After Eighteen Months of Construction...

the buildings are almost finished.

In the photo below you can see the changes and additions made.  Left to right, The barn was painted brown and Roof repainted a lighter color, to reflect the light and cut down on the rust.  Recycled windows were put in to give natural light.  Electric and second had Gymnasium lights were put in the barn to light it up in the dark of winter. Doors were put on East and West ends.  A new chicken coop was added to start pullets.  The floor was cemented and divided stalls were put in with doors to each area.

To the right of that is the Wood Shed.  A former cement pad was used and extended, and metal was recycled from the lean to storage areas next to the garage. These were all repainted the brown to match the barn with a new light colored roof.  Next there is the outdoor woodburner which heats the greenhouse, a two story classroom/gallery including a kitchen, office, bedroom, bathroom and Scott’s two-car garage.  Gratefully Scott likes to cut wood and we still own property full of hardwoods.

Continuing to the right is the 1000 Sq foot greenhouse, which is more of a florida room. At this time only half of the greenhouse has plants and the other has tables for workers to enjoy the warmth and natural light in the winter while planning for our next season.

Attached to the Greenhouse, also wheelchair accessable is the two -story classroom/gallery, and kitchen and bathroom. A space for a future walk in Freezer and cooler.  Upstairs is an Office, lounge area and bedroom. Again we used as much second hand/ recycled appliances, windows and doors as possible.

Scott has been enjoying the heated two -car garage this winter for his cars and the pick up.  He is still debating putting some gym equipment in this area in the future as it has a great view of the pond and an attached patio where the back up Generator is.

The final big addition is seen as basically a large concrete pad, but in fact is a 23,000 gallon cistern collecting and filtering the rain water from the roofs of all the buildings including the house.  After the Derecho and Drought of 2012, we felt this was a necessity, as we used at least 23,000 gallons of water one month that year for the animals and to irrigate our plants.

I think I am most proud of being able to serve this Multi filtered water to our guests, use it on our plants and to water our animals. Its analysis is

·      Hardness 0.23 gpg (3.5 wastes SOAP, causes scales to clog pipes and heaters);  PH 7.1 (indicates slightly alkaline);   Iron, Magnesium, Tannins:  0.00 ppm;  Sodium Salts 39 calc ppm (over 250 ppm affects taste);  Total Dissolved Solids 43 ppm (EPA suggests a 500ppm as a maximum contaminant Level);  Everything else: Turbidity, Color, Suspended Matters, Iron Bacteria, Odor are all at 0.00 levels.

Final touches of lights in the classroom/gallery and kitchen are to go up this week.  Odds and ends will be finished and we can move to continue to have classes.

Please mark your calendars for some up coming activities.

·      March 20- Thursday ‘s, 10-12noon, Painting classes with Jeff Risner  $15 per Class.

Lunch will be available for a $10 fee usually including a soup, salad and savory. Feel free to bring a bag lunch if you prefer.  The green House is quite warm and balmy at this momment and will be where we will have class during inclement weather. Park in Front of Green House & Barn if you can. 

·      Open House- Saturday April 26, 12-4 pm. Come see all the babies!  The lambs will be in the barn by then.  We are also getting some new Bull Calves that are always adorable.  Tours and hiking around the farm and pond encouraged.  It will be a great time to get out and hopefully enjoy some spring weather in the country.  I will try to have my staff there to explain all that we have done.

My goal for this year is by harvest season to have regular Classes re: canning and Freezing vegetables and fruits. And by September go into some craft classes and sewing classes to go back to the basics.  When I was growing up Canning and Freezing was a big part of my family experience. I also used to make all my own clothes while in High School.  I want to start doing that again.  I will keep you all informed. I am also looking for people that would like to do some teaching…crafts, cooking, basket weaving, woodworking, etc.  With the current economy I want to offer classes to people to save Money and be more self sufficient.

Gratefully we have survived the 12 snow storms of the winter.  So far lamb count continues at 7, three ewes and four rams.  All Moms and lambs are healthy and doing well.  Last year we lost at least two Moms and their babies just during lambing, it was hard to deal with. Check out the following videos of the lambs and their energy.

This week we learned that Sheep like Humans can have lack of protein affect their wool.  The wool was coming out in large clumps, similar to hair falling out. With all the ewes either pregnant or lactating, the fields covered with snow, and continued cold some of their wool is coming out in clumps.  We are now giving them more grain to maintain their protein levels as they continue to get through this winter.

