Exciting news! Tonight, one of our sows farrowed (it’s a farmy term for giving birth). We have six new baby pigs, and here’s a video of one being born.
Quarter Down
Today was our 5th CSA pickup of the season. It’s hard to believe that it’s already 25% over, but time has a way of traveling along with or without you.
The CSA provides a lot of our social life. Each year, we get to meet new people and introduce them to our favorite foods and flowers. Some members of the group are really excited to have the opportunity to pitch in on the farm, and Kelly and I make fast friends with them. It’s exciting to hear their stories of growing up on a farm, their activism in local food issues, or their family’s activities during the past week. I love the shared conversation.
We’re lucky to have so many people who share this farm experience with us. Since we started the farm as a way to discover a new relationship with food and community, we’re grateful to the people who have chosen us as their “personal farm” for this year. Life is delicious with you.
-Brian
Posted by blacksheepfarms on June 18, 2011
http://blacksheepfarms.com/2011/06/18/quarter-down/
Fortunate Sons
Right now, our boys are outside playing with some friends. They are running all over: near the barn, out by the hay bales by the road, along the lane, across the muddy creek. You name it, they’ve been there today.
When Kelly and I started coming to the farm, the house was under renovation, so we drove from Omaha several times a week. We would unload and tell the the boys, “Mom and Dad are going to do some farming. You can play wherever you want.” Invariably, they would stay within 20 feet of the car, sometimes not even leaving their seats, except to ask if it was time to leave. Our dog, Lexie, was happy to roam, but the boys stayed put.
Things are different now. After a few years, they feel like they have the run of the place. And they don’t know how good they have it. They have the simple freedom to run without constant supervision. They live on a farm that is 450 times as big as their last yard. Their soundtrack is made up of birdsongs and frog croaks, dog barks, and pig grunts. Granted, the soundtrack also includes music from computer games and television shows… but I don’t mind. I’m just glad that they have the chance to be farm kids.
-Brian
Posted by blacksheepfarms on May 29, 2011
http://blacksheepfarms.com/2011/05/29/fortunate-sons/
Weather
It can be a farmer’s best friend or worst enemy. I love a cool rain as much as anyone (especially just after I’ve planted several hundred plants in the field), but I feel for all of the farmers whose livelihood has been destroyed by tornadoes this spring. When we first started farming, my mother was worried. Worried about the unpredictable nature of farming. Being raised on a farm herself, she knows that things like high winds and hail can wipe out a summer’s worth of work. It’s a gamble, for sure. In the few short years we’ve been here, the weather has been mostly good to us. We’ve been lucky. Our hearts go out to all the farmers out there who haven’t been so lucky and we hope they will have the ability to pick up the pieces and keep doing what they love.
I’ve spent some time cursing the weather this month. I want it to be warmer. I want it to be dry so I can actually get out there and work. Oh, and I want to wave my magic wand and make the weeds disappear, but that’s another story. Unfavorable weather slows down production. I want to have twice as much produce available right now as I do. But really, we are the lucky ones. There are so many who have nothing. And then I look again what I have, and I am thankful.
~Kelly
Posted by blacksheepfarms on May 25, 2011
http://blacksheepfarms.com/2011/05/25/weather/
Great first day!
Today was the first pick up day for our CSA season. It was a bit smaller than we had hoped. We’ve had lots of rain and cool weather, which has slowed us down considerably. But we managed to harvest enough to give everyone a delicious sample of what is to come! This time of year is great for greens like kale and chard. Spinach is the green that usually gets the spotlight, but if you’ve not used kale or chard, you’re missing some unique flavors. CSA member Jenni was kind enough to send me some of her favorites:
Sweet and Savory Kale
From www.allrecipes.com
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 4 teaspoons white sugar
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups stemmed, torn and rinsed kale
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
Directions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the onion and garlic; cook and stir until the onion softens and turns translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the mustard, sugar, vinegar, and chicken stock, and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in the kale, cover, and cook 5 minutes until wilted.
