It's Been a Great Summer!

This sure has been one wild summer...where the weather is concerned. Very dry and very hot about sums it all up! I can't remember ever being soooo hot for soooo long! It just never let up. We suffered and so did the vegetables. Alot of crops took a real beating when it came to production and quality. Strawberries didn't put on very good, tomatoes wouldn't set fruit past 90 degrees, peppers lost their blooms, corn shriveled up , cabbages and cold crops bolted in the extreme temp., cucumbers turned bitter and melons were eaten by the deer. But the Lord was still faithful and prospered other crops to make up the losses.
It was our first year without our oldest children farming with us and proved challenging making all the adjustments. The Lord blessed us with our daughter-in-law continuing to stay with us and we wonder what we would do without her!??? Maybe you'll see more of her next year at markets?????

In the Full Swing of Summer

Wow has this summer been hot! We're so glad that after 5 weeks of roasting ourselves in the field, it finally cooled off for us. Boy are we enjoying the 80's instead of 100's. The field crops have taken a beating when it comes to burning up in the heat. The green beans, chard and beets were short lived due to the heat. We're looking forward to planting for the fall and enjoying these items again since we didn't really get our fill the first time. It seems everything has slowed down including us with the heat!
We're busy planting seedlings for the fall and they are looking great. We're getting ready to plant them in the field soon.
We're also trying at the same time to clean up the fields from crops that are finished. That means pulling dead plants, tilling and re-laying plastic and drip tape for the next crops.

Dog Days of Summer!

Talk about warm weather...Missouri is sure letting us have it this month. Not only hot but very humid as well. It's taking it's toll on those of us who are fighting the heat to get the vegetables picked. We're plugging away at it though because we know everyone still needs to eat!
The tomatoes are coming on strong and are beautiful and delicious! Yummy BLT's are the main course lately. We have planted heat tolerant lettuce as an experiment and so we'll see how well that works for us. We're excited about it nonetheless!
Blueberries and blackberries are getting ready to be picked, late-season strawberries are beginning to ripen and peaches are ripe and ready to eat! I love summer and all it's flavors!

Spring Has Sprung

We are quite busy around here on the farm lately. Spring weather also brings market season. Not only do we need to still get the weeding, planting, picking and succession planting done, we still need to get everything ready for markets! We've had 2 weddings this past winter therefore losing two very valuable members of the farm. Jeffrey married Lydia on December 4 and they now live not quite a mile down the road in a little farmhouse. Lydia works for us but Jeffrey works in a metal shop in Jamesport. Shayla married Jesse from Canada on Easter morning and she moved away after returning from their honeymoon.
We've been busy harvesting lots of vegetables and now strawberries are upon us. It's also bedding plant season and we're knee deep in those as well. If you need any plants for your garden, we'll we've probably got them. We tried out several different things like potato starts, green beans, snap peas, scallions, celery and strawberries. If you can plant it, we probably grow it!
Come out to any of our participating markets and visit us and go home with some fresh vegetables for supper!

Tuesdays~Kearney Farmers Market
I-35 and Kearney Exit @ McDonalds
7am-12 noon

Wednesdays~Liberty Farmers Market
Hwy. 152 & Hwy. 291
Crowleys Furniture Mart
7am-12 noon

Thursdays~BriarCliff Village Farmers Market
Hwy. 169 & Hwy. 9
Green Acres parking lot
3pm-7pm

Saturdays~Historic Downtown Liberty Farmers Market
Old Clay County Courthouse
7am-12 noon

Another Blast from Old Man Winter

We have had to cancel for the second time this season. Snow, ice and terrible winds are predicted yet again. Just when things start looking nice and the sun comes out, snow is turning to slush, and temps. are rising, that's when it hits again. We just take one day at a time and try to make the right decisions about whether to go to market or not. Our safety and the safety of our customers is of the utmost importance.
What is new on the farm? Well we have a new addition to our farmyard. He doesn't do a lot of work, sleeps alot, makes a lot of whining, demands alot of attention and follows the boys everywhere outside. His name is Sherman and he's a Blue Heeler pup. On the farms you just have to keep a couple of good dogs around to deter the unwanted preditors. We've actually seen a cougar, bobcat and of course the normal racoons, deer and woodchucks. With all our chickens and baby chicks on the way, we try to keep the big animals at a distance.
Things are starting to grow in the greenhouses for spring already. Tomatoes, peppers, rosemary, lavender, flowers and eggplant are just a few. Hard to believe it's time for this already. We just keep telling ourselves that Spring is just around the corner, and it really is.
We are in the process of starting our very first website. We've never felt we needed it before but due to the increased phone calls, emails and letters, we have decided to post our information on the website for all to check. I'm not computer saavy so please be patient with us. It might take a while to finally get this up and running. I try to do a little on it every night, hoping to finish it in a couple of weeks! (sad huh?)

Just some pictures showing what's going on at the farm

Starting a New Year

This winter season is flying by and markets will be here before we know it. We're going to undergo many changes this year. Jeffrey married Lydia on Dec. 4th and they have moved a mile down the road. At this time, we are unsure if Jeffrey will stay working on the farm. Whatever the decision, our blessings go with them.
Jesse and Sarai will be taking over some of our markets for Jeffrey and Lydia. Jesse did a really good job last year and Sarai adds the feminine touch to the stand! Selah (7) will be in real training. So far, she has had the job of restocking the stand during market. Now we're going to attempt to train her in the money department. Pray for us! :)
Right now, we are in the process of ordering seeds, pots, plants, soil, compost and manure. Busy time, planning crops and how much of each item to plant; estimated yields, pricing and labor to harvest.
Winter is also our time to travel to conferences to learn about organic growing of vegetables and flowers. It's also our time to sit up late with cups of coffee devouring seed catalougs, vegetable books and other ways to grow our crops! The day you stop learning is the day you die!
You'll have to forgive us for not updating this blog very much in the summer months. Markets keep up quite busy and not alot of spare time to do updating!