FARM TOUR 2013

 

Come on out and help with chores!…or just walk along side…

June 3rd    6:00 p.m.

Enjoy the animals, learn more about pasture farming, connect with other patrons and your farmers, prizes, refreshments, fun activities.....

Grand Prize: November Pasture Turkey

Please RSVP if you are planning to attend.

Rain/mud date: June 17th

 

Last week the first cutting of hay was baled. We did it a little sooner than usual to get the extra growth away from the grass we interseeded this spring so that it could have a chance to grow. Baling is always an exciting time. The leaves of the alfalfa provide the nutrition and protein for the cows in the winter. The goal is to keep as many of them on as possible.

           

The Garden is slow in coming along! This year we are giving the hoop house a rest from tomatoes. We were finally able to get tomatoes planted outside!  The cold wet weather gave us some very poor germination of peas, beans, and potatoes, but first spring treats are ready this week…lettuce, radishes, spinach..etc..

 

We had to work through a power outage on the farm. Thanks to Wright Electric we got up and running the next day. The boys were able to get  reaquainted with milking by hand.

A big highlight of May was the Family Economics Conference in St. Louis. Meeting and listening to author, speaker, and pasture based farmer, Joel Salitin  there was exciting to all of us. His books on sustainable pasture farming have help and inspired us a lot over the years.

  

 

Honey comb from a hive on our farm.

 

Yeah for lovely spring days!

  

 

Reminder: Turkey orders need to be in by June 1st.

OUT TO PASTURE!

Everyone is excited to be out to pasture. The spring grass provides unsurpassed nutrition for them and thus for us!
  
The egg mobile is repaired and now back in use, following the cows! The egg yolks will take on a bright orange color..a sign of the boost of nutrition that comes from the pasture.
  
The broilers are out in the fresh air, sunshine, and pasture. They also get a gmo free feed mix. Beside them is what the boys rigged up to haul their water.
      
Clarabell a cut heifer calf enjoys a lovely spring day. We wish you a lovely spring also!

Spring Activity!

Broiler chicks arrived on a very cold morning. It was a challenge to get them warmed up after their trip and we did have some losses.                       

We soon modified the pen, adding a ceiling to it to keep the air warmer around the chicks.

 

 

We spread Planters II all around the farm. It is a natural fertilizer found only in the Rocky Mountains. It helps build the soil life.

  

  

April  5th we were finally able to get some garden planted..lettuce, peas, potatoes, spinach, kohlrabi, onions beets…..the hens that were out seemed just as delighted as we with the new garden…we are waiting to see how much damage they did! These same hens are giving us lots of eggs…so guess we’ll have to forgive them.

Special grasses were interseeded in the pastures to make good grazing for the cows. Below the tractor is ready to go out!

  

The puppies all have homes waiting for them. They follow their mommy around so cutely. The newest babies on the farm are bunnies. Titus is planning on raising meat rabbits and his first batch was born!

  

 

We are all waiting for the grass to grow. Right now it is very important to keep the cows and horses off the grass to let it get a good start for the season ahead. The cows try to escape to their pastures when ever possible! They love to graze. We have had to buy hay in as the grass is so late in coming.

 

Precious Charity and all of us wish you a pleasant week!

Spring babies

 

We are all anxiously awaiting the green grass. Some spring babies have been born!

Your spring newsletters and order forms got put in the mail today! The replies help us plan the summer better and should we be short on an item priority goes in order of sign up.

                                       z

Annie the farm dog, had puppies.

                         

 

                 

This one is saying, “Can you give me a home?”

They are a lab/heeler mix and are just in time for summer fun!

We also have some ducklings.

                       

                                                                                                                     Timmy named his duck George

Rabbits, Aurther, Hopper, and Thumper are new on the farm.

                                             

Below is Maple, Isabelle, Isabelle’s calf, Clarabelle, and Buttercup. Buttercup is a heifer(a female that has not had her first calf)

They are waiting for the pasture to grow.

 

 

The first batch of broiler chicks should be coming in 2 weeks. As we wait for warmer weather, the men have been cleaning up some junk around the farm, splitting wood, and working on a construction project.

 

 

 

Turkeys & a new calf

 

Annabella had a lively bull calf. We named him Bucky.

                

The turkeys are growing well. They will be ready in time for Thanksgiving! They love grazing! This makes them wonderfully healthy for you!

               

This one says Hello!

 

We have a processing date for the pigs. Some of our patrons will soon be enjoying deluxe pasture fed organically raised pork!

The last batch of broiler chickens were processed in September. With lots of help from friends and family we had a wonderful day! We love providing you with great tasting real food for the winter days ahead!

Detailing the last of the chickens…what a great feeling!