We are down to three bales of hay from 2013, our freshest and most nutritious that have been kept in the barn.  I have a few bales from 2012 that the tarps have blown off but we can still have the dry hay in the middle. Again this will be lower on the nutrition scale and we will be continueing to give high protein grain to supplement their needs.

We are still planting seedlings in the greenhouse for spring planting and to sell at the Athens Farmers Market.  The Executive Committee there is still trying to make a decision to where we will be moving to as of April 1.  There are some very hard decisions that must be made.  I trust their judgement as this is not an easy decision, and there are many pros and cons to each possible new site.

I am just looking forward to getting out to see all my customers again after two months post knee replacement.  It is going well but I do not seem to get my stamina back as much as I did when I was younger.

We will have beef for sale again March 15 at the Athens Farmers Market.  All Pasture fed here at the farm.

Please mark your calendars and keep and eye out for further classes available.   I will be assisting with a number of Saturday classes for a few weeks but will have my staff there with Eggs, Beef, garden plants and fresh herbs to sell.  Enjoy!

February 7

It’s a girl!

January 26 we had our first lamb of the season born on a Sunday afternoon.  

Mom is Goldie One Ear, one of our oldest ewes.  Mom and Lamb seem to be doing well until monday evening, just as the sun was setting when I saw Jasper the houdini pup playing with the lamb like it was his personal toy.

The next day, we put Jasper into the barn to give the Mom and Baby a rest.  We started giving mom some extra feed, minerals and a mixture of molasses with stinging nettle tea to help with Anemia problems, increase the immune system and help her to increase her milk production. (Stinging nettle tea is great for everyone.  I have been drinking it the last few weeks myself.)  Everyone seemed to be doing well; even with the -17 degree temps last week. 

We continue to keep extra bales of our freshest hay near the shelter area to help as wind breaks and give the sheep a chance to eat the hay when the ground is covered with snow and ice.

Monday morning this week with at least 7 inches of snow on the ground all of my help were stranded by the weather and I am not steady enough on my feet yet, after this knee replacement to go out into the field without a chaperone.

By 5 pm I made it to the barn to feed the chickens, check on the cows and guinea fowl, then prepared food for the sheep and the two pyrenees.  Scott came in just as I was going to the field. 

We made it to the field but the baby lamb was nowhere to be found.  Feeding the adult sheep and the dogs as a distraction I found the lamb resting in the hay in the lean to shelter.

It was weak, thin and limping a bit in the back right leg.

I called my Sheep expert, Celeste Taylor who came straight over with her medicine bag and expertise.  She examined both Mom and Baby and acknowledged the Mom has limited milk production and the baby maybe showing signs of hunger and muscle weakness.  We put a warming jacket on the baby, gave it a dose of selenium, some B vitamins and a supplemental bottle.  Mom got a drenching of molasses and Stinging nettle tea. 

Tuesday morning Jasper, who had been allowed back in the field over the weekend, was taken back to the barn.  HE had quit playing with the lamb, but seem to be focused on herding them, almost to the point of stalking, as Mom and Lamb would try to have some quiet time.  I am sure that was not helping things.

Baby Lamb and Mom have really done well the rest of the week. The bottle supplement and warming coat seem to be helping also.

It seems like a really long winter already, esp being pretty much confined to the house with the knee replacement.

Scott has been great with extra chores and keeping me in ice for the knee.  Gratefully his employees gave him the box set of the BBC/PBS series “Doc Martin” and we are almost up to the fourth season…enjoying the sunny countryside of Cornwall, England and a General Practitioner that has horrid bedside manner.

 JJ spent a few days helping me when I got out of the hospital and we started the HBO Series “Game of Thrones.” I read the five book series starting the end of August, and at least have a clue to what is going on in this complex show.

I am looking forward to getting back to the Farmers Market on Saturday.  Missing the month of January recovering from the knee replacement has been great but I miss seeing all my friends and Customers.  Gratefully I have progressed well enough to get driving privileges at 24 days post op, as to the usual six weeks.

For the Market we have a few bulbs we have started that will be available for sale, as well as some pots of Arugula, cilantro and parsley for your kitchen to have fresh herbs at home. 

