Sorry I wasn't smart enough to catch a picture of this.
After laughing uncontrollably at the multiple weather warning and advisories, (the sub zero temps and wind chills may be getting to me ) and running a few errands before the <1/2 mi visibility gets here; I sat down by the wood stove in mom's rocking chair with a cup of homemade cocoa. I looked up and noticed the first bird at the bird feeder at the Flynn Creek Farm. It is a smallish black and white woodpecker catching up on suet before the temps drop again. This is a wonderful life.
a
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Friday, November 22, 2013
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
The Blessing of Bees
After spending the last few weeks helping to harvest the apples in the orchard, I am reminded of the importance of bees.
Restoring an old orchard that has been neglected like the one we've been working on takes a holistic, long-term approach. We've been working on restoring the soil fertility (especially the mycorrhiza), welcoming natural predators (bats, spiders, sheep in the summer) back to the land, practicing appropriate and not over zealous pruning, and generally caring for the whole system. We've already seen a larger percentage of surviving trees than we thought we could bring back to health and production. Each year, the quality of produce goes up. The first year we were lucky to get cider apples. This year we had some delicious dinner table apples and maybe, just maybe, even a small few that might make a couple months in storage. While we are no where near finished bringing the orchard back, we are taking the right steps to get there in a few more years!
Through those years we hope to keep our closest allies, the honeybees. Bees are the magic pollinators on the farm. Not only do they pollinate the apple blossoms, but they work on the veggies in fields by the house and the herbs and culinary flowers, too! Because we focus on a full, seasonal system that includes natives and wild habitat along with our delicious food, the bees have food near by that is safe and organic all year round. Luckily, we have strong healthy bees working beside us on the farm.
A few of you who have stopped by our farm stand have mentioned your own interest in becoming beekeepers. Talking to Les directly can help you find more specific resources. However, in my spirit of thanksgiving to the wonderful bees, I thought I'd share a documentary that I have seen recently called Vanishing of the Bees from 2009. It's even on Netflix! This movie highlights the concerns over thousands of bees disappearing and decimating the bee population. Even if you have no intention of starting your own hive or planting food for bees, this video is produced well and tells an important story we should all be paying attention to.
I'll be back on the farm this weekend to help harvest more apples. Hope to see you there!
Restoring an old orchard that has been neglected like the one we've been working on takes a holistic, long-term approach. We've been working on restoring the soil fertility (especially the mycorrhiza), welcoming natural predators (bats, spiders, sheep in the summer) back to the land, practicing appropriate and not over zealous pruning, and generally caring for the whole system. We've already seen a larger percentage of surviving trees than we thought we could bring back to health and production. Each year, the quality of produce goes up. The first year we were lucky to get cider apples. This year we had some delicious dinner table apples and maybe, just maybe, even a small few that might make a couple months in storage. While we are no where near finished bringing the orchard back, we are taking the right steps to get there in a few more years!
Through those years we hope to keep our closest allies, the honeybees. Bees are the magic pollinators on the farm. Not only do they pollinate the apple blossoms, but they work on the veggies in fields by the house and the herbs and culinary flowers, too! Because we focus on a full, seasonal system that includes natives and wild habitat along with our delicious food, the bees have food near by that is safe and organic all year round. Luckily, we have strong healthy bees working beside us on the farm.
A few of you who have stopped by our farm stand have mentioned your own interest in becoming beekeepers. Talking to Les directly can help you find more specific resources. However, in my spirit of thanksgiving to the wonderful bees, I thought I'd share a documentary that I have seen recently called Vanishing of the Bees from 2009. It's even on Netflix! This movie highlights the concerns over thousands of bees disappearing and decimating the bee population. Even if you have no intention of starting your own hive or planting food for bees, this video is produced well and tells an important story we should all be paying attention to.
I'll be back on the farm this weekend to help harvest more apples. Hope to see you there!
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Do's and Don'ts: Farmer's Market
The Modern Farmer recently posted an article of Do's and Don'ts for Farmer's Markets. I agree that the Farmer's Markets presents an interesting situation on etiquette. It's not like shopping in Walmart and it's not like shopping in a pricey boutique. After attending farmer's markets for years as both producer and consumer, I have my own set of Do's and Don'ts. It differs from the article. I think it gives a little more respect to the producer when you are walking around the smaller markets. The East Troy (village of 3,000) farmer's market is vastly different from Madison Capital Square market on Saturday. Smaller markets demand more communication between consumer and producer. Plus, I think those at the larger markets would appreciate it, too!
