tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33935973705439072642024-03-14T00:16:59.505-04:00FirstWatch FarmsFirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-87851914099278539192012-09-28T21:27:00.001-04:002012-10-03T21:41:37.197-04:00Important Career Change for Our Family<br />
Hello Everyone<br />
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It’s been a little while since I updated this blog. But this has been for good reason due to some major changes in our life, the farm, and our schedule. So, I wanted to take some time and inform you of what’s going on around here.<br />
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I’ve been farming for nearly 5 years now full-time and have built, along with my wife, our business from the ground up. They’ve been good years with many memories and life lessons, many of which I’ll probably remember all my life.<br />
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But there have also been a lot of challenges with it, too. Many of which are just part of starting any new business and some are particular to farming, with its fluctuation in the growing conditions and yields. And these struggles – the down side of farming – have gotten to the point where Monique and I, after months of thinking and praying about it, have come to the following conclusion: Once the this year’s CSA is over, we’re taking a break from all farming for the indefinite future. I know this may be surprising to you; it’s not at all how we anticipated our life dream going. But the reasons that have led us to this hard decision are three fold and listed below.<br />
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- Not Enough Time with Family – The amount of time necessary to successfully run your own farm/business can be ridiculous and un-conducive for a young family. I often leave for the field, including Saturdays, before the children are up, get done sometime in the afternoon with field work, spend a little time with the family over supper, and then have to put in an hour or two of desk work before bed. And I’m not interested in any job that doesn’t allow enough time for my wife and children. Maybe when the children are older and we can work more together, the schedule will workout better. One thing I will say, though, that has been nice is the ability to drop in at the house briefly a couple times throughout the day as I pick something up, etc.<br />
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- Insufficient Income – We all know it takes a certain amount of money to keep a household operating. It’s possible to cut corners, be frugal, and not spend as much as some people, but at the end of the day it still takes a certain amount to pay the bills. And with both last year and this year being bad ones financially for us, we’ve hit the point of needing a more consistent, higher income than farming is paying right now, especially with a growing family.<br />
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- Burnt-out – And the last main reason is… I’m worn out. The amount of time, widely fluctuating income, large expenses, and stress I can’t take anymore for the next while.<br />
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Someday, I want to get back into farming because I think it’s a good, honorable profession and I enjoy it overall. But we don’t feel this is the best season of life for it.<br />
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My plans for the next while are to work a fulltime, warehouse job I took a month ago with a food company that my brother and several friends work for and one of the owners is an elder at our church. It’s a very different job than I’m used to – putting together orders of frozen food in an area that is dimly light and 100 degrees colder than the summer heat (10 degrees below zero)! But to my surprise, it’s not as cold as it sounds when bundled up, and I’m really enjoying it! And a bonus already of the job is we already have more time as a family because when I leave work I’m done working for the day and can focus more on my home.<br />
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The farm is now being managed by my younger brother, Philip, who’s worked with me since day one. And he’s doing an excellent job! We’re buying in the majority of the CSA produce from other farmers who don’t use chemical sprays, as well as still growing some ourselves. <br />
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So, we want to say a big thank you to all of you who have been part of our farm! Really, it’s been everyone who's bought from us that’s kept our dream going the last number of years. We’ve enjoyed the ride! It’s been a blessing getting to know many of you and having your support, especially those of you who’ve been with us multiple years. So, if possible, we’d like to encourage you to keep buying locally, whether it’s from a farm, a farmers’ market, or a CSA – your support does make a difference!<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
Jonathan and Monique Einwechter<br />
Elise, Jon David, and TitusFirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-49815373793643018102012-07-16T21:54:00.002-04:002012-07-16T21:54:32.468-04:00Our New Baby!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Saturday morning, my faithful wife gave birth to our 3rd child - a big boy! He weighed 9 lbs, and was 21 inches long. We named him Titus Dietrich Einwechter - Titus after the faithful servent of the Lord in the Bible, and Dietrich after Dietrich Bonhoeffer who refused to yield to the Nazi governments intrusion into the churches true doctrine during World War 2. </div>
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May little Titus live up to his name by God's grace!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WAjhuacqlkw/UATB4sFIUlI/AAAAAAAAAys/lX5JVPTmCT0/s1600/Family+July+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WAjhuacqlkw/UATB4sFIUlI/AAAAAAAAAys/lX5JVPTmCT0/s320/Family+July+2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>FirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-12871550758477075372012-06-20T08:24:00.001-04:002012-06-20T08:24:28.013-04:00Food Highlight: Beets, Part 2<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LaxYniiGDjo/T-HA0jyd3uI/AAAAAAAAAyU/MswB2FGTKe8/s1600/IMG_0316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LaxYniiGDjo/T-HA0jyd3uI/AAAAAAAAAyU/MswB2FGTKe8/s320/IMG_0316.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some tasty looking beet recipes I've found:</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/312807/beet-chips?czone=food/produce-guide-cnt/summer-produce-recipes&center=276955&gallery=274226&slide=285766"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beet Chips</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/314000/grilled-beets-with-dilled-cucumbers?czone=food/produce-guide-cnt/summer-produce-recipes&center=276955&gallery=274226&slide=282378"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grilled Beets with Dilled Cucumbers</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/331825/roasted-beets-with-mint-yogurt-sauce?czone=food/produce-guide-cnt/summer-produce-recipes&center=276955&gallery=274226&slide=284991"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Roasted Beets with Mint Yogurt Sauce</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.greenkitchenstories.com/decadent-beet-chocolate-cake/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Decadent Beet and Chocolate Cake</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interested in some further reading? This </span><a _cke_saved_href="http://lovebeets.com/" href="http://lovebeets.com/" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">website</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> has some facinating information, check out the </span><a _cke_saved_href="http://lovebeets.com/history/" href="http://lovebeets.com/history/" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">history </span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of beets, learn some </span><a _cke_saved_href="http://lovebeets.com/fastfacts/" href="http://lovebeets.com/fastfacts/" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">fun facts</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, and read up on the </span><a _cke_saved_href="http://lovebeets.com/healthy_info/" href="http://lovebeets.com/healthy_info/" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">health benefits</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! Also, take advantage of the beet stain removal tips at the bottom of </span><a _cke_saved_href="http://lovebeets.com/enjoy_our_beets/" href="http://lovebeets.com/enjoy_our_beets/" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this page</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you have a favorite way to eat beets? Do you prefer the tops or the roots? </span>FirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-22731252803694374752012-06-16T16:22:00.001-04:002012-06-16T17:01:24.603-04:00Pork and Vegetables are Growing Well!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
. This year, we decided to add hogs back into our operation, and we have really enjoyed it! During Jonathan's first year of farming, he raised pigs, chickens, beef and produce. But over the next several years we decided it would be better to try and focus on produce growing - until this past spring.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-92aUP1g8LOg/T9vd3veENkI/AAAAAAAAAvo/IDb6RM-cXvw/s1600/IMG_1419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" pca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-92aUP1g8LOg/T9vd3veENkI/AAAAAAAAAvo/IDb6RM-cXvw/s320/IMG_1419.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em>Lazy days</em> - the pigs are hot!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bO65CRmMBN0/T9veGiALg9I/AAAAAAAAAvw/J9t56B5UOCM/s1600/IMG_1425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" pca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bO65CRmMBN0/T9veGiALg9I/AAAAAAAAAvw/J9t56B5UOCM/s320/IMG_1425.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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We've fed a lot of scrap produce to the pigs this year, which they love. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hbU4dvHijE0/T9vebU2dg3I/AAAAAAAAAv4/puEqXYR_nyk/s1600/IMG_1446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" pca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hbU4dvHijE0/T9vebU2dg3I/AAAAAAAAAv4/puEqXYR_nyk/s320/IMG_1446.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The pigs live in a three sided barn, receiving plenty of fresh air </div>
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and sunshine through the open side of the barn. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FuUkVY5-YGA/T9vedWox2vI/AAAAAAAAAwA/gi-kbbvOL1k/s1600/Hog+eating+lettuce.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" pca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FuUkVY5-YGA/T9vedWox2vI/AAAAAAAAAwA/gi-kbbvOL1k/s320/Hog+eating+lettuce.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
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We've been sending the hogs to the processor recently, so we now have a large supply of great tasting pork for sale - sausage, bacon, chops, shoulder roast, spare ribs and more. Check out our price and availability list by <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0xiTB6H1FGmQkg4TGM5Z091bEk/edit?pli=1">clicking here</a> if you will pick up in Wayne and <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0xiTB6H1FGmSVZhOHg2Z3RBZlU/edit">here</a> for Lititz. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BkTi0aU9Hmc/T9ves_IyBvI/AAAAAAAAAwI/j60mGHNM0cM/s1600/IMG_1395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" pca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BkTi0aU9Hmc/T9ves_IyBvI/AAAAAAAAAwI/j60mGHNM0cM/s320/IMG_1395.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Transplanting! My brothers Samuel, Noah, and Timothy love helping Jon in the field. </div>
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You may recall us using the <a href="http://www.firstwatchfarms.blogspot.com/2012/03/csa-signup-time-growing-season-is.html">lettuce planter</a> earlier this year. It is a wonderful labor and time saving device.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJGkg86gegY/T9ve6bumglI/AAAAAAAAAwU/WsS-TKCBAr4/s1600/IMG_1410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" pca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJGkg86gegY/T9ve6bumglI/AAAAAAAAAwU/WsS-TKCBAr4/s320/IMG_1410.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Red leaf lettuce growing in double sided plastic - black on the underside and white on top. This is to help reflect the heat and keep the lettuce from becoming bitter and bolting (seeding), since lettuce is a cool weather crop and can't take the summer heat. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1cd81DGC1Eo/T9vfQVu8CUI/AAAAAAAAAwk/m_XgYvq79q8/s1600/IMG_1403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" pca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1cd81DGC1Eo/T9vfQVu8CUI/AAAAAAAAAwk/m_XgYvq79q8/s320/IMG_1403.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The broccoli is doing okay this year. They' producing smaller heads than hoped for but hopefully you'll all get a taste of it.</div>
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<img border="0" height="320" pca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u2EWf11yYHc/T9vffo4gNjI/AAAAAAAAAws/17ClO_YTTWA/s320/IMG_1405.jpg" width="240" /></div>
