Agropraxis Farm

I’m ticked! At the invasion of ticks!!! Over the last week the adult wood ticks have been on the prowl. I seem to find them everywhere.  Crawling up my arm, neck or even the towel after a shower. I’ll feel a creepy crawly on my leg and find a tick or just be annoyed that it might be another tick. With the weather and rain the ticks and mosquitos have made a true impression on the farm. I’m so happy when the wind blows and I get a few hours without a creepy crawly. All part of the farm work, but one I’m happy to have only a short time of each year. Maybe a few Guinea’s would be glad to help out..

Learning the basics of produce harvesting and handling took me many years. What to wash and how. When to harvest to provide the best possible products. How to display and keep produce appealing. No tricks involved, just fundamentals. I mention this because at market and when visiting with other farmers I run across such a broad gamut of methods and techniques. Many I can learn from but just as many need to take a lesson or ask a few questions. I see Kale in a basket, stems banded together and standing limp in a hot breeze.  Herbs washed and already blackening from heat in a bag, or bolted produce offered as first quality. A vendor offers a few nice items and a table of other poorly handled items and complains that the market wasn’t good for them. Or, is it likely that the customers knew to avoid poorly handled produce. There are many things to learn and ways to improve what is offered that I don’t know. When I see prime things I ask. Most of the time I just don’t comment. Lost opportunities….

Farmer Pete

Michigan has been enjoying a mild and humid Holiday week. The humidity has been high for us, in the 60% range, since we typically enjoy 40%. Which means dew to soak boots and pants in the mornings and sweaty days in the field.  I like the humidity with the top reason being the smells of summer carried generously on the air.

The farm smells are a blend of pungent and pleasing. The smell of cut and drying hay is a sensory trigger for pleasant childhood memories. The hay mow has similar associations. Each vegetable has its own unique scent. Tomatoes have a pleasing, pungent fresh smell that lingers when the leaves are brushed or the plants are being worked. Potatoes are being dug regularly and the earthy smell is ever present. The corn crib has drying racks set for the recently harvested garlic and the smell is a prelude to months of stinking rose enjoyment. The summer squash are now producing a nice crop and the scent among the plants is unique and unmistakable. The smells are a treasured part of the season.

The pungent smells are equally a part of what we experience. The barn stalls seem to harbor the pungent part of animal life. We move that waste to the compost piles and find it renders a less offensive compost when nature works its magic. We experience little whiffs of animal waste at Tiller’s International, not the overwhelming barnyard stink like confinement animals or CAFO’s. When scouting the squashes for stink bugs the smelliest farm specimen is at hand. The stink bugs are easy to catch and a quick pinch releases the acrid, lingering aroma that makes this insect worthy of its name. Pewww!!! Next to animal decomposition the stink bug wins the smelly award.  

Flowers abound and scent the air. Right now we can enjoy the muskiness of milkweed as it blooms. A few weeks ago the tea rose by the Clapp Homestead scented the air. We missed it last year as it took the drought year off.  What a joy! The smells that accompany the growing season are one reason to visit and savor the farm during this season.

Farmer Pete

Developing a diverse, stable CSA has been a constant effort for the last many years. Our efforts focus on continuing to develop the farm and producing for the Harmony Acres CSA. As I reflect on the five weeks that has begun this season a sense of a solid beginning and a bit of disappointment in the offerings compared with typical years.

The shareholders have been really supportive of the mixed start to the season. I try to keep them informed about the impacts our erratic weather has had on the crops. They have been thrilled with the exceptional production from some root crops in particular the radishes. The lettuces had a tough start but have been steadily improving and I’m now satisfied with what is in the shares the last few weeks. The impacts have meant some crops have failed, others have limited production and a few have been good. The net result is a perfectionist farmer that has had a bit more stress in the early season than I’m happy with.

