November 2011

November!  The rains have finally stopped and we will have pleasant weather this first week.  I can get beds prepared, crops covered and move hoop houses along. The first distribution of local grass fed beef has been successfully made with a small side of beef.   Tomorrow I will order 100 or so chickens- straight run (random sex), keeping the chicks to become hens for laying and the roosters for meat in late February.  Picked up 300 lbs or more of butternut, acorn and pumpkin squashes from Henry.  They will be stored in the basement of the residence on shelving at 50 degrees or thereabouts and should last the three months or less it will take the CSA members to consume them.  Most are butternut.  The undeniable favorite of sqaushes.  I picked up 250 pounds a couple of days ago for FASTA the pasta people.  All squash will be carefully washed and dried to reduce the chance of mold. 

With the sunshine and warm high-fifties weather, I am upbeat.  I can get through this month's bills, have the truck fully repaired, pay off some of the debt owed to the summer interns, and get to Kentucky to finally get my brother's roof completed along with the staircase (nightime work).  Would love to get the clapboards on the front of his house done as well.   I'll ask some workshares to stop in while I'm away to check in on the birds.

Sunday, November 6   Moving Plans

Since a yearly contract is not forthcoming from the landowner at 345 Hidden
Valley Lane, I will have to move the operation.  A month to month, undefined lease which is only defined by the handing over of a check won't do.  Too much risk to not know what can and can't be done and I'm certain that when I arrange a farm dinner or some other gathering I will be told that I cannot.  Winter is the best time to make a move since crops and insane work schedules have abated somewhat (though I still have more than I can handle to do),  so I have started looking.  I will not be moving to Kentucky.  I have a strong allegiance to the CSA and its' members and to suddenly cancel the operation would be an affront to them (and three years of very hard labor), and an added financial burden (all of their accounts would be refunded).  I can't consider this option.  I may make the move to Kentucky in a few years and if I do, I will have my debts greatly reduced and perhaps have someone to take over the business.   So, I will probably move to Huntingdon county.  Land prices are reasonable and it is a bit further south and about the same distance to State College as I am now.   I may even be able to farm on one of the market vendor's farms as they have an unused "back 40" but that would entail building a cottage so it's just an opening volley I think.  Ideally I am looking for a rent with a option to buy.  Rent for 5 years, grow the business and save enough to put down 50% towards the purchase price.  I'll start talking to realtors tomorrow, put out some ads today and send off some emails to some farmers I know in the area.  I would prefer to move in a year but this winter might be better.  Once again, without a contract, it will probably be a constant hassle to be here, notwithstanding all of the work that will go into the place.  The owner feels that I should be held responsible to the financial agreements made- i.e. continuing to pay the mortgage on the buildings on the property.  Those agreements (which I currently adhere to) were made with the underlying condition that I would be living here and have a relationship with the family.  That is gone.  We weren't married but this is a divorce never the less.  I've spent 6 years working on this place and I don't think the effort is appreciated at all.  Well, I'll take the rap.  Time to go.  This winter or next.

I have sixty 4 day old chicks living with me in the apartment at least until tomorrow while I clean the coop and build an insulated door.  I should have 75 except that the mail carrier left them outside next to the door in the 50 degree weather when I specifically left instructions to put them inside so of course a number perished.  They must have close to 95 degrees for the first week of their lives and as they grow that temperature is reduced by 5 degrees each week. I don't like raising chicks through the dead of winter but there aren't any predators so it's just a question of heat. 

One potato, two potato, three potato, four!   Five potato, six potato seven potato more!

It's amazing what pops into your head when you're digging potatoes.  I was getting more rock that potato but at least my technique for missing them has been on the upswing and all of the rock is making a good road base just where it is needed.  This is slow and inefficient work but for next year, these rows in the "triangle" bed area will be 5 feet wide and almost 24 inches deep with a very heavy dressing of compost. 

