4:00 ); Sunday ( 9:00 until 3:00). We are in space 74, farmer’s area #2.
Come see us at the market for high quality organically produced meats and produce.