Farm Blog

 The last time we wrote we talked about how we were glad that the cold weather and snow had returned in early February as compared to the mud we had in January. Well probably a lot of you must have wondered how we were liking it when we kept getting snow and more snow. 

 We liked it just fine. The livestock did use more feed and it was a bigger chore keeping fresh water unfrozen to them, but the farm being blanketed in snow was just beautiful. Now we are in the spring thaw and more mud, but we are mentally prepared for it. Spring is here and bringing its wonders, sights, sounds and new challenges.

 We have gotten our existing two hoop houses planted. Also we have started many seed trays with a variety of crops. Yes, we are eager to get our hands in the soil. 

 While we are waiting for the soil to dry out for major field work and projects we are trying something new. We tapped fifteen of our sugar maple trees and going to try our hand at making some maple syrup. This is a project we have wanted to do for several years. We were blessed a few years back to receive sugar maple making equipment when Guy's Aunt Estella Jo sold her farm and shut down her sugar camp. We never have seemed to have enough time to try making some until this year. We have a lofty goal (for us) to make a whole gallon this year. Wish us luck, it should be fun.

 Cold weather came back about a week ago and the last two days brought us about 6 inches of snow. Cold, snowy weather can add more work and time to daily chores. It makes us haul more feed and contend with frozen water for livestock. Haul more wood to keep the house warm, work harder to keep equipment starting and running. It might seem odd but we enjoy it.

  We feel cold weather is much better than the alternative-MUD. The mild two weeks we had in January was nice for a lot of people but we had our feel of mud, mud, mud. Now don't misunderstand us, we will be happy when spring gets here and the mud it brings along with it, but that is short lived because the days are getting longer, warmer and planting season will be coming soon. But a gray wet winter seems to drag on forever. So let it be cold and snowy when it is supposed to be. Get out and enjoy the freshness of it. Take a winter walk and see what critters are leaving their foot prints in your yard or park. And when your better half or friend isn't looking, hit them with a snow ball. That is guaranteed to warm you both up. 

  It has been a long time since we have blogged and we thought it was time to let everyone know what we are up to. The girls are back at college and Conard is back in the swing at high school. Here at the farm most of the work consist of getting firewood, taking care of the livestock, and doing small projects as the weater cooperates. All of us did get a chance to do some ice skating on the creek and some sledding during the nice cold snowy period we had after Christmas.

 Sandy and I are catching up on paper work, finishing seed orders, planning chicken and turkey logistics for the coming year, doing taxes, doing inventory. Lots of good inside work. We are looking forward to some great conferences coming up. The Ohio Ecological Food and Farms (OEFFA) annual  Conference  in February is always great. Also we hope to attend the Innovatve Farmer of Ohio (IFO) confernce in March. We are attendig lots of local meetings concerning local food and farm market issues. It is always good to get reconnected with folks we haven't seen for some time, share ideas, and get our personal batteries recharged..

 Hopefully you are able to get some items caught up and do some relaxing on these January days.

Hi Everyone ,

Our family is asking for your help in defeating Issue two. We generally do not mix politics, freindship, and business but we feel this issue will effect us all, growers and consumers.

Below is and editorial we sent to several newspapers.

We hope you are having a great fall.
Guy, Sandy Ashmore and Family

Editor, News journal

      We are small, independent livestock producers who direct market all of our livestock products directly to our consumers and we urge everyone to vote NO on Issue 2.

      Issue 2 is nothing more than an attempted power grab by special interests and large agribusinesses. This proposed Issue 2 will be a state constitutional amendment based on fear. The fear that the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) or the People for Ethical Treatment for Animals (PETA) will come into Ohio and try to eliminate animal agriculture, especially large scale operations. In order to fight off this fear, they propose to give thirteen political appointees complete control over how farm animals are raised in Ohio, and by a constitutional amendment no less.

      We already have a state Department of Agriculture that oversees the livestock industry. It is already doing a fine job of over regulating us. Look up their website and see all the rules we have to follow now (www.agri.ohio.gov). Why do we now need a political appointed Livestock Board? This Board will have total jurisdiction. They will be judge, jury, and executioner. No appeal, no public input, no transparencies. If HSUS or PETA do present ballot initiatives in the future we will have an opportunity to vote no on this initiative as well.

      Our farm, as well as hundreds of others that sell direct to consumers, is in the safe, local food business everyday. We are transparent, and we welcome public input and interaction.

 Do not let this perceived fear limit livestock producers animal husbandry options, and do not let this perceived fear limit you as a consumer on your options for safe, local food.

     Help stop this special interest corruption of our state constitution. Vote NO on Issue 2.

Guy and Sandy Ashmore

That Guy’s Family Farm

394 St Rt 380

Clarksville, Ohio 45113

937-289-3151

Editor, News journal

 Our family urges everyone to vote no on issue 2, the constitutional admendment that will create a Livestock Care Standards Board on November 3rd.

