Farm Blog

 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.

The Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association will host its 30th annual conference February 21 & 22 2009 in Granville, Ohio.  The theme this year is "The Changing Climate of Agriculture".   The beauty of OEFFA is the membership is a mix of farmers and consumers all learning and working together for sustainable food and farms.  The conference is filled with workshops and keynote speakers that bring us inspiration and knowledge that deepens our connections to the land and each other.We are looking forward to the conference, maybe we will see you there.

   Now is the time we can catch up on inside jobs.  We have determined through several family members recollections that we painted our living room 13 to 15 years ago.  Our children remembered being shipped off to Grandmas and it was summertime.  This time they did most of the work and wished they were at Grandmas.

   We wanted to use an eco-friendly paint from a local store.  We are here to say that "zero VOC" is the catch phrase for this paint.  We found a selection a the Sherwin Williams store and it is great!  No smell, and rolled on easily and covered well. We could chose from all the colors they offered and the price was the same as their premium paint. We would recommend this paint to anyone considering an inside job this winter.

 Alot has happened since the last time we journalized. The dry weather has stopped us from going to the different markets now for some time. The Girls are both at college and Conard is a good piece into his sophmore year at high school. We are finished with raising meat chickens for the year and the turkeys are looking nice and getting big for Thanksgiving. Cover crops are sown and fall projects are under way. But the big items we wanted to journal about is Hurricane Ike and Jethro.

 In September Hurricane Ike hit Texas and continued north and east across a big part of the US. We were in no way damaged like the folks in Texas and in that area. Our hearts go out to them and pray that the situation is getting better for them.

 It seems everyone around here lost at least their electrcity if not more. We were fortunate our power was only out for a couple of days, but the neighbors across the road were out for eight days. We did loose our two hoop houses (unheated greenhouses) and a fall crop of heirloom tomatoes that was in them. We lost quite a few trees and our portable chicken tractors were beat up some. All in all, we were very fortunate and are thankful for no more damage.

 I'm sure you all did hear and experience Hurricane Ike but we have an on going Hurricane happening here. We call him Hurricane Jethro. In July, Conard asked if he could get a goat. Sounded harmless enough. He bought a young pigmy goat and named him Jethro. Jethro is little, he can get through a regular fence. At first no problems, he would get out play, follow you around, bother the dog Toby, and the cats. Then he decided to eat our fall lettuce crop. He decided he likes tomatoes, and he started loving to eat the sunflowers and flower bouquets the girls made for market. Now he thinks jumping on top of the vans to hang out is what it is all about.

Hurricane Ike lasted about four hours. Hurricane Jethro has lasted about four months. Anyone need a goat?

They are so cheerful, golden heads turning with the sun.  A whole bed blooming at the same time adds to the enjoyment of these flowers.  Since our flower field is by the road, all passersby may catch a glimpse of them during their travels.  Also, many other creatures are attracted to the sunflowers.  Honey bees and bees of all kinds join me as I harvest bouquets, along with bugs of all shapes and colors.  It makes me realize that sometimes you must look closely to see everything a bloom has to show us.

  May has come and almost gone. It always seems to be the fastest month of the year to us. We are still planting, planning, picking and enjoying all the sights, sounds and smells of fresh turned soils, blooming wild flowers, trees and watching all of are small seedlings spring to life. It truely is a wonderful time of year!

  We have now been to all three of the markets we participate in: Wyoming Avenue, Lebanon, and Landen-Deerfield Farmers Market. It is so rewarding to see so many familiar faces. It really feels like seeing old friends we have grown up with. For our children (now young adults) they have grown up with so many of you over the last 11 years. It is so rewarding to our family to reconnect with all of you! Thank you for sharing a few hours out of your busy week with us.