C.S.A. ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

With the first hint of Spring, and the hopeful sign of transplant trays full of tiny plant starts emerging from the soil, it is time to invite all those interested in joining our C.S.A. program. A little bit tardy in our membership round-up, we wait until the Spring and Summer produce prospects emerge. Not unlike the birthday party where everyone is invited and no one comes, there is that niggling thought that what if thousands of seeds are planted and nothing comes out of the dirt? Always sway to the side of caution, we have learned in farming. That is the reason that the onions and potatoes are going to stay on top of the ground for a few more days. We are reminded of the frosted foliage from last year. The CSA information is on our website with a link to the application. Just fill it out and mail or bring it to the market. The payment for the first month, will not be processed until the week that we begin. The anticipated time we will begin is the middle of April. Notification will be made a week prior. All shares will be picked up at the farm this year. Tuesdays and Thursdays will be pick up days. There will be a limited number of shares, it will be on a first to join bases. If there are any questions, just contact us, we will be happy to help. If the weather cooperates, we anticipate a wonderful harvest, with a wide variety of fruits and veggies. From our farmstead to your table, thank you for all of your support!!!

A TEN COW WIFE!!!

The Farmer worked his mojo, putting off vibes and scouring the country for that special Valentine's present, that would warm the heart of yours truly, his Funny Valentine . Priscilla and Penelope have joined the Bovine Beauties club here at the farm. After countless road trips, hot leads, phone calls, disappointments, he was inspired to take a trek to a generations old dairy farm in East Texas, lo and behold, the perfect additions to the farm were found. As the demand for raw Jersey cow milk has steadily increased, it was necessary to increase our milking candidates. The farm still has heavy production spells and light production spells, as the Farmer has not quite mastered the art of  Bull Whispering to communicate with Caesar when to breed the girls and when not to.....emphasizing to him the importance of having milk on such and such day, after so and so has been turned dry. He just hopes nature does its thing, and it will all work out. It is now a well established fact the Farmers Wife is a 10 cow wife.( not counting babies and boys). Johnny Lingo has nothing on him. The Farmer told this to a life insurance salesman, trying to sell him a policy. Quote" I invest in life insurance for my family every day. My life insurance policy incudes 1 farm, equipped with all equipment, buildings, and water wells, 65 goats, 10 dairy cows, 13 calves, steers and a bull, 60 laying hens, 22 beehives, and all of the fertile land anyone needs to feed ones self,  and not a penny owed. If you have a better policy than that, we will talk! If the wife had to go hunting for another man, if, God forbid, something happened to me, she would be quite a catch, even with a few extra pounds and a wrinkle here and there. Complete with a ready made farm, lock. stock, and barrel ." Unquote! What girl wouldn't be crazy for a man who thinks like that?  From our farmstead to your table, thank you for all of your support!!!

BRRRRRRRRR!!!

It is futile to try and dress with any hint of fashion when you are farming in the winter. Practicality is the norm as well as a necessity. As of late with the blasting ice and snow flurries and the biting temperatures, anything that is not thermal or woolen is useless. Hours spent on hair curls and a manicure are erased in minutes with a stocking cap and mittens, so scrunchies and nail clippers are the grooming tools of choice. The Farmer and Son take it all in stride. A quick trip to the barber shop, or not, a day or two without a razor, who cares? And who needs any lotion, when you can't see your skin.  Neither one seems to be phased, if they are gussied up or not. Especially when they are covered from head to toe with whatever is necessary to keep the cold at bay. It does warm the heart cockles when the Farmer comments on "Sparkly Eyes" underneath two stocking caps, knitted scarf, thermal underwear, a sweat shirt, coveralls, a down jacket, woolen socks, boots and mittens, all the while having to help pick up the water buckets, because someone is unable to bend over, will all of the extra layers she is wearing. No complaints about the heat of summer ever again! From our farmstead to your table, thank you for all of your support!!!

THE WAITING GAME!!!

For the last few weeks we have circled the wagons time and again, preparing our defenses against the ambush of periodic winter blasts that sneak up on us, trying to invade our territory and disrupt our well thought plans for early Spring planting. Just when we are lulled into a false sense of security with shirt sleeve weather, KAPOW!!!! Back to thermal wear and coveralls. The Farmer and Son are in idle mode, just waiting to jam it into high gear when there is a consistent break in the unseasonably cold temperatures, that will last more than two or three days. It still may be a few weeks away. Not to say that this time has not been well spent, as all of the equipment has been serviced, seeds and starts ordered and received, as well as the acquisition of some new, much needed implements, tools and gadgets that have been added to our repertoire to make our farming efforts a little easier. The Farmers Son has rigged up a new and improved system with heat mats and professional grow lights to start his seedling trays in warmth and comfort. A couple of Craigs list specials sit in the hay barn, in the form of feed buggies on wheels. Did you know that there is a special tool for cutting lettuce, and another one for asparagus? The Farmers Son was elated!  The strawberries that we have been picking in the hoop house have been so valiant against the sub freezing temperatures, as they continue to produce. The milk supply is slacking a bit as some of the girls, goat and cow, have been turned dry, in preparation for the next round of babies and milking. The Farmers Wife is just biding her time, anxious to shed the winter pounds, with outside activities, which include planting and weeding. This year may be the year for the pristine kitchen garden with an arbor and a garden bench, a koi pond, manicured plant boxes, pots, and raised beds. Complete with herbs and flowers, as well as vegetables, under the nightly glow of twinkling solar lights, and singing wind chimes. The Farmer just shakes his head. If you can't plow it with a tractor, much to time consuming. A Girl can only dream. MARKET HOURS: Friday and Saturday from noon until 4:00 PM. Good idea to call ahead for milk availability. Plenty of honey, goat milk soap, ground beef. Keeping the pantry items stocked also,.....preserves, laundry soap, bee wax candles. The baked goods, breads, cookies, granola, can be found on the bakers shelf. From our farmstead to your table, thank you for all of your support!!!