November, 11th, 2010

Introduction

Last week all went well at the Farm. We put up more shelves in the
green house and seedling plants are popping up everywhere. The grow
lights have been ordered for the deep winter days and am now rounding up the materials to add electric service for the winter lights, heat, and ventilation.
Repaired and recovered one of our bigger 12 x 36 ft hoop houses and as usual my wife had it planted with greens for spring before we finished buttoning
things up. The new inflation system is in the 12 x 60 ft hoop house and
working well. The outer and inner layers inflate like a balloon which
has the effect of a super insulated giant window.

We managed to put up all the carrots, beets and squash before the latest freeze. All the greens are still surviving and growing in the small hoop houses. If this seems like a lot to get done for one person, it is! My Grandson has been a super help and is showing the skill of being a jack of all trades which is so essential to being a farmer. If you haven't met him he will be our stand - in at the Downtown Community Bldg Indoor Market on Thursdays (11am - 2pm) starting this week.

*!!!!!!!!NOTICE!!!!!!!!!*

*_The Perry Street Farmer's Market will be returning to "The Spot" parking lot this week!

*As many of you know we were evicted from the Community Center last eek right in the middle of our first indoor market there. It seems the Fire Department Inspectors have a feud going on with the Evangel Church Center over the use of the Building for income purposes which they consider to include us. It seems to be kind of a throw back to the efforts of the city to tax churches for allowing farmer's markets to use church parking lots. You may know the state legislature passed a new law to permit markets at church parking lots after all. In fact most cities in Washington go to great length to support their local farmer's Markets and even provide facilities in addition to other support.

So last week they kicked us out of indoors to the parking lot in spite of the weather. So far our efforts to relocate to another building have been met by more bureaucratic delays. Seems every new location has issues. Hope you will support us while were out in the cold (Literally!) until this problem is re-solved. Expect some media tomorrow. We are resolved to continue the Winter Market even if we have to replace our canopy with an igloo and wear a Parka!

Farm News October 6th, 2010

Introduction

This has been absolutely the busiest season with the highest sales at the farm ever! We believe this is from the support of many repeat customers who have stayed with us over the years, combined with more offerings from the farm. We can't put in words how gratifying it has been to really feel that all the work and investment in the farm over the years has been recognized and appreciated!

Garden and Produce Challenges

With the CSA Orders more of the garden was planted then usual and we had the strangest weather ever. Things got off to about a month late start because of the alternating cold and hot Spring. The news said several records were broken! We spent many nights worrying about being able to meet the CSA deliveries promised. In spite of three hard frosts in late August most crops finally ripened although many weren't as productive. Mostly the long growing season veggies like corn, winter squash, string beans, corn, and tomatoes but much to our surprise they all did finally produce some yields.

We finally have a 12 x 48 foot hoop house full of tomatoes just as the season is ending. Much to my delight we finally got a lot of strawberries and "So" has been making sure I share with our CSA members. We harvested some corn and we may yet get more. We got little production from the beans, gave up on them, and didn't do the weeding but then to our surprise the weeds shielded them from the early frosts.

In addition to frequenting three farmer's markets the garden produced enough for about 35 more coolers full every week. My poor wife who is the Green Thumb was almost overwhelmed by it all but somehow managed to figure things out with out any fancy charts and graphs. Good thing days are long in the Summer. It makes the 12-14 hour days easier.

When the real hot weather set in the work became exhausting but thankfully from time to time we were able to round up some part time garden help. My 88 year old Mother In Law even helped! My youngest Grandson helped for the month of August and was a big relief to us. He really seems to enjoy marketing and even took over sales at the farmer's markets for a time. We also hired a few part time garden workers but none of them stayed with us very long. Somehow during the course of the Season things have become more efficient but we think we have reached the limit.

Poultry

It seems that no matter how many hens we have laying we never have enough eggs! We gather and process about 15-20 dozen eggs everyday using up a lot of time from every one of our evenings. We have a variety of egg colors, sizes, and shapes because we have a variety of types of chickens. I like the colorful diversity of the different breeds! Unfortunately so do the coyotes, Bald Eagles, Crows, Barn Owls, and Hawks which have become more plentiful since a nearby Bird Refuge for Eagles was established. Thankfully we have no Raccoons who have put many small poultry farms out of business.

We recently inherited a hen from a family flock of pet chickens. It was the last survivor of raccoon attacks. The children seemed very sad to give up the hen but the mom seemed overjoyed although she was careful to not let the kids know that. We now have a chicken fence that looks like it belongs around a prison, but it is only to keep critters out - not inside. No factory computer sorted and sized eggs here and so far no egg recalls from this half of the country!

We've also been raising 25 Geese, 50 Ducks (half are layers, half for meat), 1500 Cornish Broilers, and 125 Turkeys. One group was of 300 so called "slow growing natural" Cornish Broilers. "Slow" was right word; it took 16 weeks, twice as long as usual and caused us a shortage in the middle of the season. So for a time our regular customers like the CSA got small birds from us but later we made up for it with Broilers the size of some turkeys.

Feed, Hay and Critters

This is been one of the best years for hay and pasture in over 10 years thanks to the cool Spring and heavy early rains. A lot of people don't realize we have been in drought for over a decade. Until this year our local precipitation has been way down from what it was when we bought this farm. We used to have a 5 acre pond that is gone. The hay field once produced 180 tons per year. For several years it has been only about 30 tons and last year it was only 10 tons. This year with just the change in moisture it was up to 140 tons and that's after years of being organic and not using any synthetic fertilizer.

It was so muddy most of the Spring we couldn't even get all the Spring field work done. We left 40 acres unworked but the cows didn't mind gleaning it anyway. So, for similar reasons hay prices have fallen from over $200/ton to as low as $80/ton and grain fell from all time high down to the lowest in five years which made for an easier time feeding hogs and poultry. Unfortunately that's over now! Grain prices have risen about 45% in the last few months and I'm worried about the impact that will have on feed.

The hogs have been enjoying the freedom of the pasture all Summer. My wife kind of took over the pig nursery to incubate chicks so most of our baby pigs were born on range. I call them bush babies. Some of the sows were great range sows raising good sized litters out in the open. The same sows that didn't do so well farrowing in the barn during the Winter did poorly outside as well. Right now we have about 60 feeder pigs roaming around. Almost every evening they gather at a gate near the garden to see what goodies were tossed over the gate from the days gardening.

