Juice Is Awesome!

     It was juice time at the farm! I have not fired up the old juicer in quite sometime. We are in need now more than ever for some energy, vitality, and longevity. I know how to get it! And here it is!
     This green goodness consist of anything green I could get my hands on including big dark green local organic cabbage, lettuces, and other greens. We added sine zucchini and cucumbers. Then a few apples and a pear. Delicious and better than a red bull!
     And there you have it! Now if only we can keep at it. Will keep you updated with "juice progress reports". =)

~Onward, Forward!

Breaking Bread At The Farm

     Sunday dinner was excellent at the farm this pas weekend thanks to delicious homemade "french country bread" cooked in our fire burning cast iron stove.
     I an very impressed with this stove as it is very easy to maintain a good cooking temperature. It also has six "burners" on top of the stove which we put water in pots to release moisture back into the air.
     Welcome to the world of wood collecting, chopping, and hauling. A labor of love.

     We never fooled ourselves going into this. The hard work and dedication is something we knew was coming. You simply will not be successful in a situation that demands you take some responsibility for yourself,  the materials and energy you exhaust, and how your environment reacts to that.

      I think that is the greatest reward in the direction we have chose. Not to snub the society we left behind, but to find our selves and our connection to the everything that is around us. We can remind ourselves of the importance and advantages this brings to us as individuals and together as the human race. Ive spent plenty of time thinking and studying what I'm against. I know it well. Now it is time for the balance of knowing and becoming what I am for.

Starting our orchard!

      These pictures are challenging to make out, however.. Welcome to the beginings of our orchard. we now have five Asian Pear trees planted.
      The ground you see cleared was preciously covered in very thick weeds and vegetation. It took quite a few hours to get it looking like this. I am quite pleased with how well the grass below what was cut is looking!
      The picture was taken between the top two ponds from the driveway.

      This is a bit more close up. Uncle Bruce took a "tile" (the black thing along the base of the new tree) and applied it to the tree. The deer are nipping the buds and rubbing the bark. We hear this will detour them.
      We chose the Asian pear due to its heartiness and ability to survive Ohio climate. It also has a very long shelf life once harvested mid to end summer. Lasting into February. The fruits are crisp like an apple and sweet like a pear.
     The holes I prepared to plant the tree's in took another few hours of work. I dug them by hand to about four feet round and three to four feet down.
     I mixed the dirt I dug with four different soils and compost's I collected from around the farm in different areas. I look for well broken down organic materials, dirt consistency, and fertility. I suggest to smell the soils and feel them with your hands. You will remember where you collected and what its advantages and disadvantages were.
    From there I filled in my natural pots, added leaves and grass clippings as natural mulching and I believe we are going to be successful in growing these five delicious trees!

~ Onward, Forward!

Its Time!

     So the farm is coming together as the winter is threatening to set in. We are all becoming more comfortable with each other and the honesty that has become living in close quarters.
     Dynamics remain interesting with all of us settling in such different quarters and angles as we define and live what we call life. It only has one choice and that;s to find its own way. As we remain like water. Ever committed to the cause and the destination and the love for the travels and adventure that take us there.
     We cherish every moment we spend together. Another longer in our place of beauty and serenity which surrounds us because we are apart of it not because we told it to be. We have found home and our place where we are suppose to be. NOW WE MUST BE!

Stove Pipe!

     Burrrrrr!!! Its cold outside come 11/4/2012 at the farm! Here is one of the most essential pieces of survival equipment we own here at "The Grove". This is our wood burning stove that rests on the main level of our house in its own tailored extension of the house.
     Heat your house, fry an egg, and bake an apple pie all at the same time while baking some bread. This thing is amazing. We initially thought to sell it for farm essentials but now we are sure it is a necessity and not a luxury.  We do Heat with propane otherwise of course. We all know where that comes from. FRACK FRACKING!

~Onward Forward! With a killer stove =)

Welcome Uncle Bruce!

     The newest addition to the fall farm family! Uncle Bruce. Say hello everyone. From small town Greenfield, OH with experience and abilities to match the best woodsman. Here we go!
     1-2-3 Welcome to Sugar Grove!

Worms Make This Farm Happen!

      The corner stone of our operation! Red Wriggler Worms. Purchased from a farm which used all organic, NON-GMO, open pollination practices. Which means these guys are ready to go!
      I work at Red Lobster and the primary source for these guys' food is the scrap "conventinally farmed" veggies I collect while prepping the menu.  I learned plenty about conventional farming while working a Summer at Schatt Farm in Columbus, OH
      Our goal is to rejuvenate these guys come Spring just as we do ourselves. If we can take it our worms can too and we are not fully off "The Juice" yet either so to speak. But we are aware and honest about our situation which leads us to believe we are on " The Path "

      Once your worms arrive (ordered mine on e-bay not for fancy package but for fancy grower abilities.)  You must now build your "worm bin".
      What you see here is a basic 2x4 and wood assembly. If you want to build it... It will form. Then you line with plastic and set up juice collection. We also included a door on the front which will allow easy compost extraction.
     Then wet your newspaper shreds which will act as bedding.

      What you see here consist of layers. Newspaper bedding from the preivous step, then comes an 8" layer of freshly collected dirt.  Then food scrap to crate mold which your worms will eat. No raw meat, citrus, acidic or spicy foods.
      Then add a layer of leaves. do the layers again and presto. The white bag you see is what the worms came in. They are dumped out under it in a "worm ball"
      I have read it is bad for the colony to break them up. Leave them in the ball, wet the rag, bag, or just piece of news paper and let them disperse over 24 hours.
     After placement, water your worms. They are thirsty after their travels!

      We are going into winter here at Sugar Grove so I added an extra compost/leave layer to help add warmth.
       You will need a lid as well with Chickens as slick as mine, racoons and other critters on the prowl as well!


~Onward, Forward!