Morning Harvest farm...

we've moved

2011-02-27T11:42:00.002-06:00

Too many hiccups with Blogger. Click here to visit our new blog.

chorping

2011-02-02T09:31:00.018-06:00

MaryJanesFarm has glamping [glamor camping]. MHf has chorping [chore camping]. Chorping has taken place only once at MHf and last night was the night. Here's a run-down of what chorping consists.

Last night's expected windchill was to be as low as -25 degrees and called for drastic measures. The herd is currently grazing the ground for the future orchard and there are not many places to seek cover from the wind. So, we opened the large sliding barn doors and gave the cows access to come and go as they pleased. They pleased very much. So much so that we're quite certain they never left the barn last night. How do we know this? Simple. Eric and I camped out on the living room floor in front of the fireplace and took turns checking the herd every hour. Checking, in this case, was much more than just walking out to the barn and saying hello. Here's a detailed look at chorping. We'll start with the attire.

Remember the expected windchill? Well, that makes it a bit difficult to walk outside in our skivvies. Eric can just bundle up in his insulated coveralls & hooded coat, lace up his boots and call it good. Five minutes, maybe? For me [Paula], it's a bit more time consuming. I need at least two pairs of sock (one being wool), long johns, stocking cap for my head, wrap for my face and then the insulated coveralls & hooded coat and laced-up boots. Let's not forget the leather, cotton-lined gloves for both of us. Ten minutes, at least. Timing is strictly dictated by how much sleep we've had since our last venture and how far into the night we are. During the act of dressing, we cannot ignore that sick-to-my-stomach feeling from lack of sleep. But there's a remedy for that.

Windchill. As soon as we open the back door, that wind slaps us in the face and motivates us the get the job done ASAP. That feeling in our stomach is now the least of our worries. Allowing the north wind to propel us to the barn, we first take a head count and make sure the newborn is still alive and kicking. If she wasn't, that would be another story. Second, let's check the water tank. In this case, we're using a mineral tub since it's a temporary station. It's usually empty which calls for hauling five-gallon buckets of water from the hydrant located in the front of the barn (a wise move on the part of the previous owner). Once we're finished in the barn, we head back to the house, undress, throw another log or two on the fire and set the alarm for the next hour.

Up until midnight, the cows drank like they came from the desert (that, too, is another story) - too many bucketfuls to count! At the midnight watch, Eric noticed their drinking subsided so we extended the next watch from one hour to two. At the 2:30 am watch (because it takes me longer to get dressed, right?) I noticed no one is interested in water. Yea! They've had their fill and everyone [us] can sleep for the remainder of the night.

Sleep is a relative term. In theory, taking every other watch means we get two hours of sleep. But unless we sleep in separate rooms, how much sleep do we really get if the alarm is going off every hour? Plus, once back in bed we relay our findings so the other has a reference point for the next watch. It makes for a short night.

And that, folks, is a run-down of chorping. Any other examples/versions of chorping out there?

too cute!!

2011-01-24T07:37:00.010-06:00

Last Wednesday, I [Paula] was leaving for the bank and came upon a newborn! It was such a cold day to be all wet, too. I got out of the vehicle and determined that Mama Angus calved a heifer. The poor thing was shivering to beat all. After returning from town, I got the barn ready so they could move inside when Eric got home. That little girl needed to be out of the wind. A few days later, we extended the corral outside so they could enjoy the sunshine.

She's a special little calf because she's the first Angus/Dexter heifer. All the other crosses are bull-calves. I just figured it was God's way of helping me keep them straight. Guess I'll have to tie a pink bow around her neck! Right now she lets me walk up and pet her, but that won't last long after she & Mama return to the herd in a few days.

KS wind

2011-01-17T10:37:00.010-06:00

If you've lived in Kansas for at least a month, you know we have wind: fast/slow, hot/cold, north/south/east/west. We have wind. And it's always more-so on the farm. Sometimes we appreciate the wind that day, and sometimes we don't. Take last month, for instance.

Paula's brother Mike came down for a few days Christmas to help with farm projects. Finally, the greenhouse was going up (this project has been on the to-do list for quite some time). Once we got started, it was fairly simple.

Day 1: level and fill the foundation

Day 2: construct the frame

Day 3: insert the fiberglass panels

Day 4: see photo below

Three days to build. Two hours to demolish. Eric stated is was a complete structural failure. Even the molded aluminum piece attaching the side walls to the base was ripped in two. At least we didn't need the ladder for final tear-down. All the panels are piled north of the greenhouse and will be used in future, more stable greenhouse projects.

Can you believe starting seeds is just a month away?

old & new

2010-12-20T13:20:00.008-06:00

Isn't he magnificent? Our tom turkey was in full uniform during morning chores yesterday. Obviously, he thought he was pretty special because he didn't even take time to eat. Following close behind two hens, he stayed puffed up for about ten minutes. Wonder if there was any food left after he deflated himself? He is handsome, though!

Click on the photo to enlarge.

Today's beautiful weather prompted another butcher (too many mutts in the barnyard). Most of them were hatched last April, but never culled. Today is the day! These birds may be a bit tougher than than the 8-week birds you've been buying, but they shouldn't be too bad. Using a slow cooker is a good idea, though.

We learn something new everyday, don't we? As I [Paula] was preparing today's blog post, I learned that the MHf blog has a follower! That's just for Facebook, right? Apparently not. I also learned that a list of followers could be added to the blog. One thing lead to another and to another. Hence, the blog has virtually been transformed from head to toe, including the background (as you can clearly see). No longer does it mimic the website, and that's probably not a bad thing. If you have a Google account, become a follower!! Comments are welcome, too.

Remember, farm products are still available during our break from deliveries. CSA customers have access any day during normal business hours as stated here. Give us a call so we can have the gate open for you. For all others, the gates will be open each Saturday from 2-4 pm.

Merry Christmas!!

taking a break

2010-12-13T11:51:00.025-06:00

Things sure have slowed down on the farm, haven't they? The garden has been retired and eggs have virtually disappeared. Aligned with the change of pace, MHf has decided to take time off from deliveries. The first two months of the year are the least intrusive as far as the schedule of labor is concerned. So, this week will be the final delivery to each location until March, 2011. We realize December has 5 weeks, but Christmas seems like a good place to pause. Besides, we're just ready for a break.

We appreciate everyone's understanding with the egg situation. Obviously, we have no control over the hen's capability (or desire) to produce. There are still quite a few names on the list of back orders. Rest assured, we're doing our best to accommodate you as quickly as possible.

