The News from Windflower Farm
Every October for the last 23 years the “Landscapes for Landsake” fine art sale has been held to benefit the Agricultural Stewardship Association, the organizationbehind local farmland and forest conservation efforts. Check it out at landscapesforlandsake.com.
Forever chemicals (PFAS) are again in the news. Sludge has never, ever been applied here at Windflower Farm! Before forever chemicals became an issue, we wereaware that the material contained a variety of heavy metals, and that it would not be something we’d ever want to use. Sludge is not permissible under National Organic Program rules, which we abide by as a certified organic farm.
What’s in the share?
- Summer squash or zucchini
- Lettuce
- Mixed greens
- Red onions
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
- Beans
- Carrots and herbs (parsley, dill or basil) – all from Denison Farm
Your fruit share will be apples from Yonder Farm
What’s new on the farm?
We’ve reached that point in the season when things have begun to fall apart. It’s not me that I’m talking about – it’s our equipment. In preparing beds for cover cropping yesterday, a new bolt on the disc would shear every half acre or so. Every one of its bearings will have to be replaced this winter. The tiller, which we use as a final step in seedbed preparation, is awaiting the parts for a complete rebuild. Someone allowed the gearbox to run out of gear oil. I won’t say who that could be, but I’m having trouble maintaining eye contact with Kage, our mechanic, when he reminds me of my responsibilities as the owner of this fine piece of Italian machinery. Three of our four golf carts are on blocks in the repair bay, needing rest from the everyday work of ferrying the team back and forth on our hilly farm. The John Deere 6400 continues to smoke and needs an engine overhaul. That project alone will keep Kage busy much of the winter.
The four-row Mechanical 5000, our ancient transplanter, probably needs to be decommissioned. I’ve been scouring the used equipment sites for a replacement. I’ve found a good looking six-row Ferrari for sale in Quebec, which would be the only Ferrari I’d ever own in this life. Just today, the starter on the irrigation pump went. The pallet jack doesn’t work as it should. Our water wheel transplanter, our sprayer, our Allis Chalmers G tractor, and our old Farmall 140 also need work. Thank goodness Kage serviced every one of our tractors last spring or we’d be in real trouble. He has just come to me with the thought that we might need him to be on repairs two days a week rather than one. No kidding! The tomato barn, which is fast becoming the sweet potato barn, will by Thanksgiving become the repair barn. If you’ve wondered what we do all winter, now you know.
Best wishes, Ted
Central Brooklyn CSA 