 Kelly loves the square foot garden concept and plants a wide variety of flora in a small space. |
Our 4 acre field where we pasture chicken and plant our perenniel and annual crops for sale. This picture shows soybeans at the bottom and a cover crop of switchgrass to ward away gophers. Every year we vary the cover crops to promote soil health. |
Our friendly tree swallow and family return every year. They'll sit on their house and watch us weed while only a few feet away. |
Mr. ridin' shotgun while Mrs. attends to the house. |
 There is a plethora of crops planted in the acre shown here. Perenniel raspberries on the right and strawberries on the top left. Potatoes are planted in between the raspberry rows; root crops, peas, beans, corn, cukes, melons, etc are rotated among the 48" wide rows every year. |
We've planted several varieties of trees as wind breaks and future lumber. Many produce berries and nuts for the wildlife which roam freely in the region. Some of the best pheasant and whitetail deer hunting in Minnesota right around our farm. Waterfowl take residence on ponds just north and south of our property. |
Two rows of black walnut in the foreground and three rows of hackberry, oak and black walnut in the background. Pastured chickens can be moved along between these rows of trees in their pasture pens (10' x 12'). They'll eat bugs and vegetation as the pens are moved daily to new ground. |
Looking east down a hill is the marshy lowland which contains a meandering trout stream. We hope to dig a small pond in the marsh area for irrigation water and waterfowl. Skating in the winter, of course... |
Francis guards a pasture pen of young chickens. She helps us catch any strays that get out when we move the pens by chasing them down and placing her paw on them until we can put them back in their pen. Collies make excellent pets AND working farm dogs. Their herding instinct can be harnessed and used as another hired hand. Her puppies will be available soon! |
Our 1883 vintage home is nestled in some old stands of lilacs. We wish they'd keep their flowers all summer. The seasons are very distinct in this part of the United States. When one farms, one really notices each week of the growing season as distinct. The first week of May is distinct from the second week of May, etc. |
We use our granary as a hen coop and collie kennel. It has a functional grain elevator as a centerpiece. In the future, we may convert this into a bed & breakfast (B&B), or a farm store, or a guest house/bunk house, or ...? |
Thanks for stopping by! |