First Day at Market!

Well, the first day at market was definitely interesting and what I would consider a success, for the first day. Despite our best intentions and our pledge to be organized every single day before market, we ended up staying up half the night (Mom stayed up all night and cleaned the chicken house...because she couldn't sleep), in order to prepare the little produce we had for market. Actually, we were also digging out items from last year, most of which were stored where there was a sleeping baby. Fun night. But we made it out on time, without one of our items, but on time, nonetheless.

At market we had some eggs, green onions, baby arugula, herb pots, asparagus, garlic chives, and stinging nettles. We have some baby lettuces and spinach ready but we are saving those for our dear CSA members. It was a beautiful day, the vendors were excited and chatting about making it through the winter, the customers were pleased with the fresh produce, and everyone was very friendly. Well, almost everyone. There was a market goer who was, shall I say, less than pleased with the prices. To make a long story short, when asked about my sign for chemical free produce and free range, antibiotic and hormone free eggs, I was excited to reply with my standard answer of how our chickens get the very best feed, and the grass and bugs they forage for make their eggs not only higher in beta carotene and omega-3's but also tastier than anything you find in the store. Apparently, we had a difference of opinion. Usually I welcome this type of dialogue wholeheartedly, however, it ended poorly. Mostly with him saying "I was just a kid and didn't know what I was talking about," asking my mom if we "thought city folk were stupid," before storming away, leaving us a little confused.

Now, I would like to take the time to say this: Our belief at Old Nelly Farms, happy and healthy chickens=happy and healthy eggs. Furthermore, I would like to thank both the city folk and country folk who we do not think are stupid, but actually quite smart for thinking critically about the food we grow and how it affects the health of ourselves and the planet. I started this venture to make sure my family had the healthiest food I could provide and feel so fortunate that others not only support this venture and dream, but can reap the same rewards as I do. I am young, believe I do know what I am talking about, and would even go so far as to say your choices are brilliant. Thank you.

The fence is complete!

As promised, this entry shows our completed fence. I also need to say I have changed my perception of chain link fencing. I am completely serious when I say putting it up was somewhat of an art form. I definitely have a special appreciation for every chain link fence I pass. When I was doing some internet research on dismantling chain link fencing, there was a comment about people in the Midwest standing around with beer coozies admiring their new cyclone fence. It's true...and I totally understand why. This fence was difficult to put up, and so rewarding when finally done. Again, a special thanks to our fence building team and Paul for tirelessly helping us and coaching us. We are now ready to begin planting in the garden we have spent all winter planning and I can not wait. The one vegetable we don't have to fence in has begun growing, and I think we are going to enjoy our first three asparagus spears in a wonderful spring salad. We are also going to try a newfound delicacy...stinging nettles. I hear they have medicinal properties, lose their sting once cooked, and make a wonderful soup. I will let you know how it goes, as long as I am still able to type seeing as my fingers may be blistered from the nettles. (No need to worry, I will wear gloves) Now if you'll excuse me, I have a coozie to grab and a fence to admire.

It's Fence Time!

As promised, the new post shows our fence. Not in its entirety, but progress is being made. Luckily, we have the lower garden all planted and the shoots are starting to come up. We are "lasagna gardening" which means we are layering cardboard bike boxes (thanks to our new friends at Xtreme Wheels ) and straw to help with weed control. I also just learned that as the cardboard decays, the fungus produces a sugar that feeds the earthworms....yeah for multitasking. We are now trying to decide whether to take the chance and plant some seeds before the fence is completely up. We do have memories of turkeys walking down the rows of newly planted soybeans and eating them out of the ground. But we may take our chances with beets and lettuce. I am going to be eternally optimistic and say that our next post will show our new fence completely up. A special thanks to our fence building team and a special shout out to my papa, who never ceases to amaze me.

The Epitome of Recycling

I think we have officially topped our recycling efforts. Months ago (pre-snow), I noticed our neighbor had dismantled part of a 700 foot cyclone fence, complete with barbed wire running along the top. I thought it was perfect! Yes, I have managed to see the beauty in cyclone fencing and barbed wire. You see, we have been counting the deer and turkeys that graze in our farm patch. The highest number of deer we have seen is 13...at one time. So although you may think three strands of barbed wire is overkill, we don't think so. I feel a great responsibility to our CSA members and that means protecting our crop at all costs. In this case, it means dismantling the fence by hand, performing precision surgery with Papa (aka using a chainsaw to cut a giant grapevine from the wires), and rolling up 2100 feet of barbed wire. After two long days and some serious help from the Durick boys, the fence is almost down. We need some heavy machinery to take out the rest. If all goes as planned, this weekend we (and by we I mean Dan) can finish getting it down AND putting it back up. Just to make sure we get an early start, today we started planting in the little garden, which is already fenced in. I will keep everybody updated on the progress. Hopefully, my next post will show our new fence.

March Happenings

March is here and we are getting very anxious to get things started on the farm. We are wrapping up our winter projects and getting ready for planting. Our greenhouse shelves are full and our first batch of plants are ready to be up-potted. We started our nasturtiums very early so we could be sure to have some edible flowers ready for our lettuce mix but they are busting out of their pots. They germinated so well that our CSA members are sure to have a potted nasturtium this spring. Mom and I placed the corner posts of our new garden spot today so that we will be ready to put up our fence and where to start working the ground. We had to downsize the plot a tiny bit, which means I have to tweak our crop rotation and there won't be as much spaces between the beds, but there is still plenty of room for all of our vegetables. The Iowa State extension soil tester is giving us specific recommendations for fertilization and I feel so lucky to have such a great resource at my fingertips. Finally, Holden is walking and although the fence is primarily to keep the deer out, I am glad to have it keep Holden in...he is pretty adept at walking already. It looks like we are going to have a wet March and although we are so anxious to get going our wise farmer Dan told me I can't rush nature. So true.

Spring is in the Air...and in the Greenhouse.

Although there is still feet of snow on the ground, I think spring is finally making its way back to us. There have been three consecutive days of sun and over freezing weather. Every animal on the farm feels the change. The chickens are frantically taking baths and searching for bugs in the sides of the hill untouched by snow, the ducks are flying around the property and filtering the water of every slushy puddle they can find. Even Jessica and Hambone, our resident pigs, seem to have worse manners than usual. Because our greenhouse did not get erected this fall, the picture windows in front of our balcony have seedlings spread out before them. Every time I check them I am am reminded that I have more in common with plants than I previously thought...after a period of dormancy we are drawn toward the sun and it changes our position (or disposition) almost immediately. Amazing.

Planting has Begun!

Well folks, planting has officially begun. That must mean spring is on its way, right? As you can see, Holden is very good at helping. Right now, he is our official soil taster. (That is not a typo)

We have planted some of our herbs, including basil, oregano, tarragon, thyme, cilantro, parsley, and dill. We hope to have some well established herbs by early spring. We have also planted the seeds for our edible flower garden. We will have pansies, tricolor violas, marigolds, calendula, and three types of nasturtiums. The tarragon and oregano germinated within three days and the sight of those seedlings is almost as good as seeing the sun in the midst of these snowy days.

Early next month, we begin starting our vegetable seeds indoors. Once the soil becomes workable, we will be busy preparing our farm plots and putting up our fence. We are enjoying our days indoors before the long, hard outdoor days begin.