This brings us to another aspect of customer orders. While the website clearly outlines the specifics for on-farm pick up, MHf has been a bit lax when it comes to enforcing those specifics. However, interest in the MHf CSA program continues to draw attention (the most-recent three months especially). MHf has been invited to speak to several groups regarding the CSA program and continues to receive email inquiries. For the sake of all CSA customers, MHf must stick to its guns when it comes to on-farm pick up. While some customers have been exempt from the CSA program for various reasons, we're sorry to say that this, too, must come to an end. While we appreciate everyone's business, we feel this decision is the best route to building a viable CSA business. For more information on becoming a CSA customer, please read here.

During our hiatus, nothing will change regarding weekly emails and updates to the In Season page. The only change will be the customer's access - primarily because the cattle are grazing along the driveway and the gate is generally closed. For CSA customers, please call with an estimated time of arrival so we can walk down and open the gate. For all other customers, the gate will be open each Saturday from 2-4 pm. All customers should keep in mind, though, that it's a good idea to email or call with your order. We'd hate for you to drive out if there is no product for you.

MHf appreciates your understanding of our need for long-awaited rest and rejuvenation.

no more appliances!!

2010-12-06T10:24:00.008-06:00

Remember the room we started a few weeks ago? It's coming along! Paula spent the entire Thanksgiving weekend sealing all the cracks and getting it painted (four coats). Last Saturday we were able to clean the appliances and get them moved into the room. Eric removed the door to the room and reattached the weather stripping that fell off last spring making it easier, yet, to keep clean. The front porch now looks twice as big! Screening the porch has always been on the list. Can you see why?

This week marks the first time in MHf history that eggs have been removed from the weekly list of available products. The shorter days have really taken a toll on egg production. On the farm, fewer daylight hours equal fewer eggs. So why isn't that the case with the commercial industry? Simple - they install lights in the hen house to keep egg production constant year-round. MHf certainly could do that (we have the electrical capabilities). However, there's a reason God designed our year with varying lengths to the days. It's okay to be without something for a short time or even for an entire season. We just appreciate it more when it is available. MHf's journey to sustainability includes finding the benefit of every season so far as it relates to farm productivity. Right now the shorter days have a negative affect on egg production, but a positive affect on our ability to plan next year's garden. It all cycles. Next summer when the hens are laying by the boat-load and the garden has us wondering why we planted so much, we will be looking forward to winter's time of rest. Bear with us. Local food is not always convenient food. But our hope is that you think it's worth every bit of effort put into it.

MHf meal

2010-11-29T17:59:00.006-06:00

During one of our meals last week, we realized that virtually everything on the plate was a product of MHf. The chicken was butchered last spring, the green beans were preserved in July, and the sweet potatoes were harvested in the fall. Even the herbal seasoning (summer savory) for the green beans was dried during the heat of the summer. Suddenly it all tasted so much better!

If you've never grown your own food, you should really try. Start small with a pot of chives or stick a tomato plant in a large planter. You'll never want another grocery-store tomato again!

Another beautiful sunrise this morning.

(click on any photo to enlarge)

holiday foods

2010-11-15T11:19:00.044-06:00

Mmmmm...Sweet Potato Pie

Two varieties offer a unique twist on the traditional pie: O'Henry and Beauregard [darker]. For a distinct color difference, keep the two separated and use designated utensils during the entire prepping process: cooking, mixing, & spooning. Ladle two scoops of each into the plate (one across from the other), and then top the alternate variety with the remaining filling. Use a table knife to swirl the filling starting from the outside and working toward the middle. The color variation is subtle, but pleasantly noticeable. Before baking, top it with chopped nuts for an extra special treat. You may want to prepare a crust, as well. In the excitement to get it baked and photographed for today's post, the pie crust was waived. Each order of sweet potatoes comes with a 50/50 blend.

Speaking of other holiday foods, the turkeys have been relocated to their new home! (We know these birds won't actually be available as holiday food until next year, but it made for a good segue.) Turkeys and chickens were relocated and have enjoyed their new space since last Thursday. Electric netting is next on the agenda.

Saturday was a VERY productive day on the farm - thanks to two neighbor girls who wanted a bit of extra cash! After the brooder room was completely cleaned out and scrubbed-down, we then moved onto to cleaning the out front part of the shed. We made so much progress in there that Eric was able to install a small wood burning stove - and light it, to boot! Working in a heated atmosphere is a welcome change.

Ready-to-eat fish has been added to the In Season page. Two men have enthusiastically offered to harvest fish and throw them in a holding tank. Eric cleans them that night and soaks them in salt water. The pond is stocked with crappie, bass, bluegill and channel cat. All varieties are priced equally and orders are filled from what's available. Sorry, no specific orders will be accepted.

There's still time to register for the upcoming herb class. Paula will be co-teaching with Jacque Spangler. While both represent the Harvey County Master Gardener program, Jacque also represents Harvest Greenhouse. Click on the poster to read the details. We'd love to have you!

fire season kicks off

2010-11-08T07:59:00.019-06:00

Fall offers the most fantastic blessings of the year: vivid sunrises & sunsets, crisp air, serenading coyotes, migrating geese, simmering suppers, and fires in the stove. Last week’s frost marked the beginning of fire season. A new chainsaw has been busy cutting out trees for an extension to the permanent fencing around the farm. Armload-by-armload, the wood pile moves indoors. Last winter saw at least one meal cooked on the wood stove and we plan to do even more this year. Experimenting with the five-gallon buckets, wood ash = lye = soap (we hope). All is well and all are blessed.

Projects from the previous post are coming along - one quicker than the other. Eric's chicken schooner is about 3/4 complete. After the ends are closed off, feed and water tanks will be hung inside and it should be ready. Electric netting will provide a run for the birds to enjoy daily sunshine and fresh air (and protection from predators). This schooner will house the meat flock while the layers remain in the hen house.

Paula's greenhouse is currently postponed due to another project taking priority. Some of you have visited the brooder room, but almost everyone has seen the fridge and freezer sitting on the front porch. (We really wanted the appliances in the brooder room, but it was still being used.) If the greenhouse went up first, it was going to be nearly impossible to get the appliances in there. So, the brooder room has been cleaned out with the waste doing it's thing in the garden. After a vigorous bleach rub-down, minor repairs will tighten up the walls and everything will be primed & painted. Not only will the appliances be moved in, but the room will also hold all MHf supplies: egg cartons, packaging materials, other items for purchase, etc. In a sense, it will be an on-farm store!

Another herbal class has been scheduled (in Harvey County this time). Click on the flier to read all the details. Hope to see you there!