I found an abandoned baby pig about 2 weeks old almost dead on the range pasture so I took it to the house to see if my wife could revive it. Her Mother took over the job and for several days we didn't think the baby pig would make it. She kept the piglet at her side when sleeping and fed it milk with an eye dropper. After about a week the piglet started perking up. Soon it was a little terror chasing the dogs away till they hid in a closet and followed us around in the kitchen grunting for goodies. So now we have a pet pig. Had to explain that it must be moved outside as 600 pound pigs don't make good house pets but its still hanging out in our front yard and follows my wife around in the garden like a puppy.

I went to visit a nearby farm up north and noticed a friendly young horse wanting our attention while we were there so I asked about the horses status. The other farmer told me he wasn't worth much cause no one ever trained him. I asked if I could take him home. After some hesitation the other farmer said, "I'll make you a deal! See those two Llamas over there? If you take them too, you can take the horse." So I got the Llamas for nothing and now have them guarding the calves. The new horse, a fine young Arab gelding is now keeping our other lone remaining horse company. Now I'm thinking about how to find time to do some horse wrangling again. I'll let my Grandson be the Buckaroo!

What's Next? A Winter-Extended Season CSA Program

Winter Indoor Farmer's Markets are starting soon and we are rolling out a new Winter CSA!!! Never heard of such a thing? Well we haven't heard of one around here either. But we have heard of them in other places just as cold as our winter climate. Because of the great support from so many with the Summer Variety Meats and Produce/Eggs CSA Programs we decided to try to continue a CSA Program through the rest of the year. It will be a combination of Variety Meats, Veggies, and Eggs similar to what was offered separately during the Summer. Meat will be used to keep fair value when produce is more limited so the weather won't cause a loss of food quantity to the members. Hoop houses and a Modified Solar Greenhouse will be used to extend the season's produce and will be most plentiful at the beginning in early Fall and in late early Spring. To find out more and become a member please visit the web site and check out the CSA Programs.

Winter Indoor Markets??? Yes they exist and have been going on quietly for several years at the Main-street Community Building and at the Millwood Presbyterian Church Youth Center Building. This year the Thursday Market at Perry Street will start a new Winter Market at the Community Center. During the Winter we will deliver CSA Shares and market extra produce, eggs, and retail meat at Indoor Farmer's Markets. We'll also be delivering Turkeys to these locations for the Holidays.

Farm News June 1st

Sorry so long since the last news.

This is the busiest time of the year around the farm. The record breaking weather this Spring has kept us on our toes and caused some disruptions and delays. This is the first time since I started farming here in the dry land farming area that I've had to deal with delays due to mud and hurricane winds. Its been a mixed blessing.

Wanna Be Cowboy Stuff
We had 13 calves born this Spring including Curly's, and 5 others earlier in the year. So the calf crop has been great except for the one we lost to coyotes earlier. The heavy rains have been great for the cattle and they're already getting fat. In spite of this it didn't stop them from being impatient and thinking the grass was greener somewhere else.

While my wife and I had to visit the west coast on some family business they all decided to visit the neighbors. Its uncanny how this always seems to happen when we are away on a trip. Lucky for us my Grandson came out to check on things and discovered they were missing. Soon all the phone calls clued him in. A good neighbor tried to help and had tried to chase them back home. Unfortunately they went the wrong way and trampled the new lawn he had just seeded. My Grandson arrived and they all got exercise trying to chase the cows back home without success. I'm told they enjoyed returning to the new lawn and didn't mind that it had fresh young grass before they turned it into mud. Then my Grandson decided to deal with it like I do when leading the cows to new pasture.

He cut a hole in a perimeter fence like a gate and called them, "C'Mon Cows, C'Mon Cows!!!!" Soon the lead cow bellowed and came in his direction and the rest followed as he kept walking and they all followed him home. That's the best way to round up cows I know. It works on pigs as well.

Spring Hog Happenings:
All is going pretty well with the hogs and we have had several new litters of baby piglets. We have had a lot of Spring visitors this year and they always love to see baby pigs. One young boy was even brave enough to sit on my boar Rex like my Granddaughter did last time she was here for a visit. I've always noticed that horses, and now hogs are more tolerant of kids than us adults. I've seen a kid climb on a horses back and ride around without any tack or saddle and all was just fine. The next day a wrangler would try it and the same horse was a real handful to manage and staged a mini rodeo event. Thankfully the Berkshire breed is pretty tolerant to visitors. They've all been enjoying the spring pastures as well but they still keep putting away the feed grain. It kind of like teenagers eating you out of house and home.

The Garden and Produce/Eggs CSA Update:
Everyone has responded greatly and all shares are now spoken for. We're working hard to start the deliveries this coming week and we're in a panic making sure everything is ready. The weather has caused a lot of problems and several plantings have been frozen out requiring re-planting. In all we probably lost about a third of the potted plants ."SO" started back in late February when we had that predicted early warm and dry Spring weather. Then the volcanoes started blowing there tops in Iceland and all has been changing. At least that's my theory.

The extra homemade Hoop Houses we built have kept enough growing to meet minimum member deliveries. We want everyone to know we grow our garden organically the natural way. We actually grow plants in the dirt with compost fertilizers and allow unfiltered - untreated rain and well water irrigate plants that grow with real sunshine as has been done for thousands of years.

Something Unsettling:
A disturbing trend we have noticed lately is what seems to be a rise in the preferences for synthetically grown vegetables. These vegetables that look like they are cloned are grown in special chemical soups inside buildings similar to greenhouses but that are augmented with sophisticated computer climate-control cooling and heating systems along with massive special light fixtures substituting for good old fashioned sunlight. They call this "Hydroponic Farming"!

One of these factory style farms covering two acres costs about $250,000 as compared to two acres at our farm which cost roughly $800. Massive corporate advertising efforts would have us believe that this method of production is healthier, more nutritious, as well as a more environmentally friendly farming method. We are amazed that some health conscious consumers actually prefer this kind of produce to organic and naturally grown produce. The Hydroponic Industry considers this sterile test-tube-grown produce to be our best answer to producing food for the future. It's kind of like the promises of GMO and Livestock Factory farms.