Our meat products are limited and are at half price at this time as we will be butchering again in a few weeks and need some freezer space.  We have some beef, lamb and mutton all sealed and frozen.

Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday!   Judy

PS: To all the Artists out there we will be resuming our Painting classes and Lunch in March on Thursdays.  Jeff Risner has agreed to teach again. We have a cook and the green House is already set up with Tables for Rainy days and/or warmth as needed.  We are just waiting for the ice and snow to clear as well as the final work completed on our farm improvement project.  I will have more information as soon as possible.  J

January 24, 2014 Are you keeping warm?

January 24, 2014

Are you keeping warm?

I hope your Holidays were happy and you have good memories now that we have moved into the new year.

We celebrated Thanksgiving with Family in Lancaster and had a quiet Christmas and New Year on the farm. We entertained a few friends and relaxed with Family that could be with us.

I did minimal decorating this year.  I had planned on purchasing a live tree and planting it after the holidays but the time flew by and it did not happen.  We have several such trees between our two properties and it is fun watching them grow.

WE have a small table in the living room that i decorated with a basket of large pinecones and a holiday silk flower centerpiece.  In front of them on a red mirrored scarf that was a recent gift from family visiting India, I set up a nativity scene that my father-in-law carved and gave us when the children were young.  Next to it was a small bowl of white stones.

The white stones were in memory of Nelson Mandela who died in December.  When we purchased the farm in the early summer

of 2009 I had already planned a trip to South Africa.  We literally moved in and ten days later I was off for three weeks in South Africa with a group of Artists, sightseeing and visiting South African Artists from Johannesburg to Cape Town.

During that trip I visited Nelson Mandela’s home in Soweto, a few blocks from Desmond Tutu and later in Cape Town went to Robbin Island with my Travel buddy.  I stood in the cell where he had been held as a prisoner 27 years, walked the halls and yards.  The bus took us to the quarry where he and other prisoners were made to quarry White Granite.  I for some reason chose not to make the trek to the quarry but my friend and traveling buddy picked up a small piece of the quartz for me as a gift.  I was touched and brought it home and put it on my bedside table.

WE were still moving in and one day the stone disappeared.  I looked everywhere for it.  I was frustrated and upset. I blamed the workers who probably thought they had brought it in with the cuffs of their pants or shoes and simply threw the stone into the driveway.

After a few days I realized the futility of my anger. It would not bring that stone back and it was just a stone.  It represented a man who could forgive so many horrible wrongs.  It was just a stone.

I ended up collecting white stones from my driveway.  They fill the small bowl and remind me to not take life so seriously and forgive.  Life is too short for anger.

Yes, I still get upset but the stones remind me of so much.

WE lost a world renowned leader who taught us to forgive and take the high road.  There are so many amazing good people in this world who rarely if ever get acknowledged for doing the right thing.  We seem to hear only about the bad in the world.  We need to remember all of the good things in life.

In early January I lost another one of my Aunts.  My Mother’s younger sister, Kay.  She has always been a mentor. raising three sons and adopting two of my girl cousins.  She and Uncle John raised chickens, usually a small beef calf each year for butchering later, had a garden and canned and with the boys hunted with bows and musketloaders on an acre of land on the edge of a corn field.  She was always so upbeat and encouraging. She is missed.

On the way home from the funeral that friday I heard the news of the “polar Vortex” coming with the coldest temperatures we have had in 20 years.  I made it home and gratefully the ground was frozen enough to get my tractor in the fields to move fresh hay Bales into the fields to act as wind breaks to be rolled out later for the sheep.

The five bulls had been grazing in the front hay field but had no overhead structure for wind and weather protection.  I spent the next few hours preparing the barn stalls to put the bulls in. the cows are more susceptible to the cold weather than the sheep.

By the time the cold weather arrived Tuesday January 7 I did what I had been preparing to do for several months.  I entered the hospital for another knee replacement: The temps that morning were -8 that morning with wind chills to -16.

Gratefully the animals all survived the temperatures and we are prepared for the continuous cold weather.

Daniel is still going to the Farmers Market on Saturdays.

Eggs and dried basil are available.  The lamb we butchered in the fall has been all sold, but after checking with the health Department we will be selling lamb that was butchered late 2012 and is still in sealed packages.  That lamb will be half its original price as we would like to move it along. Usually any meat goes to half price after six month from butchering date at least for us. We also will soon have pots of herbs: Cilantro, arugula, basil and more. 