For a few times last year and once this year thus far, Howard's End has supplied fresh ingredients to Fasta to make various pastas and raviolis.  While I was digging those two potatos, three potatoes, four I had the idea that we should collaborate moreso on a regular monthly basis with Fasta.  I had mentioned this to Bob who runs the company (when he's not playing rugby) a few months ago.  He was very upbeat about the idea but later I became a bit nervous about the cost H. E. would incur so I  dropped pursuit of the idea.  Now, perhaps it might be time to reconsider.   A ravioli a month and perhaps even a pasta a month especially during the cold months of the year would help greatly with the income stream especially if the raviolis in particular were unique.  How about a fennel and artichoke ravioli for instance- we will grow both next year.  There is also a caramelized pear and fennel ravioli and a smoke trout and fennel ravioli (actually it was salmon- I'm just speculating).  That chef who has the "F word" show- Ramsey does a duck ravioli with Jerusalem artichoke sauce on u-tube.  The list goes on.   By the way, I pulled all of these ideas off the web so I'm not exactly giving out trade secrets here...  Unique ravioli and pasta offerings to the CSA members every month would be a great addition for the CSA menu and ultimately would help Fasta as well.  It's just a question of working out the details and making certain that Howard's End can pay for Fasta's services with an inkind exchanges of herbs, eggs, various meats and produce. 

Had a nice chat with the property owner and I think H.E. won't have to relocate at least for 2012 which is a relief.  Now I will have to learn how the rest of that potato song goes as I have at least three or four hundred more feet of potatoes to dig.  I may have to create some new lines.  I mean really, shouldn't you be doing something more constructive than reading this????By the way-F.Y.I.  secret messages encoded in every paragraph! 

Monday Evening, Late

Waiting to pull the yogurt so it can by strained overnight removing most of the whey with the result that it thickens.  The flavor, creaminess, etc also becomes more concentrated.   Greek yogurt.  Just spent the last hour and a half cleaning and packing leeks, chioggia beets and turnips.  Still have scones to make but may wait until I awake which will be 4:30 am or so.  Five six packs of scones and two pizzas to make followed by harvesting of a few fennel and the mustard greens.  Should have plenty of time.

This afternoon I was in Mackeyville, and stopped by Aquilla's place to talk about one of his steers for butchering in early January.  For whatever reason, a conversation with Aquilla always seems to take a somewhat circitous route with a parry here and there.  There I am negotiating to purchase a whole steer which is going to cost me around $1,000 and I have no idea how I'm going to raise the money so I'm asking him if I can put $500 down when I pick it up with the second payment due net thirty.   From him there is no such thing as a straight answer but a quip about leaving town which I throw back at him later on.  Credit is tight and all the farmers know it.  Faith is on the lean side nowadays but we'll make a deal and I'll find a way to put together the funds.  I ask him if he might like to raise some pigs for me since I'm not permitted?  Nope. 

November 9  Sunny and Warm

The truck will survive another year and my estimate of around a thousand for repairs is very close.  As of yesterday I've been crunching numbers and working a plan for 2012.  Looks like I will be working with a budget of about $77,000.  Still no salary to speak of for me but I will be able to pay down some of the debt and get a number of essential projects completed such as the hoop houses (12), the chicken operation (includes ducks, geese, and rabbits),and an irrigation system for the entire operation.  I will not be able to hire a farm supervisor to assist me but will have to rely on interns again- only two this time, with experience for ten weeks from June until mid August.  Wwoofers will have to fill the gaps and I will build two platform tents for them to live in.  I will have to do as much winter/early spring field preparation as I can to make up for the lack of a partner.  The triangle field has been double-dug, composted and its' square footage doubled.  The raised beds now average 5 feet in width which is the maximum.  If December can be mild enough so that the ground doesn't freeze, I can get another large section completed.  With 4 hoop houses completed (I am presuming the failure of the kickstarter campaign), I can expect to have an acre ready for or planted with spring crops.  I will be able to plant 900 garlic cloves which is better by 300 than I had expected.  Completion of the scrub forest clearing and installation of the fencing will give me a running start as well.  That leaves the catalog set up, construction of the new hen house and chicken tractors and work on the residence to fill out the winter.  With a rebuilt Gravely walk-behind, we will have the upper hand on the weed situation.  I've made a good deal with Fasta tentatively- we will sit down and do a month by month plan shortly. 