Variety Meats CSA:
All is ready with fresh freezer wrapped meats I just picked up from the butcher last week. I am happy with the support for this program as well. The support we have received from our pre-order and CSA customers has kept this small farm business alive! Our customers have treated us way better than banks of the past that no longer exist to loan operating funds to independent small business or farmers. We would like everyone to consider this farm part theirs! We are very grateful!!!

KREM 2 Visit:
We had some special visitors from KREM 2 News. They did a story about processing and marketing local meat. Please go to our FaceBook for a link to the video. While the Camera Man was doing close ups of the pigs one came up so close it stuck it's nose into the camera lens and slimed it. Later while Jane McCarthy was doing the interview by the cattle my wife's pet Cow "Curly" decided the mic was a treat and kept sticking it's head between us and she had to keep pushing the head away. They didn't show these events. It was a good interview and should give folks some new insights.

Farmer's Markets:

• Millwood ( Wed, 3-7 PM)
• So. Perry Farmer's Markets (Thursday 3-7 PM).
  

We're also going to give another local Evening Market a try called "The Red Barn" Farmer's Market. It is just 2 mi's East of Davenport. We like evening markets because they give us a chance to harvest fresh that morning as well as time to our daily farm chores before we leave for market.

We look forward to seeing you all soon!

Gary

News Flash

Curly, my wife's pet heifer, had a baby boy born at 9:05 this evening, on Earthday. The calf is a boy about 86 Lb.'s. Really big for a first calf. She delivered it all by herself and is displaying all the traits of a good Mother.

As bonded as she is to my wife, and after quite a bit of my wife's investigating the calf, she finally had enough and put her head down and gently pushed my wife away; mooing at her in an irritated tone.

This will be our first American Kobe Beef calf. Gary

Farm News April 7th, 2010

Boy this has been a busy month! And what happened to our Globally Warmed early Spring? I guess we're getting payback now because of all the great weather we had while the rest of the nation was still in a deep freeze. We had to stop cultivating for a few days because the soil actually froze at night. Well, down to business with the news:

CSA Update:

Boy did we get a surprise! Soon as we went public with the two programs the response was just great! We now have 37 applicants for the Produce/Eggs CSA. As soon as a few remaining Members from last year, who indicated they'll be renewing, send in their renewals we'll be full up this season.

The new Meat - CSA offering I was worried about is also full up. It looks like this year we'll be busier than ever. Thank You All so much for your support!!! Knowing someone really wants your production and appreciates it makes such a tremendous difference to us and our outlook towards the farming work!

Wanna Be Cowboy Stuff:

I have been loving the evening and morning walks in the pasture to check on the potential new mother cows and was surprised last week by four calves born the same day. As I went out that morning I found two, then later that evening had to do a double take before I realized there we're two more of them, albeit completely different. All of them did great so I guess the coyotes were busy stalking the chickens.

Curly, the pet orphan calf from last year is still penned up as "SO" is wanting to supervise her delivery personally. It would be the end of the world around here if anything bad happened to this heifer who is practically a family member. She still thinks she's supposed to eat organic veggies from the garden with her hay and she has been getting our cull storage veggies all Winter from "SO's" daily visits. This critter actually comes running from far away when her name is called by my wife.

Good News and Tribulations with the Pig Operation:

Another Sow we call "Scrappy" had her second litter two days ago. This is the
second litter this month, and one of her sisters is sure to follow soon. The only big disaster happened the other day while I was cleaning and re-bedding a farrowing pen in the barn, which can be quite a chore in itself, and I made a big mistake. My wife came running into the house the next morning in a panic telling me there had been a flood and all the little pigs were drowning. Oh No!

My heart sank as I knew I must have left the water on all night. I rushed to the barn and found the indignant Sow standing in water over a foot deep and letting me know in some pretty distinctive grunts and desperate squeals that I was in big trouble! I couldn't see her little piglets anywhere so I sloshed thru the water looking and feeling everywhere for them with the Sow's continued scolding. The pen has a little raised platform in a warming box for when the piglets are first born during cold weather.. These piglets were much older but they had all crammed into the creep box for safety from the rising water. Happily they were all alive though a little wet.

I think they all learned to swim that night. They wouldn't leave the box and the Sow wouldn't leave them. I finally had to pick up each one individually and take them to safety with the mother scolding and threatening me each time till all eight were rescued. By that time I was more soaking wet than the pigs. The water had turned into some kind of pig soup slurry similar to sewage scum. I was cold and "So" wouldn't let me in the house until I took off all the scummy wet clothes leaving them outside . I was pretty cold by then but I guess I deserved it. That Sow is still scorning me and protesting every time she sees me.

Other Farm News and more Tribulations:

As you all know the weather has been a real challenge with a lot of extremes lately. Last week following a blast of heavy rain we had high winds also blast us. As I was walking back past the garden from feeding chickens a mini tornado came whipping-swirling buy and it hit two mini hoop houses (16 ft long by 4 ft high) and picked them up right beside me like kites and they flew about 50 feet before they dropped to the ground crashing to pieces. One of them just barely missed the new hoop house we built last year to help with the CSA. Amazing, but we lucked out except for two mini hoop house structures shattered into pieces. Freaky!

As I mentioned last time, my wife has potted plants growing everywhere around here by all the windows. When my Grandson and I finished building her a heated potting shed she just added more. In the bunkhouse, that we now use for a multipurpose building, she set up a couple tables for plants next to a large window facing the yard and morning sun. Well, following one of those rain storms my Grandson went inside to dry off with his border collie pup companion. Later when I called him out he left the dog inside to dry off and the next thing we knew the pup had jumped up onto the tables barking at us through the window as to not leave him. He jumped up and down on all the started plants and crushed all the jiffy peat pots scattering the potting soil all over the place. A real potted plants disaster!

When "SO" saw the mess she almost cried and I thought we were going to be enduring her wrath any minute. Well lucky for us my wife loves border collie dogs and they can do no harm! However we were scolded severely for not taking better care of the poor lonely puppy!

With that I better move on till next time. All this didn't happen on April Fool's Day but it should have! Pray for me!

