I didn’t really appreciate trees until visiting the west coast some years ago and touring the old growth woods in awe of the majestic trees that grew there. Sure I had climbed trees and picked fruit from trees but it wasn’t until I visited Muir Woods that I realized how important and wonderous trees are. If you have visited the farm recently, you may have noticed a pile of (quite large) recently cut trees. Many of our members and visitors have asked about those trees, some worried that they may have been cut without regard. These trees were cut by a firm contracted to clear areas around electric lines in Putnam and Dutchess. The firm donated the cut trees to the farm for use. The smaller trees and branches were (or will be) used as firewood to heat our greenhouses in the winter. The larger trees have already begun to be milled. From these trees we will create usable lumber for repair projects or plant beds. I feel that allowing these trees to be used (instead of discarded) respects the tree’s life and reduces the need for us to bring outside (mostly imported) lumber to our site for projects.
Once upon a time there were three little pigs…. no, no not that story, a different three little pigs. These pigs came to live at Cascade Farm and within a few hours of arriving managed to escape from their pen and go for a walk. Now these pigs weren’t content to explore the farm, no they wanted to see the world! So they set out on Harmony Road. Some passersby noticed these pigs and called around to see if they could alert their owners. Meanwhile, the pigs turned up onto Rte 292 and explored several yards and gardens along the way. They came upon a small stream and more neighbors and passersby noticed the three little (very bad) piggies and made more calls. Someone called the sheriff and he tried to help find the owners as well. Before long the farmers noticed the three little (very very bad) piggies were missing (especially after receiving some of the phone calls) and set out to get them. Brave friends and volunteers helped the farmers in a muddy chase to round up the adventurous piggies. The farmers were so very grateful to all their friends and neighbors who helped. They brought the pigs back to the farm (and fixed the fence so they couldn’t get out again). The three very tired little pigs were so glad to be back at their new home that they took a long nap. The End.
April 27, 2011
Not your everyday human kids (although we like them to visit also), but this kind of kid:
Goat kids! Born Monday, twins, a male (black and white) and a female (brown and white). They are jumping around and joining in the fun and fracas with the lambs and the rest of the ewes and does. Schedule a school or group visit for your kids to meet our kids and other baby animals at the farm this spring.
April 26, 2011
This winter we attended a NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association) conference in New York. It was great to meet with other farmers, sharing ideas, attending lectures, and meeting like-minded folks. Like other farmers, we have not certified our produce as organic due to the additional costs and paperwork overhead in being certified. We also objected to many of the changes allowed to be considered ‘organic’. NOFA has established a ”Farmer’s Pledge” in response to many farmers who also feel that organic isn’t quite what it use to be. So this season we enrolled in the Farmer’s Pledge. It basically states many of the farming principles we have been practicing. A farmer that enrolls, pledges to use responsible growing practices (read more here) or visit the NOFA website http://www.nofany.org. Responsible growing methods aren’t always easy, especially in a greenhouse … sometimes we get aphids so instead of chemical sprays we order ladybug beetles (they love to eat the aphids), sometimes we get slugs so we lay out beer traps, squish them, or use other methods approved for organic use. Sometimes we get a plague of flea beetles and wind up with bug holes in the arugula. We still feel this is better than chemical or non-organic methods.
April 25, 2011
Such a busy time here at the farm, so little time to write. This past month has seen snow storms, ice, heavy rain, mud, light rain, more mud, some sunshine, and an incredible 80 degree day. We have seeded the greenhouses full, made a lot of maple syrup, and held our first ‘Farm Breakfast’ of the season. The greenhouses were bursting so we hurried to ready our brassica garden. Tilling, fence posts, fencing (deer and goat-proof), plant prep, and finally some kale in the ground. Plants are growing, the new lambs are growing, and our ‘to-do’ list is growing. Lots of fence repair and garden setup yet to do, plenty of transplanting, and general clean-up projects. Members can come to the farm to volunteer each Wednesday and designated Saturdays (Saturday date in May to be announced soon). Enjoy being outdoors, getting your hands dirty, and maybe learning something new. See you at the farm!
April 12, 2011
Spring will be here… soon. We know it because we are starting to see signs of it; new seedlings in the greenhouse, garlic sprouting, and new lambs. The picture above is of ‘Snowball’ (born during a snowstorm almost 3 weeks ago) and we welcomed twin lambs late this afternoon. So although is was only 5 degrees here last night and snow still covers everything, spring will come.
February 9, 2011