Elliott Family Farm

Much has transpired since our last entry. Frost came early and killed the peas. The dry weather returned and cover crops would not germinate. In Texas dry weather is always a factor, even though East Texas receives an average of 32 inches of rainfall a year. With this in mind, we started drilling an irrigation well.

We also learned of the passing of a good friend in Shreveport, LA over the summer. Benny Lessman owned a produce market in Shreveport for many years, a place started by his father, Marvin some 40 years ago. Benny did a lot of business in this place. He farmed about 400 acres nearby, in Bossier City and supplemented his inventory buying from local farmers and from the Dallas Farmers Market. His heirs decided to close and sell the place and all the equipment. If any of you are interested, they are asking about $495,000 for the store. It is a good location. One can still sit in the parking lot and in 15 minutes count at least five cars come to check and see if the place is open or is going to reopen.There is demand for fresh produce.

I bought some of Benny’s equipment; the1978 model Chisholm Ryder Multi Density Bean Harvester, a Thompson Industries continuous bean and pea sheller, a winnowing unit, a vibratory sorting table and a grading table.We also took a trip to Grant, MI and purchased a Scott Viner carrot harvester. We are now capable of growing and harvesting much more than beans.

We are designing a greens head for the Chisholm Ryder capable of harvesting leafy greens and head lettuce. Hopefully next winter we will be in the specialty greens business utilizing floating row covers and drip irrigation.

Today I planted English Peas and purple top turnips. We should have greens and small turnips when we thin in 30 days and mature turnips and shelled English peas in 60 or so days.Become our friend on Facebook and watch our blog here. Things are coming along.