CSA News March 3rd, 2010

Its been about a month since I let you all know what's coming in the new season for the CSA Program and here is the latest:

"SO" has completed cleaning up and preparing the garden and I have the roto tiller ready to go. Just about every window sill is loaded with potted plants. She trying to talk me into building a new greenhouse just for starting plants. I hope I can find time and funds to do it for her as I am already having trouble keeping her away from seed displays at the stores. Also, we made an application for a special program of the USDA for organic farmers to get a large 30 x 70 ft Hoop House.

Announcement:

On the afternoon of March 20th, from 12:30 - 4:30, there will be a CSA - Open House again at the Community Building lobby, 35 W. Main. That's right across from the new Main Market Coop Store. If you know anyone who wants to check out the 'ins' and 'outs' of CSA programs please let them know. If you have any questions or comments for the coming season please come by to visit us. We plan to open up for more new members at this event and the details of the 'Meat CSA' will also be in print and on the web site by this time. We will also have a display of an actual sample Meat CSA delivery.

So far we have been holding spaces open for last year's members and 17 have asked to join up with us again this year. Twelve have already sent in the Membership Form and sign up fee. We hope to get confirmation from the rest by March 20th! We're really grateful and thrilled with this support.

If you wish to sign up please visit our site at http://www.rockyridgeranchspokane.com/contact_order.php and download the CSA order form. Also please mark on the form that you were referred by the blog.

We look forward to seeing you all!!!!

Gary

Farm News 24 Feb

INTRODUCTION:

Spring is here for sure and we love it. It has been nice hearing from many of our customers from last year asking about CSA and spring farm visits. You can visit our farm anytime we are here. Unlike some factory farms we have nothing to hide.

LOCAL FARMER'S MARKETS:

In past years we sold farm products at five different farmer's markets. We've had a lot of good experiences and made good friends, as well as profitable sales. However, for the last two years table sales at the Farmer's Markets have been falling off drastically. In my view the continued financial viability of the markets is in doubt. We are very thankful to the CSA program and our other loyal repeat customers from past years. Otherwise we would not have been able to continue being a vendor at local markets!

In my view there are numerous reasons for the downturn:

• The economy has forced many consumers to be thriftier and preferences to buy healthier, fresher, and local food products have been compromised by many to save funds.

• The National Organic Program has made it possible for the giant corporate factory farms to produce so called ‘organic certified’ products in mass production, often at overseas locations, and ship them in vast quantities all over the country.

• More folks are opting to grow their own gardens; as was done in the past, and if they have the knowledge, time, and space, I feel it is a good thing. The same for Community Gardens which are also on the upswing. Soon, all but the most avid gardeners will appreciate the local small farmers a lot more for what they do.

• The physical sites for the markets have been threatened. For the past two years the Washington Department of Revenue has decided to put a special real estate tax on community farmer's markets located on church properties. Others have been displaced by construction and traffic problems. For some reason local government support of farmer’s markets is minimal in this area. In many other communities around the world market facilities are sponsored as a public service by local governments.

• A vast array of special permit and insurance fees has also added to the burdens of the market vendors.

• Sponsorship of the Farmer's Market WIC and Senior Nutrition Program funding has substantially declined from their levels a few years ago.

Much more could be said about all these issues but my point is if small farms are to survive in the present economy your support of Farmer's Markets is needed now more than ever! We plan to continue being a vendor at Farmer's Markets again this year for social reasons more than financial.

CSA NEWS:

So far we are thankful that nearly half the Membership spaces have been filled. One very nice person heard about us and signed up from Hamburg, Germany! He paid in advance for a whole season for both the Produce and the Meat CSA programs and his family will be moving to Spokane this Spring. "SO" has already planted three of the hoop houses, cleared all the old vegetation from half the garden, and started planting potted plants. We have been encouraged to apply for a new 30 x 70 ft High Tunnel Hoophouse under a grant program sponsored by USDA. It is our belief that this program was influenced by the First Lady's White House Garden's example of Hoop House Uses. If this happens, we plan to add more CSA Members in the future. Next month we will be opening up CSA Membership to new customers.

LIVESTOCK:

One more sweet little baby calf was born a few days ago, but unfortunately we also lost another to a coyote attack during the night. Coyotes seem to have really been on the increase this spring. We think it’s because of all the field mice left over from the last two years that were protected by the snow cover and the mild weather this year giving the coyotes an advantage. We will be moving the cows with the spring calves onto new fresh spring native green pastures this week. I'm in the market for a guard Lama as they’re great at protecting little calves from predators.

The Gilt that "SO" saved from the butcher last Fall now has a nice litter of 8 great little Berkshire piglets. Now she's officially a Sow! Chalk it up to a woman's intuition! I’ll be taking some fully grown feeder pigs for processing this week and that leaves all the pigs sold through June. We will then have many more available. All of this goes back to when the Boar broke down the gate between him and the Sows I was holding for later. Now we'll have a little overproduction for June and July, and I just fixed that gate a few days ago. The Pigs are all enjoying fresh spring grass.

Our early season grass is considered a noxious weed by our neighboring wheat farmers. It's commonly called cheat grass and grows in first and then last during years of cold conditions. If it is not grazed later the seed has little stickers that cause problems. If you've lived around here for awhile I’m sure you have had the joy of picking it out of your socks after a summer hike. Soon another native weed grass called bulbes blue grass joins the cheat grass. By the way, they are both very nutritious.

Starting another batch of pullets, ‘baby hens’ my wife calls them. She's almost as bad as a mother hen while taking care of them. Our egg production and shell quality have improved since the laying hens have been able to enjoy this great weather. They’re gleefully running around fighting over every worm they can find but, sorry, there are still not enough eggs to supply everyone who wants them. However, we have another 100 or so pullets that should start laying next month. More pee wee and small eggs for awhile soon.

During a trip to CostCo today I saw a seasoned and rotisserie cooked chicken for a price less than we charge for a pound for our meat chickens. Also the cost was for less than the feed costs me to grow a chicken. I can only imagine what they feed them! No wonder a guy called me the other day and insulted me with negative words about my integrity when I told him our price. They call them "Kirkland" chickens but used to call them "Tyson" chickens. We call ours "Lobster Chickens" because of how good we think they taste. But I'm sorry to say that because of slow sales we will only grow meat birds for those who pre-order from now on. May have a few left over now and then but market sales are to slow to grow them without pre-orders.