Do you like to fish or know someone who does? And would you like to get paid for it? Check out the most-recent farm venture: MHf Harvest Rebate.

fall projects

2010-10-25T08:28:00.010-05:00

Eric's Project: Poultry schooner
Here's the base for the first schooner. It's going together fairly quickly and should be sturdy enough to move using the BCS. At just 20' long, this prototype will work nicely to house the current meat birds: turkeys and chickens. Another at 50' long will be built for the laying flock.

Paula's Project: Greenhouse
If you've ever visited the farm, you may remember seeing a hay shelter surrounding the hydrant near the hen house. We had to figure out a way to keep the hydrant from freezing in the winter. Now, after four seasons of weather, it's falling down and needs replaced. Harbor Freight's 10' x 12' greenhouse will work beautifully! Here's a time-lapse video from You Tube showing someone else putting up the same greenhouse.

Could not resist capturing this morning's gorgeous sunrise!

(click on any photo to enlarge)

green tomatoes galore!

2010-10-18T17:14:00.012-05:00

fried green tomatoes Green Tomato Pie sweet green tomato ketchup Green Tomato Pasta Toss green tomato raspberry jam Baked Green Tomatoes green tomato relish Green Tomato Pickles green tomato mincemeat Green Tomato Cake fried green tomato lasagna

You get the idea. There's 101 ways to prepare green tomatoes. And if you want 'em, we've got 'em! Too bad the intense summer heat prevented much of a ripe harvest, but there's plenty to go around now! Allrecipes.com is packed with ideas. (If anyone braves the cake, let us know!)

With this year's harvest coming to a close, seeds for next year's garden have already been ordered. An internet search led us to Amishland Heirloom Seeds. She's got some amazing tomatoes!! Pink, red, white, purple, yellow, green. We'll start them indoors under the shop lights and see how they do. Heirlooms are great in that you can save the seeds and grow the exact same plant the following year. The trick, however, is leaving plenty of space between varieties to eliminate cross-pollination.

Eric's Endeavors ~
Spent the weekend freezing onions, peppers, and green beans. The outdoor garden is just about done for the year so we're trying to preserve as much as we can. Also, caught some pretty large crappie yesterday. I'll be down at the pond again tonight trying to stock the freezer with fish.

MHf organics

2010-10-11T09:33:00.011-05:00

From time to time MHf is asked, "Are you organic?"
The answer is no.
And yes.

No in the sense that MHf is not certified organic (and has no plans to become labeled as such). But yes in the sense that MHf strives for healthy growing conditions which eventually thwart the need for time-consuming human intervention. A more detailed explanation has been added to the Products page of the website: MHf Organics.

Below the explanation we've added a quote from Eliot Coleman. He has quickly become our go-to source for efficient, effective market gardening. In his books he offers lessons learned through trial & error, tool redesign and keen observation. We are so appreciative that he chose to become an author!

Eric's Endeavors ~
It's about time to make out the list of seeds for next year's garden, fruit stands and how much meat to produce.

beans, beans, and more beans

2010-10-04T09:38:00.005-05:00

Fall green beans.
Doesn't the color combination look nice?
Makes you want to pull out your cookbooks.
Last week's harvest in one setting: 2 1/2 5-gallon buckets!
And the bushes were still loaded!!
If you're not in the mood for green beans, could you be? :)

Eric's Endeavors ~

The cooler weather has really slowed down farm activity. Had to repair and replace a few cutting blades on the BCS sickle bar mower. Even had to buy several tools for that job. We spent the weekend getting ready for the Master Gardener event tonight.

colossal carrot

2010-09-27T10:27:00.010-05:00

No, this 14" carrot is not from our fall garden. It came from Sam's and every carrot in the bag was comparable in length. Bigger is not always better (okra, for instance), but in this case it wasn't too bad. But have you noticed that bigger, larger, longer seems to be a growing trend in the supermarkets? The frankenfish salmon comes to mind right away. We were at Dillon's the other day and saw Honey Crisp apples the size of a softball. One apple could almost make the whole pie! It's actually a bit discomforting. For the record, MHf has no interest in manipulating beyond the naturally intended growth pattern of any product. Fall green beans are looking really good, though! The combination of purple and green makes for an eye-catching order.

Had another Angus/Dexter bull-calf born last week. He wandered underneath the electric fence and couldn't figure out how to get back. As we were trying to guide him back into the paddock, he went through the barbed wire fence and into the neighbor's field. Just a day old, the little guy was easy enough to grab and carry back. He was a bit nervous, though - can you tell?

Eric's Endeavors ~
It's nice to have cooler weather - finally.

Rooster's Call

2010-09-20T14:03:00.000-05:00

MHf is expanding its product line! And we are so excited!!

Working with Prairie Fire Coffee in Wichita, MHf now has its own coffee: Rooster's Call. Available in 8 oz bags, it'll get your day going! Custom-blended Rooster's Call will be available all year supporting the fact that MHf CSA shares never expire.

Pair it with a Sunrise Muffin and you'll be set! Warm one (or two) in the microwave, let that butter soak in and swallow it with a little MHf java. Mmmm...too good to pass up!! Check out the Rise & Shine Special listed here.

As a result of the State Fair, MHf is now negotiating with ???. Also available year-round, we hope to reveal it next week.

Said good-bye last week to five cows from our herd: Molly and her bull-calf, Jack's mama and her heifer, and Baldie [self-appointed baby sitter of all newborns]. We miss them, but needed to sell since we were three over the limit of the land. MHf has a bit of room to grow again. Have no fear, though - grass-fed beef is still on schedule for next spring!!

Eric's Endeavors ~
Nothing much going on right now. Was gone all last week so I'm still playing catch up.

only three more days!!!

2010-09-13T11:45:00.002-05:00

Only three more days until MHf is at the State Fair!! We hope to see many of you throughout the day. All current customers will receive a free gift as a 'thank you' for visiting us!

end of summer

2010-09-07T15:26:00.011-05:00

No more A/C. Sleeping with the windows open. Blasted out of bed by the rooster's crow! The joys and perils of farm life!! The garden is still resting after the intense summer heat, but we do have a few new items this week. Casaba melons are ready for the harvest - finally. They were a long time coming, but worth the wait. Not too sweet, not too bland, they taste like a mild honey dew. Some say they taste better at room temperature, but we like them refrigerated. Sweet potatoes are ready, too! Varieties include Beauregard (yellow flesh/yellow skin) and O'Henry (creamy flesh/white skin - but still sweet).

Found this odd little guy in the garden the other day. Just think, had it not been for this non-conformist, the others would have never been caught on film! It immediately brought to mind two things: 1) this quote at the top of the CSA Program page of the website, and 2) the first part of Romans 12:2, "And do not be conformed to this world..."

Please note a new entry added to the Schedule of Events page. We'd love to have you join the class!