We will be butchering the bulls in February.  The spring crops of cabbage, kale, brocolli and more are coming up in the green house.

Stay warm and thank you all for all the calls and notes.  Judy

November

November

Another month has whizzed by and things are slowing down in the fields.  We are still cutting Kale, have some chard, spinach, turnips, kohlrabi, parsley, potatoes, apples and pears.  The cider sold out even after starting to ferment.  The 25 new chicks from last spring are starting to lay plenty of eggs, up to 2 dozen a day.

We took a young lamb ram to butcher this week and will have some lamb roasts, chops and ground lamb next week at the Farmers Market.

The Guinea fowl hatched out a few weeks ago and we have gone from six chicks to two.  We are keeping them in the Barn to protect them from predators and have only lost one in the last two weeks. 

The garlic will be planted this week for next year.  We are cleaning up the garden beds esp. around the blueberries, red raspberries and asparagus that should be producing enough to sell next spring.

The weather changed before we could gather any honey this fall so we will continue to feed the two hives (a water and sugar mix) to give the bees energy to continue to make honey for the winter.

We had a small scare last week as Jasper the new pup was limping around (as he continues to find ways to get out of the field) and one of our older ewes was limping terribly also.

I took Jasper to the vet and he was given a clean bill of health so we put him back in the field. 

We were afraid the Ewe had foot rot that had extended up her leg.  We have been checking them all regularly and a few had to be treated with topical Copper Sulfate for the infection.  Sometimes the infection can become contagious and the entire flock needs to be put down.

Gratefully the Ewe’s feet were fine.  Rocky is just getting a bit rambunctious as the girls are in Estrus at this time and he is getting a bit rough with them all…. as well as protecting them from the new pup!   Within a few days everyone was walking and running with out any issues and I can relax.

The main projects for me these months are to look for receipts for tax purposes. I finally hired a bookkeeper…. I know my limits and organization is not one of them anymore.

The other project is to finally get started on the Federal grant we received to replace a large part of our perimeter fencing.  Dan and I, with some additional help pulled out the older perimeter fencing last weekend. We should have the first phase completed by Thanksgiving.  New Cedar posts and four inch square Tencel fencing, complying with organic standards to help us when we apply for Organic Certification in coming years.

Hope everyone out there is well and enjoying the season!   Best wishes from the Farm.   J

October 4, 2013

Wow the growing season is nearly over and the leaves are starting to turn to another golden Autumn. 

The Apple trees that the Keifer Famly Planted over 40 years ago have been feeding us, the cows and the sheep for the last few months.   We made Applesauce early in the season from the Lodi Transparent Apples and this week went after the golden Delicious, red Delicious and a couple other “Mystery” Types.

We picked 24 bushels on sunday afternoon and took them to be pressed on Monday giving us 93 Gallons of fresh Cider.  Scott’s first comment was that we “will be brushing our teeth with it!”   Hopefully it will not come to that and we will be able to sell all of it.

By the end of the Month we hope to be harvesting our Honey also.  I am not sure if we will have enough to sell. The bee growers worldwide are having challenges. We were in Ireland in August and one farmer told me they have lost two thirds of their bee population in the County Wicklow area.

The Guinea fowl is setting on more eggs.  We are hoping to capture this new batch and save them from the predators that got the last chicks.

September 19, 2013…. Remembering.

Where has the summer gone?  Last week was 9/11 anniversaries again.  It is one of those dates that seem to have most Americans deep in thought. Remembering.  The day of the twin towers going down. I think on a personal note even before living on a small farm hours away from New York City and the Pentagon in D. C., it was when the plane went down in the field in Pennsylvania that made me the most frightened. That was what made the threat real.  That was when I feared for my children and families, not just gaping at the horror stories and pictures from the radio and television.  That was close to my life.

So much has happened to the world and to my family since.  We go on and live our lives, but will be forever changed. For me each day has become a gift. I try to take a few minutes to enjoy the sunrise and sunsets.  I try to linger at the antics of the sheep, dogs and even goofy chickens that escape from the coop.