- Stir in the dried cranberries, and continue boiling, uncovered, until the liquid has reduced by about half, and the cranberries have softened, about 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with sliced almonds before serving.
Radish Dip
FROM www.allrecipes.com
Ingredients
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled
- 6 radishes, quartered
- 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
Directions
- Place garlic in the container of a food processor, and pulse until finely minced. Add radishes, and mince. Add cream cheese, and mix until well blended. Transfer to a serving dish, and chill until serving. Serves 16.
This season, we decided to stick with Lacinato Kale, aka Dinosaur Kale, because it is the best variety with which to make kale chips. They couldn’t be easier to make, simply remove stems from kale and cut into bite sized pieces. Place onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle with olive oil and salt and bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. Watch them closely. The edges should be brown, but not burnt. They don’t keep well, but it really doesn’t matter because they’re so delicious you’ll want to eat them all right away!
Posted by blacksheepfarms on May 22, 2011
http://blacksheepfarms.com/2011/05/22/great-first-day/
Photo From a Morning Walk
Posted by blacksheepfarms on April 23, 2011
http://blacksheepfarms.com/2011/04/23/photo-from-a-morning-walk/
Fewer Animals, More Friends
Our life on the farm is always shifting. Besides the changes that the seasons bring, we try new techniques, bring on new animals, and plant new foods and flowers. Sometimes, we love the results, and sometimes, things don’t work the way we had hoped.
A couple of years ago, we got two border collie/blue heeler puppies, Moxie and Molly, from a farmer in Iowa. We got the dogs in anticipation of livestock because we wanted some herding dogs to work on the farm. Also, our other dog, Lexie, was getting pretty old.
Last July, we got 14 American Guinea hogs from a farmer in North Dakota. Our intentions were to raise meat for the family, sell some to other small farms in the area, and to possibly have some meat to sell.
In the last few months, we realized that we just couldn’t handle the energy level of two dogs. We didn’t have the time to train them, either. We also figured out that we wanted to have a small number of pigs around because we want to devote more time to our core farm activities. We were experiencing a case of too many animal distractions.
Luckily, we were able to connect with some people like us: young farmers who are trying to build a life with animals. A couple of weeks ago, Chloe and Alex from Robinette Farms adopted Moxie to chase deer from their fields. Today, Jon and Jamie picked up eight of our hogs to add to their farm. Craiglsist was responsible for bring us all in contact, but Kelly and I love meeting other farmers and look forward to having more time to get to know them.
So, now Black Sheep Farms has one dog, four pigs and a load of birds. Kelly will be getting a new peacock soon, but you know something? I think we’re ready for that.
-Brian
Posted by blacksheepfarms on April 3, 2011
http://blacksheepfarms.com/2011/04/03/fewer-animals-more-friends/
Goodbye
Today we said goodbye to Lexie the dog. She lived a full life of 14 years (8 with our family) and she will be greatly missed.
Posted by blacksheepfarms on February 27, 2011
http://blacksheepfarms.com/2011/02/27/goodbye/
New Chicks at Black Sheep Farms
A batch of just-hatched chicks arrived just in time for our upcoming Urban Chicken class. The hatchery ships them via USPS, and the downtown Omaha office called since the holiday would have delayed delivery for another day. It’s an interesting car ride with a constant CHEEPCHEEPCHEEP in the passenger seat.
This is our third year with chickens, and I can’t imagine life without them. They are a constant source of eggs and entertainment. During the growing season, we confine them to a fenced yard, but right now, they roam freely around the farm. Since the weather has been relatively nice, the birds have been happy to search for any new food.
Posted by blacksheepfarms on February 22, 2011
http://blacksheepfarms.com/2011/02/22/new-chicks-at-black-sheep-farms/
Spring Thaw River
Posted by blacksheepfarms on February 16, 2011
http://blacksheepfarms.com/2011/02/16/spring-thaw-river/
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