Farming in the shade

In my reading this morning, I came across this quote from a sheep farmer in Pennsylvania: "I'm a very strong supporter of animal welfare (which is difficult to define) and do not support animal rights. I don't believe that there is any single "ideal" or "right" way to raise livestock. Each producer must make that decision based on the region, the land he has, what he's passionate about and the market. Ag producers cannot afford to disparage others who don't do things "their way"—there are too many mouths to feed, and there's room for every kind of production as long as that production is based on sound science." It was just a snippet in an article about their operation. If you'd like to read the quote in context, you can read the whole article here .  If I had my way with that quote, I'd add to the end "as long a that production is based on sound science and treats the animal humanely." But what is th...

I guess we are committed to another summer of raising beans. The seed arrived last week. Can you spot the new variety?

Just before Shearing Day, in all the hubbub of getting things ready, The Farmer traveled across the state to pick up his latest project. A new addition to the farm. His friend Mark went along. Good thing, as we don't own a nice big truck and trailer. They got home late afternoon. Brinkley was wondering what was on that trailer. Lots of new smells... The occupants of the trailer were sniffing the wind, too, wondering what they'd gotten themselves into. They got off the trailer fairly easily, and headed out to the snowy pasture. Six new brood cows, all due to calve in March. Belted Galloways, also known as Oreo cows. They're beautiful, and have settled in nicely. Why cows? Because sheep and hay and corn and chickens and oats and compost and wheat and dry beans aren't quite enough to keep The Farmer busy, I guess.

I suppose that most of my readers will call the evening meal dinner. For us, dinner is a fancy night out. Or a word that is used in conjunction with "Spaghetti" to denote a fund-raiser. In the early evening, we eat supper.  Yesterday, time was short. I found this meal cooked up just as fast as a microwaveable meal. When I was home for lunch (see, now you know what we call the noon meal, too), I started some Nuña beans soaking in cold water.  When I got home from work, I drained them. Then I washed and chopped up some bok choy. A word about these bok choy. I bought them 16 days ago at Sweetwater Local Foods Market from Liberty Farms. They were still wonderfully fresh. I dare you to buy greens at your favorite chain grocery store and keep them untouched in your refrigerator for over 2 weeks. I heated some bacon grease in our fry pan, threw in some whole cloves of garlic, and sautéed the garlic and the Nuñas for about 5-7 minutes on medium high heat, sti...

Shearing Day last Saturday dawned clear and cold. We hurried about, getting ready for the 9:00 opening. The workshop was set up as a store and demo area. We had our beans out for sale this year. In addition to the beans and wool, we had four artists demonstrating their work. So grateful for the ladies who come back year after year to help us teach people about wool. Soon after 9:00, the visitors started arriving. People of all ages came. Some come every year. Some had never been here before.  They were welcomed by our friendly parking attendants. (Thanks, guys, I know it was cold!) Most of the day, Tim worked by himself. Sara clipped a few, but she's just learning. Even The Farmer got in on the action. He did pretty well! We tried to answer questions as best we could, but things were busy. Thanks to those who spent all day answering questions and telling what was happening, until they were nearly hoarse. Kids were able to pet...

We've been spending some time getting ready for Saturday's Shearing Day Open House. We assembled some felting kits. They include felting needles, foam, and an ounce of our wool. If you come to our Open House, you will be able to meet Barbara, who is a fabulous needle felter. You can see some of her work here. Who knows? You might be inspired to start needle felting yourself.  We spent some time cranking socks. If you come on Saturday during the morning, you will be able to see Joyce crank socks on her circular sock knitting machine. We will have some of our socks for sale, if anyone is interested. We also dyed some wool yarn to make socks with. If you come to the Shearing Day, you will be able to watch Kari and Chris spin wool into yarn. Never a dull moment at Shearing Day. Pass the word... For more information, click here .

We are involved in the Farmland Preservation movement here in Michigan. Years ago, The Farmer went on a bus tour out to Maryland and Pennsylvania to see their efforts to keep farmland from being gobbled up by development. He was impressed. Beautiful housing developments on one side of the highway, and miles of farmland on the other. Room for both. Since that time, he's gone to years of committee meetings and board meetings, pursuing what he saw out east. With no discernible results. Discouraged much? photo credit: Saucy Salad via photopin cc The other day I read a newspaper headline: Support waning for farmland preservation in ____ County. One of the nearby counties that had set aside money for purchase of development rights (PDR) was now backing away from the program. Blame them? Not really. Times are tight in Michigan and all over. Who has money for these things? And the PDR program is not without its faults and certainly not without its opponents. A related way ...