The summer has been long and emotionally exhausting.  The end of June we had the vet out to check one of the bull calves we purchased in March.  He just was not gaining weight.  He was pronounced healthy without any infection or other health problems.  The lambs looked good also.  A few days later around July 4 we started to lose lambs.  It was the heat.  We lost three in a ten-day period.  The youngest and the weakest; it made sense but was still hard.  Then the temperature changed and we lost an ewe.  I was so confused. I started calling other local sheep farmers.  There are so many reasons sheep die.  One of my neighbors, who have at least 200 sheep to my 12, had the same issue.  When the weather changed he lost some also.  He had an autopsy (Necropsy) and it was Pneumonia secondary to the weather change.  Otherwise our counts are good and they are still healthy.

We bought a new Ram, now named Rocky…. Compare the horns to the Rocky Shoe and Boots Logo! :)  In Nelsonville.  He is a two-year-old Jacob Breed.  Hopefully we will have more lambs in the spring.  We have changed our feeding habits and the sheep are getting a daily supply of mineral with a small amount of grain to encourage them to eat it!  When we worm them on a more regular basis we give them a solution of Apple Cider Vinegar and Garlic, which is recommended to help their body immune systems.

In August I was able to show my Quilts and some of my digital artwork at the Athens County Library with a great response.  I appreciate all the wonderful comments and support.  The family took a long awaited vacation to the Jenkinson homestead in Ireland.  A tour took us from Shannon to Dublin, and then we went to the English lord's home now a bed and breakfast.  The Bel Air Hotel and Equestrian Center, Ashford, Ireland is the birthplace of Scott’s Great- Great- Great- Great Grandmother, who was born in the late 1700’s.  It is in the small village of Ashford, near Wicklow, now owned and run by William Freeman and his sisters.

Home now we are preparing for winter even though the first day of fall is this weekend. The barn is full of over 200 bales of straw from the field next door, which will take care of our bedding for the chickens and mulching for next spring plantings.  We brought in 26, 4 by 4-round bales of our own pesticide/ herbicide free hay to feed the sheep and cattle on this winter. 

We are still digging potatoes, the apples (Red and yellow delicious), and pears and coming on fast.  We are one of the few farm stands with summer zucchini, and have a collection of six different sweet and some (hot/spicy) peppers.  The tomatoes (Mostly Roma paste varieties) are ready, as well as the basil, lemon balm, parsley.  The spinach and kale are being picked.  And we are almost finished with the various green and red beans. 

The construction work is almost complete.  The 500-gallon propane tank for the cook stove in kitchen and back up generator is going in this week.  The roof, opaque polyurethane is ready to go on the 1000 sq foot heated green house. 

Tuesdays from 10-12 Until the end of October  we are hosting  painting Plein Air painting classes being taught by Jeff Risner for a small fee of $15.  If you would like to come and stay for lunch, lunch will be available for a small fee also.  Just RSVP with me  (740-541-4190)  or Jeff.

We are trying to be at the Wednesday markets.  If I am not there Kelly Gambil my farm hand will.  Dan Gillespie and I should be at most Saturday markets.  Currently we are harvesting Lots and lots of Peppers,Tomatillos, tomatoes, eggplants, fresh potatoes, Kale, Chard, Spinach, Okra, and still have eggs, lamb and beef. See you there! 

Remembering

September 19, 2013…. Remembering.

Where has the summer gone?  Last week was 9/11 anniversaries again.  It is one of those dates that seem to have most Americans deep in thought. Remembering.  The day of the twin towers going down. I think on a personal note even before living on a small farm hours away from New York City and the Pentagon in D. C., it was when the plane went down in the field in Pennsylvania that made me the most frightened. That was what made the threat real.  That was when I feared for my children and families, not just gaping at the horror stories and pictures/stories from the radio and television.  That was close to my life.

So much has happened to the world and to my family since.  We go on and live our lives, but will be forever changed. For me each day has become a gift. I try to take a few minutes to enjoy the sunrise and sunsets.  I try to linger at the antics of the sheep, dogs and even goofy chickens that escape from the coop.

The summer has been long and emotionally exhausting.  The end of June we had the vet out to check one of the bull calves we purchased in March.  He just was not gaining weight.  He was pronounced healthy without any infection or other health problems.  The lambs looked good also.  A few days later around July 4 we started to lose lambs.  It was the heat.  We lost three in a ten-day period.  The youngest and the weakest; it made sense but was still hard.  Then the temperature changed and we lost an ewe.  I was so confused. I started calling other local sheep farmers.  There are so many reasons sheep die.  One of my neighbors, who have at least 200 sheep to my 12, had the same issue.  When the weather changed he lost some also.  He had an autopsy (Necropsy) and it was Pneumonia secondary to the weather change.  Otherwise our counts are good and the rest are are still healthy.

