Farming in the shade

We grow Wapsie Valley corn, an open-pollinated variety that dates (at least) back to the mid-1800s and has its roots in Iowa. We have found it to be much higher in protein than the hybrids we used to grow, and this is the corn that we have ground for our corn meal and grits/polenta.  Typically, we harvest the corn with our combine. This past fall, we had what amounted to a monsoon.  Eventually the ground became so saturated that we couldn't use the combine anymore. So we harvested the remainder of the corn the old-fashioned way. A gentle public service announcement: Please do not tell a farmer that his food costs too much. Either buy it, or don't buy it. You probably have no idea what has gone into the production of that food... Save Save

Our Belted Galloway cattle (a.k.a. Oreo Cows) eat fresh, luscious grass in the spring, summer and fall. But come winter, the grass goes away. This is when we haul out the hay that we put up during the spring and summer.  The big round bales of hay are heavy, so The Farmer uses the skidsteer/bobcat to haul them out to the field. He takes off the net wrap so that the cattle can get to the chopped hay. Often he has cattle who want to help him and hurry him along with this part of the process. So you will occasionally hear him bellow (he has ear protection on, and doesn't realize how loud he is) "MOOOOOVE!" Whether the ground is bare or snow-covered, the cattle need feeding. After the net wrap is off the bale, he spreads it out a bit, so that all can get at it. So far, we have had three heifer calves this year. This mama cow is heading for the hay pile, and assuming that her new calf can keep up.

Last fall I took some light colored sheets, too worn for using, and dyed them. I had several different shades of RIT dye, and just kept adding dye and new sheets to the big canning pot that is only used for dyeing now.  This is what I ended up with--several shades of red.  I cut all these sheets into long strips, and sewed them end to end in a random pattern. And wove a set of rugs... I've been a rug weaver since the kids were small. And that's a LONG time. If you would like to learn to weave, without the commitment of buying your own loom and finding a place for it, I have an idea. Why not come and learn from me and use one of my looms? Take a one-day class, one-on-one, in our upstairs studio. Learn to cut, sew, weave and finish (no dyeing this time!), and leave with a rug of your own. Contact me at info@shadysidefarm.net and we can pick a time that works for both of us. This class is only offered in the winter. Total cost is $90, everything (but lun...

We talked with many of you at the Kerstmarkt about our Fiber Fridays, and we have another one coming up on Friday, February 23. Bring your knitting, crocheting, felting, or other fiber-related project, and join us for an afternoon of fun. Feel free to bring along show-and-tell items that relate to fiber arts. The farm is located at 13275 Blair Street, Holland, Michigan. Fiber Fridays are held in the weaving studio on the second floor of the red and white barn directly to the northeast of the house. Our on-farm shop is open each Friday, as well, so you can stock up on beans, corn meal/grits or wool while you're here. More information and a schedule of Fiber Fridays can be found here .

Have you ever wanted to learn to knit socks on a circular sock knitting machine? Maybe you found one in an attic and need to learn how to use it. Maybe you're looking to buy one, but before you spend the money, you'd like to know for sure it's something you can master and enjoy. You can take a 1-day or 2-day class at a time that is convenient for both instructor and student. Sock knitting classes start at $90, and include everything (even the machine!) you need to take home a pair of fresh-from-the-farm wool socks. Email info@shadysidefarm.net for more info.

Mark your calendars for our Annual Shearing Day event. This is your chance to see sheep shearing on a working farm! It's an open house type event--come anytime between 9 and 3 and leave whenever you want. You will want to plan an hour or two to see it all. We are located at 13275 Blair Street, Holland, Michigan, 49424. Many of our friends and family help us to put on this event. We need help parking and greeting people, herding sheep, skirting wool (you'll find out what that means when you come), answering questions, and demonstrating what can be done with wool. We are so grateful for our team--many of whom have helped us out for years. Make sure you dress warmly and in old clothing. If it's a warmer day, there will be mud--boots are a good idea. You will smell like a sheep barn when you leave--but it's worth it! Even though this is a free event, we ask that you consider donating toward the work of the Critter Barn in Zeeland. Miss Mary will be at our event to ...

I've taken a long hiatus from blogging, and so I'll do my best to catch up, without making you feel like you're drinking from a firehose. Speaking of firehoses (and by extension, water)... After a long dry spell during the summer, the weather changed. It rained for 40 days and 40 nights. At least it seemed that way. Here's a photo that shows the results: We were able to harvest the field of beans that was planted on sandy soil. These beans were harvested before the bulk of the rains came.  Unfortunately, the field that was heavier clay soil we were not able to harvest. If you dig under the snow, you'll probably find frozen, sprouted beans. Ten varieties of beans.  Needless to say, we are not all that happy about this. It has changed our farmers market display, to be sure! The beans are a big part of our annual income. These things happen, but maybe you can understand a bit more why I haven't been eager to blog. After all, if you don't ...