This spring at THF we set up 200 mushroom bolts; 100 spring and 100 winter. With care and luck we would have our first mushrooms in spring 2016. Being novices at all this, we believed the experts and settled in to wait. Imagine our surprise when last month Ron discovered a few early arrivals.
I was surprised at how lovely these shiitakes are.
And all of them so different.
Ron cleaned them off with a brush, reminder to all – never with water and checked them for assorted bugs. Then he sliced them up and tossed them into a pan with some of our minced garlic and lots of butter. About 15 minutes later he served them up to us. Sadly I have to say I still don’t like mushrooms. Jo, on the other hand could not eat them fast enough. That made me very happy.
For the next few weeks, we checked the logs again and were happy to see that no more mushrooms were out. Both of us tend to like it better when things go on accordingly to schedule.
We were away last weekend – story to follow – and it ended up being 5 days between farm visits. Ron headed out to THF on Tuesday after work just to check things. He keeps his boots in the Transit and grabbed Jo’s safari type hat to keep the bugs away. Good thing he had that as he came home with this –
He checked them over and we weighed them up
Jo told us that it poured rain on Saturday while we were away. The extra soaking must have triggered the “flush”. Ron got busy brushing and bug checking and then sautéed half of them. The rest I took to work to share with friends. Getting them hooked so they will be willing to actually buy them from us in a year or two.
Tonight we headed out again for more rocking picking in our soon to be garlic field. Sadly, no one else has showed us to help us. While Ron got the 4 wheeler turned around with its load of rocks, I headed out to check on the mushroom logs. And we had more. Not so much this time.
And I found a friend
We will have to come up with protection plan against the slimly slugs, deer and cute chipmunks.
Have I lost my mind?
Yesterday was Labor Day. It was 89 degrees when the average for Sept 8 is 70. Guess what we did….that’s right, we went out to THF and picked more rocks. Left the house at 7 am in vain attempt to beat the heat. Ron was in charge of the tiller again but he made two passes on each row and then stopped to help me with the rock picking. We drank lots of water and took breaks in the shade but the heat baked into the ground. There was a welcome break when Ron’s cousins Bill and Chuck stopped by. They were exploring to see how the deer hunting will be come fall. We talked for a bit and then they headed out and we got back to picking. By 10:30 I called it quits. We are just too old to be working so hard in that heat. We took the last load of rocks out to the gully and packed up.
I told Ron he had to stop at North Star Orchards in Westmoreland so I could get myself some of their yummy apple cider cake. I have a thing about cake and really deserved a piece after the last two days.
Our day was not over yet. Three years ago Ron had a large bounty of cherry tomatoes and he smoked them and then I dehydrated them. We stored them in the freezer and he would toss of few pieces into his lunch time salad. They would soften in the salad dressing and gave him a pop of flavor. The last couple of years we had not had much luck with the tomatoes, ending up with just enough for him and to share with friends. This year, in spite of the deer attack, we unexpectedly had enough to make another attempt.
Ron got the smoker started and once we were such it smoking properly, it was tomato picking time. We washed them and the Ron cut them in half. I got the job of sliding them all onto skewers, 17 halves on each one. That would make it easier to handle when they were done.
We had 3 trays of 13 skewers each.
Once they were safely in the smoker, it was all in Ron’s hands. He kept watch on the wood chips to make sure they were still smoking. Unfortunately, he forgot to keep an eye on the tomatoes themselves.
It was 8 pm and I was dead on my feet. But not as dead as this tray of tomatoes. Best laid plans and all that stuff. Even when you know what you are doing, you have to pay attention. This is going into the garbage.
The other two trays were looking good. Ron assured me that the last time we left them on the skewers when we started the dehydrating. I wasn’t so sure, but was too tired to think much about it.
This morning we pulled the trays out of the dehydrator and I realized I should have gone with my instinct. It was a major struggle to get the tomatoes slices off those blasted sticks. They did smell good. Makes me sad that I just don’t like tomatoes.