FIELD WORK:

I started servicing cultivation and seeding equipment this week. Ever wonder how machinery can quit working or break when just sitting for a year? Every Spring I plant what I call a ‘Salad Bar’ forage mix. Typically it is comprised of Oats, Peas, Sunflowers, Flax, Turnips, Canola, and a few other annuals. It’s great for maintaining cattle condition through the summer after the range grasses get dry and brittle. The first time I did this other farmers said your cattle will bloat up and die if they eat something like that. It has never happened, but it produces some awfully good beef! Pigs get to eat some too.

Well as usual things a little busy around here so I better get ready for another day.

Gary

Spring 2010 - Farm News

Introduction:

If you have been wondering why there hasn't been an update since last Christmas its because we've sort of been hibernating. But we can't stand it any longer. The beautiful early Spring has ended our Cabin Fever and pulled us outside to do some early Spring chores to start getting ready for the new season.

I figure this year we're going to have to do spring work at least a month early to take advantage of the moisture while its here. I expect a hot dry Summer but one thing I've learned farming here for the past three decades is that the weather is always unpredictable.

Garden News:

"SO" plans to plant the first hoop house with cool weather veggies next week and after that she'll start on the indoor potted plant starts. The seed catalogs have started to arrive along with the poultry catalogs for baby chicks. Somebody else must be thinking the same as me. "SO" has been enjoying watching her Korean TV programs all Winter.

They have a small farms documentary everyday that is one of her favorites. She's been getting all kinds of ideas to keep me busy helping her in the garden setting up new things. I've watched some of the programs and hoop houses are real hi-tech over there.

The project I like best is a set up to grow strawberries out of holes in vertical tubes set up in the hoop house. Promises to deliver more berries for a longer season. If it works for us I won't have to feel so guilty when I eat the Lion's share of our berries every week.

CSA Information:

We sent out a CSA Newsletter earlier this week to alert folks to sign up early to make sure they have a subscription share available again this season. We already have ten Members signed up. This year we also plan to offer a CSA for a variety of beef, pork, poultry, and misc meat portions. It will offer the advantage of fresh local healthy meat for a price more economical than retail. It'll be delivered in portions weekly so storage space in most refrigerators should be able to handle it. Both programs will offer a half-share for those with small families. If you haven't been a member before just send me an e-mail requesting to go on the Standby List.

Poultry News:

Demand for our eggs has exceeded our supply all Winter. Good thing we started new Layer Pullets last Fall that will be laying soon. Plan to start more chicks for pullets next month and we have actually had some folks drive out here in the muddy conditions to make sure they get some of our eggs.

Because of demand last Fall we plan to raise twice as many Turkey's, more Geese, and some Meat Ducks for the Holidays. Some of the turkeys will be ordered early for those who want really big ones. We still have a small flock of egg laying ducks and we will still grow some Broiler/Fryers for those who pre-order but plan to minimize those we sell at market. Unfortunately we've had to raise the prices to keep up with feed costs.

Beef Happenings:

Had the first Spring calf born three days ago. One of the young heifers we saved last year was the mother and she did a very good job of mothering with no help. The new calf is a nice big girl, got on her feet in minutes and down to business to get that milk. Hope the rest goes as well.

Because of the drought and high hay prices last Fall I had to retire most of my older cows so we kept all the young heifers for Spring calves. We also kept all the steers for Fall sales but have less to sell this year. I noticed in the classifieds that a lot of local growers are trying to sell direct now and also and for rock bottom prices. I can only say, "Buyer Beware!"

I will not be lowering my prices because I want to try to weather this economy and stay in business growing quality and healthy beef for my loyal customers. Besides, the day I have to stop growing cows is when my wanta-be dreams of being a Cowboy will be dashed. If that happens, I'll be kicking off my boots and retiring.

Berkshire Pigs:

They have been eating me out of house and home. Hope sales go well because our budget has been maxed out feeding all the new piglets. Just finished selling and processing 12 hogs last month. Some of the orders we're from the West Coast so my wife got to go visit the Korean Mall at Federal Way where I made the pork deliveries over there.

Also visited two of our boys and grand daughters. Then "SO" made a pig out of herself buying a truck load of Korean ethnic food stuffs. She said I could consider it her Anniversary gift . We just had our 32nd anniversary!

Most of the feeder pigs are sold until June so things seem to be going well. Did two hogs for retail at the market and over half the cuts are already gone. The pork quality has just been fantastic and we have received a lot of great comments. Have enough other feeder pigs to fill orders till Fall. I'm doing my best to keep "Rex" and his buddy away from the sows till I get more orders for the rest of the Summer.

At two years old his back is 44 inches high. Could weigh over 800 Lbs. He still chases after me when he sees me in the pasture. Its a little intimidating! But he just still wants his ears scratched.

Went to the WA State Annual Pig Growers Conference Yesterday. It is sponsored by WSU. I must say it is strongly biased in favor of industrial growing methods . There was a local group of 4-h and FFA kids brought in for a class on raising Project Pigs. The Instructor spent half the class telling the kids how to use a hormone on the pigs to speed up growth. This same hormone has been banned in Europe and many other states. I just go to see what the other side is up to and shake my head in disappointment.

We've had our calamities this Winter dealing with the snow and mud but we've been thankful because of memories of how miserable it was last year. Besides the bright Sun outside the last few days has us looking forward to another season of farming. We thank our customers that make it possible to keep doing it!

Farm News - Christmas

Wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!! Your support of the farm this year was a real Blessing both financially as well as spirit lifting with the praise and encouragement so many of you offered through the year. For many years my contracting business has subsidized the farm's cash flow needs. This year, for the first time, things were reversed and the farm took over the lead. We owe thanks to many of you for this! Maybe after this year I can finally retire and become a full time farmer.

A little Farmer Philosophy:

Most of us have been affected by the financial problems of the country and I know it has been real tough on many folks. Even if we've escaped the worst its hard to not be concerned about others and wonder if we're next. As an unwise old man I still have some words of wisdom so I'd like to say; if we didn't have it so good for so long we wouldn't know that things are bad now.