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Pepper plants.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qm2BsGlJ6vU/T9vfrpe9oLI/AAAAAAAAAw0/_V2rgG9LTA8/s1600/IMG_1407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" pca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qm2BsGlJ6vU/T9vfrpe9oLI/AAAAAAAAAw0/_V2rgG9LTA8/s320/IMG_1407.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The tomato plants are blooming and have a few green tomatoes now.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ojccbuT-9g/T9v3Dqf0E_I/AAAAAAAAAxY/rRAhfXiVCag/s1600/IMG_1449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" pca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ojccbuT-9g/T9v3Dqf0E_I/AAAAAAAAAxY/rRAhfXiVCag/s320/IMG_1449.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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There's a lot of produce to pick! I guess I'd better get picking....</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ixn_GUNh-ao/T9v6Z8-2F-I/AAAAAAAAAxk/0CbMaPGI-iE/s1600/IMG_1413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" pca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ixn_GUNh-ao/T9v6Z8-2F-I/AAAAAAAAAxk/0CbMaPGI-iE/s320/IMG_1413.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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... and pulling weeds.</div>
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But after awhile, I need something to eat - one of the first carrots out of the patch will do!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WB_NQ7q1llo/T9v7C-BWmkI/AAAAAAAAAx0/kaDThxVA89Y/s1600/IMG_1453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" pca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WB_NQ7q1llo/T9v7C-BWmkI/AAAAAAAAAx0/kaDThxVA89Y/s320/IMG_1453.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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We have had a lot of garlic scapes coming in this year. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HJ_l3IcoCSE/T9v9GOcmi5I/AAAAAAAAAyA/Z2CRo23k_7E/s1600/IMG_1455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" pca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HJ_l3IcoCSE/T9v9GOcmi5I/AAAAAAAAAyA/Z2CRo23k_7E/s320/IMG_1455.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Before we give the salad mix, we wash and spin it dry.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pzkHPAvRBeQ/T9v9TZYkYOI/AAAAAAAAAyI/TZVHfjgylf4/s1600/IMG_1450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" pca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pzkHPAvRBeQ/T9v9TZYkYOI/AAAAAAAAAyI/TZVHfjgylf4/s320/IMG_1450.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some of our field hands who do a lot of work on the farm. If it wasn't for them we wouldn't be able to operate our farm. </div>FirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-49929823750226852372012-06-13T07:55:00.001-04:002012-06-13T08:09:11.709-04:00Food Highlight: Beets, Part 1 <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cHL2rEckmEU/T9h-84nZDeI/AAAAAAAAAvc/2gMVXa4oMcM/s1600/dichohecho-america-encino-6694773-h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" pca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cHL2rEckmEU/T9h-84nZDeI/AAAAAAAAAvc/2gMVXa4oMcM/s200/dichohecho-america-encino-6694773-h.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo credit: </span><a href="http://www.everystockphoto.com/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">www.everystockphoto.com/</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> dichohecho</span></td></tr>
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With their distinctive earthy flavor and brilliant colors, beets make a beautiful and unique addition to any culinary fare. Beets are believed to have originated in the Mediterranean area <span style="font-size: xx-small;">[1]</span> and it is thought that originally beet roots were not eaten and that the leaves were used for medicinal purposes, treating complications such as fevers, constipation, wounds and other ailments <span style="font-size: xx-small;">[2]</span>. </div>
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My mom's been up visiting from Tennessee and yesterday she made this tasty dish for lunch.<br />
I hope you enjoy it too!<br />
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1 bunch beet greens, cut into bite size squares </div>
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4 garlic cloves, crushed or finely chopped</div>
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1 bunch (4-6) spring onions, sliced</div>
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4 Tbsp Olive Oil</div>
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5-10 oz. Mushroom, sliced</div>
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With kitchen shears cut beet greens into bite sized squares. Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add crushed garlic. Add the beet greens once the garlic has begun to swell and before it browns. Cook 1 min. Add sliced mushrooms. As the greens and mushrooms begin to get tender add sliced spring onions. Cover with a lid and cook 2 minutes. Add sea salt to taste.<br />
Serve over brown rice, pasta or as a side dish. <br />
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Here are two other recipes I've found:<br />
<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/318953/beet-greens-with-bacon?czone=food/produce-guide-cnt/summer-produce-recipes&czone=food/produce-guide-cnt/summer-produce-recipes&center=276955&gallery=274226&slide=283496">Beet Greens with Bacon</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/331824/pasta-with-beet-greens-blue-cheese-and-h?czone=food/produce-guide-cnt/summer-produce-recipes&center=276955&gallery=274226&slide=284985">Pasta with Beet Greens, Blue Cheese and Hazelnuts</a><br />
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<em>How do you serve your beets greens? </em><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] </span><a href="http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publications/vegetabletravelers/beets.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publications/vegetabletravelers/beets.html</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">#<br />[2] </span><a href="http://lovebeets.com/history/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://lovebeets.com/history/</span></a></div>FirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-6640262714029673632012-05-31T17:19:00.000-04:002012-05-31T17:19:44.522-04:00Food Highlight: Garlic Scapes<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqW3hZiJQmY/T8fbIRROz5I/AAAAAAAAAvE/77RxIJqtsNw/s1600/clagett-farm-clagettfarm-6694783-o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqW3hZiJQmY/T8fbIRROz5I/AAAAAAAAAvE/77RxIJqtsNw/s320/clagett-farm-clagettfarm-6694783-o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo credit: allstockphotos.com/thebittenword.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">A tall, spindling shoot
growing from the midst of the garlic leaves and curling around it self near the
top, a garlic scape is the flowering stem of hard neck garlic. The scapes are removed to redirect the plants energy towards growing the garlic bulb, instead of new seed. Crisp and refreshing, the scape brings a slightly milder garlic flavor than the garlic bulb still growing beneath the soil.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Here are a few garlic scape
recipes:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.alkalinesisters.com/garlic-scape-dip-and-pesto/1017/"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Garlic Scape Pesto</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/06/the-crisper-whisperer-what-to-do-with-garlic-scapes-recipe.html"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Seven Things to do with Garlic Scapes</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><a href="http://www.thefoodinmybeard.com/2011/06/scape-tied-spicy-grilled-chicken.html">Scape Tied Spicy Grilled Chicken</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><a href="http://www.motherearthnews.com/Real-Food/2005-10-01/Garlic-Scapes.aspx?page=2">Sauteed Garlic Scapes</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">What are your plans for enjoying your garlic scapes? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"></span></div>FirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-40254340646471918672012-05-29T17:05:00.000-04:002012-05-29T17:05:12.601-04:00Menu Plan: Simplicity<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ksb815qZ7QM/T8U2o0oP2xI/AAAAAAAAAu4/kcB2PlJk8Ds/s1600/apartment_room_table_792324_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ksb815qZ7QM/T8U2o0oP2xI/AAAAAAAAAu4/kcB2PlJk8Ds/s320/apartment_room_table_792324_l.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo credit:cosmic kitty/everystockphoto.com</span></div>
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This week my focus with meals is simplicity. I'm gearing up for a big cooking/baking/freezing day to get a months' worth of breakfasts and lunches set aside for Jon. Below is my menu plan for this week.<br />
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Supper:<br />
- <a href="http://www.alkalinesisters.com/garlic-scape-dip-and-pesto/1017/">Garlic Scape Pesto</a> over Egg Noodles with Caesar Salad<br />
- Lemon & Garlic Scape Salad with<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/339713/radish-butter-on-toasted-baguette?czone=food/produce-guide-cnt/spring-produce-recipes&center=276955&gallery=274898&slide=284017"> Radish Butter on Toasted Baguette</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/315163/radish-greens-soup?czone=food/produce-guide-cnt/spring-produce-recipes&center=276955&gallery=274898&slide=259790">Radish Greens Soup</a> (we really enjoyed this last week- reminded us of cream of broccoli soup)<br />
- Tossed Cold Noodle Salad with Sugar Peas and Spring Onions<br />
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How about you? What are you planning to make with your produce this week?FirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-4926485805205328152012-05-24T13:33:00.000-04:002012-05-24T13:33:12.170-04:00Food Highlight: Radishes<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AFjcB1eXcQk/T72Qr0YmHnI/AAAAAAAAAuk/7P6ozme_yNs/s1600/968583_34221344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" qba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AFjcB1eXcQk/T72Qr0YmHnI/AAAAAAAAAuk/7P6ozme_yNs/s320/968583_34221344.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo Credit: Teodora Vlaicu/Stock.Xchng</span></div>
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Red, pink, purple, white – radishes come in a variety of colors, but all are fairly well known for their pungent, peppery flavor and generally make their appearance as salad toppings in American food culture. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AhyrHA8IUEw/T72RMc904ZI/AAAAAAAAAus/5ZJKr-eSqjE/s1600/IMG_1228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AhyrHA8IUEw/T72RMc904ZI/AAAAAAAAAus/5ZJKr-eSqjE/s320/IMG_1228.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Radishes contain amalyse, an enzyme that helps to break down carbohydrates, as well as fiber, minerals such as magnesium, calcium, folate and manganese. They also are a source of vitamin C, which is a water soluble vitamin that is not stored in the body and thus must be replenished daily. <br />
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Here is a collection of radish recipes:<br />
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<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/315163/radish-greens-soup?czone=food/produce-guide-cnt/spring-produce-recipes&center=276955&gallery=274898&slide=259790">Radish Greens Soup</a> (just had this last night - it was amazingly good!) <br />
<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/339713/radish-butter-on-toasted-baguette?czone=food/produce-guide-cnt/spring-produce-recipes&center=276955&gallery=274898&slide=284017">Radish Butter on Toasted Baguette</a><br />
<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/317307/pita-crisps-with-feta-radish-spread?czone=food/produce-guide-cnt/spring-produce-recipes&center=276955&gallery=274898&slide=283385">Feta-Radish Spread</a><br />
<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/313139/hard-cooked-eggs-with-radishes-and-ancho?czone=food/produce-guide-cnt/spring-produce-recipes&center=276955&gallery=274898&slide=283048">Hardcooked Eggs with Radishes & Anchovy-Butter Crostini</a><br />
<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/355413/fresh-radishes-flavored-salts-and-butter?czone=food/produce-guide-cnt/spring-produce-recipes&center=276955&gallery=274898&slide=259290">Radishes & Flavored Butters</a><br />
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I tweaked the feta-radish spread a little bit, instead of adding greek yogurt I used heavy cream and just added enough to make the mixture nice and spreadable then I tossed in some chicken. We rolled the feta-radish-chicken spread in wraps with lots of lettuce and had them for supper. Wow, were they good! <br />
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How are you using your radishes? Any particular recipe you are wanting to try? <br />
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<br />FirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-70140290738725439182012-05-23T09:22:00.000-04:002012-05-23T11:10:16.621-04:00Menu Plan: May 21-27, 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iR09I7GPX-c/T7zZz7LWqDI/AAAAAAAAAuY/ZSuNu4r__O8/s1600/IMG_0066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iR09I7GPX-c/T7zZz7LWqDI/AAAAAAAAAuY/ZSuNu4r__O8/s320/IMG_0066.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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This week I'm starting up my spring menu planning, which for me contains two important elements. The first is to enjoy the produce coming in from the field and the second is to use up the odds and ends sitting in the cupboards and deep freezer - sort of like spring cleaning to make way for all the food I hope to preserve this summer/fall. <br />
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<u>Breakfast</u>:<br />
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Green Smoothies with lettuce, frozen rhubarb and frozen bananas (milk base) & Eggs<br />
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<a href="http://www.wholeliving.com/132819/homemade-muesli?czone=eat-well/seasonal-foods/spring&center=136760&gallery=175584&slide=30841">Strawberry Muesli</a><br />
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<u>Supper</u>:<br />
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Radish Greens Soup & Salad<br />
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Spring Onion Soup with Sausage and Potatoes & Rhubarb Float with Buttermilk Sorbet<br />