CSA is a bit like a good piece of land. It won’t produce into the future unless it is well cared for.  Weekly newsletters/recipes /news from the farm goes a long way in making a connection. The importance of a face on the farm helps as well. Volunteers have been really helpful this season. A crew of those who pick-up on the farm has made the Thursday pick-up a busy time with many lending a hand in the field. Last week a portion of the group spent energy rounding up (Ha Ha Ha…good pun on Round-Up the toxic herbicide!) the potato beetle larva. I did a check the next morning and the potato patch is the best it’s looked all season. And, kudos to my folks who continue to use their farm bred skills to help out. They celebrated 55 years of marriage this past week!!! What amazing role models and parents they have been.

We’ve experienced the turn to warm weather. At market the customers make note of the change with complaints. I’m glad to see it finally arrive. Nobody is used to the heat just yet so I’m sure that is the main motivator for the comments. We have had just a single day where the high touched 90. This past week saw highs in the middle 80’s with humidity under 60%. Once we are all acclimated it will seem perfect.

Farmer Pete

The vendors next to me at market were sharing a bit of their own history regarding inspectors. I had just had an unpleasant conversation with a representative from the Dept. of Ag. He pointed out a violation of the laws concerning a product I sell. The product doesn’t contribute much to my profit so I agreed to stop marketing it. What sticks in my craw is the smugness and righteousness the inspector oozed throughout the conversation.

Law oversight must create a mental framework that enables the enforcer to take ridiculous laws and rules and confidently work to enforce them. Like a farmer planting a seed that has been contaminated with GMO material and has not paid for and signed a seed agreement.  Or a cancer patient finding a medicinal affect with herbs that are prohibited. The enforcer knows that taking action in these cases observes a law but lacks fairness. The enforcer is doing their JOB. What ethics are we encouraged to support when we think that the job needs to be done and we’ll let the judge decide? A lesson from Thoreau on civil ethics and obedience seems to be called for.

My vendor friends were shut down because their business was atypical in set-up and operation. They complied with all the rules and met the demands of the law only to fall through the efforts of a zealous enforcer. It took months and a lot of aggravation to straighten out the mess. I wonder why we are told our system of rules and regulations protects consumers. It seems to protect those who are the big players with the most money. What is right and what is fair rarely seems to be part of the make-up of what is enforced.

In my encounter with the inspector I could have lied and avoided the “violation”. I could have gone on doing as I had. I find it easiest to deal with the truth so I didn’t lie. Like I wrote, it still sticks in my craw…

Farmer Pete

Nice working weather during the past week. Warm days in the 70’s with cool mornings. Low humidity and light breezes. Makes getting the field work done a real pleasure. I’ve been concentrating on getting work done that overcomes the slow start to the year we’ve had. The cool and changeable start made food production in the early season tough. The outlook remains optimistic as we near the solstice and the hot weather that forecasters say will be with us soon.

Each day I walk the potato rows and collect all of the Colorado Potato Beetles(CPB) that appear. They are so easy to spot on the green foliage. The striped adults with their oversized wing cases and eye catching colors.  Or the orange larva that seem to waddle their gluttonous way around the plants. When time allows I work through the plants crushing the egg smears on the leaf undersides. The beetles have a passive opossum way of going “dead” when they are accidentally bumped off a plant. They may roll to the ground and remain motionless for a long spell. Only to become vigorous in returning to their habitat. This regular measure helps to keep the losses to the beetles acceptable and avoid extreme measures like spraying broad spectrum pesticides that kill all insects, good and bad.

Like the CPB’s other insects are in points of their lifecycles that makes them more evident. The field hosts a squadron of Barn Swallows that do aerial duty much of the day. What fun to be a swallow for a short flying spell…. They seem to love the pastures and fields that Tillers cultivates. Eating on the wing and chattering up a storm.  They sometimes seem to squabble at each other or complain about someone getting more than their share. Sometimes a Kingbird or Phoebe will be with them in the field. Though they like to hunt from a perch on a wire or sapling and leaving the mass of small insects to catch the big juicy ones. Their all welcome on our wonderfully diverse farm!!!

Farmer Pete

There is always more work to be done on the farm than time to do it. Some of the work is hard and unpleasant. A significant portion is what we love about farming. Good honest work that brings a sense of satisfaction when completed. At times we share the work with volunteers and the amount accomplished expands beyond the task at hand. Our portion of the Tillers International farm is the vegetable fields. We are very busy this time of year getting the last of the transplants in, seeding a variety of crops, and cultivating to keep the weeds from overwhelming vegetables. The Director of Tillers, Dick Rosenberg, shared that during haying time he’d much rather be in the field mowing and baling than in the office. Some work is just more enjoyable.

