Monday, September 26, 2005

High Tunnels

Saw an awesome presentation tonight by a farmer friend, Paul Wiedeger. He is located in South Central KY .He and his wife Allison raise beef, chickens (meat and eggs), cut flowers and veggies. But tonight he talked of growing year round in unheated high tunnels.

During spring, summer and early fall, they sell at their local farmer's market although they take pre-orders, via email, that can be picked up at that market. But during the colder months they grow the cool season crops in high tunnels. They service their customers 52 weeks a year.
As Allison says, "The good news is that you can harvest and sell 52 weeks a year." As Paul says, "The bad news is that you can harvest and sell 52 weeks a year."

They had a great video showing their farm, their marketing techniques etc. It was amazing to think of tromping through the snow, getting inside the high tunnel, shedding your coat and harvesting a salad for dinner, along with carrots, radishes, beets etc. Quite inspiring. They also use them come March to plant tomatoes, cukes, peppers etc into. They have BEAUTIFUL tomatoes by Memorial Day! You can check out Paul and Allison's website to see their beautiful pictures....http://www.aunaturelfarm.homestead.com/

I am hoping that this is something we can add to our little venture here on the farm.

Well, the auction signs went up this weekend. It is being done by a local company that has a reputation for placing as many single wides as possible on the smallest pieces of land....sigh.
We are praying that this land will end up in the hands of a few instead of many. Many thanks to those of you who have offered to stand with us in prayer over this auction.

Another adventure happening right now in my kitchen...a great adventure...the trap has been set to catch wild yeast. We are working on trapping our own wild yeast for Sourdough starter...I'll know in a day or two if our trap has been productive...this has been one of my favorite homeschool science projects...mainly cause it will taste SO good in the end!

5 comments:

  1. Okay, so tell me, how do you trap wild yeast. I know we have it cuz it gets in my cheese and the cheese swells...bad very bad. But to use it for baking. Wahoo. Neat idea. Tell us more.

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  2. Our neighbors did that, using the Wild Fermentations book, and she raved and raved about it. It sounds like fun, but we haven't tried it yet... waiting for the grain mill, I guess.

    I'm so sorry about the auction. I will certainly keep you in my prayers.

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  3. Yes, do tell about capturing the wild yeast. Hee hee, sounds like a safari :)

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  4. Thanks for the link to the Wiediger web site. I've been wanting to raise winter greens in a cold hoop house for the past few years. Elliot Coleman has a book on the subject. I believe the Nearings used to do this in Maine and Coleman was a neighbor of theirs for many years-. I do not have the acerage to do this on any scale other than very small but that is always a good place to begin. I'm ordering the Wiediger's book.-

    Thanks again.-

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  5. Herrick,
    I'm glad it was a help to you. Their book is great and their workshop sounds wonderful. They are a nice couple and we are thankful for the time we have been able to spend with them. They are willing to answer questions via email.

    Blessings,
    Cheri

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