Friday, November 11

It's a pleasure to drive the truck once again.  Despite its' lack of heat or air conditioning (actually it has both- hot in the summer and freezing in the winter), it's a marvel when the power steering and brakes actually work.  When I arrived to pick it up the young lady at the counter noted that with only a few more parts and subsequent repairs I should have the equivalent of a new truck.  Since I haven't managed to save five or ten thousand dollars which is what a decent truck would run, I think that an annual bill between eight and fifteen hundred dollars isn't all that bad.  If I cost average the miles and what it costs to maintain the vehicle it comes at around ten cents a mile.  The insurance is a whopping $266 a year.  I was offered a 4 x 4 vehicle with rear dual axles and 205,000 miles on the odometer in much nicer shape than mine for $3,500.  It got 9-10 mpg whereas mine gets nearly 20.  I will spend around $2,600 in gas in 2012 if gas runs around $3.60 on average.  The other vehicle would cost me $2,600 more in gas and with two hundred thousand miles it will have some issues that will cost a grand- so I'll stay put with my F-150.  After all it deserves some loyalty.  It has hauled enough lumber to build three homes not to mention the number of moves, loads of compost, and on.   Once I replace the engine, I'll get my winter heat and summer conditioning back too.  The odometer is just shy of 200,000 and I do have that Thanksgiving trip coming up.

Wednesday, November 16

Spent yesterday at the final Tuesday Farmer's Market.  It rained just as it had the previous year but was reasonably warm.   Had planned to attend a gathering at the municipal building centered around sustainable living, etc. but only managed to drop off two loafs of artisinal bread and a couple of jars of quince marmalade before leaving.  I was exhausted, unshaven and disheveled.  Got the chickens secured, finished reading a book, and watched a DVD before giving up.   Checked emails and much to my amazement a total stranger had donated $1,000!  That increased the pledges to $1,600 and by 5 this morning I had worked up a plan which I think might just work. I had completely given up on the idea- just too many other tasks to attend to- six weeks of double digging and setting hoop house posts, chickens, money problems-  I had decided that the design work and sale of a few antiques would get me through the next couple of months somehow.   Once I put my mind to kickstarter this morning especially with such a pledge creating the pyschological push, I realized that I knew alot of people who hadn't been contacted and as with most big projects that look daunting (we're talking about $3,400 in the next 12 days with Thanksgiving looming- a big distraction), I realized that I could break the problem into three parts. The first part we've accomplished- $1,600 so that's great.  The second $1,700 requires (in my mind) about 32 people to make an average contribution of $50 which is reasonable based on the first monies raised.   It took me about a half hour to come up with a list of 28 and I think most will contribute.  The final $1,700 is tricky- but by adding CSA memberships to the reward list (which will start May 1st) of either $200 or $400, I would only need 6-8 people to sign up.  I already know of 2 and I think I can cajole (sweetly) the current 90 members to help find a few more.  I even know of a couple of previous members who might rejoin since we are doing things differently now. 