We bought a new Ram, now named Rocky…. Compare the horns to the Rocky Shoe and Boots Logo! :)  In Nelsonville.  He is a two-year-old Jacob Breed.  Hopefully we will have more lambs in the spring.  We have changed our feeding habits and the sheep are getting a daily supply of mineral with a small amount of grain to encourage them to eat it!  When we worm them on a more regular basis we give them a solution of Apple Cider Vinegar and Garlic, which is recommended to help their body immune systems.

In August I was able to show my Quilts and some of my digital artwork at the Athens County Library with a great response.  I appreciate all the wonderful comments and support.  The family took a long awaited vacation to the Jenkinson homestead in Ireland.  A tour took us from Shannon to Dublin, and then we went to the English lord's home now a bed and breakfast.  The Bel Air Hotel and Equestrian Center, Ashford, Ireland is the birthplace of Scott’s Great- Great- Great- Great Grandmother, who was born in the late 1700’s.  It is in the small village of Ashford, near Wicklow, now owned and run by William Freeman and his sisters.

Home now we are preparing for winter even though the first day of fall is this weekend. The barn is full of over 200 bales of straw from the field next door, which will take care of our bedding for the chickens and mulching for next spring plantings.  We brought in 26, 4 by 4-round bales of our own pesticide/ herbicide free hay to feed the sheep and cattle on this winter. 

We are still digging potatoes, the apples (Red and yellow delicious), and pears and coming on fast.  We are one of the few farm stands with summer zucchini, and have a collection of six different sweet and some (hot/spicy) peppers. Lots of Peppers! The tomatoes (Mostly Roma paste varieties) are ready, as well as the basil, lemon balm, parsley.  The spinach, Chard and kale are being picked.  And we are almost finished with the various green and red beans. 

The construction work is almost complete.  The 500-gallon propane tank for the cook stove in kitchen and back up generator is going in this week.  The roof, opaque polyurethane is ready to go on the 1000 sq foot heated green house. 

Tuesdays from 10-12 we are hosting 2 hour painting Plein Air painting classes being taught by Jeff Risner for a small fee of $15.  If you would like to come and stay for lunch, lunch will be available for a small fee also.  Just RSVP with me  (740-541-4190)  or Jeff.

August 12, 2013: A week on the farm!

August 11, 2013 In the last week so many things have happened….Saturday evening we acquired a new puppy. 

A five-month-old Pyrenees, which we named Jasper!  

Jade at age 4 is already showing symptoms of arthritis. We take our daily Glucosamine together!  I thought she might need the help and Scott was worried she did not have anyone but sheep to play with. 

Sunday mornings I usually do the chores and give my crew the day off.  I had started cooking a pot of black beans and left them on the stove to simmer while I went to the barn.  I fed the chickens and sheep, did some maintenance cleaning stalls etc and brought Jade to the dog yard near the house to meet the new puppy.  Jade started barking wildly at the backfield alerting me that two of the young bulls were in the garden. 

I came in to grab my ear protection and phone, to head into the field with the mower…. I use it as an all terrain vehicle sometimes….

The house was full of smoke. I had burnt the beans…. The smoke was overwhelming and it is a wonder the alarms had not gone off!!

I pulled the beans from the stove and went after the bulls.  I am still in awe at how they managed to get to the garden.  They are not that big yet but managed to cross two fences and two closed gates…. gratefully all the animals are like pets and they know I am the one with grain.  I use it to get them to follow me…

(Farming is like being a Mom!  Put sweets in front of the animals and they will follow me anywhere! )

The afternoon was spent with visiting family and dinner at the new Lake Hope Lodge! 

Monday is another day I have been doing the chores and giving my crew off.  Our workweek usually goes from Tuesday to Saturday.  Without interruptions I try to get paper work done, and then get to town for a few errands.  This was the week of the county fair and I made it to hear a great lecture on soil conservation from a Fairfield County farmer, David Brandt.  I got some great ideas from the lecture to start implementing on the farm.  I am going to be planting winter crops that add the nutrients back into the soil while cutting back on the compaction of the clay, which is the main ingredient of southeast Ohio soils.

