The day Christine Hyatt of Cheese Chick came to visit The Simple Farm turned a good day into a fabulous one. We felt quite honored that this fellow cheese lover would take the time out of her busy filming schedule to stop by and say hello. You see, Christine, travels the country in search of artisan cheese making farms and dairies, films their story and then presents it on her blog so people like you and me can meet them and hopefully have a better understanding what actually goes {hard work} into the cheese we love.
Today, I'd like you to meet Gianaclis Caldwell and her husband Vern own Pholia Farms in Rogue River, Oregon. This great video clip has been done, by - of course - Christine Hyatt! Thanks Christine for such great work!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Chicken Heaven
Chickens need the right balance of 23 amino acids to lay an egg. Goats milk has it all and then some.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Repurposing Everything
One thing we've learned is that farming requires creativity and the ability to think about how to repurpose everything.
We've got a section on the farm that I no longer feel embarrassed about. It's now simply known as our "recycle and repurpose" area and believe me - it's not pretty - but it's useful.
The other day we needed a new compost bin area and Nathan and Shawn (farm volunteers) were needing something else to do. I took them to this pile.
You gotta know - I love pallets. When we first moved onto the farm - I made these vintage garden boxes {here}. My mind goes crazy thinking about pallets and then endless possibilities. I've got a new idea to make a big farm table out of ....you guessed it - pallets!
Anyway, the guys and I talked about a good spot and while they transported the stuff I ran off to find a hammer and nails.
I value peoples ingenuity and like to see what others come up with when given the opportunity. So, I simple told Nathan and Shawn to pretend they were engineers and come up with something - it really didn't matter to me and whatever it would end up looking like would be "good enough"... another farm phrase we say often.
This new compost bin turned out to be more than "good enough."
We've got a section on the farm that I no longer feel embarrassed about. It's now simply known as our "recycle and repurpose" area and believe me - it's not pretty - but it's useful.
The other day we needed a new compost bin area and Nathan and Shawn (farm volunteers) were needing something else to do. I took them to this pile.
You gotta know - I love pallets. When we first moved onto the farm - I made these vintage garden boxes {here}. My mind goes crazy thinking about pallets and then endless possibilities. I've got a new idea to make a big farm table out of ....you guessed it - pallets!
Anyway, the guys and I talked about a good spot and while they transported the stuff I ran off to find a hammer and nails.
I value peoples ingenuity and like to see what others come up with when given the opportunity. So, I simple told Nathan and Shawn to pretend they were engineers and come up with something - it really didn't matter to me and whatever it would end up looking like would be "good enough"... another farm phrase we say often.
This new compost bin turned out to be more than "good enough."
Big Boxes - The Before
When Michael got the bug to garden about four years ago it was in raised beds. He converted the back yard of our home in a neighborhood HOA into a lovely garden - full of raised beds midst a little winding walk way and a charming chicken coop just perfect for our six hens.
Today, he added four more raised beds to our farm.
They're in a spot that seemed to 'cry out' for something and yet we felt the ground and area just would be way to much work to plow it out - thus four big boxes.
Needless to say, I'm pretty excited - more places to plant.
As of yet, we don't know exactly what will be seeded there - but for sure - something wonderful.
Don't you love those "before" and "after" pictures? You'll have to wait a bit for the "after."
Today, he added four more raised beds to our farm.
They're in a spot that seemed to 'cry out' for something and yet we felt the ground and area just would be way to much work to plow it out - thus four big boxes.
Needless to say, I'm pretty excited - more places to plant.
As of yet, we don't know exactly what will be seeded there - but for sure - something wonderful.
Don't you love those "before" and "after" pictures? You'll have to wait a bit for the "after."
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Music On The Farm - Michael and His Granddaughter
This rendition won a contest for two tickets to see Beauty and the Beast. Videography by our son in law.
A Busy Wednesday at The Simple Farm
The day after our market days is always busy and today will be no exception. Michael's going to build some raised beds in a few areas where he decided the ground just wasn't workable and yet the spot was perfect for our organic vegetables and herbs. This is exciting for me. I think the spot he's choosing has been crying out for something to happen and I can't wait to begin to seed there.
I love how Michael designs and creates. He'll often stand back and just stare at a spot. I've learned to let him 'stare' because he's really designing and pondering and considering in his head about what should go where. So, in our farming relationship - he designs and builds and I get to fill it in with beauty. It works well for us. His ideas are always pretty amazing.
Today, I'm doing some goat kidding preparation work and researching a bit on some health issues with a few of our does. The community of "goat lovers" is wonderful - extremely helpful when a problem arises.
I'm also pulling out bitter lettuce in my personal potager and will amend those raised beds to get ready for planting - what, I'm not quite sure.
Hope you have a wonderful day!
I love how Michael designs and creates. He'll often stand back and just stare at a spot. I've learned to let him 'stare' because he's really designing and pondering and considering in his head about what should go where. So, in our farming relationship - he designs and builds and I get to fill it in with beauty. It works well for us. His ideas are always pretty amazing.
Today, I'm doing some goat kidding preparation work and researching a bit on some health issues with a few of our does. The community of "goat lovers" is wonderful - extremely helpful when a problem arises.
I'm also pulling out bitter lettuce in my personal potager and will amend those raised beds to get ready for planting - what, I'm not quite sure.
Hope you have a wonderful day!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Tonight In My Farm Kitchen
There's been lots of activity in our kitchen lately. Yesterday I made Momma's Chicken and Dumplings (a secret family recipe from the heart of Pennsylvania Amish Country) and I'm going to share it with you this week.
This morning I made my Farm Style Sourdough French toast that is literally to die for (my husband loves it). I'm going to share that recipe this week too.
Tonight, our darling daughter is making this.....
Eat your heart out!
Our Market Is OPEN Tuesday!
It's going to be a lovely day tomorrow
at our farm on Cactus Rd.
Simply lovely with lots of tender pickings.
Eggs too!
See you at 9:30 until 6 ish.
Little Hands & Eggs
Fresh farm eggs @ $5.50 a dozen.
PS - in case you were wondering - no he didn't break a single one.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Simple Farm Recipes . . .
. . . are moving to a new page over {here} and on the first page I've posted my brunch menu from a few years ago. It's a good one if I say so myself!
Do you have a favorite recipe that you think others need to know about? If so, send it to us and I'll post it!
Do you have a favorite recipe that you think others need to know about? If so, send it to us and I'll post it!
Farm Fresh Eggs
If you've never had a FRESH egg from the farm, then you're missing out. There's nothing else like it.
Just about every week we'll have dozens of our wonderful farm fresh pastured eggs for sale at $5.50. Stop by Tuesday morning for your fresh dozen or two or three.
We do NOT wash our eggs in lye or anything else (they'll be 'stuff' on them) and we'd suggest you also NOT wash them until you're ready to use them. We keep our eggs on the counter for several weeks and they remain fresh. You can do the same OR you can also put them in the refrigerator.
Just about every week we'll have dozens of our wonderful farm fresh pastured eggs for sale at $5.50. Stop by Tuesday morning for your fresh dozen or two or three.
We do NOT wash our eggs in lye or anything else (they'll be 'stuff' on them) and we'd suggest you also NOT wash them until you're ready to use them. We keep our eggs on the counter for several weeks and they remain fresh. You can do the same OR you can also put them in the refrigerator.
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