Eric's Endeavors ~
Bought big round bales of brome & prairie hay from the neighbor and started moving them a week or so ago. Was able to get the rest moved this weekend with a whole day to spare. Because of no rain, the cows have already received two bales. We moved the herd into the first garden spot for next year. We'll throw in bales and let them do their thing to get the soil ready. Right now, we have three new garden spots marked off which would expand our planting area by at least four times.

[click on photo to enlarge]

short and sweet

2010-08-30T13:00:00.005-05:00

We're grateful for cooler weather! No photos this week due to trouble with the software. Supposed to rain tomorrow!! Remember Eric's project last week? The cows are now grazing in the paddocks along the driveway. Babies are growing (calves and chicks). All are healthy. 17 days to Fair time!!

Eric's Endeavors ~
Not much going on right now. Planted garlic this weekend for harvest next year. Bought round bales from the neighbor and will be moving those this week. Putting 1/4 acre paddocks up around future garden plots. Cows will be moved to a paddock with a round bale. Once the bale is gone, they'll be moved to another paddock with another bale. This will get the ground ready and save us the trouble of moving all their waste in the spring.

promotion day

2010-08-23T10:07:00.016-05:00

Promotion: to further the growth or progress of.

This weekend the turkeys and chicks were promoted to larger facilities. This grand hotel became the new home for the turkeys. After they learned they had more space above their heads, they began roosting on the water tank and the feed bin. So, today they get an official roost in their pen! With portability in mind, these larger pens are surprisingly easy to move and the design is much more stable than the smaller pens.

The incubator chicks and the La Fleche moved into the turkey's old house. La Fleche is the breed that arrived during the heat of July. Starting with 24, only 6 remain. The tallest on the far right is a La Fleche.

Farm tip for the day: when one cow is all alone in the pasture without any inkling to join the herd, there's much more to the story. "Congratulations, Angus! You have just been promoted to motherhood!!" She calved a healthy bull-calf yesterday morning. Eric and Snow checking on the pair.

Eric's Endeavors ~
Put up electric fencing in 1/4 acre plots along the driveway. The cows have pretty much eaten the available grass in the existing pastures, plus it saves us time mowing.

[click on any photo to enlarge]

fall green beans

2010-08-16T11:14:00.015-05:00

What a wonderful rain yesterday! Natural moisture is always better than running the water meter. Green beans [pictured] and sweet potatoes are looking fantastic! Let's hope the rain and cooler temps inspire the remaining fall crops to a grand fall harvest!

Eric's Endeavors ~
Finally, a weekend of fishing! I lost several big ones because the line was too thin or the swivels were too small. Never did catch a channel cat, but the crappie on the right makes up for it. The crappie on the left is the average size.

gobble, gobble

2010-08-09T09:27:00.019-05:00

Turkeys are much more fun than chickens. Loud, but fun! Anxiously awaiting fresh grass, they just trot right along with the pen. They've actually flown the coop a few times, but are always ready to go back without any trouble. We're starting to see definite turkey characteristics: blue head, snood, and wattle. But who can tell hen from cock? They all look the same right now, so let's hope we start seeing differences soon!!

Remember the eggs we set a few weeks ago? They started hatching Tuesday and we now have 22 chicks running around the brooder pen! The La Fleche are still hanging in there, too.

Lack of rain had us watering the garden several times this month. No more fall crops have been planted yet, either. All the cows take to the shade about 9:30 or 10 in the morning and don't resurface until mid afternoon. They must be part camel because they don't even venture for water.

Apples this week are of an unknown variety, but comparable to a Winesap: crispy & sweet/tart.

Eric's Endeavors ~
The BCS arrived last week. It's so easy to handle and takes very little effort. Using the sickle bar mower, I've been able to mow a walking trail around the entire 80 acres and around the pond.

[click on any photo to enlarge]

working on the corral

2010-08-02T07:46:00.002-05:00

Piece by piece the corral is becoming a reality. Designed with 8' sections, each section has its own purpose.
As the animal comes out of the chute, we have the option of releasing it back to pasture or moving it up the ramp and into the trailer. Eric built the platform to the far left. Paula's brother Michael was here last week to build the ramp and the section just before the chute. He also put feet on the chute so we could move it with the forks on the tractor. Paula's nephew helped a bit, too.
Went out one evening to do chores and found this guy running around. That was a surprise! But it was an even better surprise when we realized he's an Ameraucana because we had no rooster for this breed. Who's ever heard of a stray rooster?

Eric's Endeavors ~
We now have a wide path mowed all the way to the pond. The pond is still full after all the rains and loaded with healthy fish.

[click on any photo to enlarge]

coming and going

2010-07-26T00:54:00.004-05:00

coming...
The chicks are here, but they've been nothing but trouble since their arrival. Saturday morning we started with 24 and we're already down to nine or ten. The heat & humidity, one too many days in transit, summer hatching - it all adds up to weak chicks. If they weren't staggering around the pen, they were lying down and too weak to make it to water. We moved them four times Saturday trying to find the best location for their comfort. This breed, La Fleche, is an experiment to see if MHf can maintain it's own flock of meat birds. Ordered back in April, their popularity and scarcity put MHf on the waiting list. Hence, the July delivery. Photos will be posted at a later date (if any survive long enough to pose).

going...
MHf is going to the KS State Fair!! A few weeks ago the Simply Kansas program called asking if we'd like to showcase MHF in their booth for one day during the Fair. Of course we would!!! And we'd love to see as many customers as possible. If you're in the neighborhood Thurs, September 16, please stop by the Simply Kansas booth for a thank you gift.

Eric's Endeavors ~
The fall garden is progressing on schedule. Cooler temperatures and fewer insects make for better-tasting produce.

more eggs, please!

2010-07-19T08:02:00.006-05:00

Some of you may have already guessed, but MHf is running low on eggs. CSA orders continue to increase, as do sales at the Newton Farmers Market. Therefore, we decided to throw four dozen eggs in the incubator. The eggs were not candled so we don't know how many eggs are actually fertilized, but the ones that hatch will be most welcomed.

If you're in the neighborhood Thursday, please stop by the Newton Medical Center for their Health & Wellness Fair. MHf will have a booth set up with herbs and herbal information. The fair runs from 7 am - 5 pm. Click Schedule of Events above for more info.
[More info next week on the State fair!]

Eric's Endeavors ~
It's hot out there!

[click on photo to enlarge]

ready , set, preserve!