I spent some time with a business that was operated by Mennonite. They were proud to let anyone know that, “Mennonite Work!” An ethic that is taught and honored.  The often repeated saying of, “Enjoy your work!” just starts to get at what is valued in their community.  When among a group  of fellow farmers and food producers our work is acknowledged and respected. It is unfortunate that when we step into the business world our work is given a monetary worth that can be undervalued. Maybe that is why I value CSA and the community it develops to support the farm. The monetary aspect is completed early and the work that ensues is rewarded with repeat customers. Taking the same produce to market may result in a higher monetary compensation, but the support has to be maintained on a week to week basis. Competing with other vendors for the food buyers’ money and the additional work of travelling to market and setting up is just more to do.

This time of year is an example of working forward. So much goes into a crop that is uncertain. Weather impacts, losses to animals and much more can happen. But, what stays with me is the Mennonite ethic of enjoying your work. And I do enjoy my work!

Farmer Pete

During the past week so many diversions and responsibilities made getting farm work done a challenge. There are the must do’s, and want to do’s, and the “It would be nice if we could...” . The week ended with a good work day and a successful start to the Harmony Acres CSA season.  The good, and not so good made the week a busy and stressful one.

We had a couple of nights with low temperatures in the mid-30’s. Some at Farmers Market commented that a bit of frost was on the car window first thing in the morning. Scary news! Just a week ago we had overnight lows in the 60’s. The plants are in a funk trying to figure out what season we are in. Of course last year we were done having rain till August at this time of year. So our challenges just come in a different form each year.

Yesterday I was hilling potatoes. They are looking really nice. A pair of Robins have a nest in a Red Pine that sits along the fencerow. The Robins have been in and out of the field feeding their chicks for over a week. They took advantage of the freshly turned soil from the potatoes and gathered worms for the young. I watched for a while and wondered how evolution left us humans to nurture and raise our young for years. Other animals get the job done in such a short time span and turn to other responsibilities. Maybe it’s the mind frame I’m in with responsibilities  on farm and at home, but the idea of an intense spell of child rearing followed by a nice break before heading for the south and better weather sounds kind of nice!

The big March against Mon%$#@-GMO’s was yesterday. It is one of those things that would be nice to support but simply is not realistic when farm work needs to be done.  I farm and deliver food directly to the end user. The consumer knows where their food came from and I feel a responsibility to provide safe food for my customers. I purchase seeds from suppliers that have signed and adhered to the “Safe Seed Pledge”. Try to stay informed about dangers that might harm my customers and have an ethic that I should do no harm. In getting big and dealing in commodity type products, many capital intensive farmers never see their products in the hands that consume them. They sell into a commodity market that separates them from the responsibilities that I feel. Maybe that helps them rationalize planting GMO’s and dousing the land with poisons. I know I can’t do it!!!

Farmer Pete 

Pepo’s are the family of squashes that includes the summer squash and a few that are eaten in the mature form like Acorn and Delicata. With good conditions in the field I put in the variety that I start the season with. I have enjoyed eating these since I was a kid and have grown them for over 25 years. Natural curiosity led me to try new varieties and educate consumers about the variety this family of squashes offers.

Market sellers and personal favorites differ. The traditional zucchini and yellow summer squash rule the table at market with Acorn the favorite mature squash. For our own table the patty pans and heirloom Italian zucchini versions have come to be preferred. I planted a couple of zucchini varieties including the popular Zephyr, yellow summer squash, patty pans in green tint and yellow, Ronde de Nice, and the mature group including spaghetti squash, acorn and delicata. A succession of the fresh eating squashes is added in June to keep up harvest through the season.

Advice from “experts” encourages the first group be started indoors. I’ve found this type of squash germinates well in field conditions and has much more vigor when field grown. Over the years I’ve often transplanted early plants and seeded directly on the same date. The transplants do produce a bit earlier in good years, but suffer in stressful conditions. In many years the field grown plants produce at the same time and with much heavier yields. The field grown plants have a much longer harvest period than the transplants. The vigor of field grown plants and better yields means no transplants this season.

