Author Archives: Nathan

Axe Demonstration

Posted on February 16, 2015 by Nathan

Here I am working with my axe to chop up some freshly cut alder trees harvested from one of our pastures.  These were from ~30 trees that were prepared for our pollard demonstration. A coppice is when trees re-grow quickly … Continue reading →

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Ruth’s day with Maureen the cow

Posted on July 17, 2012 by Nathan

At dinner, Ruth Helen told us her story of the day.  She started by telling Abigail and me and covered everything again in greater detail when Kathy and Samuel came in for dinner, and when we called grandparents so they … Continue reading →

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Intro to Sustainable Family Farming

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Nathan

Intro to Sustainable Family Farming   Is it possible for a family to produce nutrient dense eggs, milk and meat without being full time farmers?  If you are interested in growing more than a garden on your property, or are … Continue reading →

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Spring 2012 Gypsum Application

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Nathan

I’m getting good at getting this stuff spread. On Sunday, June 3rd, I applied 13 bags/520 lbs in less than an hour using my “flower pot” technique.  I fill 2 plastic flower pots with gypsum, hold one in each hand … Continue reading →

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Fall Lime Application

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Nathan

October 22nd, 2011. We had friends over and spent a little more than 2 hours spreading lime.  There were six of us filling and shaking plastic flower pots over about 3 acres.  It was a wet day, and everyone was … Continue reading →

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Improvements noticed after lime, gypsum & boron applications

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Nathan

Last December I applied 500 lbs/acre of agricultural lime to our place. In March, we put down about 300 lbs/acre of gypsum, and about 0.5 lb/acre of boron.  Gypsum has sulphur which is needed in protein, and boron enables the … Continue reading →

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Keeping the grass fresh in the goose pen

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Nathan

I love grass. It feeds the animals and keeps things nice & clean. The geese love it too, and will eat it down to the roots if they are on it long enough. The challenge is: How do you keep … Continue reading →

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Eagles love to eat ducks

Posted on April 14, 2011 by Nathan

It’s not uncommon for us to have eagles come by, but we got to know one up close & personal last week. Most of our ducks are penned up in 5′ x 10′ open bottomed pens.  They get moved to … Continue reading →

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Selling blown duck eggs

Posted on March 25, 2011 by Nathan

The value of my eggs tripled this week.  I just sold a dozen duck eggs on ebay this morning for $16.50, shipping not included.  The best part is that I got to eat them before they sold! I’m moving into … Continue reading →

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Goose Laying an Egg

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Nathan

Here is a sequence of photo’s I never expected to get.  I was building nests for my geese (hole+sand+straw+shelter) and I happened to have my camera along.  Good ol’ Splotchy was having contractions, so I snapped these as the egg … Continue reading →

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