2010-07-05T15:33:00.017-05:00

Green beans have started dangling on the plants so we harvested for a few meals. With preservation always on the mind, we though we'd try something we read in a Foxfire book. Pods are simply strung like popcorn for the Christmas tree and left to dry. So, we thought we'd try only one string and see what happens. Securing a button to the starting point, the largest of pods were carefully strung one by one. Another button was secured to the top, and then a loop by which to hang it. This bunch drops about three feet from the ceiling right smack dab over the game table. It may (or may not) be moved later and certainly makes for an interesting conversation starter!

Corn was next. Eric's parents drove up to the farm this weekend bearing gifts of cucumbers and ears of corn from their garden. (Rest assured that ours is on the way!)

Step One: Find a bundt cake pan and place the ear of corn over the hole. Cut the kernels off with a good sharp knife. The pan acts as a catch-pen.

Step Two: Push the shaved ear of corn through the hole in the pan. Give it some muscle and keep pushing until the entire cob has gone all the way through. Some ears are longer than others so you may need to pick up the pan and pull from bottom to get the job done.
Step Three: Divided into one pound portions, we threw ten pounds in the freezer. Throw the cobs in the compost pile. Or, in our case, feed them to the chickens! The Australorp rooster was proudly crowing and strutting through the barnyard with corn kernels scattered all over himself!

Eric's Endeavors ~
Equipment. The rototiller broke down last week causing a delay in planting fall crops. Our equipment is ranging from 10-15 years old and spare parts are now ordered on-line rather than being stocked at the dealerships. Since the rototiller is a critical part in gardening and maintenance of fruit trees & brambles, we are looking at upgrading equipment to insure continued progress year-round. We will maintain the existing rototiller, but upgrade with a new, more-capable piece of equipment. We are looking at purchasing a BCS two-wheel tractor. This equipment is driven by a power take-off [PTO] allowing us to replace several pieces of equipment utilizing one engine.

(click on any photo to enlarge)

container gardening and ??

2010-06-28T11:22:00.036-05:00

Every so often a deal comes along that's just too good to pass up. This week had two such events and MHf took full advantage of them. The first was a satellite greenhouse set up in a parking across from Eric's office. Everything was 50% off! We grabbed fruit bushes, herbs, edible flowers, and a few other tidbits. The second was Stone Creek Nursery in Hesston. Everything there was 70% off!! Hence, more of the same. Check out the list of up & coming produce here. (Scroll down passed the garden plan.)

Craigslist led us to a guy delivering 5-gallon buckets to Wichita in a few days. Works like a charm! After adding a few drain holes and dirt from the garden, we were good to go. The dreaded rock garden around the front door finally has a purpose! With much work remaining to prepare the beds, these buckets will serve quite nicely until then.

Allow us to introduce...
...the newest addition to the MHf herd. B&E Spring calved early evening June the 24th. The little heifer is doing great and has made fast friends with the other calves.

Spring is such a good mama and has never had any trouble calving. She didn't mind us getting up close & personal, but stood very close the whole time (and then licked off all human contamination after we walked away!).

Taken a few hours after birth, this photo is proof of what a good farmer/cow relationship can lead to. Because Spring is so comfortable with us, the calf learned right away not to be scared of us. Once in a while she gives us several minutes to pet her all over. Making physical contact is necessary to maintain that trust.

Her sister (Abiegeal) is almost a year old now and still loves to have her neck and back stroked. When we're in the pasture, Abiegeal walks right up to us for the customary rub down.

(PS: This heifer has no name, yet. If you know of any Irish names for a girl, please leave a comment!)

(click on any photo to enlarge)

newest MHf ventures

2010-06-21T09:00:00.010-05:00

Simply Kansas ~
Last week MHf received official notice of membership in the Simply Kansas program! It's been on our to-do list for quite some time and glad to finally have it marked off.

Please visit their website. MHf can be found by searching either Company or Category.

Company ~
From the homepage, select Member Directory, then Company, and then Companies L-R. Scroll down until you find MHf!

Category ~
From the homepage, select Member Directory, and then Category. When it asks you to select a specific category, please opt for one of the following.
1. Agritourism
2. Eggs
3. Fresh Vegetables and Herbs
4. Fish [soon to be added]
5. Frozen Foods [soon to be added]

APPPA ~
MHf recently joined the APPPA [American Pastured Poultry Producers Association]. As MHf gets closer and closer to a full-fledged pastured operation, it's only fitting that we learn from those experienced in the practice.

Poultry ~
The registration certificate arrived in the mail allowing MHf to sell frozen poultry. The only catch is that the customer must drive to the farm to purchase (the meat cannot be delivered). To make the purchase worth your time and gas, you may consider stocking your freezer.

more babies!

2010-06-14T12:56:00.010-05:00

Bourbon Red turkeys arrived last week. At first glance, they don't look any different than chicks. Their necks are a tad bit longer, though. As they age and take on more distinct "turkey" features, we'll upload photos so you can follow along.

(click on photo to enlarge)

whoa! what a weekend

2010-05-24T10:56:00.014-05:00

This fencing project has been on the list for quite some time. Eric was able to get it started Friday after work. Phase 1 was this wooden segment placed about half way down the drive from the mailbox. Mimicking the lay of the land, the tops of each board will be cut later.

From there five-strands barb wire run up the hill behind the garden (phase 2) marking the north property line of MHf. This line joins the pasture where the hen house is located. Future plans are to permanently fence the entire 80 acres breaking it into daily paddocks using temporary electrical fencing (the white lines in the photo above).

Phase 3 was to run electric wire and turn the cows lose in the over-grown area. Eventually this area will be planted with fruit trees and the cows are a wonderful start to amending the soil. In this photo Abiageal and one of the calves joyously munch fresh grass which is about three feet high.

All this in one weekend! Phase 4 was to kick our shoes off and then collapse with a cool glass of water!!

(click on any photo to enlarge)

new uses for radishes

2010-05-17T12:47:00.013-05:00

Radishes come and go so quickly, most-commonly used for salads and finger snacks. But did you know the entire plant, from root to green, is edible? Short, round red radishes are quite versatile: add to soup like carrots, roast with meat like onions, or saute with other veggies. Below are a few recipes you may wish to try before the spring radish has expired.

Radish Greens
Internet recipe

radish greens
olive oil
garlic
sea salt *

Clean the greens thoroughly, and then saute in the oil and garlic. Once plated, sprinkle a bit of sea salt over all.

* French Celtic Hand Harvested Sea Salt comes highly recommended by MHf customer Steve J (available at Prairie Harvest in Newton KS).

