Category Archives: Farming

Blown eggs–an easier way?

I love finding ways for my birds to pay their own way! Spring is coming, and the ducks, chickens & geese have been laying more eggs–good news!  Our surplus eggs (pastured, organic, no-soy, no-corn) have gone to friends.  That “egg … Continue reading

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The First Goose Egg of Spring

Joel ran to find me yesterday morning because the first goose egg of the year had appeared. The first eggs this year came from a pair of American Lavender Ice geese. Continue reading

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Boron: A Soil Supplement

This afternoon’s project was spreading Boron on our pastures. Continue reading

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Why top bar beehives?

Here is my post about why I’ve decided to use foundationless and top bar hives for my treatment-free style of beehive management. http://www.pleasedbees.com/wp/2011/02/04/why-top-bar-hives/

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Spreading Lime to Make the Grass Grow

The best part about spreading lime this way was I was recruiting my farm helpers (ages 6 & 9) to come along with me on the project! Continue reading

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Bum Hay

It was coarse and looked more like straw than hay. I accepted delivery, and paid for it. That was a mistake. The animals won’t eat it because it has no food value for them. I was worried about being out of feed, and fear is a poor reason for making decisions!
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Soil Test Results

We are low on Calcium, Sulphur, & Boron. The soil is also acidic.
The phosphorus came out excellent–which was a huge surprise, and a big change from our previous soil sample from 2006. It was virtually zero back then. All the poultry manure & compost spreading has paid off.
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October 14th, 2010 Farm Overview

5.69 Acres total 3.1 Acres for pasture & grazing2.1 Acres is forested0.4 Acres for Driveway, Homesite, & yard2070 sq. ft. for Teaching Barn, and Workshop Animal population on October 14, 2010: 1 milk cow, 1 steer, 1 calf5 doe goats, 5 … Continue reading

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Keep it simple Worm Composting — Vermiculture

The compost was still composting at about the same rate, but my system had changed for the better. I now have a host of worms working through my compost.

I no longer create large heaps of hot compost, and I no longer have to turn the piles.
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Resources & Favorite Links

Here is a list of resources I’ve found useful, or visit often: Food & Nutrition:www.westonaprice.orgwww.sustainableeats.comwww.thunderinghooves.netwww.polyfacefarms.comwww.danlac.com Farming & gardening:http://wincustomersusa.com/stockman/index.php (The Stockman Grass Farmer)www.kingcd.org/pro-far-man.htm (King Conservation District Manure Share)www.journeytoforever.org/farm_library.htmlwww.journeytoforever.org/farm_library/turner/turnerToC.html (“Fertility Farming” by Newman Turner, 1951)www.freshthemovie.comwww.growingpower.orgseattletilth.orgwww.holderreadfarm.com Bees:www.pleasedbees.com (treatment free honey bees)www.stingmenot.com (poison-free bee … Continue reading

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