Hello everyone:
We are here. Our internet is on. Our new phone number is listed below.
We arrived in Lanark, bringing our little load of worldly stuff, a lot of ideas and plans and a whole lot of cold air and snow.
We may own the property but the house is ruled by Cayley. She gave her final word on our being here after about two days by selecting a new piece of our furniture as her own.According to the sellers, she is a good mouser. Considering her pouncing speed and the sharpness of her claws, I'd be inclined to believe them.
Now that the house is mostly unpacked and roughly organized, I've started work on the first outbuilding.
Hello Everyone:
This will be a big year for us, lots of learning curves and plenty
of work.
I’ve spent a lot of time considering various scenarios and have
finally settled on how to proceed. There are a number of variables
that will affect how this season’s production plan will unfold, so I am leaving
plenty of room to adjust our plans.
Please find more details on the “How to Buy a Share” page.
Agriculture always has its share of unknowns, I’ve learned to live
with these over the years and thankfully some of my past careers gave me a bit
of experience with this as well. I can say I am looking forward to
getting through this period of time in which there are a few more variables
than usual...until then thank you for your patronage.
I have reserved two piglets, but "mother" has
to successfully deliver and wean a big enough litter - we are at the end of the
waiting list. If pork is available, it will be ready in late fall and
purchased separately from the produce basket; customers get first opportunity
to purchase cuts.
Shiitake Mushrooms:
Two weeks ago, we were at the new farm taking a tour of the
woodlot with the sellers.
During that time, we found that there were oaks and a source of
year round water.
These are two of the ingredients required to grow
shiitake mushrooms. I have since sourced the inoculation plugs
and equipment needed to inoculate the oak logs, AND a local farmer eager to
share their experience in this endeavour. If all goes well and I can get
a suitable quantity of chicken wire (to keep the squirrels and chipmunks from
eating the mushrooms) then we can start to provide the fruits of the forest in
about two years...
This would be the realization of another wish I have had
since doing a workshop on shiitake mushroom growing during my internship.
If you are aware of anyone in the Ottawa
area who is interested in this model of agriculture as a potential career;
forward them the following link to my advert on the “Farmlink” website
below. My listing is under the heading “Certified Organic Starter
Farm Opportunity”. If you look on “map view”, our listing will
appear under the tab near Munster. If you look on “list view”, our
listing will appear near the top of the first page.