- April 15, 2007
Sustainable Agriculture – Caring About Your Environment
By PattiRead moreIn 1990,the US government defined sustainable agriculture as an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will, over the long term, satisfy human food and fiber needs; enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends; make the...
00 - March 13, 2007
A Family Farm Touchstone
By PattiRead moreThere are places in the world to which we return in body or spirit whenever we need rest, renewal and enlightenment. It is there that we are able to set down our burdens and find rest; it is there that we can drink deeply from a fountain of strength,...
- March 11, 2007
Colostrum for Grass-fed Beef Calves
By PattiRead moreEvery spring we are privileged to experience the unique joy of calving season.I say privileged because I do not know of any greater rejuvenation of soul and spirit than seeing a newborn calf lying on the pasture and its mother doling out affection as she licks it clean. Seeing...
- March 10, 2007
Our Family’s Jersey Milk Cows
By PattiRead moreWe always keep a couple of milk cows on the farm.These are usually Jersey since I guess that is my favorite breed. our milk cows are more or less like pets and of course have special names.Over the years we have had Elsie,Sour Cream,Jasmine,and currently have Buttermilk.Buttermilk calved yesterday...
- March 6, 2007
Our Farm Hand Grady
By PattiRead morePart of what it means to live on a farm has to do with your neighbors.Our neighbors homes are actually several miles separated from our home and rather than feeling distant it seems to actually bind us closer.Our rural neighbors provide us a rich resource from which we learn,share...
- February 9, 2007
Slow Food Movement and Grass Fed Beef
By PattiRead moreCarlo Petrini started the slow food movement in response to the opening of a McDonalds in Piazza Spagna in Rome in 1986.Italians have historically viewed eating as an experience to be savored with friends and family.A fast food restaurant opening in the heart of Rome’s historic center was not...
- February 3, 2007
Slow Food and Beef Processing
By PattiRead moreThe slow food movement supports many programs around the world.They have started seed banks to preserve native varieties.They support the preservation and promotion of local and traditional food product and preparation know-how.This is the kind of knowledge that has traditionally been passed down through the generations. The slow food movement...
- January 21, 2007
The Family Farm Can Learn a Lesson from the Sea
By PattiRead moreThe family farm can survive and even thrive if they look at the fishing communities in New England and Maritime Canada and learn from their experiences. Fishing was a way of life for hundred’s of years for many families living on the east coast of the US and Canada.These...
- January 12, 2007
New Calves on Our Grass Farm
By PattiRead moreThe temperatures dipped low last night and this morning we were greeted with frost.The predawn was crystal clear with a sky dotted with lingering stars and a sliver of moon still showing on the western horizon.Warm and comfy in the nook where we drink our morning coffee my mind...
- January 10, 2007
Grass Fed Beef Chili Recipe
By PattiRead moreChili is one of the long favored cold weather classics on our family farm.It is one of those great fix-in-the-morning meals that allow you to come home to the welcoming aroma of chili ready for the table.It is a special delight when working outside on the farm on a...