 This constitutional admendment is for more control by Agribuisness and has nothing to do with safe, local, or affordable food as the misleading advertisements claim. This board will be made up of ten political appointees who will have control over how livestock is raised in this state. No public imput, no debate. If they feel free range chickens are not safe, for example, then free range chickens will not be raised in this state.

 We already have a Department of Agriculture that has rules, regulations, and enforcement. These regulations can be viewed on their web site www.agri.ohio.gov . Why do we need another board that has no oversight or public imput. It will only put more control over consumer and sustainable farmers options.

 Please see www.ohioact.org for more information, and please tell your friends and families.

 Last Friday we had our farm inspected by an independent professional organic inspector, contracted by the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA). The inspector that came was very pleasant and thorough. The inspection lasted about three hours and consisted of walking the farm, looking in the buildings, storage areas and prep areas, looking at equipment, water sources, buffer areas, and going over paper work.

 The paperwork consists of documenting all purchased inputs, such as seeds sources, fertilizers, crop protection products, etc.  But, also going over planting dates, harvesting dates, yield records, receipts, sales records, and crop rotions to name a few.

 So after the inspector left and all paper work was put back, we sat and talked about the inspection. The question came up (again), why have we been certified for the past 11 years?  Why do we pay $600.00 dollars for an annual application fee?  Spend countless hours on applications and paper work?  Why do we search for products that are organically approved?  Is it for prestiege?  Bigger market share?  Precieved premium on price?  To save the planet?  And it seems this question is on our minds with the market season just ending.

 Since begining the market season in May, we have been asked this question by new and interested customers and potential new farmers. Why be certified? We have heard a similar question asked and answered repeatedly by other farmers selling at markets over the past 13 years. And that question is: Are you organic.?

 We can answer that question almost as well as the farmer who was asked the question " Are you organic? The answers are many: I only spray when needed, I was/or would be but the Goverment got involved, I only grow using organic methods, I only use a little bit of..., I don't want to do the paper work, My customers know how I farm so I don't need to, et. etc. etc.. Now there is an upscale newer market in Cincinnati where market managers claim their farmers use organic methods. What does that mean? If you plant a fungicidal treated GMO seed in soil is that considered an organic method?

 Please don't get us wrong, we know of friends and neighbors that are dedicated to growing organically and are not certified for their own reasons and we commend them for growing organically.  But why are we certified organic?

 We were organically growing for years before we became certified.  One day a certified organic friend of ours from Greene county asked us why don't you get certified?  Before we could answer he stated that he didn't make anymore money being certified, his customers already knew how he farmed and  he felt it was the right thing to do.

 We feel it is the right thing to do also.  We feel it has made us better farmers. We feel it encourages and supports other certified farmers to be it and not just claim it. It let's are children, neighbors, customers, and friends know that these are the standards we agree to follow and hopefully surpass. The rules are not perfect, but we feel only by being involved can we make them better..

 We enjoy answering the question "Why are you certified organic", better than the question "Are you organic"?

 As May is coming to an end, we reflect on the pace of life.  This is the month that everything must be accomplished simultaneously.  We are preparing seed beds, planting crops while cultivating others. Harvesting spring crops to take to markets and renewing friendships there, brooding baby chicks and butchering market chickens.  We are literally making hay while the sun shines, watching for spring calves, and enjoying the gifts of nature while working in each others company.  This must be why the days grow longer, so more can be accomplished within natures calender.  We hope these long daylight hours are  enjoyable to you and your love ones also.

We hosted a sustainable ag class from Wilmington College recently.  What a great experience to have students studying agriculture visit our farm.  They shared with us some of the ways other farms are becoming more sustainable.  This kind of interaction is important for young people deciding to make farming their future.  We believe they inspired us more that day than we might have inspired them.  After all, they are the future of farming.

 Hurricane Ike took our hoophouses down in September. We are determined to try again with a little elbow grease and some help from Conard's friend Eric, they are back up. 

 We are using unheated hoophouses to extend the seasons.  We are able to plant earlier in the spring and protect crops from frost in the fall.  What a delight to play in the soil while the days are still chilly.  We feel these structures are a sustainable way to extend the season in our region.  Our low tech hoophouses are inexpensive, reuseble, movable, and rely on passive solar heat to provide organic food with little effort.  We can't wait to share the first harvest!

   Did you know that day length effects egg laying?  Also, a hen can't lay an egg until her basic need of food, water, and shelter are met.  Now that the days are getting longer, we are collecting eggs again.  Actually, this winter was the first time in years we had to buy eggs for ourselves.  What we noticed the most was the lack of flavor in grocery store eggs.  It had been so long, we had forgotten.  This was an example of circumstance reminding us about real food.