As I write this they are still in the dehydrator, Ron says they need more time. Still too sticky. Will see how they are in the morning.
One good thing about the heat again today, Ron decided it was too hot for us to go rock picking. Thank you Mother Nature. I needed a day off.
Getting started with garlic
Well, Ron had another wild thought. He found a listing on Craigslist for a tiller; several emails later and he had arranged to meet with woman selling it out in Auburn. Ron took Jo and off they went yesterday. With the newly repaired Transit. We just got it back again, they had to replace the transmission that they just put in two weeks ago. Right now, every noise is cause for alarm. My fingers are crossed that it will stay fixed, for the next 3 years at least.
As they were going to be in the neighborhood, and I have told you before that I am a huge fan of making a trip worth it, I had them stop at Costco and pick up a cat tree. I had spotted it 2 months ago but we were in the Camry so no way it was coming home with us. Ron and I were out there last weekend. As we were making a run to the Syracuse Regional Farmer’s Market (fabulous place), the Real Food Co-op, Wegman’s, and JoAnn Fabrics, Costco was an easy add to the day. But again no Transit so even though the cat tree was now on sale, it stayed there in the store. But, yesterday they not only had the Transit but the trailer as well.
I had a lovely morning with the house to myself. Got caught up on a couple of my shows while I did laundry and assorted chores done. On Friday night I had decided to get a start on dehydrating our garlic. Ron helped by busting apart the heads for me and I peeled them and ran them through the food processor.
All those slices look beautiful but they are sticky beyond words. I spread them out on the plastic sheets, set the temp on low and left them alone. Don’t tell anyone but the dehydrator is sitting in our garage. No way we could leave it set up in our dining room. I do love the smell of garlic, but not that much. I ran a batch of leeks through it last week and that was almost enough to chase us out of the house. The garlic would certainly have sent us running.
Back to Ron’s wild thought- he wants to try growing our garlic out on THF next year. Not waiting until 2016 to get it started. The garlic he ordered arrived in a big box on Thursday and this might have been the kick start. You have to order garlic early if you want to get that certain variety you want to grow. We are going to be growing 3 varieties – German White, German Red and Italian White. So not only are we growing this out on THF but we have to a plan to keep each type separate so we can easily identify them come harvest time. This morning we loaded up with the usual tools, but adding our mini grill, hotdogs and buns. We were going to have a cookout. Ron showed me how to use it and I ran the bush hog over a small section of the field and then he fired up the tiller. This was a learning process as he had never used one before. It became quickly apparent that we really do need to have a rock picking party with lots of attendees. Jo and I did our best, but
there was no way the two of us could keep up with Ron’s progress.
Ron would love to find a way to sell these things. Organically grown rocks. Surely there is a market for them.
After several hours in the hot sun, we were so done with this.
It was time for our cookout. Ron got the grill going and we sat under the trees and enjoyed our hotdogs. The only problem we had was underestimating how much water we needed. Next time we have to bring bigger bottles.
Jo has to work tomorrow but Ron and I are going back out again tomorrow morning. We have lots of room on the grill too add a hotdog for anyone who has a couple of hours to spare . Any takers?
Red Wine Cap mushrooms
Not being content with growing a single type of mushroom, Ron decided that he wanted to grow red wine cap mushrooms too. They of course are grown in a totally different method. And I thought getting the Shiitake logs set up was hard work. We had to create beds for them, 8 x 4 foot and get our hands on both wood chips and saw dust. Both of which also had to be hard wood. Pine would be too acidic.
First Ron had to find the right type of logs to use as the mushroom beds. More time spent on Craigslist and searching the web for info. Of course, he found a guy and made the deal. On May 13 he went to Sherburne NY to meet Wayne Law and pick up 42 Tamerack poles. Jo went with him and then the three of us unloaded the trailer when they got home. Blasted things were heavy. And prickly. Work gloves and long sleeve shirts for all.