Farmers Market went really well last week. It’s good to see market friends and customers. I’m in the same places week in-week out through the winter and market put me in the public in a way that no other place can. So I kind of made note of a new forceful  advocacy of personal view points from the public. T-Shirts proclaiming political viewpoints. Conversations that quickly divert from pleasantries to important points of view.. One young guy was wearing a gun rights shirt from a prominent organization. After hearing his view I asked if the organization supported the value and importance of rising up against unjust leadership and making change; similar to the concept that lead to the American Revolution…he gave me a bewildering line from the organizations rhetoric that they are protecting our freedoms! I asked if that was best done with money and lobbyists in the halls of congress?  In another conversation a Veteran shared that our countries economic problems are related to our high tax rates. More rhetoric…Respectfully I kept my tongue on this one! But I was thinking about the 40’s 50’s and 60’s when we had the longest extended period of prosperity and growth with the highest combined real tax rates in history. We need to question the rhetoric and educate ourselves. Not turn into advocates for someone else’s political agendas.

Farmer Pete

Yesterday turned into an abbreviated work day. Rains returned in the afternoon. Not a light shower to work through but a wind driven downpour with falling temperatures. The type of weather change that the birds get all in a dither about as it nears. They race around and call out to one another before hastily finding a sheltered spot. And, I followed to a sheltered spot.

The field work has been going well. Our light sandy soil lets us get back to work after rains fairly quickly. All of the early crops are in, with successions planted for many. We work with a Frost Free Date (FFD) of May 20^th. The Experts in the area all talk about May 11^th—ha, ha, ha!!! Following expert advice would have meant crops losses in three of the last five years. I think the experts work for the greenhouses. With the FFD approaching, another round of transplanting and seeding will be done. Most of yesterdays’ work before the rains was prep work for the upcoming planting. I’m nearly ready…

In the kitchen we have new crops being added to our stored harvest of last season. Greens, spring onions, rhubarb and asparagus, yum! Good thing as the stored foods dwindle. In the back of the freezer I found some roasted eggplant. I flipped through a few cookbooks looking for ideas besides baba ghanouj (eggplant/tahini dip) and decided to try an Italian croquette. They reminded me of making a fritter. The family questioned the appearance but they passed the taste test and are now on the favorites list. The key may have been the fruity flavor of the eggplant balanced and accented with a bit of Basil pesto. If interested leave me a comment and I’ll send the recipe.

Farmers Market begins this Friday. It’s early and the table will not be loaded just yet. I look forward to the vendor friends and customers that make market enjoyable. CSA begins the following week. I’m ready and excited as the season begins …

Farmer Pete

Our erratic weather has been disrupting farm plans. On the infrequent good work days, things have to be done quickly and efficiently. Last fall many beds were readied for early crops and others had cover crops that winter kill. Without the “work ahead” and planning not a lot would have been accomplished this spring. Another factor comes into play, condition of the soil. Our loose friable soil bursting with biological activity is easy to work and supportive of our crop plants.

Last Monday (Earth Day) was a good work day. It was one of those fabulous days you could find diversions if farm demands weren’t so insistent. It warmed into the 60’s and was sunny and clear. The Forsythia is finally blooming and songbirds hyperactive. I managed to get 1000 bed feet of potatoes in. All of my energy went into work, and peas, more radishes, Chinese cabbages, Walla Walla and Copra onions and some rapini went into the field. More remains to be done but on a good day like this one I was satisfied with the work.

I surveyed the work and thought about what I might have accomplished when I worked at a previous farm. That farm had infertile, dead soil. I began the process of bringing it back to life and fertility but it was a wasted effort. The directors there only wanted machine work and prescribed agronomic inputs to base their production on. The same mentality as industrial ag. I recall a bed there I used a broadfork on so the carrots might have a chance to grow as intended. The soil came up like concrete slabs rather than lifting and loosening. Interesting that the soil at Tillers is the same type and so much closer to ideal vegetable soil. In a few years, with diligent work our good soil will be even better. The great produce that we’re growing will be that much better!

