Farming in the shade

Click on the photo above to make it larger--maybe even large enough to read!

We've been busy in the whirlwind of enjoying family time and selling at the Kerstmarkt, and the blog rates lower than either of these other things. Now it's time to catch up a bit. First, a big thank-you to God for another year chocked full of blessings: Amazing yields on the farm (what a fun harvest it was this year!) Family (near and far) New crops Health Organic certification A job that provides health insurance Freedom And many more things. I need to get back into the practice of keeping a gratitude journal. But posting it might need to wait until after the busyness of Kerstmarkt is over. I was happy to find this blog post on being thankful for local farmers, who provided the food for a Thanksgiving feast. Hope your Thanksgiving Day was filled with food and family...

Last Saturday we kicked off the Kerstmarkt with a busy day. It was warm enough for The Farmer to demonstrate his knitting, which usually attracts a crowd. Here you can see a newspaper reporter quizzing The Farmer for his article . The last question was "How old are you?" The Farmer snorted and asked why the reporter needed to know that information. The reporter replied, "I usually just keep asking questions until the person shuts me down." I guess that was the question that ended this interview. It's a busy time, the Kerstmarkt--a time we look forward to as well as dread. The forecast for this weekend is much colder, and it will be interesting to see how we fare. Friday's hours are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.--an exhausting day even without the cold. Does this look inviting? If you're in the area, make sure you come out and see us. Hours and details are here .

I'm running a little special in my etsy shop on pumpkin colored roving. If you buy 8 ounces or more, I'll refund the shipping via paypal. Offer available to U.S. addresses only. Just enter the code THANKFUL in the notes to seller at checkout.

I've never liked the reusable bag concept. Well, I do like the concept, but not the poly something or other bags. I prefer paper, which is a renewable resource (plant more trees, make more jobs). In a pinch, I'll accept plastic, which are recyclable. Here's another reason not to like the bags. Edited to change the link. Apparently Yahoo videos have a short shelf-life.

"I made my mind up I would never marry a farmer," a friend of mine stated after we were discussing milk prices and the long grueling hours. She was raised on a farm and had decided that farming life was not for her." "My first thought was--I can't believe you feel that way. Followed by--that's OK; everyone has a God given place in this world." "Farming is not for everyone." Read the full article here.

I went on a field trip to an on-farm ethanol generating plant a week ago. Fascinating stuff! This farm has the potential to produce more 50% ethanol than they can use in all their farm machinery--all in a corner of one of their barns. They have converted most of their trucks and tractors to use the ethanol as an injected supplement to the diesel that they already burn in the tank. (Forgive me for the lack of detail in this area--engines and fuel are like hocus-pocus to me.) After the ethanol is produced, they have a "by-product" called distillers grain that is worth more than the ethanol itself--a high protein feed that cattle growers love to use. Unfortunately, the "plant" has stood idle for many months, due to (perhaps) overzealous regulations. We've been victims of this regulatory purgatory at times, and it's a hard place to be. Waiting, wondering... In honor of this farm family, today's farm fun facts are about ethanol. Ethanol is made from field cor...

Yesterday we took delivery on two new Targhee rams. They're busy getting acclimated to their new surroundings.

This is the second year we've been involved in this neat holiday home tour. It's a fundraiser for a couple of area churches and has exploded in popularity (suffering a few growing pains along the way). We've been busy getting our items ready for sale at house #9. If you're in our area, consider grabbing a friend and checking out at least part of this holiday home tour. Almost 120 area artisans have their wares for sale in 11 homes. Click on above photo to make it large enough to read. For more detailed info, click here.

Now that harvest is over, we're busy tidying up and buttoning up for winter. Wintertime brings its own set of activities. During our "down" time, we keep our eyes open for auction sales. Equipment auctions are a farmer's entertainment, social hour, continuing ed, and ebay-like adrenaline rush all rolled into one. Sometimes we even get some much-needed equipment! Here the guys are unloading a hay rake we bought at an auction. Hook up the chains... See if it balances well... Lift... (see the concentration? Did you think this was easy?) And return the borrowed trailer. All in a day's work!

We recently shipped out more compost. It's important for us to have the holding pad empty in the fall. The pad needs to hold all the winter compost until the load limit restrictions come off the roads in the spring. The weather forecast is for a long, snowy winter. Even without a long, snowy winter, there's no chance of shipping compost out until spring. Too muddy to drive the trucks back there. It's one more way we're getting ready for winter.