Rosy Radish Relish
The Encyclopedia of Country Living, Carla Emery

3 c stemmed radishes
2 large ribs celery
1 large mild red onion
2 t salt
1 c sugar
1 T mustard seed
2 T dill seed
1/2 t celery salt
1 c cider vinegar

Put radishes, celery, and onion through the coarse blade of a grinder, or chop them finely. Mix with the remaining ingredients and allow to stand for 3 hours. Bring to a boil in a large pan and cook 5 minutes. Pour hot mixture into half-pint or pint jars, leaving 1/2" headspace. Process in boiling-water bath for 30 minutes. Adjust times for altitudes greater than 1000' above sea level.

Braised Radishes
The Encyclopedia of Country Living, Carla Emery

2 T butter
2 c sliced radishes
1 bouillon cube
1/4 c hot water or beef broth
1/8 t ground marjoram
salt

Melt butter is saucepan, add radishes, and cook 5 minutes. Stir frequently. Dissolve bouillon in hot water or broth, add to radishes, and simmer 3-4 minutes. Add marjoram and serve as a hot vegetable.

If you decide to try any of these recipes, please let us know how you liked it. Just leave a comment on this post. Enjoy!

garden progress

2010-05-10T12:07:00.014-05:00

Tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, melons, cucumbers, and beans made their way to the garden last week. Countless hours were spent weeding. As the weather allows, radishes and peas will be harvested this week.

This week's rainy forecast is a much-appreciated break from outdoor activities.

This photo was taken a month ago, but chosen to keep us mindful of warmer days!

(click on photo to enlarge)

traveling chickens

2010-05-03T11:39:00.010-05:00

We like to think of this as a fine example of concurrent planning.

Chicks slated for the butcher block travel about the yard via portable forage pens (MHf's version of Amtrak). Each day, the group is moved to fresh ground giving them access to new grass, unsuspecting bugs, and wiley weeds. Getting up and actually having to walk somewhere is not their idea of a good time; however, they thoroughly enjoy their new surroundings. While feed is provided 24/7, in no way does it diminish the effect foraging has on the taste of the meat. Fantastic!

The hidden plan is that this slope will one day be home to brambles and/or vines. Leaving the waste from these critters adds vital nutrients to the soil. Allowing the older birds to scratch the previous grazing patch just speeds the process. If you look closely at the ground in the forefront, you'll notice a definite line where the pen sat several weeks ago.

Healthy soil = healthy plants. It's a win-win situation!

(click on the photo to enlarge)

MHf pond

2010-04-28T12:44:00.008-05:00

Secluded.
Private.
Trees and wildlife.
All to yourself.

How to spend your time?

Fishing...
Grab your tackle and favorite fishing hat.
Boat and oars will be waiting.

Swimming...
Cannonball off a fallen tree.
Study dragonflies fluttering at the water's surface.

Picnic...
Pack a lunch or pack the grill.
Nap at the water's edge.

The MHf pond beckons you to celebrate the great outdoors!

Click here for details.
(click on photo to enlarge)

a might interesting

2010-04-20T11:06:00.005-05:00

Here we have all the sizes defined by the egg industry:

peewee, small, medium, large, extra large, and jumbo.

So then, how shall we define eggs larger or smaller than these?

Miniature and colossal?

The smallest green egg on the left weighed in at a lowly 3/8 oz.
The largest brown egg on the right topped the scales at 3 1/8 oz.

Collecting eggs is always a treasure hunt!

frenzy in the henhouse

2010-04-14T14:01:00.012-05:00

Popular belief is that roosters crow at dawn. Many believe that roosters crow only at dawn. Neither is true - especially if there is more than one rooster in the barnyard. MHf roosters have been known to crow anytime throughout the day. After the first rooster bellows, the other roosters take it as a challenge to see who has the best, the clearest, the loudest, and the most ferocious crow. And let's not forget the most attractive for the female. Posing in the most beneficial crowing position, each rooster accepts the challenge with all the gusto he can muster. They banter back and forth a few times and then all is well again. Daylight is their prime time to perform so the nights are usually quiet.

Usually quiet, that is. Awakened in the middle of the night, why on earth was one particular rooster repeatedly crowing? (Like parents with children, a farmer learns the particulars of each animal's voice.) This was indeed just one rooster. He was crowing as if his vocal chords had been hard-wired to a metronome. Over and over and over. Come on, already - we hear you! Falling out of bed and into our clothes, we venture outside to investigate. (It's 1:30 in the morning.)

For some reason everyone is outside under the yard light. In the middle of the night! What is going on? Except for the constant rooster crow, the flock seems fairly relaxed. But sleeping outside has never been a regular practice. A look in the henhouse leads nowhere. The rooster has since quieted. He must find a little comfort in having us out there. A walk around the henhouse leaves us baffled. Nothing seems to be wrong. It's obvious, though, that something is wrong as this is not normal behavior for the MHf flock. We're at a loss. As odd as it seems, we let them be and returned to bed.

While doing chores the next evening (more than 12 hours later), we found the problem. Curled up tightly in the bottom corner nesting box was this uninvited visitor. His coloring just blends right into the wood. That and the fact that he was resting way back in the box was the reason we didn't see him the night before. We were amazed that he was still hanging around, but thrilled that he was still asleep. Taking careful aim, three shots took him down. No more hen house villain. This critter could be the same reason we had been finding broken eggs in the nesting boxes recently. Perhaps we just stumbled upon a barnyard sign of things to come. We'll have to put that one in the memory bank.

wild cows [part 3]

2010-04-09T12:38:00.011-05:00

Craigslist is a fantastic venue. One can always find something to buy. One can find other things, as well. Take cowboys, for instance. Do you realize how many actual, the-real-deal cowboys are still alive and kicking? After posting an ad for "Cowboys Needed" we had a flood of phone calls. Guys (aka cowboys) are just itching for an opportunity to tame the wild things.

These three riders came to our rescue. With all the confidence of a true-blue, done-it-before cowboy, they set out across the pasture. Don't miss the dogs in the photo. These critters were the ticket to getting the cows of out the trees. The dogs run them out and the cowboys rope them. Simple. Right?

Right. It was just that simple. In about 15 minutes, they called me [Paula]. Wow! That was so much quicker than I thought!! My job was to bring the trailer farther into the pasture so they wouldn't have to drag the cow all the way to gate. Piece of cake. Getting the cow into the trailer took was another matter, but these seasoned cowboys got it done.

Now to find the bull calf. Yeah. Three HOURS later there was still no sign of him. Did he freak out and jump the fence? Is he hiding in some deep crevice of the ravine? Did he climb a tree? It's anybody's guess. Searching every fenceline inside and out of the pasture (plus pastures adjacent), no tracks could be found. None. It was like he just flew away. That was February 18. We have yet to find him.