Friday, November 18

In a few months there will be a curtain of green all along the window wall of the carraige house apartment.  Ginger, figs, orang, lemon and lime tree, lavender and rosemary are all shoulder to shoulder on the plastic shelving that we had used for seedling germination now do their duty indoors.  Despite my failings to have a single hoop house as yet complete, the hoop house beds show signs of emerging life and as the sun lazily expired low over the mountain, I set out a couple of row covers and a ground hooped plastic cover.  Spinach, shunkiyo, and swiss chard are looking good.  Finished harvesting the two 50 ft leek beds except for a sole shoot here and there, and piled up mounds of compost which will be spread and worked into the soil this weekend and later.  Two cubic yards of compost is just enough to dress about 200 feet of raised bed which will be expanded to a 5 ft girth.  Still there are over three hundred feet of potatoes to dig. I'm afraid I will lose many to rot but at least the beds will have been double dug with the "green" manure (weed) cover turned in growing wider with each completion. Broccoli raab and a mix of greens comprised of spinach, purple mizuna and lettuces will be harvested and offered for the "Thanksgiving" distribution along with sweet potatoes, and a sage/pepper fettucini FASTA has made for us.   I'm on the hunt for venison so that we can offer a venison/something ravioli in December. 

November 20- Sunday.

This morning, following a solid hour of washing the ton of dirty dishes that were scattered everywhere, and emptying the large cooking pot that I was using to wash clothes in, I put my heavy duty work shoes on and was promptly stung by a wasp.  It was like stepping on a needle and the first thought that came to mind was a scorpion bite.  My father had told me that during WWII when they were posted in North Africa (flying B-24 bombers), they always had to shake out their shoes in the morning because of the scorpions that would crawl into them.  I was relieved to find a wasp, and unlike a yellow jacket sting, it didn't cause my foot to swell.

November 21

Almost always on harvest days there are root crops that have to be cleaned.  Usually we just put them in a large basin and let a hose run for awhile.  It helps but dirt still clings to the roots so all have to be hand scrubbed. This takes a long time.  The only option is to build a large machine that slowly and gently agitate the roots dislodging the dirt.  You might think of using a washing machine but with the amount of sediment, small rock and mud coming off, I doubt the washer would last.  There's another option.  Always great to have a machine around that doesn't cost an arm and a leg but can serve multiple functions.  A cement mixer is such a machine.  It mixes cement, naturally, but is also great for adding amendments to your seedling soils for example.  And, with one addition, it can also clean your root vegetables.  I can think of two options- find a large heavy duty plastic bucket that will fit snugly into the mixer and drill 3/4 inch holes all over it so that the water and dirt, etc will run out.  The better option (I think) would be to build a slatted bucket out of oak or some other hardwood (maybe s softwood would work but might not hold up well over time) with a solid bottom, using 1 or 1 1/2 inch slats for the sides spaced about 3/4 of inch apart.  use copper strips with copper nails to bind all the slats together or a very heavy polyethylene plastic as your strapping.  You would have to secure the sides to the base- I would rabbet a groove around the base and screw them in from the bottom with pre-drilled holes.  Better even to cut u slots out and fit them into the base that way.  You might want to double up the base- two thicknesses of 3/4 thick wood rotated 180 degress so the grain of each is 90 degrees off the other.  All edges of the slats on the inside have to be rounded so as not to bruise the vegetables.   You will want to have a clamp on the mixer to hold a hose there so you can have a constant flow of water.  You might also want to make a lid (maybe out of heavy galvanized fencing or wood) so when you tilt the mixer to remove mud, etc, your produce won't spill out as well. When you're done, just pull the bucket out et voila!  I'll give you an update on any improvements to this idea- I imagine there will be some.

