celebrating farm hands and forts

We had a chance this weekend to spend time with some of our most dearest friends and biggest inspirations, Craig and Avery. Together, we nearly doubled the height of the cob wall in the greenhouse, started on trellising the hops, taste-tested the assorted farm ferments, watched the baby chickens grow and sleep, cruised out for a bike-in movie on the hill, feasted on mesquite pancakes and our very first farm asparagus harvest, added fruit trees to the orchard, and planted a hazelnut hedge. SO GOOD. Thanks for taking a busman’s holiday, you guys.

This week we are also celebrating our NEW SUMMER INTERN! (insert fireworks and horns and huzzahs here). Abigail has set straight to work, finishing up the last of the hop trellising, helping build a Tomato Fort, and planting out grape vines, peas, and parsley. Words can’t quite express how grateful we are to have such motivated, capable and insightful assistance and company. Did I mention, she likes bicycles just as much as we do!?  A special thank you to Black Hills State University for giving us the opportunity to host a student intern. We’re really looking forward to getting to share the summer with you, Abigail.

The Tomato Fort (pictured below) is a straw bale ring (one bale high) to house seed trays between the greenhouse and the field. A halfway fort to help harden off some of our starts before transplanting. The bales will allow them adequate exposure, yet help protect the little ones from excessive winds and, should we need to, we can cover over them at night with remay for protection from low temperatures. The fort floor is lined with a thick paper bag mulch which is doubling as weed suppression. This will hopefully come in handy in a few weeks when we are getting ready to plant out our sweet potato slips in this same spot.

And in other news (a note from Trish): Nearly two weeks ago, I found a nest in one of the spruce trees by the chicken coop. I’ve been exceptionally good about leaving well alone and not interfering. But this afternoon I caved. It couldn’t be helped. LOOK!!