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Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Down on the Farm


The Millsaps farm using sustainable, organic practices. They raise hogs which are penned in an uncultivated field. By the time the hogs are through with the area, it is bug-free, grass-free, plowed, and fertilized. The hogs are moved to a new area and the former pen is cultivated. They grow many varieties of heirloom vegetables, densely planted in mixed beds. A row or two of onions could be next to potatoes and kohlrabi. Curtis believes that by avoiding dedicated beds he discourages infestations of plant-specific pests. And it looks beautiful.

Poultry is raised in portable enclosures placed on grassy areas. The grass and bugs provide sustenance and the poultry provides fertilizer. The enclosures are moved daily so that no one area becomes too soiled and a fresh food supply is offered.

Membership in this CSA has provided us with much more than tons of fresh produce, the education in sustainable agriculture and stewardship of the earth has been even more valuable.

On another note, the Millsaps' family has increased to seven girls under six years old. Last month a baby girl sibling to the three foster girls joined the group. She was born about three months ago weighing around 1-1/2 pounds. She is now seven and a half pounds and is thriving.

Pigs plowed this patch last year.


This week's harvest:
  • Romaine
  • Cucumbers (2)
  • Zucchini (1 large)
  • Purple Kohlrabi
  • Corn (6 ears)
  • Onions (2 purple, 1 yellow)
  • Scallions
  • Yellow crook-necked squash (1 Siamese twin)
  • Broccoli
  • Sun Jewel melon
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tomato
  • Garlic
  • Basil
  • Potatoes
  • Blueberries
I'm going to try to eat it all myself this week, building lunch and dinner around vegetables. Tonight I had corn on the cob and a salad of romaine, tomato, scallions, and cucumber. All was fresh and delicious.

Notes from California: I talked with Ben and Logan via Skype this evening. About 20 friends and relatives gathered at Colleen's for a barbecue and early celebration of Ben's birthday.

1 comment:

  1. What a lovely farm. Using the pigs to prepare the fields sounds like a great idea. Those veggies look delicious. I'm still waiting on my tomato plants. They're flowering now. I think I planted them a little late. Oh well.

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