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Chicken Wraps with <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/317307/pita-crisps-with-feta-radish-spread?czone=food/produce-guide-cnt/spring-produce-recipes&center=276955&gallery=274898&slide=283385">Feta-Radish</a> spread. <br />
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Taco Salad<br />
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Salad with Mackerel Patties<br />
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Garlic Scape Pesto over Egg Noodles<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #134f5c;">What are your plans for using your produce? </span><br />
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<br />FirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-26379204332559680352012-05-15T15:17:00.000-04:002012-05-15T15:19:52.479-04:00May UpdateHello Everyone! <br />
We've been busy planting and preparing for the start of the CSA coming up in a week! <br />
The plantlings are doing nicely; thankfully they've adapted well to an early warm spell followed by a late cold season.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wVp1gEPcpTc/T60vwSMXcwI/AAAAAAAAAsw/2Yzmc12ZhOQ/s1600/IMG_1217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wVp1gEPcpTc/T60vwSMXcwI/AAAAAAAAAsw/2Yzmc12ZhOQ/s320/IMG_1217.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Lettuce, waiting to be transplated. </div>
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We've planted at least 12,000 heads of lettuce so far this spring. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pmh5xNXkLo4/T60w53vec4I/AAAAAAAAAs4/sPtPHNjwDng/s1600/IMG_1221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pmh5xNXkLo4/T60w53vec4I/AAAAAAAAAs4/sPtPHNjwDng/s320/IMG_1221.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The garlic we planted last fall is doing beautifully; </div>
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right now we are on track to harvest the bulbs this July. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JNxQNCGGvaU/T601QMo67iI/AAAAAAAAAtM/xdsXTWqDalk/s1600/IMG_1225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JNxQNCGGvaU/T601QMo67iI/AAAAAAAAAtM/xdsXTWqDalk/s320/IMG_1225.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our potato patch after the frost - </div>
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partially killed by the cold but thankfully rebounding. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qX1PILy-CjA/T7G3ddGiJbI/AAAAAAAAAts/LP_W1L9vrLQ/s1600/IMG_1227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qX1PILy-CjA/T7G3ddGiJbI/AAAAAAAAAts/LP_W1L9vrLQ/s320/IMG_1227.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Radishes</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AXrCOeYoNu4/T7G31VTr9CI/AAAAAAAAAt0/KT21G0K9ohg/s1600/IMG_1231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AXrCOeYoNu4/T7G31VTr9CI/AAAAAAAAAt0/KT21G0K9ohg/s320/IMG_1231.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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My brother, Samuel, is staying with us for a few months this spring/early summer as an apprentice on the farm. He wants to farm for a living, although he's leaning more towards animal husbandry rather than produce cultivation. We are working on teaching him a bit about the business aspects of the farm as well, such as accounting. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WyIr7f97uWY/T7G4N45U4QI/AAAAAAAAAt8/z9cVDa63QHA/s1600/IMG_1233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WyIr7f97uWY/T7G4N45U4QI/AAAAAAAAAt8/z9cVDa63QHA/s320/IMG_1233.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Beautiful salad mix! </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S54cW9IsQL8/T7G4c8GX0PI/AAAAAAAAAuE/52eMyArBxGE/s1600/IMG_1205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S54cW9IsQL8/T7G4c8GX0PI/AAAAAAAAAuE/52eMyArBxGE/s320/IMG_1205.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our buck kid, whom Elise fondly calls "Bebe".</div>
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She loves feeding him dandelions and maple leaves, </div>
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as well as refilling his water bucket which he frequently spills. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y_K6s5NIXuE/T7G4shOAjnI/AAAAAAAAAuM/H91cr-mEWKc/s1600/IMG_1209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y_K6s5NIXuE/T7G4shOAjnI/AAAAAAAAAuM/H91cr-mEWKc/s320/IMG_1209.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Trixie, our dairy goat given to us by my parents. </div>
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The children both seem to be handling goat milk better than cow milk. </div>
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Elise and Jon David love having animals. Between taking care of the goats and "maaa"ing at our landlord's sheep they are having a ball! </div>
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~Monique EinwechterFirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-35820365557866552452012-03-19T19:19:00.000-04:002012-03-19T19:19:01.208-04:00CSA Signup Time! The Growing Season is Starting!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Spring is here on the farm! We've been putting in quite a bit of time into the field recently, as you can see below. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Also, if you haven't already done so, <strong>it's time to signup for our CSA!</strong> Being part of our CSA is a great way to get <strong>chemical-free, fresh, local produce</strong> each week all summer long. We still have shares available for this season and would love to have you be part of our farm. To get more info and see the short video CNN did on us, <a href="http://www.firstwatchfarms.blogspot.com/p/csa.html">click here</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4dOnSCQKKdU/T2dq68OrjXI/AAAAAAAAAq4/RmUMWZQc5D0/s1600/IMG_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4dOnSCQKKdU/T2dq68OrjXI/AAAAAAAAAq4/RmUMWZQc5D0/s320/IMG_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's time to till up the ground! This spring warmth and dryness has been especially early, making it nice to plant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KTKvGQ7RVuk/T2drAJCua2I/AAAAAAAAArA/rWbKqYVZjLc/s1600/IMG_1012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KTKvGQ7RVuk/T2drAJCua2I/AAAAAAAAArA/rWbKqYVZjLc/s320/IMG_1012.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Timothy secures the irrigation tape on the plastic mulch layer so we'll be able to water th plants in the summer if needed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JVerrFq9hP4/T2drfh5I09I/AAAAAAAAArI/C87_fv0zA8c/s1600/IMG_1014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JVerrFq9hP4/T2drfh5I09I/AAAAAAAAArI/C87_fv0zA8c/s320/IMG_1014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'll have to admit, my younger brother, Philip, lays a straighter plastic row than I do, so I usually have him do it, which he of course likes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cStc83dUliE/T2drrAMs7eI/AAAAAAAAArQ/7sIiLTzhgdU/s1600/IMG_1027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cStc83dUliE/T2drrAMs7eI/AAAAAAAAArQ/7sIiLTzhgdU/s320/IMG_1027.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We used to do transplanting by hand, but that was before we started renting this machine!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J5uu1yCBLVo/T2eo7Rt2I_I/AAAAAAAAAso/fJr5zc4IF28/s1600/IMG_1039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J5uu1yCBLVo/T2eo7Rt2I_I/AAAAAAAAAso/fJr5zc4IF28/s320/IMG_1039.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Instead of pushing yourself along on the ground, all you have to do is sit back in your "easy chair" and put the plants in the machine made and watered holes. Well, it's not all that easy, but it's a world better than most of the other alternatives!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rowKX3U6CVU/T2drut9nBEI/AAAAAAAAArY/-mozxLyYGo4/s1600/IMG_1043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rowKX3U6CVU/T2drut9nBEI/AAAAAAAAArY/-mozxLyYGo4/s320/IMG_1043.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We can plant 2000-3000 plants an hour with this!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mmk5GZlnTAc/T2dr1kzjemI/AAAAAAAAArg/iriEPDjpbDI/s1600/IMG_1045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mmk5GZlnTAc/T2dr1kzjemI/AAAAAAAAArg/iriEPDjpbDI/s320/IMG_1045.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On this particular day we planted around 3000 heads of lettuce.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sMAhDOdUVq8/T2dr-gnEACI/AAAAAAAAAro/5iWO6pbhs-4/s1600/IMG_1037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sMAhDOdUVq8/T2dr-gnEACI/AAAAAAAAAro/5iWO6pbhs-4/s320/IMG_1037.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, technology, if used properly, is a great thing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i2YTuN-jS3I/T2dsRN51MiI/AAAAAAAAArw/ME_cgrXVv9A/s1600/IMG_0221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i2YTuN-jS3I/T2dsRN51MiI/AAAAAAAAArw/ME_cgrXVv9A/s320/IMG_0221.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We also planted 300lbs of potatoes (nearly 1 mile of row) in 1/2 an hour. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Photo from 2011)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ft4bJZod73c/T2dsc-ThSWI/AAAAAAAAAr4/tzru2vim9J8/s1600/IMG_0829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ft4bJZod73c/T2dsc-ThSWI/AAAAAAAAAr4/tzru2vim9J8/s320/IMG_0829.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We're raising our own pigs this year! Hogs are a lot of fun to raise, though they eat you out of house and home if you let them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ar0rupp7Xns/T2dspPEiTVI/AAAAAAAAAsA/yOQr8mZJ39w/s1600/IMG_1059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ar0rupp7Xns/T2dspPEiTVI/AAAAAAAAAsA/yOQr8mZJ39w/s320/IMG_1059.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">So, to help compensate with this, we're trying to feed them as much of our scrap produce as possible. Another benefit of this system, in addition to healthier pork, is all our leftover and scrap vegetables can be turned into great tasting bacon and sausage!</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5IJiqSX2-s4/T2d-WZkLqVI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/vtej1twfLCQ/s1600/IMG_0784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5IJiqSX2-s4/T2d-WZkLqVI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/vtej1twfLCQ/s320/IMG_0784.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few of our seeds...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Nt3OaSEqFk/T2d-pF3lyZI/AAAAAAAAAsY/LkHKvlQEjqM/s1600/IMG_0788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Nt3OaSEqFk/T2d-pF3lyZI/AAAAAAAAAsY/LkHKvlQEjqM/s320/IMG_0788.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Elise loves to help where she can!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vPU80Rzyzfk/T2d-t4huy0I/AAAAAAAAAsg/LUl9grAlhUM/s1600/IMG_0998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vPU80Rzyzfk/T2d-t4huy0I/AAAAAAAAAsg/LUl9grAlhUM/s320/IMG_0998.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our family - I love them! </div><div style="text-align: center;">So thank you for supporting us in the life we love - being a family and farming!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope to see you before long as the produce grows and the CSA gets under way!</div>FirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-23874140226057562162011-12-05T16:06:00.000-05:002011-12-05T16:06:46.711-05:00Picking Produce this Fall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's been a long summer! Fall and winter are finally here, which thankfully means a slower and more flexible schedule. So I thought I'd share some photos of us harvesting produce in mid-September and a photo of our two, adorable children.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-203GlTiTTwc/TtzKL1nL96I/AAAAAAAAApQ/XrjgeoFIKKg/s1600/IMG_0089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-203GlTiTTwc/TtzKL1nL96I/AAAAAAAAApQ/XrjgeoFIKKg/s320/IMG_0089.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All is calm and peaceful in the morning mist as we arrive at the field...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R0d3XFLJKow/TtzJUVMd9AI/AAAAAAAAApI/uZ1p-hCBqqs/s1600/IMG_0086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R0d3XFLJKow/TtzJUVMd9AI/AAAAAAAAApI/uZ1p-hCBqqs/s320/IMG_0086.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and head out to start picking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hwpgqoCiSZ0/TtzQMFGnGEI/AAAAAAAAApw/dV_7CeIf5Z4/s1600/IMG_0128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hwpgqoCiSZ0/TtzQMFGnGEI/AAAAAAAAApw/dV_7CeIf5Z4/s320/IMG_0128.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pea Shoots</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_BkqBaGzf6Y/TtzQ9pRVSPI/AAAAAAAAAp4/axLl40k-t0s/s1600/IMG_0130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_BkqBaGzf6Y/TtzQ9pRVSPI/AAAAAAAAAp4/axLl40k-t0s/s320/IMG_0130.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Swiss Chard</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nWnVrjr_l5Y/TtzUDv6hDaI/AAAAAAAAAqI/XUGdn9Aw06s/s1600/IMG_0142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nWnVrjr_l5Y/TtzUDv6hDaI/AAAAAAAAAqI/XUGdn9Aw06s/s320/IMG_0142.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eggplant</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRqh_7OTz9g/TtzR8j8cUtI/AAAAAAAAAqA/foBzCfMEdQk/s1600/IMG_0136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRqh_7OTz9g/TtzR8j8cUtI/AAAAAAAAAqA/foBzCfMEdQk/s320/IMG_0136.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The wagon's filled with the first load of vegetables. "Take it to the wash area, boys!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_0Z4Mj0PsCI/TtzO5dbikkI/AAAAAAAAApo/x9I7y5Y5P5I/s1600/IMG_0109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_0Z4Mj0PsCI/TtzO5dbikkI/AAAAAAAAApo/x9I7y5Y5P5I/s320/IMG_0109.