I think back to when my parents worked as migrant farm workers and drug me and my brother around from place to place. Actually we didn't know we were in tough times and just enjoyed all the different places and homeless camp outs and wild harvest treks as great adventures. The hardest part was whenever we had to go to a new school, at least two or three times a year. We always had to deal with the school bully and his pals. My Brother and I learned if we joined up as one to appose them with a rowdy counter attack it was a little easier to get them to avoid us. I guess they still have serious bully problems in schools today motivated by new social problems. When I was a kid it was just because you wore glasses or your name was weird like "Angell" or you were a new kid.

We also found out that whenever we were really in trouble and down and out someone or several folks always stepped up to help us out, wherever we went and my folks were the same to others. Maybe if things get real tough with the economy more folks will join up together to help each other out instead of relying on the government, the banks and the insurance companies. When we finally settled down on a ranch in Montana for a few seasons it was great. The local one room school house only had three kids including us so there wasn't a bully issue. Just a spoiled boss's son to deal with. I heard later that the local ranch community kept my folks on through the Winter so the school wouldn't close. The next two years there were about a dozen kids; one for each grade. The very same school house is on display as a museum today in Deer Lodge, MT.

I guess I'm trying to say we should always remember to be thankful for our Blessings. The greatest being the reason for this season, Our Lord's arrival!

CSA and Farmer's Market News:

We'll be at Millwood next Wed. 2-6pm. The word is that a new location for the Farmer's Market at Perry Street is being worked out with promising progress. After New Year's both the Winter Markets will resume the normal schedule. First week after New Years I'll be processing Berkshire Pigs and soon after we'll have retail cuts of pork at the Markets again.

Farm News:

Had a Christmas calf born this morning. Can't tell you if its a girl or boy cause when I tried to look the Momma came after me and actually butted me in the top of my head when I was bending over to take a look. Good thing a have a hard head! Actually I think she was taking it easy on me and just trying to warn me away. This a good sign showing that the Mother worries about her new baby and will defend it. All the movies and cartoons always show a Bull as the danger one in pastures to watch out for. This is actually a myth as most Bulls are very docile. The real danger is range cows with new calves especially and even older calves if your a stranger. Once I had a cow lift up my whole body with her head and toss me about 20-30 feet. Then she proceeded to pounce up and down on me with her front hooves. If my dog didn't jump in after her I probably wouldn't be here today. Good thing I have a cushion around my belly.

All the new piglets doing fine. Had a chance to catch up on mixing feed last week during the warmer weather. All the snow melted and formed ponds in the holes the pigs dug. Haven't seen any of them wallowing. Must be still to cold but it hasn't stopped them from going back to their "Turn Over Every Rock" they can find game. I'm letting some of the little ones venture outside now. Even though they have short thin hair they handle the cold real well. Its because they have a layer of fat at least an inch thick and the little guys have a warm up station that serves hot milk. The older feeder pigs all join up in the larger huts and keep each other warm in a big pile. Some how the smaller ones learn to avoid getting squashed. They can't do this very well in an industrial hog house cause their kept on concrete floors in small group pens. Right now we have 34 feeder pigs and 33 piglets. The late Gilt that my wife talked me into keeping is finally starting to show early pregnancy signs so their may be hope for her yet.

OTHER NEWS:

We were invited by the Wild Sage Restaurant (located on corner of Lincoln and 2d downtown)for a Christmas breakfast. They hosted the Red Cross and all the funds donated for the food went to them. Mark Peterson of KXLY was there doing interviews and weather news. He spotted my wife and focused in on her. It was because "SO" was wearing bright Christmas colors. So she was a TV star for awhile! Maybe some of you saw her.

Wishing You Joy and Happiness for the Holidays,

Gary

Farm News Dec 16th, 2009

Introduction:
Well a white Christmas came a little early so I guess we better enjoy it. It could be all melted by the 25th. Heard snow blowers and snow mobiles engine noise echoing in the wind all day yesterday.

CSA News:
Received the first membership Form last Friday with an advance for the whole year. Nice Christmas present to us.

Still working on a Meat CSA Proposal. Working out a plan that is legal with the government is difficult. So far it seems that a Meat CSA Share will have to include the minimum of a 1/4 Beef and 1/2 Hog with at least 20 Chickens and a turkey. If someone is also a Produce Member they would get a second turkey; one from each CSA program. Doing it this way, the meat could be processed locally under WA State Custom Processor rules.

I would store the meat and distribute it over 5 Summer months. If someone wants meat over the Winter as well I would recommend a pre-order for custom locker meat. Joint 1/2 share memberships would reduce the cost for individuals. This plan would provide about 250-300 lbs total or 50-60 lbs a month of meat for $1,250 payable at $200/mo with an initial non refundable membership deposit of $250.

This plan would allow folks with a limited freezer space to enjoy fresh local healthy meat at a reasonable price. I will need a minimum of 8 membership shares to make this plan feasible. Please let me know your interest. More details such as an example of what you get in a Monthly delivery is still to come.

Other Farm News:
Started out Monday to get a 5 ton load of feed grain to mix for for the pigs before the weather gets below freezing again. My Mixer-Grinder doesn't do to well when it's frozen. Didn't count on how slippery the melting snow was at the surface. "SO" decided she had cabin fever and wanted to come with me along with the three house dogs. Slowed to go around a corner on the gravel road about 5 mi.'s from the farm. Before I knew what happened the grain trailer slid off the road over the side onto the edge of a large ditch with about a 10 foot drop off and drug the back end of the truck off the side to the edge with it. The ditch had about a 10 foot drop. After spending about an hour trying to disconnect the trailer with out success. I was dreading the reaction I would get when I had to tell my wife we'd have to walk home in the snow.

As I looked up towards her in the truck I saw all three dogs watching me through the back window with what I would have to call a scornful hurry up look. Then a minor miracle happened! A county snow plow hooked up on the front of a giant road grader showed up and stopped in front of me. The driver jumped out and hooked up a tow cable as big around as my arm and pulled us out truck and trailer in one move. I've lived out here since 1983 and had many perils from the snow over the years and I have to tell you I've never had any complaints with our county road department. We're taken care of far better than what I've seen for city folks in Spokane. I now had earned a little wisdom or common sense and decided to go home and try again another day! Thank you Lord and the snow plow driver "Mick". I've been told God looks out for orphans and idiots. I think that includes me on Monday! And quite a few other times in the past too!

