Simple Times Farm & Stables Blog

When we were young, my mother would occasionally take a compendium of leftovers and merge them into a dish called goulash. This update – like my mother’s dish will be a potpourri of farm life mutterings designed to inform and inspire.

On the home front . . . My father passed away this week. He was 61. Cancer left his body ravaged. His spirit fought on. I know of few men in history who could match his love for Jesus, respect for the Bible, commitment to family, and service to others. We will celebrate his home-going and commemerate his life tomorrow at 12:00 with friends and loved ones (see Glenn DeSota’s Homegoing Celebration on facebook for more details)

In camp this week . . . We had an absolutely full week of wonderful campers. Horsemanship, candlemaking, firebuilding, games and adventures filled every day. We can’t say enough for our counselors and staff who love the children and exude creativity.

Cowboy Church . . . Though we were few, we had a great time. The Mead brothers were with us in concert and we had a lesson on hearing the voice of God. Remember, this event is the third Sunday of every month @ 3:30.

Goat sales . . . Our herd has reached its limit and it is time to send some fourfooted emissaries to greener fields. Congatulations to the family who purchased a dairy starter package this week – One milker and a spring baby for company. We have several pairs available. Call the farm for more information.

Eggzactly . . . Egg production has increased this week. We have been way under what should be expected from our girls and are glad to see the numbers climbing.

Weeding . . . The garden is growing, but so are the weeds. The fields are first year fields and the former inhabitants – mostly quack grass – are not about to yield. Anyone who has two hands and a good back is welcome to come help us tackle this daunting task.

Workday coming . . . Saturday, July 25th, is set aside for a farm community work day. If you love your farm and are willing to invest in the future of the families and young people it serves, why not dedicate a couple of hours to helping make Simple Times a better place for everybody. Plus – you’ll realy enjoy it! Come anytime between 10 and 4.

If the title of this post means anything to you, you know more than I did about the composition of soil. This season we are learning the quick and hard lessons of growing in less than ideal situations.

Cold and wet have contributed to underdevelopment in our new gardens, last year’s quack grass has formed unceasing ranks of nutrient sucking mercenaries and, as our soil test revealed, the PH is too high and the potassium is “locked up” (farm speak for present, but unavailable).

We figured something was up when our peas and beans burned up and a few vegetables just disappeared while our squash and melons took off to a racing start. It is amazing how many factors go into a great harvest – someday, we may actually qualify as farmers.

This week, we hope to turn the ship around. Bill Peoch and his crew are installing plastic over many areas to combat the grass and sulfur is being spread to bring the PH back into a healthy growing range.

Lots of fun – and let’s pray for some heat!

Collared Greens, Red Romaine, Green Leaf Lettuce, Chinese Cabbage, and our own wonderful Salato Cheese (Crumbled for summer salad topping) are all on the menu for this week’s pickup.

Come on back to the dairy and get your order from the display fridge. As last week, Full shares are on top and half on the bottom.

In response to Ethan’s post on “board farmers get creative” – I thought the words board farmer were an oxymoron?! I know all of us here at Simple Times Farm can probably name a dozen things that could or should still be done when we drop into bed for the night!
On the schedule for today with the horses is arena watering, a couple lessons to give, and training 2 horses and all that is besides normal chores! While it might not sound like a lot given the fact that each job takes between an hour or two, I’d say we have a pretty full day. Add to that caring for our four children, making a birthday dinner for my mom and several market customers planning on stopping by. Wow! My day suddenly became crazily busy! What can I say I love what I do!

Take a look at the Klaty post at www.thegreenstewards.com. The Klaty’s are the founders of Simple Time Farm and are furthering the cause of sustainable and smart farming through their urban “farm” in Flint, MI.

We had fun delivering their chicken tractor, chickens, and goats yesterday and are looking forward to sending out more farm “representatives” to a yard near you in the future.

For all you CSA members who are wondering whether or not there is a harvest coming – get ready. First pick-up will be next week June 30 and later and will continue after that.

The wet spring combined with the cold has contributed to a later launch, but we are anticipating a good harvest continuing well into the fall. Greens and a few other goodies will be our first offerings and then the rest will come.

See you next week!

The thought that somewhere there is an existence that is calm, peaceful, and without stress is without doubt Utopian. However, it seems that a life well lived, an undisturbed sleep, well deserved, and having one’s priorities right whatever the current emergency are necessary achievements for personal sanity and well-being.

At night, as I close my eyes and resolve that tomorrow will better reflect my values, all is well and I am renewed with the thought that I too can change. In the morning, somewhere between my first groggy realization and the heat of the day, I lose sight of those priorities and quickly cave to the urgent demands of the moment worshiping once again at the altar of immediacy to the detriment of future security.

Saying no has never been a strong point of mine. Thank God I seem to have no proclivities for alcohol or other mind numbing substances. My addiction is subtler and even respectable – Work.

Since farming, I have learned that their is a direct link between today’s activities and tomorrow’s prosperity. Seed-time and harvest march invincible whatever the moment demands. They do not wait for me.

Here and now, I resolve once again to do today the thing that will bring no regret tomorrow, to love my family, connect with my friends, plant my seed, and prepare for a good harvest. With God’s help, I will be granted an eternal perspective that refuses to be swayed by the illusion that is today.