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beans are one thing that's quite easy to wash - dump them in the tub of water, check for spotted ones, and put them back in the crate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bRMNKncKUAA/TtzU_vGEIdI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/wn7U7AnBUvY/s1600/IMG_0151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bRMNKncKUAA/TtzU_vGEIdI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/wn7U7AnBUvY/s320/IMG_0151.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To prepare Swiss Chard, we wash, bunch, and trim is before putting it in the cooler or sending it directly with the CSA. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f9VMSb6V4HQ/TtzLly_UuUI/AAAAAAAAApY/2-z2xYFVbgs/s1600/IMG_0094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f9VMSb6V4HQ/TtzLly_UuUI/AAAAAAAAApY/2-z2xYFVbgs/s320/IMG_0094.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now it's bean picking time, which will probably take 4 people 4-5 hours twice a week to do. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wG5eOS7itZw/TtzNqPZ1BvI/AAAAAAAAApg/UE_utD49_VA/s1600/IMG_0103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wG5eOS7itZw/TtzNqPZ1BvI/AAAAAAAAApg/UE_utD49_VA/s320/IMG_0103.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm doing my part!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pAsYCnVdNiw/TtzXsFFSd5I/AAAAAAAAAqY/lQxYBS9sh3A/s1600/IMG_0153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pAsYCnVdNiw/TtzXsFFSd5I/AAAAAAAAAqY/lQxYBS9sh3A/s320/IMG_0153.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The sweet potatoes are the next thing on the list to pick. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qERU4pWvvd0/TtzZt-iffwI/AAAAAAAAAqg/oD8t9gNEj28/s1600/IMG_0154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qERU4pWvvd0/TtzZt-iffwI/AAAAAAAAAqg/oD8t9gNEj28/s320/IMG_0154.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dig them out with a garden fork, knock the dirt off, and take them to be washed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g7hP2P078-Q/TtzckpxN3cI/AAAAAAAAAqo/khrr2GiKXCk/s1600/IMG_0156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g7hP2P078-Q/TtzckpxN3cI/AAAAAAAAAqo/khrr2GiKXCk/s320/IMG_0156.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The harvest was very good this year for them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-izFKPA-uP2A/Ttzdw30uHiI/AAAAAAAAAqw/T5VvEd7H-Fg/s1600/IMG_0367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-izFKPA-uP2A/Ttzdw30uHiI/AAAAAAAAAqw/T5VvEd7H-Fg/s320/IMG_0367.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But now... My biggest treasures - Elise (18 months) and Jon David (6 months)! It's so precious to have them, especially at times like this when Elise is "reading" the Bible to her younger brother.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hope you're having a wonderful fall! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>FirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-53303231654164148962011-09-09T02:15:00.003-04:002011-09-09T13:03:35.322-04:00It's a Flood!<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">I'd call this a true flood! In a short period of time, we received over 11" of rain, which caused many streams and rivers to swell tremendously and become very dangerous and damaging. In our area at least 2 people have been killed, hundreds of houses filled with feet of water, cars washed away, etc. It's actually been larger than Hurricane Agnes back in '72.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--XsL9BeNWkQ/TmmQmPoY5_I/AAAAAAAAAoU/wcXw9ZJHGj0/s1600/P9080289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--XsL9BeNWkQ/TmmQmPoY5_I/AAAAAAAAAoU/wcXw9ZJHGj0/s320/P9080289.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the road I normally take to the field. Impassable? I think so! Actually, a chunk of the pavement was washed away. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kIbNL_qHyoE/TmmRReycFTI/AAAAAAAAAoY/acF73t3Nsco/s1600/P9080265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kIbNL_qHyoE/TmmRReycFTI/AAAAAAAAAoY/acF73t3Nsco/s320/P9080265.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That fence isn't holding any animals in!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aY6AM5GcX_s/TmmR8qlVDkI/AAAAAAAAAoc/G1tcPGIIXfY/s1600/P9080284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aY6AM5GcX_s/TmmR8qlVDkI/AAAAAAAAAoc/G1tcPGIIXfY/s320/P9080284.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This wasn't supposed to be hydroponic corn... Amazing how rain can change things.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9BNA5CEV_eY/TmmSlMRVr5I/AAAAAAAAAog/vR7ZmXl5iV4/s1600/P9080262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9BNA5CEV_eY/TmmSlMRVr5I/AAAAAAAAAog/vR7ZmXl5iV4/s320/P9080262.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can see how high the water level was by where the debris are on the fence.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_zSPc0uLLSY/TmmTZA-iEII/AAAAAAAAAok/2Ug-KnzKwfg/s1600/P9080235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_zSPc0uLLSY/TmmTZA-iEII/AAAAAAAAAok/2Ug-KnzKwfg/s320/P9080235.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My irrigation pump was used all night to pump 3 feet of water out of the basement of the house across the water - not it's usual job!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0S7fsZsjo04/TmmmZX6z_0I/AAAAAAAAAo8/ZEilauHpJ_I/s1600/P9080245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0S7fsZsjo04/TmmmZX6z_0I/AAAAAAAAAo8/ZEilauHpJ_I/s320/P9080245.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We're taking the high ground!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lvmqJNDXX64/TmmaxMKRThI/AAAAAAAAAoo/CMTpF_1ofP8/s1600/P9080247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lvmqJNDXX64/TmmaxMKRThI/AAAAAAAAAoo/CMTpF_1ofP8/s320/P9080247.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The water was all the way up to the mark of brown junk.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gymqq6SFLBw/TmmdBoxnRiI/AAAAAAAAAos/ZZ4obMLgKPQ/s1600/P9080246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gymqq6SFLBw/TmmdBoxnRiI/AAAAAAAAAos/ZZ4obMLgKPQ/s320/P9080246.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I store my irrigation pump in here normally, but I had to rescue it by walking through knee-high water! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4HE_v8SVHl4/TmmfUB14jTI/AAAAAAAAAow/0_rzfZ_qBHE/s1600/P9080268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4HE_v8SVHl4/TmmfUB14jTI/AAAAAAAAAow/0_rzfZ_qBHE/s320/P9080268.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The water washed some gullies in the field which should be filled in to avoid the plastic blowing away.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tv--b__-8eU/TmoOS1aZiHI/AAAAAAAAApA/ouloW4jroe4/s1600/P9080278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tv--b__-8eU/TmoOS1aZiHI/AAAAAAAAApA/ouloW4jroe4/s320/P9080278.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>Swiss Chard</div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QdQ0BQ3mBrw/TmmkK1RUVpI/AAAAAAAAAo4/B2AN8s-U4Ms/s1600/P9080279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QdQ0BQ3mBrw/TmmkK1RUVpI/AAAAAAAAAo4/B2AN8s-U4Ms/s320/P9080279.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The beans and peas (for pea shoots)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Over all the garden didn't suffer much, just here and there wash outs and standing water.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xey04FNvtTs/TmoPOSV8g5I/AAAAAAAAApE/X7hkTz_BJ5U/s1600/P9080255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xey04FNvtTs/TmoPOSV8g5I/AAAAAAAAApE/X7hkTz_BJ5U/s320/P9080255.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img height="72px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0S7fsZsjo04/TmmmZX6z_0I/AAAAAAAAAo8/ZEilauHpJ_I/s320/P9080245.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 613px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 1869px; visibility: hidden;" width="96px" />But life must go on, according to Mrs. Hen. We lost two days worth of work in the field because of the water, but we're planning to go back out at lunchtime today (Friday).</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We're very thankful to the Lord for keeping us safe and only having minimal damage. It was pretty crazy trying to get anywhere because nearly every road around our house was blocked. Now many of those road blocks are removed, the creeks are going down, and things are drying off a bit. So as long as we don't get much more rain we should be okay.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">What an adventure!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">~ Jonathan</div>FirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-30551398591054970232011-07-15T05:51:00.000-04:002011-07-15T05:51:17.279-04:00Harvesting Time for a CSA Delivery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EOTjI8M3fB4/Th9VdiMGIVI/AAAAAAAAAl8/5v8a_x6MDzc/s1600/IMG_6754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EOTjI8M3fB4/Th9VdiMGIVI/AAAAAAAAAl8/5v8a_x6MDzc/s320/IMG_6754.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> After a winter of growing produce in the greenhouse, it is almost completely empty. A row of tomatoes stretches down the left side of it. Now the majority of the action has been transferred out to the field, so why don't you come along with the crew as they harvest vegetables for a CSA delivery.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PSrEwYQERS4/Th9VgXPDwqI/AAAAAAAAAmA/2200oQ2PZHQ/s1600/IMG_6764-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PSrEwYQERS4/Th9VgXPDwqI/AAAAAAAAAmA/2200oQ2PZHQ/s320/IMG_6764-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jonathan and Timothy start out with buckets in hand. There is a lot of produce to be picked today!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WXbgeVfsJh4/Th9VrV8RWXI/AAAAAAAAAmM/oiSth8wd2v4/s1600/IMG_6811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WXbgeVfsJh4/Th9VrV8RWXI/AAAAAAAAAmM/oiSth8wd2v4/s320/IMG_6811.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Picking sugar peas.... </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k80qK6bzc0g/Th9VnfoR6VI/AAAAAAAAAmI/oeKgVX4-qLY/s1600/IMG_6785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k80qK6bzc0g/Th9VnfoR6VI/AAAAAAAAAmI/oeKgVX4-qLY/s320/IMG_6785.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Peas</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e33GgXr9exw/Th9V3VQk5KI/AAAAAAAAAmY/72zS0_MlJww/s1600/IMG_6817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e33GgXr9exw/Th9V3VQk5KI/AAAAAAAAAmY/72zS0_MlJww/s320/IMG_6817.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Philip F. picks....</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bRpkZ6YLN5E/Th9VzdxDDOI/AAAAAAAAAmU/4NCheOwLJe0/s1600/IMG_6816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bRpkZ6YLN5E/Th9VzdxDDOI/AAAAAAAAAmU/4NCheOwLJe0/s320/IMG_6816.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and bunches the kale.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QayMGsZL4v4/Th9Vv9br3HI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/hIPYXK5-c04/s1600/IMG_6814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QayMGsZL4v4/Th9Vv9br3HI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/hIPYXK5-c04/s320/IMG_6814.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ready to go back to the wash station to be cleaned and packed.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4L7R7Tzix4c/Th9V7mkb70I/AAAAAAAAAmc/ldKQ5NlkZi4/s1600/IMG_6838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4L7R7Tzix4c/Th9V7mkb70I/AAAAAAAAAmc/ldKQ5NlkZi4/s320/IMG_6838.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The long rows of tomato plants are looking great.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a0ox8vjQZlw/Th9WJxxACbI/AAAAAAAAAms/dArYkzepC1o/s1600/IMG_6847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a0ox8vjQZlw/Th9WJxxACbI/AAAAAAAAAms/dArYkzepC1o/s320/IMG_6847.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Green tomatoes, the promise of things to come.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m4O9SWp5Xzs/Th9WDtytMQI/AAAAAAAAAmk/7_Tzi3U1YMc/s1600/IMG_6840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m4O9SWp5Xzs/Th9WDtytMQI/AAAAAAAAAmk/7_Tzi3U1YMc/s320/IMG_6840.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Swiss Chard adds a splash of color to the field.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kNFYTCFpr_E/Th9WNLA9YHI/AAAAAAAAAmw/p4CWMeHE3u8/s1600/IMG_6853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kNFYTCFpr_E/Th9WNLA9YHI/AAAAAAAAAmw/p4CWMeHE3u8/s320/IMG_6853.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As do the red, golden, and candy cane beets.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U7p4xJ06ZqM/Th9WP4UWKEI/AAAAAAAAAm0/u6HFUPnL_8M/s1600/IMG_6866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U7p4xJ06ZqM/Th9WP4UWKEI/AAAAAAAAAm0/u6HFUPnL_8M/s320/IMG_6866.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Leeks</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SGjj6i8_U18/Th9WWRFQDtI/AAAAAAAAAm8/ASWTtrefGVU/s1600/IMG_6872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SGjj6i8_U18/Th9WWRFQDtI/AAAAAAAAAm8/ASWTtrefGVU/s320/IMG_6872.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Onions</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6fOhp-3bT68/Th9WTtCXwuI/AAAAAAAAAm4/UfVfj0X9BNk/s1600/IMG_6869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6fOhp-3bT68/Th9WTtCXwuI/AAAAAAAAAm4/UfVfj0X9BNk/s320/IMG_6869.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The rack is full of produce that has been washed and is now ready to be packed.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HVSdFJLxFgI/Th9We63oTFI/AAAAAAAAAnE/EHkSVSMQ2l8/s1600/IMG_6901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HVSdFJLxFgI/Th9We63oTFI/AAAAAAAAAnE/EHkSVSMQ2l8/s320/IMG_6901.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once the produce has been harvested and washed, the CSA bags are lined up and filled. We work down the lines dividing between the full and half shares.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AjHtyjJuA6s/Th9WaP0BbYI/AAAAAAAAAnA/4-Z45PFfV8I/s1600/IMG_6898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AjHtyjJuA6s/Th9WaP0BbYI/AAAAAAAAAnA/4-Z45PFfV8I/s320/IMG_6898.