Farmer Pete

The school task for students was to work on vocab. The worksheet included the trans-prefix. This meant that transition and transform were there. Both words are important in what we work to accomplish. It was transform that really caught my attention. Transform-to change in composition or structure. Wow, if that isn’t what I work so hard to do.

Take a seed, cultivate it. Water, care for and foster the plant to produce an edible food. The transformation from seed to cabbage or carrot is a marvel. The transformation of a pasture or yard to a productive garden that feeds wholesome food to a community is also a marvel. The efforts to support a diverse plant and animal life that fosters the natural cycles for growth is a transformative process. Some farmers and advisors encourage the easy fixes of synthetic inputs. We look to do our transformations in harmony with nature.

At Tillers are many that educate and support all types of transformation. Whether it is producing Timber framed buildings, culturing cheese, fermenting vegetables, blacksmithing or husbandry. The process of transforming is vital…

This morning it was 25 degrees! Ouch! Near record lows. Yesterday the ground was covered by an overnight snow shower. A white world…It’s has been so unseasonably cool that little has been started in the field. A few alliums have been moved and a bit of early seeding. Soil temperatures are still in 40’s so little will germinate and grow. A row of radishes has emerged and remains yellow and reluctant to do more.  Flats and flats of ready transplants back up and await better conditions. Such a deviation from last year.  Adapting and resiliency are necessary attributes of farmers and gardeners.

Farmer Pete

When you think about the differences in food production between the dominant industrial model and the organic/ecological-biological methods a dichotomy is clear. Never more clear at Tillers International than at this time of year.

I began thinking about the dichotomy when travelling down a country road. I was caught behind a tractor with a disc/harrow headed to prep a field. Eight monster wheels, the driver behind glass in a cab, and the implement folded back on top of itself so it could almost fit on the road. When opposing traffic met the tractor he had to scoot to the shoulder so his rig allowed a bit of space for the car to squeeze past. When travelling he took the whole road and lapped onto the shoulders, almost blasting mail boxes.  He finally reached the field and turned in. These monster units crawl across the flat, sizeable fields and ready them for corn, beans or potatoes. They build a cloud of dust, and growl a tone that seems to underscore all sounds at this time of year.

In our fields the birdsong still is the dominant note. Tilling is done by the big gentle draft horses or the oxen. The farmer casts a shadow on the ground and can see and smell the life in the soil as it is turned.  An occasional “giddyap’ or “whoa” from the farmer and the deep breath of the working animals is added to the birdsong. Our horsepower is fueled by our own forages. With two or four horse power we can work a field and ready it for vegetables or grains. The animal wastes are composted and added to our soils. Working within and fostering the biological cycles. Nothing like the fossil fuel powered conventional system.

Both systems supply needed food items. One does it within the local ecology and biological systems. The other seems more intent on subverting natural cycles. I know I welcome the friendly wave and energy from the farmer and horses if I meet them on the road versus the tractor and implement. One almost seems welcome rather than domineering…

Farmer Pete

When the responsibilities of preparing for the coming season overtake all available time it is natural to conclude that spring has arrived. The wildlife has certainly made clear that spring is here for them.  However the plant life has shown that it is willing to wait for more hospitable conditions before bursting into flower.

I spent several days in the field this past week. Planting a few beds to early crops and prepping others. On April 3^rd  there was frost in the ground in the morning. A strengthening sun warmed the soil so it was workable by mid-afternoon. The fencerow was the being divided by the Redwing Blackbirds in to suitable territories for nests . The males squabbled and debated. The Bluebirds were a bit upset with the Sparrows that were trying to keep claim to the house they occupied over the last weeks. Robins scanned the yard and fields looking for their spring sustenance only to realize that they are a bit early. Monster, the barn cat, was catching and offering voles to me. Monster needs to realize that it’s good food for cats. Or is the cat letting me know that there are lots of easy to be caught voles in the field and why am I trying to grow vegetables (?).  Patience seems to be the attribute in demand…

Our Harmony Acres CSA is in great position for the year. We are in a position to focus on farming and not  trying  to sell more shares.  The resulting peace of mind allows my focus to be on producing the best for the shareholders.  In addition to CSA we will be at the Vicksburg Farmers Market again this year. Also Tillers International is joining with the farms at Tillers in attending the Bank Street Kalamazoo Market for the season. This is really a great opportunity for all involved to cooperatively work and offer great produce, meats and more to the largest local foods market in our area. Exciting!!

