Although 4 miles is very close i have to admit, with a trailer, with a cooler, across the interstate bridge on Highway 1, it was tough. But once i reached Rapid Creek Road everything was cool. It is amazing how quiet smooth blacktop makes a world of difference in your ride.
iowa coutryside is beautiful
When i saw the signs that said "No Spraying" i knew i was there. And Janette said she heard me coming and was ready for my visit. But, first we went into to her temperary abode (they are having a house constructed currently) while she had some coffee and i asked some questions.
locally roasted coffee an addiction we share
First, thing that she noted was that she had a symbiotic relationships all over the place to her farm. Everything was indeed connected quite tightly. The fact that she had livestock played an important role. Most people, including Janatte, know that i am vegan, my family is vegetarian, but i understand the importance of manure. And animals make great manure.
COME FOR FREE MANURE
Janette is serious she hopes all you organic garderners will come for free manure, shovel it, take it home no charge. While you are there maybe buy some other stuff 11-5 every saturday or by appointment 643-5873.
animals help in many other ways
There were many animals on Fae Ridge Farm and they all were quite sociable and had specific purposes. The dogs, besides eating left overs, actually help keep the coyotes in check. Even though they seemed less than vicious. The cats chase mice i assume, and are cute, they help with scraps too. It was the chickens that really got alot of attention. They not only ate bugs, pecked spilled grains, ate scraps, but also ate weeds! Honestly...
chickens help weed her gardens
i would also learned later that Janette spins wool to make wonderful blankets and things. Using wool from her goats, sheep, and llama. The llama also plays a part in putting off coyotes. Coyotes think they are weird.
llamas hate coyotes
But, Janette does not. she explained that hunting coyotes is the best way to invite livestock eating coyotes. If i understood correctly, as long as the coyotes leave your livestock alone and there is plenty of rabbits, etc. to eat, it is totally best to leave them be. Because when you kill the alpha male or female a new pack takes over and who knows the new pack may be more interested in say... i dunno... sheep?
sweet white queen potatoes
will not be available until post serious frost. Darn i love sweet potatoes. This type she has been harvesting for 20 years, they are not available elsewhere and look to be quite plentiful. i did get squash, big yellow squash and peppers and basil of course. But, also eggs, crazy multi-sized, multi-colored eggs from multi-types of hens right? for my family.
tomato blight might prove bad
One terrible agri-result of this wet wet spring and summer is the high possibility of no outside grown tomatoes. only green house tomatoes may prove to be saved. i tasted one sun sugar cherry tomato and one large tomato the chickens had gotten to, they both were delicious. But unfortunately, the forecast for tomatoes this season is bleak. Janette told me a very scary story about how Monsanto bought the "patent" on sungold tomatoes and now anytime you purhase one they get a cut of the cash... yikes. Copyrighting food is Copywrong!
into the storefront
Here is where i learned about the wool: each piece of work she had looked and felt excellent. She explained about some of the specialty yarns from Peace Fleece and Mango Moon who i am sure have web-sites i'll add later. But this point leads up to what is going on here. We have wools from right there and silk from elsewhere, both could be good for different reasons. PC coffees and yarns are now commoningly found, but will they be upstaged to some extent by local? because of what? Oil? it needs to be more than that.
But what does it mean? What is the deal? i asked Janette to clue me in. she said she wants us to...
EXAMINE EVERY FOOD YOU PURCHASE CAREFULLY
reflect upon it
What went into bringing that item to you? How much unnaturalness was spread, how many miles was it transported and in what? Grains, she claims, are a little different, they travel well without refrigeration, so maybe eric can eat rice. But pineapples? maybe she is right that is a long way for something apples and pears might better serve as a sweet source of antioxidants of.
people will try to grow the foods they love
Her story was about how seeds of garlic and even tree sapplings were snuck into this country by immigrants almost always in the seams of coats. Plants have been transplanted all over the world, but Iowa will never be the leading producer of bananas anytime soon, so what should we do?
think very carefully keep the circles small
thanks a lot Janette i learned a lot. i will be more mindful.
Great patties were created
i simply combined squash and basil with bob's wheat and potatoes. seasoned them a little with salt and some dried hot peppers from my last years crop. and a perfect lunch for creach again.