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A beautiful basket of colorful extras.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L_sYl5DkVp8/Th9WHHe3_2I/AAAAAAAAAmo/CnFSIyybTCM/s1600/IMG_6846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L_sYl5DkVp8/Th9WHHe3_2I/AAAAAAAAAmo/CnFSIyybTCM/s320/IMG_6846.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, that's all for now, folks. We hope you enjoyed your visit! Come back again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~ Abigail </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Jonathan's sister)</div>FirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-43880343508329996962011-03-24T13:22:00.000-04:002011-03-24T13:22:26.184-04:00Welcome to Another Year of Farming with Us!<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jrG-BdUgjS0/TYtsXAURgzI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/6wt7Tk8wReY/s1600/BFBL+Ad+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" r6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jrG-BdUgjS0/TYtsXAURgzI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/6wt7Tk8wReY/s400/BFBL+Ad+2011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The growing season has now officially begun!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-b_dColPadTg/TYtHXhDKvdI/AAAAAAAAAkw/V3TAcFpnYDE/s1600/IMG_0141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-b_dColPadTg/TYtHXhDKvdI/AAAAAAAAAkw/V3TAcFpnYDE/s320/IMG_0141.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Though, actually, we've been growing vegetables all winter long in our 20'x96' greenhouse.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VFa1CJRfxKw/TYtsurKZOfI/AAAAAAAAAlU/MeIzFBVvH58/s1600/IMG_0202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VFa1CJRfxKw/TYtsurKZOfI/AAAAAAAAAlU/MeIzFBVvH58/s320/IMG_0202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The greenhouse has been doing an amazing job keeping plants a live and growing, though sometimes slowly, even in below freezing temperatures. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Hp8qcg9Inkk/TYtHfQ6n94I/AAAAAAAAAk0/bF9jLswIXb4/s1600/IMG_0153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Hp8qcg9Inkk/TYtHfQ6n94I/AAAAAAAAAk0/bF9jLswIXb4/s320/IMG_0153.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Carrots and Beets - 5 months from planting to harvest</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NuzDavkB60U/TYtHxOGaFLI/AAAAAAAAAk8/Non5PsriFBU/s1600/IMG_0169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NuzDavkB60U/TYtHxOGaFLI/AAAAAAAAAk8/Non5PsriFBU/s320/IMG_0169.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Salad Mix - 2 months from sowing to cutting</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-szRTIsyk_Z8/TYtHqGBGyZI/AAAAAAAAAk4/bXB9jfQhKYw/s1600/IMG_0165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-szRTIsyk_Z8/TYtHqGBGyZI/AAAAAAAAAk4/bXB9jfQhKYw/s320/IMG_0165.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sallions planted in between the beet rows - 6 weeks from planting to pulling</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Dh-iwsmh4Mo/TYtH4wMaOwI/AAAAAAAAAlA/cltxhIFG3U0/s1600/IMG_0174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Dh-iwsmh4Mo/TYtH4wMaOwI/AAAAAAAAAlA/cltxhIFG3U0/s320/IMG_0174.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Swiss Chard - 3-4 months from planting to harvest</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-h9HrTTsqFVQ/TYtIDER58WI/AAAAAAAAAlE/i0aXYQ8uWmM/s1600/IMG_0177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-h9HrTTsqFVQ/TYtIDER58WI/AAAAAAAAAlE/i0aXYQ8uWmM/s320/IMG_0177.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kale - 6 weeks from transplanting to harvest. This plant has actually been producing since September 2010; we just moved it indoors when winter came. Notice how close the leaf stubs are together, starting at the bottom - 1/2 inch? Those leaves grew last fall. Then look how close the leaves (middle of the plant) grew together during the cold part of winter - really close. Then look how quickly the plant has been growing recently with all the heat! So, you can have fun tracking how fast it's been growing for the last 7 months.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r17fJoh_o-U/TYts0XOqAEI/AAAAAAAAAlY/XrpelHbeAj4/s1600/IMG_0205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r17fJoh_o-U/TYts0XOqAEI/AAAAAAAAAlY/XrpelHbeAj4/s320/IMG_0205.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Over 80 degrees in the greenhouse on a day when it was about 35-40 degrees outside.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wL6rS8Eitm8/TYtIPEJdqgI/AAAAAAAAAlI/3tSzZIe1sf0/s1600/IMG_0178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wL6rS8Eitm8/TYtIPEJdqgI/AAAAAAAAAlI/3tSzZIe1sf0/s320/IMG_0178.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The garlic, which we planted last November, is coming up great.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-l6jWsT0Jiv0/TYts9aL5mkI/AAAAAAAAAlc/GfUuas03FXw/s1600/IMG_0209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-l6jWsT0Jiv0/TYts9aL5mkI/AAAAAAAAAlc/GfUuas03FXw/s320/IMG_0209.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My two brothers, Philip and Timothy, planted 1,400 lettuce plants for me last Friday. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-So79v2XCelg/TYttCHUIaHI/AAAAAAAAAlg/QX-YaKYw5Cc/s1600/IMG_0216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-So79v2XCelg/TYttCHUIaHI/AAAAAAAAAlg/QX-YaKYw5Cc/s320/IMG_0216.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They did a good job! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7DiFpOZvD4Y/TYttPmAbDgI/AAAAAAAAAlo/JZiGaUgeU8Y/s1600/IMG_0239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7DiFpOZvD4Y/TYttPmAbDgI/AAAAAAAAAlo/JZiGaUgeU8Y/s320/IMG_0239.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Potato planting time! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We planted 600 lbs. of seed potatoes this year, which translated into over 1.5 miles of row! Anyone want to help weed...? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YoH06qScDRc/TYttJgDAwPI/AAAAAAAAAlk/Gjn4Jm9B4s4/s1600/IMG_0221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YoH06qScDRc/TYttJgDAwPI/AAAAAAAAAlk/Gjn4Jm9B4s4/s320/IMG_0221.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love this job because it's one of the first things we do outside in the spring, and it requires us to use some big, fun machinery, which we don't get to use much the rest of the year. I like powerful things!</div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3e9aGEL2qNo/TYttVhRwM2I/AAAAAAAAAls/mc2vagMYtlk/s1600/IMG_0255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3e9aGEL2qNo/TYttVhRwM2I/AAAAAAAAAls/mc2vagMYtlk/s320/IMG_0255.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This is how we farm, Elise. Do you want to help Daddy in another couple years?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope you enjoyed this post and will continue to do so with the upcoming ones we're hoping to do to help keep you informed on what's happening how "down on the farm". Please feel free to leave a comment; we love hearing from you! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>FirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-91121874851566728962011-02-05T13:22:00.000-05:002011-02-05T13:22:25.510-05:00We're on CNN!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This past fall, a CNN producer was given the assignment to do a piece on CSA's. So she started calling up different ones within driving distence of NYC, but no one picked up there phone until she called my number. And this started everything roling that brought forth the video you see below. The Lord has blessed us so abundently in giving us this unique oppertunity to tell the world about healthy food. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://firstwatchfarms.blogspot.com/p/csa.html">Click here</a> to find out more about becoming a CSA member. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://3.gvt0.com/vi/IoljJv-L_x8/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IoljJv-L_x8&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IoljJv-L_x8&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">FirstWatch Farms on CNN!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>FirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-36171188067181029082010-11-16T12:47:00.002-05:002010-11-16T12:50:52.751-05:00100% Grass-Finished Beef for Sale<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TOFNWO5raEI/AAAAAAAAAkM/EAQDyPD_a6w/s1600/Grass-Finished+Beef+Poster.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TOFNWO5raEI/AAAAAAAAAkM/EAQDyPD_a6w/s400/Grass-Finished+Beef+Poster.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Are you ready for some great tasting, tender roast that's been cooking all day? Has it been awhile since you had a good NY Strip or Delmonico Steak? Or, are you ready for some good, versatile hamburger? <br />
<br />
Well, if you are, we've got what you need - our own grass-finished beef!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TOFOKaIIqzI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/vlmiFdQF0wU/s1600/IMG_0200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TOFOKaIIqzI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/vlmiFdQF0wU/s320/IMG_0200.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We raise our beef cattle during the summer outside, in the fresh air and sunshine on nothing but the best food source for them - 100% grass!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TOFPbTOfbPI/AAAAAAAAAkY/EJ5p0a7klLM/s1600/IMG_0190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TOFPbTOfbPI/AAAAAAAAAkY/EJ5p0a7klLM/s320/IMG_0190.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We move them periodically to new sections of pasture to help provide them with clean, high quality food.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TOFOwVXfjoI/AAAAAAAAAkU/SaymMRNIzEw/s1600/IMG_0042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TOFOwVXfjoI/AAAAAAAAAkU/SaymMRNIzEw/s320/IMG_0042.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">When cattle eat grass, both they and we make out a lot better. The cattle live in the environment they were created to live in, thus making them healthier and happier. And we get to enjoy meat that is nutritious, tasty, and healthy for us. Check out the amazing benefits of grass-finished beef at the bottom of this post, such as higher Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, vitamins, CLA, and far, far less danger of E. coli. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TOFQmf-AYWI/AAAAAAAAAkg/3j_3ofuxksA/s1600/IMG_0045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TOFQmf-AYWI/AAAAAAAAAkg/3j_3ofuxksA/s320/IMG_0045.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We raise a variety of cattle breeds - all of them being designed to produce beef. Click <a href="http://firstwatchfarms.blogspot.com/2010/04/cattle-are-here.html">here</a> and scroll down to learn more about the breeds.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TOFQFv31C2I/AAAAAAAAAkc/pZlXchKi2Xc/s320/IMG_0068.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Q. What's the difference between "grass-finished" and "grassfed" beef?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A. On our farm, very little. Grassfed cattle's diet is made up of strictly grass year around. Our grass-finished cattle, because we don't have a barn, are boarded during the winter at another farm, where they eat silage (fermented forage and grain) and hay. But once spring comes, the cattle are turned out to green pasture and ingest nothing by grass all summer long until they're processed in either July, October, or November. So during the last 3-7 months, which are the most determinant in the quality of the meat, our cattle eat only grass. The end result: Almost no difference between grass-finished and grassfed beef. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They're both great for you!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TOFQsNlLh3I/AAAAAAAAAkk/sIY0-be64hE/s1600/Kabobs+%2528Josiah%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TOFQsNlLh3I/AAAAAAAAAkk/sIY0-be64hE/s320/Kabobs+%2528Josiah%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Hungry yet?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We've got a wide variety of cuts available from Porterhouse and Sirloin Steaks, to Prime Rib and Chuck Roast, to Ground Beef and Short Ribs. (Remember, it's not too late to grill yet; we still are.) We even have our own Beef Sticks.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">To see a complete list of cuts available and prices, click on the links below: </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B0xiTB6H1FGmMjk0ODk1MDItZDU0Yi00MzNhLTk1NDQtYTRhNGI3MDQ4MTIy&hl=en">Lititz Pricelist</a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B0xiTB6H1FGmY2E2Nzc1M2EtMzRmZS00ODI3LTlkZWYtMjdmNzkyZTE4MTcw&hl=en">Wayne Pricelist (includes shipping)</a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>To order, </strong>send us an <a href="mailto:farmerjon@firstwatchfarms.com">email</a> or give us call with what you would like.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">~ ~ ~</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> <strong><span style="font-size: large;">Nutritional Benefits of Grass-Finished Beef</span></strong></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;">CLA is a “good” fat that in studies has shown promise of fighting cancer and cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that grass fed beef have any where from 2-5 times the amount of CLA as beef raised on a high grain diet.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Omega-3 </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;">Both Omega-3 and Omega-6 are essential fatty acids and a proper balance of these is needed for maintaining good health. Omega-6 is known to help with blood clotting, which is important if you receive a cut or serious injury. Omega-3 on the other hand is important for blood thinning. A proper balance of these two ensures that you will neither bleed to death nor have a heart attack or stroke from clogged arteries. Unfortunately, American’s at large have diets too high in Omega-6 and lacking greatly in Omega-3. Cattle raised on grain are higher in Omega-6, taking it from a healthy to unhealthy balance and raising the risk of heart attacks or strokes in human consumers. Grass is rich in Omega-3 and Beef raised on grass have shown to have a healthy balance between the two essential fatty acids, giving you a more rounded diet.