Ryan, our mushroom bolt guy suggested Ron call Ballie Lumber Saw Mill in Boonville NY for the sawdust but they only sell by the pickup load. More than we needed, but they recommended Ron try another place. He gave them a call, but they don’t mill all the time. They had an order for hardwood in a couple of weeks and they would give Ron a call.
In the meantime, Ron started building the beds. Oh, how we could have used a chainsaw artist. We had to cut one log in half for each bed and then chisel off the ends enough so he had a pretty flat surface that he then used to connect the short logs to the longer ones. Large bolts were used to hold them all together. Predrilled, of course. On May 16th, while he was working out front, he heard a wood chipper going down the street. Jumped into his Transit and went to investigate. He came home with a promise that they would deliver the wood chips to our house when they were done. Free of charge too. That’s my guy. He is a wheeler dealer and loves to get other people involved in his projects. He has met and talked with so many people over the course of his gardening and now his farm.
Of course now we had to shovel the woodchips into garbage bags so we could get them out to Tiny House Farm (THF). We didn’t need all of it, but also did not want a huge pile sitting under the trees. I lost count of the number of bags we filled, but Ron finally decided we had enough. The rest of the woodchips I wheel barrowed out to the backyard garden, more mulch is always a good thing. Though it is not doing much for killing off the bind weed that is taking over back there. If only there was some wonderful use for it. I have googled it, but all they recommend is using it to tie up other plants, your cucumbers or tomatoes. Our entire neighborhood would have enough ties if I cut it all up and handed it out.
On May 22 we had 4 beds done and ready to take out to THF. We actually bit off more than we could chew that day. We had to load them onto the trailer and then when we got to Tiny House Farm we had to get them onto the wagon so we could use the 4 wheeler to haul them to their final resting place. In order to get this done, we had a couple of 2 x 4 boards, the chainsaw, tie down straps, and a wrench to take off the wagon side rails. This was in addition to the usual collection of tools and supplies – water, snacks, camera, helmet, gloves, boots, bug spray, and shovels.
It took some time and head scratching but we did it. Those beds were securely on the wagon and we were ready to go. Jo and I walked behind the 4 wheeler so we could keep an eye open for trouble. It was more than a bit nerve wracking. This was no easy smooth ride. I have decided that the route we take would make a great cross country run. The first part is relatively smooth, but then we head down to the stream and the place we enter from really could use some work. Getting out is a bit easier but then we have another gully to get over. We have been tossing rocks, which we have in abundance into that area to fill it in. Every big rain storm washes some out and we start again. For a few minutes it is an easier drive, just have to make sure the wagon doesn’t swing too far on one side and hit one our many trees. There would be no backing up on this run. The path took us down again and then we headed out to maple forest section of the property. We have not yet figured out where the water comes from that results in our muddy path but that was the worst part of our day. Not only was the mud very deep and slippery but there was a hill too. For a few minutes there, I was sure we were going to have to unload at least two of the beds in order for Ron to get the other up over the hill. No way were Jo and I going to push from behind. Ron gunned the engine and our lovely 4 wheeler lurched, jumped and clawed its way through the muck. Hallelujah. Deep breaths all around as the hardest part was over. A few more close calls regarding tree bashing but we got out to the other end of THF in one piece. Water break for us all and brief rest before we unstrapped the beds and got them set in place. The walk back was a welcome relief. Then we headed home. Another job well done.
On June 12th we did a second run but this time we only did two beds. So much easier. We knew what we were doing and with the small load, much less stress on the nerves. Now that the beds were ready, Ron had to get his hands on the saw dust. He was still waiting for the second company to call him back. After playing phone tag for a few more days, he decided to call Ballies back. Turns out we should have gone with them in the first place. $18 for a pickup load. For that low cost we could afford to get more than we needed. So, we put tarps in the trailer and he headed up there after work on June 18th. More shoveling into garbage bags. This stuff had to all go out to THF. No need for sawdust in the backyard.