Do: Take samples or ask for a sample. I don't think you should just grab something and then after it's in your mouth claim it as a sample. Producers love to show off their hard work and convince your taste buds you can't live without that yummy cucumber. However, producers have a right to delegate how much of a sample you get. It is free to you as a consumer, but not to the producer.
Do: Ask tons of questions! Consumers have a right to know where their food is coming from. Every farmer at the market is not organic. Every farmer is not working on soil health. Not every farmer picked the produce recently. Knowledge is power!
Do: Bring your own reusable bag. The farmer's market is the PERFECT place to show off your stylish eco-bag. Producers usually have some plastic bags, but it's so much nicer when we all consider sustainability. :)
Do: Ask for quantity deals. Most producers have extras at home or are willing to work with you if you are canning or making your own hard cider. Some items are only sold off the farm for legal reasons. You might not notice a sign advertising a producers' special deals, so ask!
Don't: Skip people in line. Yeah, this is a crappy thing to do. Producers work hard on giving as much speedy attention to everyone as they can. Patience will reward you and keep others happy, too.
Don't: Return food. I'm sorry but I completely disagree with the article above. Returning food is gross. It's touched a bunch of other peoples' hands, been rolling around in bags, and been standing out in the heat and often sun for longer than it should be. If food is accepted as a return, it can't be sold to someone else for food safety reasons. Maybe if it's a canned good or something in sealed container, but for our fresh veggies and fruit, no thanks. That being said, if you have a serious problem go back and talk to the producer. Most people are willing to accommodate you in some fashion. (On a side note, we sometimes get people asking for returns when they don't understand what fresh food means. One woman asked for a return on our farm fresh eggs because the yolks were too yellow. She didn't understand that a healthy egg should have a bright and deep yellow color to it. We gave her back her money but also explained why they were great. Sadly she had already thrown all the eggs out!)
Don't: Come to the farmer's market right at close. The fresh items will always be at their best early in the morning or opening of the market. You are cheating yourself by waiting till the end. Producer's don't mind selling to you as they pack up (well, most don't), but remember that these veggies have been out in the heat and sun all day and need to be put in a cooler right away.
Do: Take samples or ask for a sample. I don't think you should just grab something and then after it's in your mouth claim it as a sample. Producers love to show off their hard work and convince your taste buds you can't live without that yummy cucumber. However, producers have a right to delegate how much of a sample you get. It is free to you as a consumer, but not to the producer.
Do: Ask tons of questions! Consumers have a right to know where their food is coming from. Every farmer at the market is not organic. Every farmer is not working on soil health. Not every farmer picked the produce recently. Knowledge is power!
Do: Bring your own reusable bag. The farmer's market is the PERFECT place to show off your stylish eco-bag. Producers usually have some plastic bags, but it's so much nicer when we all consider sustainability. :)
Do: Ask for quantity deals. Most producers have extras at home or are willing to work with you if you are canning or making your own hard cider. Some items are only sold off the farm for legal reasons. You might not notice a sign advertising a producers' special deals, so ask!
Don't: Skip people in line. Yeah, this is a crappy thing to do. Producers work hard on giving as much speedy attention to everyone as they can. Patience will reward you and keep others happy, too.
Don't: Return food. I'm sorry but I completely disagree with the article above. Returning food is gross. It's touched a bunch of other peoples' hands, been rolling around in bags, and been standing out in the heat and often sun for longer than it should be. If food is accepted as a return, it can't be sold to someone else for food safety reasons. Maybe if it's a canned good or something in sealed container, but for our fresh veggies and fruit, no thanks. That being said, if you have a serious problem go back and talk to the producer. Most people are willing to accommodate you in some fashion. (On a side note, we sometimes get people asking for returns when they don't understand what fresh food means. One woman asked for a return on our farm fresh eggs because the yolks were too yellow. She didn't understand that a healthy egg should have a bright and deep yellow color to it. We gave her back her money but also explained why they were great. Sadly she had already thrown all the eggs out!)
Don't: Come to the farmer's market right at close. The fresh items will always be at their best early in the morning or opening of the market. You are cheating yourself by waiting till the end. Producer's don't mind selling to you as they pack up (well, most don't), but remember that these veggies have been out in the heat and sun all day and need to be put in a cooler right away.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Fall Fermentation
I thought I'd pass this great opportunity on to our readers. Not too far away in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, October 4th-13th, the Fermentation Fest will occur. This festival includes tons of amazing classes and talks on ways you can connect to your food. From canning tips to making your own sourdough bread to wine and hard cider making to homemade cheese production you'll explore the vast ways fermentation plays a vital role in our food. There is also a farm and art tour that gives you time to explore the region and, most likely, see some of that great autumn color of Wisconsin! It looks awesome; I hope to see you there!
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
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