Tuesday, November 22

Made the distribution of turkeys, broccoli raab, sweet potatoes, leeks and other goodies in the chill of a light rain wearing a light two buttoned (top two) marroon canvas coat that left me soaked by 2:45 pm when I departed for one final delivery and the bank with just enough money to deposit so that I could pay a couple of overdue bills, send my sister a $100 (so she could make an interview in Paris) and head to Kentucky where, aside from completing the roof on my brother's house (a job which has lingered over the past two years), I can wash all of my clothes in a washing machine rather than by hand which I have been doing for the past couple of months.   I'm caught in thoughts about the other CSA's and their farmer stewards and how everyone agrees just how bad this year was.  A piece of one of my back molars came off a couple of days ago into my hand while I was chewing something and it drew me to the problem of farming again as did a discussion surrounding the care of the elderly and what happens to the assets of a family member when he/she (read parent) goes into a nursing facility- if a Remainder Charitable Trust hasn't been established 5 years previous to entry, medicaid back charges the estate at the time of his/her passing.  That's the gist of it, anyway.  So a farmer breaks his/her back all of his/her life only to give up the property in order to satisfy the $225 a day (aand up) that nursing care entails.  I don't think the Amish have this problem- they take care of their own.  I presume so but will ask.   How do they keep their farms together- do they?  I was recently having an interesting conversation with one of my CSA couples in regards to my current predicament and what I might do.  They mentioned that they were very interested in establishing/running a CSA and in this idea were talking to another family about sharing a farm.  They were wondering if I were interested in exporing possibilities.  Maybe I should find out how kibbutzes are run, and seek out other community land owned possibilities.  Currently, my idea is to purchase a piece of land (20 acres minimum- bigger would be better) and create a non-profit corporation, foundation or trust that would then be owned by those who worked it.  That would afford continuity but how much security?  A mom- pop business is susceptible to all kinds of upsets.  Most CSA's are smallish operations- sole proprietorships with a small core of dedicated workers.   There are a handful in the state that provide for 300 plus members but they are still small businesses with a gross of no more than a couple of million at best.  I am convinced that as long as a farm is flying solo- and most of us are, it is as vulnerable as a bird separated from its' flock.  It may survive for awhile but will eventually succumb to predation, bad weather, bad luck or pure exhaustion not to mention the loneliness of its' predicament.   For this reason, I'm going to explore ways that CSA's in the area might work together.  I think there are more ways than might be immediately obvious. 

The greatest violinists, baseball players and other athletes, scientists and many other professionals at the top of their game all have something in common.   They have mentors and/or coaches.  Someone to look over their shoulder and give them advice and encouragement.   Farmers need mentors and coaches as well. They also need to share information and experiences amongst themselves and with researchers whenever possible.  There should be direct links between farmers in the field and those ag researchers in the university setting.  This is the first reason for creating a CSA/organic farmer umbrella organization.   As a start, the members could simply come to one another's farm and comment on the operation- asking questions, and making commentary.  Problems that are encountered could be shared and solved by a greater body than just the lone one.  An ongoing discourse between professors, graduate students and doctoral researchers could be established and would be ongoing.  The farmers could go to the researchers if they are stumped and vice versa- new ideas could be tried out on a commercial scale. 

A second reason- seed collection and preservation, and seed purchasing would be more efficient (for some but not all purchases) if the farms joined together to not only purchase their seed but perhaps other equipement as well.  The larger the discount (irrigation supplies, mulches, green house materials, etc) are almost always far less expensive in larger quantities as is shipping.  There are certain materials that most farms use every year.  The savings might amount to only a few hundred or a thousand dollars but every dollar saved is a step up. 

Third-  sharing of produce.  I believe strongly in diversity- "super diversity"- I think monoculture results in an acute loss of soil fertility whether it is organic or not.  We are have preferences- one farmer might want to grow mostly berry crops, another something else- with occasional crop failures suffered by all, perhaps there is a way to share crops.  If I am raising ducks or pigs for example, it might be more efficient to raise extra for the other CSA's while they raise in excess other crops and then we trade.  A rotating system could be set up for each season.  

Fourth- Publicity.  Coordination of membership drives, advertising, and general news to raise the visibility of CSA's in the region.  Sharing of costs and perhaps memberships where one CSA might be more suitable to particular members than others. 

Fifth-  One of the advantages of being represented by an at large corporate umbrella is that the farms may be able to secure federal or state loans or grants that might not otherwise be available to a single farmer.  Fund raising for health insurance benefits might be another possibility.  

Sixth- Better coordination over pricing of produce or CSA memberships and other related products.  Packaging would be less expensive if bought in bulk.   