Scott had a late day at work and I headed to the pond to do some brush hogging with the tractor to try to figure out the trail of the bulls.  No luck to find out how they got out of the pasture but I did slide the tractor into the pond.

Not only do I love my farm for the animals, views and wildlife.  I have great neighbors.  I called Larry across the road to see if he was home.  All he had to do was walk to his front porch and assess the situation!  He came over in his truck and decided to call in more help.  Rich who used to live across the road dropped everything to come help.  They have the equipment and the experience to make it seem easy.  They also assured me that I was the third person recently that they had hauled out of ponds!  I guess I am good company.

Tuesday the full work crew came in and we did our usual workday.  Picking for Wednesday market, check on animals, etc. We have two portable solar electric fences that we use to manage the fields.  We got them straightened out and then had a visit from the Agriculture Department that is giving us a grant for new fencing.  We walked the perimeters with him to get final numbers to finally get started on bids.

Wednesday was market day. We are trying to get to the Markets on Wednesday as the produce is finally coming in.  The rains held off until we made it home then the skies opened up. We all were rushing trying to get the end of the day chores done and animals in the barns, etc.  I try to have the workers off the property during major storms, as I am fearful of lightning strikes. 

Kelly one of my new workers, who grew up on this farm tells of the barn being hit by a tornado at one point and her father being struck by lightning as he stood inside during a storm.  I try to run a safe job site.

Thursday morning Daniel and I headed to Loudonville, Ohio with the truck fora new ram.  I purchased the flock last year from a farmer that passed away.  He was mixing the breeds for a variety of reasons…. health and meat taste.  We butchered for the first time last fall and have had so many compliments on the meat I want to continue.  My final note from him was that he wanted a Jacob Ram for the next generation.  This is an older and rarer breed.  Not too many people in the area have them. 

We made it through Columbus and got off of 71North in time for a major rainfall. Large trucks and most cars were pulled to the side of the road, flash flooding and hydroplaning was a major issue at this point.    We finally made it through and on to our destination to find a detour on the last leg.  As we followed the detour we got lost for nearly an hour.  To make matters worse…. in the middle of Ohio in that areas where there is no satellite service rendering phones useless for calling for directions.

Somehow we got to the farm, purchased and loaded the ram and headed home realizing if we had ignored the detour sign we would have been there an hour earlier! 

Rushing home was tricky.  I have a show of some of my art work hanging at the Athens Home Street library and I was due at 5:30 for an artist reception.  Gratefully arranged by Lana Galloway, an amazing textile artist in her own right.She arranges shows by local artists on a monthly basis.  With Quilt National going on I managed to get my work in all three venues this month. I made it only two minutes late.  The works are in the main library area, the two cases as you go into the stacks and more in the small meeting room. 

Thank you to all my friends that came out that night to see my work and me.

They will be up until August 29!

Friday was a humid, constant misty rain. Most of the employees came in for a short day and left early after preparing for Saturday market.  I took one of the dogs for a flea bath, and then took a specimen from the sheep to the vet by the back roads.  Angel Ridge to South Canaanville Road is beautiful any time of year.  This morning is was amazing.  I saw no less that three pairs of wild turkeys in the fields and crossing the roads, a Pileated woodpecker just missed my windshield, more young white tails than I could count and several box turtles crossing the road. Being able to see such an abundance of wildlife in the mid-late morning was such a gift.  It cheers my heart in so many ways.

The house still smells like smoke.  I missed the market on Saturday to attend a funeral…and will be missing a few more in the next couple weeks due to some other family commitments but my crew will be there. 

Current Vegetables being picked include:

Okra

Fingerling potatoes

Corn

Onions

Peppers

Green beans

Cherry tomatoes

Lemon Balm

Basil

Mint

Long Chinese Red beans

Garlic

We also are starting weekly painting class:

Introduction to Plein Air Painting

Weekly painting instruction by Jeff Risner

Tuesday Mornings, 10-12, $15

Per class September 3- November 12

Location 4283 Marshfield Road, Athens, Ohio 45701 (12 miles out of Athens)

Jenkinson Farm and Garden, is a working farm and participants are encouraged to stay after class and paint through out day.

Contact Judy Jenkinson 740-541-4190, judyljenkinson@me.com for further information and to RSVP for this program