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Vitamin E</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;">Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect against damage caused by free radicals. Free radical build up can lead to cardiovascular disease, cancer and inflammatory conditions. Vitamin E may help reduce cancer, heart complications and risk of eye disorders such as cataracts and age related macular degeneration. <a href="http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/vitamin-e-000341.htm">Source for the health benefits of Vitamin E</a></div>FirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-12967418654146625122010-11-02T10:48:00.000-04:002010-11-02T10:48:50.378-04:00Building the Greenhouse!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On October 2nd, we had a good, old-fashion "greenhouse raising". A group of 15 men and boys came together, volunteered their time, and helped me put up my 20'x96' greenhouse almost entirely in one day. It was such a blessing!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TM8jmtCQfVI/AAAAAAAAAj0/hgsTzyo3QOs/s1600/IMG_0028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TM8jmtCQfVI/AAAAAAAAAj0/hgsTzyo3QOs/s320/IMG_0028.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Believe it, or not, there's to be a greenhouse here by the end of the day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrdk2BHB1I/AAAAAAAAAik/1AiU0qXKDDg/s1600/IMG_0030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrdk2BHB1I/AAAAAAAAAik/1AiU0qXKDDg/s320/IMG_0030.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The work begins<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMreKt7wA2I/AAAAAAAAAio/s49NxC_NjhM/s1600/IMG_0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMreKt7wA2I/AAAAAAAAAio/s49NxC_NjhM/s320/IMG_0033.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The way you anchor the structure to the ground is by simply driving the sidewall stakes into the ground 2 feet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMresig-iYI/AAAAAAAAAis/qy4XkiYKdO4/s1600/IMG_0042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMresig-iYI/AAAAAAAAAis/qy4XkiYKdO4/s320/IMG_0042.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You got to make sure they're straight!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrfU_hV_TI/AAAAAAAAAiw/7mxcMiUDxRU/s1600/IMG_0048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrfU_hV_TI/AAAAAAAAAiw/7mxcMiUDxRU/s320/IMG_0048.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These two young men (15 years old), plus another one or two around their age, worked very well and drove 25 out of the 50 sidewall stakes in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TM810KRHuKI/AAAAAAAAAj4/ZSOiAZ3OOAY/s1600/IMG_0046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TM810KRHuKI/AAAAAAAAAj4/ZSOiAZ3OOAY/s320/IMG_0046.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once the posts are in, a strip of metal is run along the top of them. This piece will be used for multiple purposes, such as strength, holding the plastic on, and stabilizing the roll-up sides.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TM86HSVDdcI/AAAAAAAAAj8/f4guIMVCBd4/s1600/IMG_0063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TM86HSVDdcI/AAAAAAAAAj8/f4guIMVCBd4/s320/IMG_0063.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">After this, the hoops are put in place, which I thought was quite fun because it looked like we were getting a lot done quickly.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TM88-Q76M1I/AAAAAAAAAkE/xELW9w0em1c/s1600/IMG_0053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TM88-Q76M1I/AAAAAAAAAkE/xELW9w0em1c/s320/IMG_0053.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's really coming together...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrhX8GFkSI/AAAAAAAAAi8/QCjzFP2SPuM/s1600/IMG_0068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrhX8GFkSI/AAAAAAAAAi8/QCjzFP2SPuM/s320/IMG_0068.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...but now it's time for lunch - steamers/Sloppy Joe's made with our own beef.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMri7B2D0QI/AAAAAAAAAjI/bwog39tJs60/s1600/IMG_0089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMri7B2D0QI/AAAAAAAAAjI/bwog39tJs60/s320/IMG_0089.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lunch was a nice break, but now it's time to start working again because we want to get as much as possible up before the end of the day.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrjjpwvowI/AAAAAAAAAjM/oNXZ8O1Xzlw/s1600/IMG_0099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrjjpwvowI/AAAAAAAAAjM/oNXZ8O1Xzlw/s320/IMG_0099.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Work, work, work...Many hands makes light work.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrj4VItv5I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/j8t6g8fJwXA/s1600/IMG_0102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrj4VItv5I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/j8t6g8fJwXA/s320/IMG_0102.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eric, an organic blueberry farmer and metal machinist</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrkNhDj-eI/AAAAAAAAAjU/m2FLQfnxQ9I/s1600/IMG_0103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrkNhDj-eI/AAAAAAAAAjU/m2FLQfnxQ9I/s320/IMG_0103.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Elliot, a CSA member who worked very diligently doing one of the hardest jobs almost all day - driving metal screws</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrk0qYYCHI/AAAAAAAAAjY/3Yjp6uui4Mo/s1600/IMG_0098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrk0qYYCHI/AAAAAAAAAjY/3Yjp6uui4Mo/s320/IMG_0098.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's taking shape!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrlYdQp-cI/AAAAAAAAAjc/GCZaRST5hRg/s1600/IMG_0105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrlYdQp-cI/AAAAAAAAAjc/GCZaRST5hRg/s320/IMG_0105.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now, it's time for the plastic...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrl3K5yBSI/AAAAAAAAAjg/NcnotqiOkVs/s1600/IMG_0114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrl3K5yBSI/AAAAAAAAAjg/NcnotqiOkVs/s320/IMG_0114.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...a job that takes almost everyone.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrmQGDQkWI/AAAAAAAAAjk/Dcd1RrMBRZE/s1600/IMG_0129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrmQGDQkWI/AAAAAAAAAjk/Dcd1RrMBRZE/s320/IMG_0129.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was definitely a challenging stretching the two layers of plastic (one at a time) tight in the wind. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrmpFAjykI/AAAAAAAAAjo/GI1Z4F9AIYI/s1600/IMG_0136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrmpFAjykI/AAAAAAAAAjo/GI1Z4F9AIYI/s320/IMG_0136.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aaron, an Amish man who's also an organic produce grower, was the foreman of the operation, and he did an amazing job of keeping everyone organized, occupied, and accomplishing something. I was planning on paying him for the day as the manager of the operation, since he's got quite a bit of experience and had the hardest job of the day - managing. But when it came to the end of the day, he said he didn't want anything - just wanted me to pass it on sometime to someone else. I was so blessed by his help, especially since he took on managing our large crew excellently, is a very busy farmer, and is skilled in what he does. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrnHFJSPUI/AAAAAAAAAjs/RCddXZwQ0uw/s1600/IMG_0144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrnHFJSPUI/AAAAAAAAAjs/RCddXZwQ0uw/s320/IMG_0144.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's all done for the day!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrnwbx25sI/AAAAAAAAAjw/DZnJh68uJgU/s1600/IMG_0148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TMrnwbx25sI/AAAAAAAAAjw/DZnJh68uJgU/s320/IMG_0148.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Monique and I (and I'm sure our baby, Elise) are so very thankful to everyone from our church, family, and CSA who helped put up our greenhouse. It went up much faster than we were expecting - in 6 hours the basic structure and plastic were on! We're planning to grow vegetables in here to sell through out the winter, which will hopefully provide us with enough income that I can remain self-employed, something I that's been a dream of mine. So, to everyone who helped put up the greenhouse, is part of our winter CSA, and buys from us during the winter, THANK YOU! </div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>FirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-55075209081070859032010-09-27T23:57:00.000-04:002010-09-27T23:57:04.771-04:00The Fall Bounty<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">Fall is such an amazing time on the farm! All the pumpkins and gourds are coming ready, the winter squash and sweet potatoes are being harvested, all the other cool-weather crops are coming to a peak, the leaves are changing... It's definitely one of my favorite seasons!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFRFNSVWjI/AAAAAAAAAhk/ACebbe5zWgI/s1600/IMG_0102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFRFNSVWjI/AAAAAAAAAhk/ACebbe5zWgI/s320/IMG_0102.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Leola Produce Action - a stunning sight to see when it's full of Lancaster Counties bountiful harvest!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFRgz8EGkI/AAAAAAAAAho/OOzDvjIIDt8/s1600/IMG_0114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFRgz8EGkI/AAAAAAAAAho/OOzDvjIIDt8/s320/IMG_0114.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Decorative Gourds</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFSgXmYGvI/AAAAAAAAAhw/6DrVZ54LCeU/s1600/IMG_0128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFSgXmYGvI/AAAAAAAAAhw/6DrVZ54LCeU/s320/IMG_0128.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Lettuce, in my garden, that's done fabulously this year </div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFS1r75J_I/AAAAAAAAAh0/015nxPAxolk/s320/Jon'sGardenPhotShoot_001.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The early morning sun, as it rises on my Romaine and Red Leaf Lettuce</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFTTXNOucI/AAAAAAAAAh4/PbQbaK2NEKA/s1600/IMG_0135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFTTXNOucI/AAAAAAAAAh4/PbQbaK2NEKA/s320/IMG_0135.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="lblProductName">Rouge D'Hiver - a French heirloom veriety</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFUBFuZegI/AAAAAAAAAh8/aoMcHBqCB9E/s1600/Jon'sGardenPhotShoot_015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFUBFuZegI/AAAAAAAAAh8/aoMcHBqCB9E/s320/Jon'sGardenPhotShoot_015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We planted close to 6,000 heads of lettuce this year - 7 different types!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFUoAm-i9I/AAAAAAAAAiA/TOEycnir-NE/s1600/IMG_0121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFUoAm-i9I/AAAAAAAAAiA/TOEycnir-NE/s320/IMG_0121.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kale is one of those vegetables that is simply packed with benificial vitemins and minerals.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFU8LoVUrI/AAAAAAAAAiE/CTVIoA6o-YY/s1600/IMG_0157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFU8LoVUrI/AAAAAAAAAiE/CTVIoA6o-YY/s320/IMG_0157.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Umm... Mommy and Daddy are training my taste-buds to like healthy food from a very early age! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFVIxz9zZI/AAAAAAAAAiI/Gzsj9x_6v1A/s1600/Jon'sGardenPhotShoot_006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFVIxz9zZI/AAAAAAAAAiI/Gzsj9x_6v1A/s320/Jon'sGardenPhotShoot_006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Really? That looks good, too, like the rest of the produce in the garden.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFVbTfaXhI/AAAAAAAAAiM/LtxEVkGqsM4/s1600/Jon'sGardenPhotShoot_043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFVbTfaXhI/AAAAAAAAAiM/LtxEVkGqsM4/s320/Jon'sGardenPhotShoot_043.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ivory Peppers</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFVxAPhlWI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/6ZIV2XPVfZY/s1600/Jon'sGardenPhotShoot_024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFVxAPhlWI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/6ZIV2XPVfZY/s320/Jon'sGardenPhotShoot_024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Watermelons</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFWLRKs4UI/AAAAAAAAAiU/W9AYFjnHSdE/s1600/IMG_0143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFWLRKs4UI/AAAAAAAAAiU/W9AYFjnHSdE/s320/IMG_0143.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Basil</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFWjWJ44cI/AAAAAAAAAiY/Lbd9raOvyt4/s1600/IMG_0149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFWjWJ44cI/AAAAAAAAAiY/Lbd9raOvyt4/s320/IMG_0149.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Purple Peppers</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TKFW7soybaI/AAAAAAAAAic/kU3FQz7uLts/s320/IMG_0236.jpg" width="240" /></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Yea, I'm really glad my parents do gardening. It gives our family all sorts of opportunities to be together, enjoying God's creation, which we wouldn't have otherwise. It's a good life!