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Trumpeter Swan Farm |
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Welcome To Your Farm This is our 10th season providing fruits, vegetables and eggs to our customers at farmers markets, and our 5th year providing shares to our CSA members. We are happy to be your local farm, growing for you and your family. While every year is an adventure, with various outcomes, we never get tired of those early spring days with the awakening earth and the optimistic promise of summer bounty! CSA summer season deliveries began with the Buffalo Farmers Market, Sat, May 5. Other locations followed. Shares and Half Shares are still available. |
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CSA Shares Available 2012 CSA Full, Half, and Egg Only Shares are still available. Runs 26 weeks, May thru October. See CSA tab for more information and application. Click CSA tab for more nfo. |
Latest News Peas Start to Climb - May 16
Our peas are growing fast now with the sunny days, mild nights and adequate moisture. We have sugar snap (the ones you eat whole), snow peas (for stir fry and salads) and shell peas (the old fashioned shelling peas with the best flavor). We start a trellis with 2 strings, but by the end, we will need more as the peas climb up to 3 feet. Expect lots of peas this year as it has been a good spring for cool weather crops. I think we will have peas first week of June if all goes well!
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Down On The Farm Maggie Catches a Rabbit - Apr 15
I looked outside and Maggie, our dog, is eating something. A closer look reveals a rabbit. A fresh rabbit. How did a 10 year old dog catch a rabbit? She has still got it, I guess. Helping to protect your lettuce from the critters!
Dylan Returns - Apr 9 Dylan Meyer has returned to work on the farm. He is a Monticello high school senior this year, ready to graduate in late May. He is working a few hours after school each day and plans to work more once school is over. This is his third season at the farm. Welcome back!
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In The Barnyard Fox In The Henhouse - Apr 26
I was out at the Northwinds High Tunnel when I heard a commotion in the barnyard. I hurried over there, and upon hearing a hen in distress, saw a fox with the hen in its mouth. Upon seeing me, the fox dropped its catch and fled the scene. Maggie, our dog, tracked the scent to a small hole in the fence where it had wriggled under. We fixed the fence and walked the perimeter to find any other defects. Every year we lose a few hens to some varmint or stray dog. We have a fence around the 3 acre area the chickens roam, but nothing is ever perfect. Unfortunately, the injured hen died. We did have a chicken dinner this evening, so all was not lost.
15 Dozen a Day! - Apr 21 We cleaned and packed 15 dozen eggs today. The pullets (the chicks we got in November) are now starting to lay. For a week or so, they lay small or extra small eggs. But quickly, they size up to medium and soon large eggs. They are gearing up for the start of the summer season!
The New Rooster Crows - Apr 11
When we get chicks, they often throw in a rooster. The one we got in November is now starting to crow. He's just like a teenager - his voice "cracks" and the crowing is jerky and broken. The older rooster is not impressed and will chase the new one if it gets close. But the new rooster knows he just needs to lay low - at some point, he will rule the roost!
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Out In The Fields Weathering The Storms - May 3
While rain is always welcome, storms bring aprehension. Nothing strikes fear into a farmer's heart more than a report of "1-inch hail". A full blown hailstorm in July can be like someone taking a mower to your fields. There is nothing left and the growing season is finished. Fortunately, the storms so far have not been that dramatic. The Tuesday storm started bad with 45mph winds and pea sized hail. But then it calmed down and was a nice steady 1.6" of rain. The hail did damage to the asparagus and other crops that were up, but nothing fatal. Most of the rain was easily soaked up by the dry ground. The Wednesday night storm was heavy rain, but just a third of an inch. This morning's storm was more heavy rain, a half inch in 20 minutes. Now we are seeing runoff as the ground cannot soak up anymore. Most of our plantings are still holding up okay. Hopefully, this is the end of the big storms.
Ready To Go - Apr 22
We got a half inch of rain over two days. Once again, virtually no runoff. Now the promise of some warmer days should get things growing again on Hilltop, and get the other two plantings germinating. What a change from last year when we were twiddling our thumbs waiting for the fields to dry out.
Third Planting - Apr 12
We did a third planting of seeds in Sunrise today. The usual cold weather seeds, plus we transplanted a bunch of crucifers (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, etc). Rain predicted this weekend.
Cover Crops - Apr 9
Oats are coming up great in Sunrise Heights. So green and promising. I'm thinking this is where we will put our winter squash. The oats would make a great mulch. I wonder if they will get lush enough?
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