StarLight Farm 2013
2012 was very busy as expected. An activity that was a little un-expected was our increasing involvement in the Local and Organic farm movement. As we studied and listened more and more to the testimonies and writings of Organic Farmers around the world who have been struggling with large corporate pesticide and herbicide producers, we have become more concerned with the effects at our own farm. It seems to us that some degree of activism is necessary as the pressure mounts against the survival of small organic farm operations. We are working hard to revitalize and heal our property and I have to say we can see the results. An apparent example is the healthy and growing bird population on our farm. Many of the small sized inhabitants (ie: bee's and birds) are dramatically affected by the overuse of pesticides. The symbiotic relationship of all our farm inhabitants is becoming more tangible by the month. As a result of this, we felt should we expand our buffer zones and so we purchased 3 more acres of property.
Beyond that, we have had all the activity that we could handle. 2013 should be interesting as we start to see more of the direction where we want to go. Plans for this growing season include: Expanded Strawberry planting, 2nd year of Asparagus ( we will be able to harvest some this year), expanded potato planting, (very successful last season), more Sorghum, (we plan to make syrup on a larger scale), sheep and cattle, (we have been working on repairing fences and fixing up the barn, still not completed) and the addition of two more bee hives, (should arrive soon). There will be more as we go, but hopefully we are narrowing down our endeavors to the things we really enjoy. We will see!
Beyond that, we have had all the activity that we could handle. 2013 should be interesting as we start to see more of the direction where we want to go. Plans for this growing season include: Expanded Strawberry planting, 2nd year of Asparagus ( we will be able to harvest some this year), expanded potato planting, (very successful last season), more Sorghum, (we plan to make syrup on a larger scale), sheep and cattle, (we have been working on repairing fences and fixing up the barn, still not completed) and the addition of two more bee hives, (should arrive soon). There will be more as we go, but hopefully we are narrowing down our endeavors to the things we really enjoy. We will see!
Spring-Mid Summer
I have to say, we haven't experienced such an ideal Spring for a long time. Beautiful fragrant sunny days, and cool nights. Planting season came on early with a gradual warming without and radical late frosts or freezes. We started our 3rd planting season with high hopes and a level of confidence that we had not had before.
As we launched into our planting season, a series of events changed the course and nature of our summer. The first event was that we attended the Christening of our daughter's daughter in Sicily. It was a wonderful trip (as it has been each time) and both families got together for the celebration of Leonies birth. There was a christening in a little church on the Island of Merritimo, Sicily. The event was charming and beautiful.
So when we returned from Sicily, we were "chompin at the bit" to get back to planting and finish up. NOT to be..... when we arrived in Greenville, we discovered that our original house in located in town, that had been up for sale for a couple of months, had a buyer and wanted us out of there in less than 30 days. We had to scramble! 15 years of accumulated stuff all had to be sorted through, and moved out of there. What a nightmare! By the time we finished we had lost half of our planting season between the Christening and the selling of our house.
But one thing is sure on a farm, there is plenty to do....... We decided to move along to other things that needed attention. Like getting bees and cows and repairing fences, enlarging the barn.........
But one thing is sure on a farm, there is plenty to do....... We decided to move along to other things that needed attention. Like getting bees and cows and repairing fences, enlarging the barn.........
We also own some woods that the naturalists of the family like to explore. We made a primitive road with the tractor for going on walks.
On our big field, we planted a cover crop of rye to overwinter. We got a good stand and in late spring we mowed it down for the next crop.
The first part of Spring was close to ideal, coolish nights, sunny days, with intermittent rains to supplement the sun.
That's it for the SPRING REPORT, next, the summer gets HOT and we get cows!
COWS ARRIVE ! The farm enters a new phase. We purchased two Dexter cows. Dexters are an old breed originating in Ireland. They are small, slightly smaller than a Jersey. Their attributes include: sturdy, able to feed on pasture that other cows will not eat, economical to raise, give birth with no assistance, friendly to humans, can be raised as beef or for their nutritious and high quality milk. They are perfect for a small farm.
As fall concludes and early winter begins, the work
winds down and its time to enjoy the warmth around the house. Christmas comes and we can meditate on the good fortune we have had and the enjoyment of living a rural outdoor lifestyle. |
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