</div>FirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-51465688917499958652010-08-24T06:37:00.002-04:002010-08-24T10:16:52.992-04:00What it Takes to Put Together a CSA Box<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It usually takes us the better part of two days, Monday and Tuesday, to pick, wash, and package all the produce for the CSA.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMemOouWjI/AAAAAAAAAfM/R7rEoVK3f7g/s1600/IMG_0248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMemOouWjI/AAAAAAAAAfM/R7rEoVK3f7g/s320/IMG_0248.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Corn is always picked the day we deliver it - making it extra delicious.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMfL6DC0sI/AAAAAAAAAfU/7hrknR3dIJA/s1600/IMG_0245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMfL6DC0sI/AAAAAAAAAfU/7hrknR3dIJA/s320/IMG_0245.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When corn is available, we usually pick 22 dozen (approx. 260 ears) at a time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMfw5haHBI/AAAAAAAAAfc/PG6JFqU8j5U/s1600/IMG_0257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMfw5haHBI/AAAAAAAAAfc/PG6JFqU8j5U/s320/IMG_0257.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And there's a lot on your knees...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Beans are being picked in this photo.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMgbvyJM0I/AAAAAAAAAfk/fHCHosPjeSU/s1600/IMG_0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMgbvyJM0I/AAAAAAAAAfk/fHCHosPjeSU/s320/IMG_0012.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">... and bending over picking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Cucumbers are being picked in this photo.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMg_bSql2I/AAAAAAAAAfs/2WsnmMWQt18/s1600/IMG_0262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMg_bSql2I/AAAAAAAAAfs/2WsnmMWQt18/s320/IMG_0262.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There are usually 3-4 people working each Tuesday to prepare the CSA.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMhXXn0lUI/AAAAAAAAAf0/wLJCwdwmPoE/s1600/IMG_0282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMhXXn0lUI/AAAAAAAAAf0/wLJCwdwmPoE/s320/IMG_0282.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once the produce is picked it needs washed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMhsR5yIcI/AAAAAAAAAf8/dJklgX_YfoM/s1600/IMG_0291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMhsR5yIcI/AAAAAAAAAf8/dJklgX_YfoM/s320/IMG_0291.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This can be quite a nice job on a hot day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMh-R4xQuI/AAAAAAAAAgE/oBrxenFQaxI/s1600/IMG_0268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMh-R4xQuI/AAAAAAAAAgE/oBrxenFQaxI/s320/IMG_0268.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tomatoes are typically wiped with a damp cloth to remove the dirt. Washing them this way is much better than putting them in a tub of water and rolling them around because it keeps them from becoming bruised. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMiUocZNxI/AAAAAAAAAgM/R91P_NUfQSo/s1600/IMG_0300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMiUocZNxI/AAAAAAAAAgM/R91P_NUfQSo/s320/IMG_0300.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eggplant just need a fast rinse.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMitAMZTqI/AAAAAAAAAgU/xNyt1y9Urmk/s1600/IMG_0308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMitAMZTqI/AAAAAAAAAgU/xNyt1y9Urmk/s320/IMG_0308.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All of our produce, after it's been picked, needs to be sorted. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMjKhKR-7I/AAAAAAAAAgc/FbtaWSyp6M8/s1600/IMG_0254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMjKhKR-7I/AAAAAAAAAgc/FbtaWSyp6M8/s320/IMG_0254.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next step is to set all the boxes out, which can take 15-30 minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMjjnvvhxI/AAAAAAAAAgk/2v65PzkEOK8/s1600/IMG_0264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMjjnvvhxI/AAAAAAAAAgk/2v65PzkEOK8/s320/IMG_0264.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On Tuesdays, we pack 14 full-share boxes and 33 half-share boxes, making a total of 47 boxes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMkKFpycrI/AAAAAAAAAgs/fCWZO5E5mDM/s1600/IMG_0270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMkKFpycrI/AAAAAAAAAgs/fCWZO5E5mDM/s320/IMG_0270.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next, we go down the line and try to put the same number vegetables in each box (i.e. 4 tomatoes for a half-share, 8 tomatoes for a full-share).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMknY-Pw8I/AAAAAAAAAg0/2zb8YTEPQDo/s1600/IMG_0325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMknY-Pw8I/AAAAAAAAAg0/2zb8YTEPQDo/s320/IMG_0325.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Red potatoes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMkqHsxlbI/AAAAAAAAAg8/WjETj3Mg4gU/s1600/IMG_0324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/THMkqHsxlbI/AAAAAAAAAg8/WjETj3Mg4gU/s320/IMG_0324.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, here's your box (Aug. 10th)!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Do you understand a little more now what goes on behind the scenes to get your vegetables to you?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We enjoy it a lot!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~ Jonathan</div>FirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-31259051077576672932010-08-06T22:51:00.000-04:002010-08-06T22:51:55.765-04:00One Year Ago on August 8th...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TFzD52TO59I/AAAAAAAAAeE/utjL6himS_Y/s1600/IMG_0582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TFzD52TO59I/AAAAAAAAAeE/utjL6himS_Y/s320/IMG_0582.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wow, it's hard to believe it's already been a year since we got married!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TFzD71eZN5I/AAAAAAAAAeM/TZyu9lIYQtk/s1600/IMG_0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TFzD71eZN5I/AAAAAAAAAeM/TZyu9lIYQtk/s320/IMG_0252.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Isn't she beautiful being escorted by her father?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TFzD-JLO1ZI/AAAAAAAAAeU/F1ls2hnl0Gw/s1600/IMG_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TFzD-JLO1ZI/AAAAAAAAAeU/F1ls2hnl0Gw/s320/IMG_0273.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Lord Jesus must be the center of our marriage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TFzEAYZkYpI/AAAAAAAAAec/W_aMFnDFv14/s1600/IMG_0354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TFzEAYZkYpI/AAAAAAAAAec/W_aMFnDFv14/s320/IMG_0354.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our first kiss!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TFzEGEk73YI/AAAAAAAAAek/mVd4axzWeB0/s1600/IMG_0416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TFzEGEk73YI/AAAAAAAAAek/mVd4axzWeB0/s320/IMG_0416.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You aught to see all the cousins as well... These are only our immediate families and my grandmother. Monique has seven siblings, and I have nine; it was awesome growing up in a large family! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TFzEKcYzwRI/AAAAAAAAAes/5D-wXS_g0tE/s1600/IMG_0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TFzEKcYzwRI/AAAAAAAAAes/5D-wXS_g0tE/s320/IMG_0576.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We're farmers... :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TFzELxBnsRI/AAAAAAAAAe0/zXoPkHdAvlE/s1600/IMG_0634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TFzELxBnsRI/AAAAAAAAAe0/zXoPkHdAvlE/s320/IMG_0634.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Might as well take advantage of the only acceptable day to have a cake fight in public</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TFzEOug_CHI/AAAAAAAAAe8/e-SpH-3U5qU/s1600/IMG_0757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TFzEOug_CHI/AAAAAAAAAe8/e-SpH-3U5qU/s320/IMG_0757.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And we're off with a blast to our honeymoon in the Adirondacks! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TFzI1svxa3I/AAAAAAAAAfE/bZJyzXhBKiM/s1600/IMG_0571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TFzI1svxa3I/AAAAAAAAAfE/bZJyzXhBKiM/s320/IMG_0571.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's been a wonderful first year of marriage. God has given us so much and been with us every step of the way. May He be glorified in the rest of our lives together until death parts us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We're going away for a few days to the PA Grand Canyon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~ Jonathan</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div>FirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-51512066370171795672010-07-19T11:59:00.000-04:002010-07-19T11:59:42.503-04:00Fire! Fire! Fire!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERlu1nwwDI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/t0uAvaXeq_s/s1600/IMG_0080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERlu1nwwDI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/t0uAvaXeq_s/s320/IMG_0080.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last Thursday, my neighbor's dairy barn burnt to the ground!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERmbz5WUtI/AAAAAAAAAcg/skiBWb2eKp0/s1600/IMG_0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERmbz5WUtI/AAAAAAAAAcg/skiBWb2eKp0/s320/IMG_0061.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What a sad sight....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERm-bn-E8I/AAAAAAAAAco/N47B6OjGr40/s1600/IMG_0027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERm-bn-E8I/AAAAAAAAAco/N47B6OjGr40/s320/IMG_0027.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This barn has been in use, milking cows, for at least two generations. Now it's all gone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERnTkbAz4I/AAAAAAAAAcw/3yB5gcONFxE/s1600/IMG_0048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERnTkbAz4I/AAAAAAAAAcw/3yB5gcONFxE/s320/IMG_0048.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alright, men, lets get everything cleaned up! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">D. Martin (center), the owner, gives instructions to the many, many friends and neighbors who dropped everything to come and help clean up the destruction. It was such a blessing to see the Christian community pull together and help someone in need!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERnvkBiSBI/AAAAAAAAAc4/_b4wm6Xk2cY/s1600/IMG_0055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERnvkBiSBI/AAAAAAAAAc4/_b4wm6Xk2cY/s320/IMG_0055.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Someone, who owns an excavating company, brought his big equipment in and made the job so much easier.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERoFeTIosI/AAAAAAAAAdA/sw9ovM_GAcQ/s1600/IMG_0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERoFeTIosI/AAAAAAAAAdA/sw9ovM_GAcQ/s320/IMG_0033.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To help clean up, they started bonfire to finish burning all the timbers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERmEpZ9vNI/AAAAAAAAAcY/-RNhs8-_MgU/s1600/IMG_0059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERmEpZ9vNI/AAAAAAAAAcY/-RNhs8-_MgU/s320/IMG_0059.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Scoop that junk out of there!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERom4eb-PI/AAAAAAAAAdI/wuf-5HBkDpg/s1600/IMG_0069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERom4eb-PI/AAAAAAAAAdI/wuf-5HBkDpg/s320/IMG_0069.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There was a lot of work to be done!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERo-t4wuDI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/y9orev3COaU/s1600/IMG_0070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERo-t4wuDI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/y9orev3COaU/s320/IMG_0070.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Charles, the oldest son on the farm, uses their skid loader, which they usually scrap up manure with, to scoop up the ruins of their barn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERpXSl9jTI/AAAAAAAAAdY/wmsEfPNGYcI/s1600/IMG_0083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERpXSl9jTI/AAAAAAAAAdY/wmsEfPNGYcI/s320/IMG_0083.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What a sight!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Before...</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERpzm7QsMI/AAAAAAAAAdg/l8OZluWuCKI/s1600/IMG_0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERpzm7QsMI/AAAAAAAAAdg/l8OZluWuCKI/s320/IMG_0312.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used to milk occasionally for the Martins when they would go on vacation. It was a nice parlor to milk in, and I enjoyed it. There milk, right out of the tank, was probably the best tasting milk I've ever had.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>...and after.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERqaCT1frI/AAAAAAAAAdo/769EBmrlj2M/s1600/IMG_0050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERqaCT1frI/AAAAAAAAAdo/769EBmrlj2M/s320/IMG_0050.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But those days are over now. It's hard to even recognize the place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERq1TUm5dI/AAAAAAAAAdw/ntpSj9Vxc2k/s1600/IMG_0067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERq1TUm5dI/AAAAAAAAAdw/ntpSj9Vxc2k/s320/IMG_0067.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Martins are a wonderful family, with ten children, that I've really enjoyed getting to know. Their sprite through all this has amazed me. They've been joyful, in spite of their circumstances and very thankful that no people nor cows were hurt.</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERrZvHOHdI/AAAAAAAAAd4/rBm5UKTCHo4/s1600/IMG_0068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TERrZvHOHdI/AAAAAAAAAd4/rBm5UKTCHo4/s320/IMG_0068.