Now we just had to get the last couple of beds made and hauled out. This project got me a seriously good workout.
Ron ordered the new mushroom spawn and when it arrived he headed out to get the beds set up. Brother Don and nephew Jesse came out to help and made the job go quickly. Now the only thing we have do it is keep them damp enough and wait for nature to take its course.
Ron is a recycler from way back. These crates were left behind by previous owner and they make a great measuring tool.
Armed to the Farm
In Ron’s own words –
I’ve been monitoring the Cornell Small Farms Programs website for months now. I’ve taken some of their courses before and I have been quite pleased. Training? I am not a farmer, I know little or next to nothing about it. I just wanted a life challenge and some direction to get into after retirement. To date the best two Cornell opportunities were Camp Mushroom and the Juneberry workshop. Both winners!
When Cornell announced the ‘Armed to Farm’ program, I was beside myself. Finally, something geared to vets’ and spoken in Vet language. In cooperation with the USDA, Cornell, and with the educational programming being delivered by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) at Houghton College in Western NY, I was in. Once accepted, some little planning and logistics, it was a go. Crap! They sent a homework assignment even before I headed out the door. Armed-to-Farm wanted to know a bit more about us and more importantly, an understanding that farming was, a business after all. Ginny and I sat down and discussed the questions and fully realized, we were both in, and in agreement, setting up a farm was a great idea. Of course, finances excluded (frugal, that word is not treated lightly around here).
The main thrust of the program was to provide an intensive, week-long residential business and entrepreneurship training for veterans interested in farming. That they did, and even more. My favorite, the farm visits that were over the top and offered different opportunities I had never even considered before. The garlic farm, Honeyhill Farm located in Livonia NY, turned out to be my favorite. Honeyhill Farm is a diversified small family farm in Livonia, a hamlet in the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York. Honeyhill produces organic chickens, grass fed beef, garlic and a select set of mixed vegetables including heirloom tomatoes. More said, garlic, garlic, even more garlic. We were very lucky as the garlic was out of the ground and in the drying racks. Owned and operated by Fred and Sue Forsburg since 1978, they were very generous hosts that freely opened their doors to us. Fred was aglow with his time and more important, his techniques. He spared nothing. Funny thing is, I ordered garlics seed from them in the past. Good stuff.
Classroom training, there was plenty of that. Things I never considered before. And of course, the most dreaded one by me, “the business plan.” Ok, ok, I promise, I’ll get to it.
Networking. Met some very good Vets from throughout New York, and current service members. Needless to say, the ol’ war stories were ever so present. Comfort zone for me.
Cornell was well represented by Anu Rangarajan, Director, Cornell Small Farms Program and Matt Weiss Northeast Beginning Farmer Project Coordinator, and CNY Veteran regional leader. I was equally pleased to see Jamie Critelli, Farmer Veteran Coalition of NY
Through them and others. I hope to gain the knowledge necessary to have a successful farming operation.
Special thanks to Norm Conrad, NCAT, for keeping us boarded, well fed, and in focus. Yea Norm!
This is not exactly how I would have described his adventure. He told me about the bats flying around the dorm hallways at night and how great the food was. About the hundreds of kids of all ages who were also staying at the college, for all sorts of sport camps. How the adults had to get to through the chow line quick before the kids scarfed it all down. I would have told you about the two women who had service dogs and how the security guard came onto their floor without announcing himself. The dogs were not happy to see him. He didn’t mention how he went out to load up the car before heading home and got locked out of the building, for an hour. He also didn’t tell you that he brought a beer with him, even though this was an alcohol free school. And that just as he arrived on Friday, the Corolla started making a loud noise. Guess we know who the story teller is in this family?