Seventh- Initiation of a central Pa farmer's kickstarter online business model which would raise money for initiatives, increase public awareness and coordinate multiple projects.  In my opinion, the current "kickstarter" models are ill suited for regional needs.  They are nationally oriented, city centered and tend to focus on ideas which are not necessarity green- mostly "chic" and trendy.  A long shot, but we should give it a try.

Monday, November 28   Angels and Demons in Kentucky

Sometimes it's hard to know where to start so breakfast is always a good option.  I'm going through my mother's papers gathering all the essentials about her life that I can possibly find.  I haven't been here since last year and whenever I spoke to her on the phone, she seemed fine if not a little forgetful.  My brother would always report that she was about the same so all seemed well.  Clay, her 92 year old boyfriend is well (mom is 84) and sharp.  Without him, she would be lost in confusion.  My mom is in an advanced state of dementia and has trouble verbalizing her thoughts.  She can still dress and feed herself fortunately and get around with some difficulty but can't manage her affairs. Fortunately, Clay signs her checks and sends off her bills and her basic needs are constant for the moment.  Changes are coming soon though.  My brother and I have been "notified" by Clays' family that they intend to remove him from this relationship because they feel it is affecting his health and is abusive to him.  They seem to have forgotten that my mom and Clay love one another and though I do agree that changes must be made, I strongly disagree with their rational which is baseless.  What does this have to do with farming?  Everything, actually.  My mom owns 50 acres where my brother farms and besides the house she lives in, it is her other primary asset.  If my mom is put into a nursing home, medicaid will fund the first 90 days or so and then the estate will be charged once she moves on into a higher dimension.   Our primary concern is for her comfort so we will do our best to keep her in her home (my brother will assist and my sister possibly as well if we can get her here from Europe) for as long as possible while we take measures to hopefully protect the farm from being sold in order to pay for her care.   A good reason to incorporate a farm is to keep it from such a fate and the second fate of being passed down to siblings  and in the process endlessly divided until only small parcels remain.  My grandfathers' farm once was close to 900 acres when I was young.  Now, only 50 acres remain, the rest being sold off to other farms (not a bad thing necessarily), or cut up for building lots.  "Our" 50 acres has one of the original homesteads on it- a ruin which I have be gradually resurrecting - a high Georgian home built around 1810 by John Allen or his son.

Tuesday, November 29

Met with an attorney this morning and feel far more secure.  Need to gather more information in the next couple of days and set meetings with some local home care providers, find the deed to the farm, and other important papers so that an LLC can be established among other things. We aren't out of the woods yet but the attorney seems to feel we might be able to manage.  In the meantime, a day spent finishing the staircase and installing windows and doors in my brother's house will move that project along.  We have to try somehow to get the first floor pulled together in 2012.  I will have to plan visits at least four times in 2012 which means having a farm "manager" in place.   The demons have retreated a little. 

Angels...                    Despite my very late push to alert every one I could think of, the kickstarter campaign succeeded!  The funds will make it possible to get the hoop houses built and survive the winter.  As I now have orders for wood cut notecards, T-shirts, ceramic tiles and plates, cedar window boxes to fill, the creation of a catalog is soon to come.   There are also some real business options to pursue which will take time but might prove to be very beneficial.   It means research and business plans but I now have access to brokers who will help me finesse my concepts before connecting the concept to the investors.    I will add a facebook site to the CSA to strengthen the social profile of the business.  Despite the many negatives of this year, its' summary is positive.  Hard for me to fathom but the CSA income doubled, and the members are happy.  We have added many more products and continue to do so.   We will be far more prepared for the 2012 season which translates into much earlier crops, more value-addeds and better cash flow.  This auspicious beginning will result in the doubling of the gross proceeds again.   If I can keep the family situation on a par, avoid burnout and skip the winter blues by keeping busy, then I have a chance.  I have had two long season intern inquiries thus far via ATTRA which is a very good sign.