The transition from a few short chores each day to full days in the fields reminds this aging farmer that the physical condition may have been worked on through the winter, but a full day in the field (and I don’t mean sitting on a tractor seat) means sore muscles and mental challenges to be surmounted once again.  Yes, it’s looking more and more like spring!

Farmer Pete

Working with nature is a cornerstone of biological/ecological farming. At times we want to use the calendar to help us determine the time for sowing and transplanting. This year is an example of the flexibility and patience needed from a farmer to mesh an early season crop plan with natures’ whimsy. The calendar says one thing and the world on the farm is not in sync with that printed paper guide.

Typically early, plants are hardening off and would go in the ground soon. When the Stella Natura calendar urges action, like transplanting or direct seeding , the chore is done.  With the extended late winter cold the ground remains unworkable.  The calendar recommendations seem absurd. So the chores are delayed.  Nature has no calendar, just the unfolding of cycles that can wobble and deviate from the expected. Eventually the season will arrive. The plants will be moved to their prepared spot in the field and we’ll all wait to see what nature offers next. Flexibility, patience and more “experience” in dealing with nature…

On Saturday my darling wife and I travelled the back roads of south west Michigan to attend a meeting of Volunteers at Fenn Valley Winery,  http://www.fennvalley.com/ .  We are a part of a group of Food and Wine enthusiasts that are trained and volunteer to help this outstanding Michigan Vineyard and Winery put on events and activities for its guests. It’s always good to be among friends and fellow farmers  and to share food and wine! Last year was a great one for wine grapes and we were introduced to some of the new wines. Fenn Valley has some great events planned for the coming year and I hope you will consider attending those that may appeal to you.

Our wanderings through this part of our state took us through Decatur, MI  to stop at Southern Michigan Seed., http://www.smsseed.com/. Through a farm friend I found this great family operated business. They provide cover crop, pasture and vegetable seeds. I picked up untreated cover crops for the market gardens at Tillers International. I added some open pollinated, untreated sweetcorn  seed  they offer. Normally this business would be busy with farmers and gardeners but was quiet. We had a moment to greet and chat. Always nice to do when weather changes the way folks go about their activities.

Driving through the fruit and blueberry portions of the region showed us that snow lingers and the typical early spring greening is still a ways off.  Patience is the lesson from nature…

Farmer Pete 

On a listserv I follow a new member asked for advice on what books would we suggest for a beginning gardener. A prompt response suggested the Square Foot Gardening, which is the same advice I always give. A few more posts suggested other acceptable works. Then the thread turned into a verbal comparison of preferred methods between experienced gardeners. It brought to mind the comment from William Woys Weaver in a talk I attended. He said that American gardeners lack a defined garden layout and style and felt we would eventually evolve to an identifiable form. The comparison of methods is part of this evolution. The only unfortunate thing about the thread on the listserv is that a new gardener was looking for help and may have ended up with too much complicated advice.

For small garden spaces the Square Foot model gives sound, organic methods to grow food. I have a copy from 1984 when I started and had questions to explore. Over the years I read and incorporated ideas from other works by Jeavons, Nearing, Coleman, and Solomon. As I did a style evolved that expressed my interests and utilized my skills efficiently. In practice and through talking with others an  understanding of organic food raising now informs my efforts. My learning continues and the amount I know is enough to get by but comes with the recognition of how much I can still learn.

When someone asks for direction and information I find it useful to help with direction and encouragement. Where others may leap forward and give answers, I think this comes at the sacrifice of an individuals’ understanding and accomplishment of learning for themselves. I hope the new gardener isn’t discouraged and begins with Square Foot…. Too many experts and we may never find reason to develop an American Style.

Farmer Pete