All the new piglets are doing fine. No new calves in the deep freeze. However; I went out to feed the cows this morning, in a hurry just before leaving for the Market at Millwood. I left the gate open to the pasture and raced off with the tractor to get the first bale of hay. When I turned around and looked back I was faced by a long row of cows walking through the gate down the drive way past the house in my direction. Well guess who was leading them? I think some of you will remember the pet heifer , "Curly", that my wife raised from a baby last Summer; who grew up in the front lawn.

She has no natural fear of me, the dogs or the area around the house. Yep. She was their leader. As I drove through them to the pasture most turned and followed but when I went back Curly and some of her yearling buddies were enjoying themselves munching on things in the garden and here and there around the house. One seemed to like munching up a bowl of dog food. Guess I can't claim she is totally grass fed anymore. Well, I led Curly back through the gate and chased her a ways. Guess this was a signal to the dogs it was okay now to chase the rest of the calves and soon they came ripping past the house and green houses through the garden and back to the gate and into the pasture. Just another morning of farm antics. Its what keeps life on the farm exciting and interesting.

Hope you enjoyed the Ranch Ramblings for this week.

Gary

Farm News Nov 12th, 2009

CSA News:
Turkeys go to the processor tomorrow along with geese and ducks. Please return any coolers you may have when you pick up the bird. You have all been great, there's just a few left out there.

I'm thinking strongly about starting a CSA for meat next Spring. It will include: Angus grass fed beef, Berkshire free range-pastured pork, free range chickens, turkeys and an occasional exotic meat like goat, rabbit, or duck. All will be grown on this farm. Delivery will be monthly with a variety pack of about 50 Lbs per share. . Prices will be between wholesale custom processed meat and USDA retail quantities. Membership tentatively will be $300 to cover administration, storage, processing, delivery, etc. It will be for 6 months, renewable in the fall to continue through winter for another 6 months. Please let me know what you think of this idea.

Production This Week:
So will be at the farmer's market of Millwood, 2-6pm - Wed and Community Bldg, 11-5 pm - Thursday pm.

She'll have fresh potatoes, carrots, and beets as well as some salad mix and swiss chard. Also winter squash, chickens, beef, and a little sausage. Next week we will be delivering the turkeys in the afternoon at the Community Bldg (Unless you make other arrangements.) on Thursday the 19th. All the turkeys and geese are sold out but I can't remember who ordered one of the geese. The following week we'll have more chickens being processed so I could make special arrangements to deliver some fresh for those who don't like turkey. Also have some ducks available.

Farm News:
We have been driving the tractor that we have been working on. My Grandson and his friend who was helping did a great job under some pretty adverse conditions! I'm not just talking about the cold; can you imagine having to deal with the interruptions of some old guy with endless words of wisdom and advice?!

My granddaughter called to check on the calf that was born when she came to visit. They had quite an experience playing with it as a little fur-ball. Well the calf is just fine and the mother, a first calving heifer, has figured out it belongs to her and now they are well bonded. I call the calf Speedy . It is the only baby calf right now and seems to enjoy racing through all the other cows in a road runner lickity-split style of her own. She needs some other little ones to play with. Hope that happens soon before the weather gets too bad.

I moved the new sows out on to pasture with their liters of piglets. The pasture is shared with other feeder pigs several months older. Never fear, one of the sows has a scraggly ripped up ear from some earlier fight. I call her Scruffy. As soon as any of the other pigs came within 10 feet of her babies she was pouncing on them with all fours till they ran off for safety of life and limb. It wasn't long before the older feeder piglets learned to stay clear and all was peaceful again. This has always been my experience with pigs when they have plenty of room like ours have on pasture. After a few days their all friends and seem to thrive on being in a diverse social group. This is even true when you add other species.

Recently we had cows, pigs and goats sharing the same pasture. It's odd watching cows graze on a pile of hay (we feed 800 lb round bales) while the pigs are busy digging tunnels through the hay under their feet. It must be symbiotic because later you can see cows relaxing while the chew their cud with pigs cradled up alongside of them snoozing. The goats just seem to hang around watching and being aloof about it all.

Guess I better wrap these "Ranch Ramblings" for now.

Thanks! Gary

Farm News Oct 28th, 2009

Introduction:
This Newsletter has its origins in the CSA Newsletter from the Summer of 2009. A lot of the CSA customers asked me to continue the newsletter. It's an informal dialogue of farm life, farm production information, and a farmer's perspective on past and present events impacting daily events and life on the farm.

Several folks have been added to the original CSA Mailing List because you have been a recent customer of the farm or you have expressed an interest in the events at the farm. If you don't want to receive it just send me an e-mail and let me know.

CSA News:
Everyone has been great about returning the coolers! Thanks! Several of you have asked if we plan to continue the CSA again next year. Yes we do but we're not sure of the delivery points because the market locations could change.

Farm Products Available:
We'll be at the Millwood Indoor Market 12-5 pm and at So. Perry 3-7 pm or until we freeze out as its supposed to get below freezing by sundown. This is the last time at S. Perry St. We will be moving to the Community Building next week at 24 W. Main from 11 to 5 pm.

This week we'll have : salad mix, swiss chard, carrots, beets, squash, eggs, beef, and chickens. Sorry we only have a little sausage left from the pork. Won't be able to re-stock utill December. Will have a beef carcass available next month. If no advance orders occur we plan to package it in split half quarters, as sales have been good in this size packages. A few turkeys still available for Thanksgiving.

Farm News:
Rain, rain, rain and more rain!!! The driveway turned into a small creek; solid water 10 foot wide for about 150 ft stretch. It was so muddy going up to the barn, had to use 4 wheel drive and splattered mud all over.. The tub in my feed Grinder - Mixer is like a big pot full of water. (Didn't expect all this.) Felt like a mud hog sloshing around in the lower pasture and in the dry lots; Huh! Did I say dry lots?. Every hole the pigs have made all Summer is filled with water. Mud wallow paradise for them! All our vehicles got a free car wash but if you used them it didn't last long. Grass started growing and the cows took off and left the hay for greener pastures' so to speak. Trouble is some didn't stop till they visited the neighbors.