Meanwhile life goes on at MHf. And we continue to be surprised. Two weeks after her capture, the wild cow calved. We now have another little heifer in the mix. While the mama is Dexter, we have no idea what breed the papa is. Eric says the calf looks part deer because she's so tall and very, very skinny. The skinny may be due to the fact that mama lost so much weight over the winter. We're actually amazed that she calved so easily and birthed such a healthy calf. Both are doing well and gaining much-needed weight.

Here the calf is pictured with Baldie, the self-appointed babysitter. If you look closely, you can see the tip of mama's nose in the upper right corner of the picture. She is very protective. This photo was taken at maximum zoom.

[Click on any photo to enlarge.]

wild cows [part 2]

2010-03-03T12:48:00.003-06:00

And it was sight to see! That stunningly beautiful dun-colored cow was running across the neighbor's green wheatfield. The colors were truly magnificent. Oh! Wait a minute!! Those are the cows we just purchased!! Why are they out? Where are they going?? "They're out! They're out!! They're out!!!" I yelled. And I kept yelling and yelling, getting louder each time. Eric ran to the back door and do you know what he said? "They're out!"

Not only did they bust through five strands of barb wire fence, they took three of our herd with them. We tracked them for two miles and then lost all sign of the wild pair. But, because our herd knows us, we were able to walk them back home quite easily.

Desiring to be good citizens and maintain heathy neighborly relations, we reported the run-aways to three different counties: Harvey, Butler, Marion. Since we live so close to BU and MN counties, we thought it wise. Who knows how far that pair will run?

From time to time, Eric would take the tractor out searching for tracks and we would check with all three counties for reports of sightings. All to no avail. There was nothing else we could do.

Several months passed and then a neighbor stopped by asking if we had a couple of cows missing. "Well, yes." Eric stated. "But they've been gone for months. We've given up on finding them." This farmer proceeded to tell us that he found a cow/calf pair in his herd, but they were not his animals. He made his rounds to every neighbor with cows, but no one claimed them. Then he remembered we had "those small cows" and that maybe they belonged to us. How could we know unless we saw them? (He didn't bring pictures with him.)

Being home all day has it's advantages, but not when it means that I [Paula] am the one and only to accomplish certain tasks. This was one such task. Not sure what I'd find, I set out the for the neighbor's pasture. Now, keep in mind that this pasture is roughly 1/4 of a section with two very tricky landscape features. The first is in the NW corner. Limbs from the hedge grove make it nearly impossible to walk upright at times. The second pretty much cuts the pasture in half: a deep ravine. Knowing the cows would take shelter in the trees, it's pretty much useless to take a vehicle in there. One just has to suck it up and walk the entire piece of land.

All is well and I'm figuring out how to manuver through the limbs and across the ravine. The herd is spread between the open areas and the trees. Walking slowly, I'd really like to avoid a stampede, if possible. And I'd really like to avoid triggering the bull into combat. So far, so good.

Thankfully the neighbor's herd is very gentle and I was able to search for the wild pair with little trouble. It took a while, but I finally sighted them. For some reason, humans scare the tar out of wild animals and this wild pair displayed that characteristic quite well. The very instant they got wind of me they started running.

At this point, my job is done. They've been spotted and there's nothing I can do about it. But how do we get them out of this pasture?

Stay tuned for Part 3 next week.

Wild cows [part 1]

2010-02-24T16:03:00.004-06:00

Some of you may know the story about our estranged cow/calf pair purchased last summer. If not, grab a cup of tea and read on. (Keep the pot warm, though. This may take awhile.)

Think way back to last summer (when it was warm!). While browsing craigslist, we found an ad for a Dexter cow/calf pair. The price was phenomenal - almost two for one! And (and) they offered to deliver!! Immediately, we called. And almost just as quickly we learned why the price was too good to pass up. These cows were wild. Very wild.

You see, a gentleman in Kingman Cty purchased the pair and then sold them. After their move they escaped and wreaked havoc on Hwy 54 for several days, maybe a week. Calls were coming into the 911 dispatch office in record numbers. Finally, one of the 911 dispatchers had the men in her family rope them. Due to the unstable temperament of the pair, the new owner had no interest in their return telling the ropers they could handle the matter as they saw fit. Hence, the ad on craigslist.

"How wild could they be?" we thought. "Once they get to know our herd, they should settle down. Right? Right." [Remember, we are new at this 24/7 farming thing.]

Okay. The day of delivery arrived. We had everything ready. Gates were secure. Fences were strong. Water tank was full. Here we go!

Everything was lookin' good (yea!). To avoid injury to the young animals in our herd, we had the pair to run with the older animals. For the first 45 minutes, all of the animals literally ran the pasture. There was no slowing down. While they ran the entire pasture, they were especially interested in the northeast corner. (What's up with that?) Tired of watching everyone run in circles, Eric and I went about our business. Every few minutes one of us would peek outside to make sure all was well. And everytime we peeked, all was well. And then it happened!

Part 2 will be posted next week. Until then, stay warm and enjoy today's sunshine!

(PS: Chicks arrived this morning!)

flowers of the field

2009-06-22T07:44:00.000-05:00

"The flowers have already appeared in the land; the time has arrived for pruning the vines, and the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land." Song of Solomon 2:12

flowers of the field

(some may call them weeds)

[click on photo to enlarge]

to a good and spacious land

2009-06-17T07:25:00.006-05:00

"So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite." Exodus 3:8

Barnyard translation:
So Morning Harvest farm has come down to deliver the chicks from the power of the hatchery/incubator, and to bring the chicks up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with plants and insects, to the place of the Wyandotte and the Maran and the Orpington and the Ameraucana and the Cochin and the Australorp.

One of said chicks basking in the surplus of the garden.

(click on photo to enlarge)

carroting the weed row

2009-06-12T12:42:00.006-05:00

"And the desolate land will be cultivated instead of being a desolation in the sight of everyone who passes by." Ezekiel 36:34

Actually, I was weeding the carrot row, but who could tell?
Last year, this plot was part of the yard. We mowed it weekly.
This year, it's a garden. However, it's having a hard time making the transition. Grass still thrives and weeds still invade. For us, it will be a battle for several more years until the soil is conditioned.

(click on photo to get a closer look)

the one that got away

2009-06-09T08:19:00.006-05:00

"...and as he sowed, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. And others fell upon the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away." Matthew 13:4-6

A lonely lettuce seedling growing in the driveway.
It must have escaped from the planter enroute to the garden.
It didn't last long.

(click on photo to get a closer look)

pending storm

2009-06-07T07:32:00.004-05:00

"Out of the south comes the storm, and out of the north the cold. From the breath of God ice is made, and the expanse of the waters is frozen. Also with moisture He loads the thick cloud; He disperses the cloud of lightening." Job 37:9-11

The assurance of a storm from the south looming over the pond. Eventually, it brought rain, thunder, lightening, and hail.