Woe is us
The last few weeks have been crazy leaving me with no time or inclination to post. Car troubles have put a serious whammy on us. Started out with my Camry. I took it in for an oil change and discovered that there was some seriously wrong. The dealership ran some tests, which we failed. That actually was good news as it meant the repair would be on Toyota. I was supposed to drop it off at the dealer on July 22 but the special tool they needed was on back order. We left with instructions to keep an eye on the oil level. We are still waiting.
Ron’s Transit was next. First the brakes needed to be replaced. Then the ball bearings, both sides. Not even a week later, Ron was back at the shop because it was making some weird noises. This was a bad one, the transmission was going. Now it was time to cry. We had some serious thinking to do. Ron had applied for and been accepted into a week long workshop called “Armed to the Farm”. It was being held at Houghton College about 150 miles away. Reliable vehicle definitely needed. He would be leaving on Aug 2nd and would not be home again until the 7th. I had been so looking forward to that. We were both getting a vacation. All you married women know just what I am talking about.
Dishwasher was fixed on July 28th when the repair man found a watch battery sticker in the drainage hose. Must has gotten stuck on the bottom of a dish and then made its way down until it could go no further. Ron said that there was no way we could have figured that one out on our own. It was nice to have it working again.
Our decision was made; Ron would drive the Corolla, Jo would use the Camry and the Transit was coming to work with me. In the midst of all this Ron’s computer was again showing its age. I had been setting money aside and nagging him to agree on buying a laptop. It took a couple more computer crashes but he finally caved. We ordered one and hoped that it would be here in time for his trip. Lovely day when it arrived in plenty of time. I got it all set up and he was a happy camper. One less thing to cause us aggravation.
On Sunday we loaded up the car. He was taking a fan, sleeping bag, sheets, pillows, clothes for a week, snacks, his laptop, small coffee pot… boy, was he missing his Transit. One last hug and kiss and he was off.
Monday all went well. Jo and I both off to work then home. Dinner cooked, a few things done and then off to sleep. Tuesday I went to work as usual but my trip home was anything but usual. I got into the Transit and headed out of the parking lot. When I turned onto the road there was suddenly a horrible noise. Like something had fallen off and was being dragged. I pulled off into another parking lot and looked underneath. Nothing. Started up again and the same noise. With nothing else to do, I called Ron. We assumed it was the transmission going. I needed to get Transit back in my work parking lot and call Jo to come and get me. It was 50 yards maybe back to the parking lot but halfway there, I totally lost first gear. That was scary. I had enough momentum to get to the turn in and then was able to coast. I tried 2nd gear and it caught. I got into a parking spot and turned it off. Now I needed to figure out a ride to work on Wednesday. Back into work to catch Jenn before she headed home. Thank goodness she was still there and more than willing to pick me up the next day. Jo arrived and home we went. Now this was officially the worst week possible. Ron called and we talked about our options. We really had no choice now to but to get the Transit fixed. Even if we had wanted to try and sell it, we would get next to nothing selling it as is.
Wednesday Jenn picked me and my fun day began. I had to call AAA about getting a tow then meet the driver outside with credit card in hand. Call the dealer about getting the Transit in to be fixed and still get my work done. I was so ready for a strong drink by the time Jenn dropped me off. It was an odd relief to have the decision made though. Bless her heart, Jenn was my ride to work for the rest of the week. Jo came and picked me up and we got through the week. But it was all ruined. None of my planned projects got done. The current situation took up all my thoughts. It was great to have Ron home again on Friday. It wasn’t all on me now. But we were a 3 car family with 2 cars. That was going to take some juggling. Of course he came with the Corolla now making a rattling noise. The heat shield had partially fallen off. So we had to get that fixed and will be down to 1 car for 3 working people. And guess what, the dishwasher isn’t draining again. Thank goodness Jo wasn’t working on Wednesday so we dropped it off Tuesday night to have it fixed. Ron and I drove to and from work together. Until Wednesday when he got the call saying Transit was ready. So now we have all three cars back and life can get back on track. Deep breath in, let it out and move on.
Back to THF business.