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, where do we go from here? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Martins are considering growing produce for me next year to send to you all with the CSA! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~ Jonathan</div>FirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-76957537826124693922010-07-14T21:41:00.001-04:002010-07-20T12:22:14.270-04:00Heat, Drought, Rain, Independence Day, Etc.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TD5PZXShoNI/AAAAAAAAAa4/VuUtHTdkGO0/s1600/IMG_0113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TD5PZXShoNI/AAAAAAAAAa4/VuUtHTdkGO0/s320/IMG_0113.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So what should we tell everyone about, Elise? So much has been going on here since I've last posted, part of the reason why it's been a long time. Well, one thing that's been taking our time has been you, little girl, but we like giving you time. Other things we've been doing are harvesting garlic, making up our seed order for fall lettuce, broccoli, etc., and all the day-to-day work of running a farm - picking, weeding, mowing, irrigating.... So, Elise, let's give everyone a few photos to look at, so they can see a little what it's like around here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TD5P9jSiEwI/AAAAAAAAAbA/FB3NNWd-XUg/s1600/IMG_0041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TD5P9jSiEwI/AAAAAAAAAbA/FB3NNWd-XUg/s320/IMG_0041.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For a period of 3 or 4 weeks, we didn't get any rain, except for 1.5 inches that mostly ran off. (We've been bless a lot more, though, than some other farmers who haven't had a measurable rain for a month.) Last week (7th & 8th), I got my irrigation system up and running. The dryness didn't effect all the crops, like potatoes, much because they're almost full grown, but other crops, like cucumbers, are greatly effected by lack of water. Things were really dry here, but...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TD5QXmk0KlI/AAAAAAAAAbI/JZbLEtTTwVU/s1600/IMG_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TD5QXmk0KlI/AAAAAAAAAbI/JZbLEtTTwVU/s320/IMG_0006.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">...the Lord decided to give us rain, and He did so in abundance! Since Thursday, we've gotten close to 4 inches!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TD5RD6Ie5UI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/EeWlrocNRIA/s1600/Red,+White,+Blue+Potatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TD5RD6Ie5UI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/EeWlrocNRIA/s320/Red,+White,+Blue+Potatoes.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Patriotic red, white, and blue potatoes to celebrate July 4th with</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TD5Su_QMp6I/AAAAAAAAAbg/2FXHfDt-sOE/s1600/IMG_0143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TD5Su_QMp6I/AAAAAAAAAbg/2FXHfDt-sOE/s320/IMG_0143.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We went to a gathering, some friends in Shippensburg hosted, on Monday, July 5th. Part of the event was a pie contest that I was selected a judge for, not a job I minded! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TD5R3JH3LpI/AAAAAAAAAbY/DkIsVkWxpcA/s320/IMG_0140.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was hard though selecting which one was the best; they were all good! It was an interesting experience. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TD5VpxjttuI/AAAAAAAAAbw/GpctEn_LKzE/s1600/IMG_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TD5VpxjttuI/AAAAAAAAAbw/GpctEn_LKzE/s320/IMG_0002.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Life's been busy here! And the big question is: Who tired who out?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TD5Vu9DNRJI/AAAAAAAAAb4/Ea_fAOfewtg/s1600/Family+Photo+-+June+28th+2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TD5Vu9DNRJI/AAAAAAAAAb4/Ea_fAOfewtg/s320/Family+Photo+-+June+28th+2010.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Jonathan Einwechter Family</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks again for supporting our family by being part of our CSA! More than we can put into words, we appreciate it because it's giving us the ability to experience our dream - farming full-time for the glory of God.</div>FirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-70895203766070674562010-06-22T07:09:00.001-04:002010-07-20T12:23:16.251-04:00True Producer/Customer Relationships!<div align="center"><strong><em>Gift from CSA members for our little, darling Elise!</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TCCSQvLMalI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/JZJvA5hW-GE/s1600/Elise,+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TCCSQvLMalI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/JZJvA5hW-GE/s320/Elise,+blog.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now <strong>this</strong> is what I call a real producer/customer relationship!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TCCR4i5RVLI/AAAAAAAAAZw/R5mDyGlk0tg/s1600/CSA+gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TCCR4i5RVLI/AAAAAAAAAZw/R5mDyGlk0tg/s320/CSA+gift.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you so much everyone who gave us this gift! We very much appreciate you thinking of your farmers in this way. It's certainly not every day the supermarket does this for you!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TCCTVFMxm0I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/CrJnq826xOM/s1600/IMG_0050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TCCTVFMxm0I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/CrJnq826xOM/s320/IMG_0050.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The peas were very plentiful this year, peaking about a week ago. But now they are almost done, and are making room for more crops. There won't be very many, if any for today's CSA shares.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TCCTwcbzMHI/AAAAAAAAAaY/6d48kYzHEL0/s1600/IMG_0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TCCTwcbzMHI/AAAAAAAAAaY/6d48kYzHEL0/s320/IMG_0052.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Samuel, hard at work picking peas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TCCWuWk5JQI/AAAAAAAAAaw/FOifSYY2sVA/s1600/2009_08_27+-+Potato+Harvest+061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TCCWuWk5JQI/AAAAAAAAAaw/FOifSYY2sVA/s320/2009_08_27+-+Potato+Harvest+061.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last Friday, we started digging the first, new potatoes! And, wow, they are good when you fry them up with some green onions, garlic, and seasonings in olive oil!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TCCUIutQu5I/AAAAAAAAAag/3bAbEwazHuI/s1600/IMG_0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TCCUIutQu5I/AAAAAAAAAag/3bAbEwazHuI/s320/IMG_0060.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Washing the green onions</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TCCUkw3zuDI/AAAAAAAAAao/JXkYxN4faZM/s1600/IMG_0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TCCUkw3zuDI/AAAAAAAAAao/JXkYxN4faZM/s320/IMG_0061.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Packing the CSA boxes (something I'll be doing later today)</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Thank you everyone for your amazing support of us!</div><div align="center">Jonathan, Monique, and Elise Einwechter</div>FirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3393597370543907264.post-13299668845468537152010-06-14T07:34:00.003-04:002010-06-16T21:12:25.201-04:00Everything is Growing - the Baby, the Vegetables, and the Weeds!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This last week has been a very busy one for us. It's been our new little daughter's first week of life outside the womb with all the adjustments she's had to make, family visiting, and a lot of work in the garden. But it's been a wonderful week, and we're enjoying life!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQO0k1wGLI/AAAAAAAAAZI/25uhYMsC8S4/s1600/IMG_0042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQO0k1wGLI/AAAAAAAAAZI/25uhYMsC8S4/s320/IMG_0042.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This is quite an interesting life out her, but I think I like it! ~ Elise</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQPyaK6mwI/AAAAAAAAAZg/wqorY9P2cpE/s1600/IMG_0181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQPyaK6mwI/AAAAAAAAAZg/wqorY9P2cpE/s320/IMG_0181.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Grandpa Hoffman holds his new grand-daughter for the first time.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQPei-qk_I/AAAAAAAAAZY/1TWFoyEgkxI/s1600/IMG_0068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQPei-qk_I/AAAAAAAAAZY/1TWFoyEgkxI/s320/IMG_0068.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We've had some trouble getting her to feed properly, so she's been getting her Mommy's milk through a tube, while learning how to suck. Currently, she's doing a lot better, and we rarely need to use this method of feeding. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Weed Time!</strong></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQIlPqj_7I/AAAAAAAAAXo/hUmlA-UYhg0/s1600/IMG_0112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQIlPqj_7I/AAAAAAAAAXo/hUmlA-UYhg0/s320/IMG_0112.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Those weed's got to go!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQHbRtY_gI/AAAAAAAAAXY/0vvaJ_lnu5g/s1600/IMG_0101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQHbRtY_gI/AAAAAAAAAXY/0vvaJ_lnu5g/s320/IMG_0101.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">It's amazing how many weeds grow in this garden!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQHz5ki7OI/AAAAAAAAAXg/-MYYMtHkg-k/s1600/IMG_0107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQHz5ki7OI/AAAAAAAAAXg/-MYYMtHkg-k/s320/IMG_0107.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">So why do weeds grow again? Because man has sinned against his Creator - Jesus Christ. Even though the ground, to some degree, will always grow weeds, there is hope for our eternal souls if we believe on Jesus Christ to save us from our sin (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%203:17-19&version=KJV">Genesis 3:17-19</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:16-17&version=KJV">John 3:16-17</a>).</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQKcH_9vjI/AAAAAAAAAYA/Ur0VoHKu41Q/s1600/IMG_0126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQKcH_9vjI/AAAAAAAAAYA/Ur0VoHKu41Q/s320/IMG_0126.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The clover in the paths, between the beds needs mowed regularly.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQK4mPSr8I/AAAAAAAAAYI/HezplXzJQ3I/s1600/IMG_0138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQK4mPSr8I/AAAAAAAAAYI/HezplXzJQ3I/s320/IMG_0138.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">But now it's time to take a break for some water and lunch.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQLOVF2S4I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/Jix3VhFFShI/s320/IMG_0139.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Nothing like water on a hot day!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQMqwdAf-I/AAAAAAAAAYg/4s2CMuY49Hg/s1600/IMG_0143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQMqwdAf-I/AAAAAAAAAYg/4s2CMuY49Hg/s320/IMG_0143.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQNDsqRq8I/AAAAAAAAAYo/6WOr9AxjgDI/s1600/IMG_0146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQNDsqRq8I/AAAAAAAAAYo/6WOr9AxjgDI/s320/IMG_0146.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">These onions <strong>(left photo)</strong> are ones that are going to be left grow until the plant dies and they are harvested as dry, storage bulbs. The little plants in the <strong>right photo </strong>butternut squash, and they're doing very well.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQJ1mOVDWI/AAAAAAAAAX4/ZHoAN78FL68/s1600/IMG_0122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQJ1mOVDWI/AAAAAAAAAX4/ZHoAN78FL68/s320/IMG_0122.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Cilantro</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQNrjhdQSI/AAAAAAAAAYw/cra4lfWDfKA/s1600/IMG_0149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQNrjhdQSI/AAAAAAAAAYw/cra4lfWDfKA/s320/IMG_0149.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">So far, the tomato plants are growing beautifully. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQOCtuVO6I/AAAAAAAAAY4/lWEAvvsVtcc/s1600/IMG_0157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQOCtuVO6I/AAAAAAAAAY4/lWEAvvsVtcc/s320/IMG_0157.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">They're already blooming and have small, green tomatoes on them. It'll still be at least a month, though, until there are any ripe ones.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQOgS8-XYI/AAAAAAAAAZA/A18sjGt4Bbw/s1600/IMG_0164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQOgS8-XYI/AAAAAAAAAZA/A18sjGt4Bbw/s320/IMG_0164.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Purple beans have got their place up on the hill where they've got a good view of the garden.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQPI02JPiI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/we7QGRr4M8A/s1600/IMG_0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vpQrx3r7LdM/TBQPI02JPiI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/we7QGRr4M8A/s320/IMG_0033.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">But, I need to be done now with this post because I've got other responsibilities - such as going to the garden and working to provide for our new little one and reliving Mommy from time to time holding her. So that's all for now.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Enjoy you week!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Jonathan</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>FirstWatch Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06857863879075014731noreply@blogger.com0