From the Farm

I hope every one had a great Christmas and New Year.

On the farm it has been pretty much business as usual. We did have family down from the city after Christmas day and have had old friends calling in.

The Boxing Day market was very slow and we had eggs left so Ila pickled heaps for us to use while the chooks moult (not too far away - remember other years).

After that we had THAT storm from dry streams to flood over night some chickens got flooded and we lost chicks. The ground has been covered with wind blown plums and other fruit. We have been collecting them for the pigs. No need to cut fodder trees as lots just got blown into the paddocks. The sun came out and all is forgotten.

New Years Day brought us some Dorset horn lambs and a litter of Wessex pigs and lots of silky chickens so that's the start again for 2011.

Ila has been setting up a bigger herb garden (mine is not good enough Ha) but i have to say it looks good.

Samuel has been away crutching sheep for more finance.

Ruth is forever working - feeding this, planting that, cutting thistles, etc. We are both doing long hours. We have decided what we need is a wife (No No just to do the house work and cooking :)

The main spuds are starting to flower but we are now eating the self sown ones that pop up all over the place.

Yesterday we were in New Plymouth and called in to Patricia and Richard to look at their certified organic farm. I have to say the animals and gardens are a credit to them. Its really good for us to visit other certified organic properties because when we are out here surrounded by non-organic farms you wonder if all the costs, audits, soil tests and extra paper work is all worth it. The things that make it worth it are when you see others doing it too. Its plain to see its the only way to grow food sustainably and healthy.

HELP HELP
As you know we are breeding Egyptian Sheep (Damaras) and along with 2 other breeders in the south island we have registered our flocks with the NZ sheep breeders.
We are looking for Egyptian names to name our stud blood lines ...we need lots. So if you have any please put them on paper as I'm a hopless speller and want it right.

THANKS See ya at the TWO farmers markets this weekend Saturday at Tupare Gardens and Sunday Currie Street 9 to 12