Could have been the fault of hunters I heard firing out near my East fence where the cows got out. I don't know what they were hunting but sometimes it sounded like a gun battle with M-16 automatic rifle fire I used to hear in Vietnam. Still bothers me after all these years! I was a little worried about what could have happened to some of the missing cows until I located them. Well had a good time Sunday morning gathering them all up and bringing them home. It wasn't really that hard; as soon as they saw me they started bellowing and came running. Had to lead them back in through the gates in the pig pasture which also now has the goats. Strangely the pigs just stood by along with the goats and just watched the spectacle of the cows following me. That was a welcome surprise to me. Soon as I got them all joined up there was a feeding frenzy as all the calves got matched up with their Moma's again. Fun to watch! Well, the fresh cool wet day was just great!!! Loved it!!! Lord please send more of the rain! This farm is classified as a dry land farm. It relies on the storage of water in the soil for next years crops. Of course any rain we get in season is also a blessing.

Still working on the tractor. Fired off the engine yesterday and that was good until the hydraulic pressure build up and it started squirting and raining oil in several spots. We had to remove all the oil lines to separate the tractor for the clutch repair. A couple more leaks and we'll give it another try tomorrow. About now I'm starting to wonder if it wasn't better back in the days when I was a kid on a ranch in Montana where we used horses for about everything. At the time I thought it was great. My version of a kid's pony ride was sleeping on the back of a 2000lb plus work horse as it wandered home at the end of the days work. It wouldn't dare break down on the way home like a tractor or truck, or it would miss its feeding of oats. I wonder if that's why they never dumped me on the way home as well.

Went for a walk checking the pig fence after the wind storm that ripped through with the hardest rain. The older pigs are winter ranging in an area with timber and its common for a tree or limb to fall and knock out the fence. Well while I was going along I heard a pig or two barking and grunting calling each other. Soon the sound was closer and as I looked around behind me there was the strange site of a single file line of all the sows following me as I walked down the fence. Didn't know what else to do but just finished walking the fence as they all kept following me. Were they keeping me company, curious or just wanting to make sure they didn't miss out on any feed I might come up with? You be the judge!

We'll see what adventures are in store for next week! One of you said they liked my "Ranch Ramblings". Might be a good name for this newsletter.

Farm News Oct 20th, 2009

INTRODUCTION:
This Newsletter has its origins in the CSA Newsletter from the Summer of 2009. If you would like to review past copies you can find it on my Facebook at the web site rockyridgeranchspokane.com

. Many of our CSA Members asked me to continue the Newsletter. It's an informal dialogue of farm life, farm production information, and a farmers perspective on past and present events impacting daily events and life on the farm.

CSA NEWS:
Please return your coolers and any plastic boxes to the Farmer's Markets or when you pick up your turkey which we plan to deliver on Nov 19th. We will advise further as time approaches and hope you all can continue to visit us at the Winter Markets or make a trip to the farm. Mid day Saturdays are usually best times to visit.

Farm Products Available:
"SO" will have the following to Market at Millwood on Wed, 12-5 PM and S. Hill , 3-7 PM this week. Beets, Carrots, Potatoes, Fresh Eggs, Salad Mix, Swiss Chard, Winter Squash, Fresh Frozen Chicken, Grass fed Angus Beef and Free Range Berkshire Pork.

CSA Members please remember that although your deliveries are finished for the year your membership still entitles you to 10% discount off your purchases. We also have wholesale Beef and Pork available for order for your freezer. Some turkeys are still available as well.

Farm News:
Our two Grand Daughters were able to visit a couple days this last weekend. Ages 9 and 10. They were at the Farmer's Market awhile on Thursday. It was a little scary to them as they didn't arrive utill after dark. It seems their Dad told them about learning to drive when he was little on the county dirt road that leads about 5 miles to our farm. They wouldn't give up nagging me till I let them try to drive home like their Dad did when he was little. So if your are ever driving on Oehlschlaeger Road that dead ends at our farm, watch out for novice driving Lessons. Its surely not legal but its how I learned to drive as well as my three sons and two Grandsons. How do you think farm kids learn to drive well enough to operate a tractor at 10 to 12 years old?

One of my new breeding Heifers had perfect timing and had her first calf the night before, so the girls had quite an experience fussing over the little new born that was also a heifer. We expect 8 - 10 more very soon. They also had fun with the baby chicks and the 3 week old piglets. And of course they had to ride a horse. Wish we would have had more time with them!

I sent in my paperwork to be a Certified American Berkshire Breeder. I'll be the only one in the Northwest. These heritage pigs have a more detailed pedigree and birth registration than most people. They even require DNA blood samples. It goes back to the mid 1800's. My first two registered Sows have been great Mothers. I'm sure you've all heard about my pet Boar named "Resurrection" or "REX" for short. Might be because my genetics were saved from hogs that lived back in the 1950's, that escaped industrialization.

Had to send off three old cows who have served the farm well. Due to the realities of the economy I cant afford to carry them through retirement as I have always done in the past. I should ship more of them but after several weeks of pondering I just can't let any more go. I'm still not sure how I'm going to find the resources to feed them all. Field crop production this Summer was the worst I have seen for nearly 20 years. So hay is a financial problem for many this year. We have beautiful yearling calves this year which I attribute to my new young bull, "Big Chunk"! He's the kind of bull I've always dreamed of having for this farm. I carry a photo of him in my bill fold. Many of you have seen him on our market posters.

Tractor repair still in progress. Delayed by the clutch bell housing cracking when we re-tightened it during final assembly. What a disappointment. Well since a new one would cost more than the tractor is worth we decided to get it welded. We'll be holding our breath worrying about that weld holding for a long time! Meanwhile I'll be looking for another tractor the same model to rob the clutch assembly off of it.

All farmers have to talk about the weather. After a frigid week we've had several real nice heavy rains. The dust is all settled and the cattle are back out on pasture slurping up grass seed and forage grain seed sprouts. Animal aromas are strong in the air but at least the source stays put instead of blowing in the wind. The flies and yellow jackets are gone but the blue aphids have arrived. I love the crisp bright early mornings and the fresh smells which I enjoy, with my coffee cup in hand, as I cruise the pasture checking the cows and their pregnancy progress. More piglets next month too. I'll keep you all posted.

Have a Good Week! Gary and So