Turkey Incubation Project

I (Marilyn) have been caring for (in 2 incubators) eggs the turkeys laid earlier this month (to try to push our total production). So far we have had 6 hatch and one is hatching as I write this message. You can hear them peeping when there is only a minute hole in the egg. One of them woke me up this morning peeping so loud that I could hear it from the room next door (through a closed door).

the attached image files are big. let me know if I need to send them to you one at a time or to reduce the size.

More eggs should hatch next week in addition to some duck eggs I am caring for for a friend (Isis).

That is all for now from the turkey gang, peep, peep!

Spring Greens and Share Distribution

After nearly nine months in the ground, the overwintered spinach has been turned under.
We are happy to report that the first of the spring spinach plantings is ready for harvest.
As nice as it was to have such early greens from the overwintered crop, the fresh planting tastes
that much better. We also have some lettuce available at this time.
We are going to put the asparagus to rest for the year and let the rootstock recover.
We picked from the patch for three weeks. Next year we should expect an even healthier and abundant crop and longer harvest period.
For the time being (until some other crops become available) we will continue to distribute greens on an "as you like" basis.

When garden offerings warrant it, we will start to harvest on Wednesday and Saturday. Twice a week harvests are best for the garden and gardeners. Pick-up times will be on Wednesdays from 5pm until dark and on Saturdays from 11am until dark.

Please note that the sooner you come after harvest, the fresher the offerings will be.

Each family should pick either Wednesday or Saturday as their pick up day and let us know ASAP.
This will be your day to receive your share of that weeks harvest.
We hope to have an even split of families between the two days.
If you are flexible regarding which day you would like to pick up your share, let us know so we can organize the schedule accordingly.

If you have any questions do not hesitate to call or email.

"First Saturday" Garden Day June 7

We are planning a few different things for the next "First Saturday" garden day on June 7th.
There will be the usual assortment of garden chores (weeding, potato hilling, planting, tending the livestock, etc..)
We are also planning on doing a pressure cooking demonstration. Pressure cooking is a great way to cut down on energy consumption and makes for a convenient and quick way to cook many things (beans, grains, meat, etc..). You will learn the finer points of using a pressure cooker safely and confidently.
Valerie is planning on demonstrating how to cook an 8 minute chicken in our pressure cooker. The chicken will then be served as part of lunch.
We are requesting that folks bring something simple to add to the lunchtime meal (bread, dessert etc..) We will also provide the greens for lunch.
Our plan is to have everyone start out in the garden and then around 11am have one person (of your choosing) from each family represented in the kitchen for the workshop. This way we won't overcrowd the house and we will continue to make progress in the garden.
You do not need to own a pressure cooker to learn how to use one, but you may be in the market once you see and taste the benefits.

Garden Update #6 May 18

Saturday was spent planting beans, lots of beans. Accompanied by birdsong and good conversation, we methodically hand planted over 1,200 row feet of dry and soy beans. This was the first of 3 plantings of Edamame soy beans. The dry beans we chose for this year are Vermont Cranberry. These have been a New England tradition since before 1800 and are easy to shell.
Also planted was the first round of dill, cilantro, chives and scallions. Earlier in the week we put in the first round of sweet corn, a variety known as "Spring Treat".
We also planted swiss chard, another round of spinach and a nursery bed of lettuce.
Despite the dry weather, all of the crops under row cover are doing well.
The garden shed that will house our "distribution room" is taking shape.
The roof is on and it is wrapped. Next up is siding and windows.
This week we received 125 chicks. They are being brooded in the shop shed and will be ready for pasture in a couple of weeks.
Note that the overwintered spinach is about to go by, so if you are interested in picking it down, please do so asap.
Once this is picked down we will have lettuce. The newly planted spinach crops should follow shortly thereafter.
Come on rain!!

Garden Update #5 May 11

Where to begin?
Let's start with today and go backwards.
Upon returning home from the must see Ottawa Tulip Festival we found a very dry garden.
The forecast earlier in the week called for some rain but it looks like it is staying south.
So after another round of planting (spinach, golden and chioggia beets, swiss chard, carrots and arugala) we watered in the seed beds as well as the beds planted earlier this spring. During seed germination, soil moisture is especially critical. Seeds are not the only things requiring water at the moment. The perennial fruits also require plenty of water, especially the newly planted. Transplanted crops well watered at the time of planting require less, but still need to be monitored.
Saturday was an exciting day with many shareholders showing up to pitch in and lead on projects like trellising the peas, weeding and harvesting spinach and helping with the current building project. We are in the process of building a "multi-purpose" structure intended to be used for garden tools, curing alliums, housing hens, and who knows what else.
This week we also planted the early potatoes. Besides being the catch crop for the Colorado potato beetle, this planting will supply us with five different varieties of yummy taters.
Also planted was a cover crop of buckwheat and another round of snap peas and snow peas.
On Wednesday we are expecting delivery of day old chicks.
Thanks to everyone for all of the extra energy.

Garden Update #4 May 3rd

Saturday was another inspiring day in the garden. The weather slowly cleared and we had a very productive day of transplanting and mulching for the first of our "first Saturday" garden days. After an informal group introduction , we transplanted 72 broccoli, 60 cauliflower, 110 cabbage, 120 celeriac, 200 leeks, lettuce and yet more onions. After transplanting, the brassicas (cabbage family) were quickly covered with row cover to give them a head start against a perennial pest, the flea beetle.

The cauliflower and broccoli in this first of two plantings is destined for both fresh eating and for the freezer. With some luck, the bulk of this early round of cabbage will be for our annual
Sauerkraut Making Party (more on this as the crop matures).
We also rolled out 5 very large round bales of hay for mulching the area that will be home to the tomatoes, peppers, tomatillos, eggplant and sprawling crops like squash and pumpkins.

This day also brought out a class from St. Lawrence University. Arla Casselman, a first year student at SLU, has been working on a class project highlighting the benefits of an "immersion CSA" like FFT. On Saturday, she led a tour and gave a talk to her class as part of this project. Arla has been volunteering on a regular basis and has been a great addition to the farm. Her sense of ownership and confidence regarding the gardens is an inspiration for us all.

A farm soup by Valerie and shared treats brought by others made for a nourishing lunch time filled with conversation and community.

Inspired by Marilyn, FFT entered the 47th Annual Rushton Canoe Races on the Grasse River. Participating as a group highlighted an incredible weekend spent with a special group of friends. As for our results? Let's just say that the spirit of the garden also made it's way onto the water and into our boat!

The next scheduled 'first Saturday" garden day will be June 7th.

Thanks again and as always, stay in touch.

bob and val

"First Saturday" Garden Day details

Hi Folks!

Just a few things about "First Saturday" Garden Days...

...there will always be a variety of tasks that can be done. Please work only within your ability. If you cannot lift, bend, kneel, or work in a specific way, please feel comfortable to speak up about it and we'll be happy to find you a job that fits.

...if the weather is bad on a scheduled work day, you don't need to feel obligated to come out. (especially those of you with small children- we understand that it's hard to keep them happy and comfortable when it's wet and chilly!)

...things you may want to bring: gloves, sun hat, water bottle, a small snack. We'll provide a lunch around noon, so please plan to join us!

We're looking forward to a wonderful season of community, fun and
of course ...food (for thought).

Val and Bob