(click on photo to get a closer look)

Early morning drink

2009-06-04T08:07:00.018-05:00

"The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens. By His knowledge the deeps were broken up, and the skies drip with dew." Proverbs 3:19-20

The day begins. With the backdrop of emerging morning rays, awaking wildlife chatter, and promising barnyard activity, the night comes to a close. All signs of darkroom replenishment will soon fade.

a spent dandelion

a thriving fruit tree

an indispensable clothesline

(click on each photo to get a closer look)

Time to grow up

2009-05-20T06:18:00.005-05:00

"Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
The chicks featured in the previous post have been promoted to the great outdoors. It was time. The brooder tanks were getting quite crowded and they were starting to fly.

Moving them outside serves several purposes. The most obvious being that it gives them more room to roam. It also puts meaning to their scratching in hopes they will find creepy, crawly things in the dirt. Their feed trays have been put away and food is spread on the ground morning and evening. After they eat, they spend the remainder of their time scratching & searching. (Incidentally, the rich, dark yellow yolk is a by-product of those creepy/crawly things.) In the meantime, they are introduced to the big guys (see, hear, and get used to each other without actually being together).

The brooder room remains open all day with a heat lamp glowing constantly. Those who are not sporting enough feathers can still find warmth. Eventually, they will learn the routine of being out and about during the day and in the henhouse at night. That, however, is still a lesson in progress. At first, none of them knew they should go in at night. One would think they would remember the heat lamp, but not so. We had to literally carry each one into the brooder room and place them under the lamp. More and more find their way each night, but there are still a few that need assistance.

In three to four weeks, they should be completely feathered and ready to make the big move to the henhouse.

The broody hen experiment

2009-05-12T08:26:00.003-05:00

"Give heed to my cry, for I am brought very low; deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me." Psalm 142:6
Remember the two hens that unexpectedly decided to brood? (You can read about it here.) This little guy is the lone survivor.

The chicks started hatching on schedule (May 3), but there were only five of them. They seemed to be quite strong and lively. Mrs. Maran was a good mother: very protective, teaching her babies to scratch, etc. Then one day everything changed. There was a hen of another breed (Miss Wyandotte) sitting in the box mothering the chicks. All chicks, that is, but one - and Mrs. Maran kept it close by. We pulled the chicks out of the box so they could be with Mrs. Maran, but Mrs. Maran cruelly rejected them. So, they went back in with their foster-mother. Each day started with fewer chicks. One-by-one they were found on the ground lifeless and no longer breathing. As an attempt to not lose them all, we put the lone survivor in the brooder tank with the chicks from the hatchery. Our guess is that if Mrs. Maran was not allowed to mother all of them, no one else could either. And the chicks were caught in the middle.

Hens were created to foster new life. If it were not for broody hens, chickens would have been extinct centuries ago. In our opinion, it would have worked beautifully if the broody hen had been isolated with her batch of eggs. For now, no more broody hens allowed! We'll try again when we can separate them from the want-to-be-but-aren't mother hens.

MHf bush hogs

2009-05-09T07:40:00.003-05:00

"And as for all the hills which used to be cultivated with the hoe, you will not go there for fear of briars and thorns; but they will become a place for pasturing oxen and for sheep to trample." Isaiah 7:25
If you remember, this month's newsletter showed DGF Summer munching in forbidded lands. She figured out how to escape the allotted area in return for thicker grass. The area she chose will be planted with fruit trees this fall so we decided to let the ladies do the prep work for us. Eric strung an electric fence along the driveway and let them have it at. Not only are they mowing for us, but fertilizing, too! We don't think they're complaining too much.

Your sleep will be sweet?

2009-05-08T08:49:00.012-05:00

"When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet." Proverbs 3:24
Unless there's a storm coming. Or several storms!! Many times over our NOAA weather alert has proven to be a great asset. However, last night it must have alerted us half a dozen times. And not all at once, mind you, but all through the night.

However, as good as NOAA can be, the cows are better. Our sleepless night started around midnight. The cows in the neighbor's pasture were making horrible cow noises that resembled honking geese. Our bull took the command in responding which set us on alert. You see, some of the cows next door are in heat. And when our bull responds, it usually means one thing: "Hark! Somewhere there is a damsel in distress. I must help her." Great! Does our bull have to be a hero in the middle of the night? Out of bed & venturing outside, we find him properly constrained at home. Apparently the cattle were just jittery about the pending storm. Back to bed.

Out of bed every hour or so just to shut off and listen to the alert. Then came the distant roll of thunder and sparks of light in the sky. Out of bed. It's 3 am. Clear a path in the barn to pull in the vehicles (even the tractor). Move the bull and two older ladies into the pasture with the heifers so they have overhead protection in case of hail. Back to bed. Lie awake realizing what hail could do to the garden. Push that thought aside because there's nothing large enough to cover the garden, anyway. Out of bed several more times thanks to the alert. Out of bed again - what? It's morning? You've got to be kidding!

Tonight we are clutching the last part of this verse 'til our knuckles turn white. "Your sleep will be sweet." "Your sleep will be sweet." Hope you have a restful night, as well.

(PS: If you're up for a challenge, try moving black cows in the middle of the night!)

Our journey begins

2009-05-07T07:53:00.011-05:00

"But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you; so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need." 1 Thessalonians 4:10b-12
How does this verse pair with the simple starts of the garden? Quite nicely, actually. It describes the life-style we hope to attain: sustainability from the land. Sustainability can only be attained through daily physical labor. Which, in turn, lends itself to a quiet life because how can we attend to our own business if we're always in someone else's? And working with our hands fosters a simple satisfaction like no other.

After 12 months of vision and labor, Morning Harvest farm is starting to show definite signs of sustainability. Cattle decorate the pastures, chickens decorate everything else, and the produce is thriving. Before you know it there will be meat on the grill, veggies in a salad, and fruit on the ice cream. Care to join us?

Welcome!

2009-05-04T08:23:00.001-05:00

Thank you for reading the very first post for Morning Harvest farm. The goal with this blog is to keep interested parties informed about current happenings on the farm. Entries will be posted at least weekly (maybe a bit more often).

For the truly curious, check out the blog we had when we lived in Seattle. The MHf blog will follow the same format because the Lord God can be found everywhere! Once I (Paula) started finding Scripture for daily events, it then became a challenge to find a verse for every situation we encountered.

How to convey our faith through our business was puzzling until the blog came to mind. Read it as often or as little as you like. Either way, we trust the content will keep you informed and entertained! Feel free to leave comments anytime!!