Filed under: September 2019 | Tags: beautiful place, downtime, First New York Dragoons, Gennesee river, Grand Canyon of the east, Letchworth State Park, New York
September 26, 2019
This week, my wife and I traveled to nearby New York state. We met some friends there and had a great visit. They took us to Letchworth State Park. We had a picnic, walked some trails and visited the nature center. The park is a beautiful, clean place. It was recently voted the “Top State Park” in the nation.
The views are stunning. I can only imagine what it will look like in a few weeks, draped in its autumn splendor. There are three waterfalls in the park, ample parking and quaint picnic spots throughout the park. We went to a museum that explained the life of Mr Letchworth, who donated his property to create the almost 14,500 acre haven.
So, Connie and I, spent a little downtime enjoying nature, history and each other, along with friends, Paul and Margie. We had been going non-stop for the last few weeks due to garden and farm chores and jobs. It felt good to decompress and just relax. The fact that we got to do it in such a beautiful place was wonderful.
The park is rich with history. The First New York Dragoons regiment, assembled and trained here during the civil war era. Their service was well documented, over 400 men were killed in action in battles during that war. A monument stands in remembrance of those men. Detailed diary entries are kept on display in the park’s museum, a touching tribute to the men who lived and died.
I paused at the overlook pictured above, to give thanks for the gifts that we have been given and to say thank you to a man I had never met, Mr. Letchworth, who thought this place was special enough to preserve and protect it for generations…and to share it with everyone.
Filed under: September 2019 | Tags: seedbed preparation, Spelt, speltz, Sunday, Tractor-vs-draft horses
September 23, 2019
Whew, what a week last week was! Tuesday, I helped a friend on a logging job. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, I worked from early until after dark, getting the speltz planted. The fields had to be plowed, then a seedbed prepared. I used the tractor, due to the tight timeline. The celebration came at 10 pm on Friday night, at the completion of this job.
The field in the photo above is one of three small fields that I planted. I want to ensure that I have horse feed and bedding for next year. This crop is very important for us. Using mixed power, sometimes makes sense. The tractor allows me to “catch up”. I prefer to work horses, but I don’t shun modern technology.
My lack of planning and letting myself get too busy, crowded my speltz planting window into just three days. This forced me to push hard without rest. The tractor can stand being pushed that hard. I wanted to beat the rain. Thankfully, I did just that. The rain came on Saturday, just after lunch. I had just finished cleaning the grain drill and putting all the equipment away. The rain came quick. It dropped about a quarter of an inch in just minutes. I smiled and thanked God.
I rested Sunday. The tractor can take the abuse of many hours of hard work without rest…the horses and I cannot. I did chores and not much else. The rains came again last night and continues into today. The life giving water will sprout the seeds waiting in the warm ground. Our crop should be off and growing in no time.
My mother always followed the progress of my speltz crop. I’m sure she would be pleased by my efforts. Autumn is a busy time on the farm, as we wrap things up and make ready for winter, The speltz being planted, takes a huge burden off the list. The corn harvest will begin very soon. Right now our cows are calving making it a wonderful time of year to watch, wait and work.
Filed under: September 2019 | Tags: autumn, Autumn on the farm, calving, speltz
September 19, 2019
September is flying by. It is a busy time, as I rush and work to get our speltz crop planted. I did manage to get the hay equipment all cleaned and put away. I helped a friend on a logging job for a day too. Now I must focus on getting the crop planted, before the wet days of fall make field work impossible.
The cows are starting to have their calves. This is always a fun time…watching the babies that is. The moms take it all in stride. I try to stay pretty much hands off, mostly checking on everyone from the fence line. I get involved when necessary, but usually just watch to ensure that all is well.
The corn crop is ripening fast. The trees are starting to show color and signs of dropping their leaves. I want to stay “on track” so as not to get caught by the changing weather. Last year, our autumn was very wet. I didn’t get any speltz planted, nor any fall plowing done. My hope, for this year, is to continue to keep up.
The compost has all been spread. The manure storage area is empty and ready for winter. The manure spreader has been power washed, lubed and stored away. The corn harvest is our next big job, but so far so good. The autumn rush is on, but we are keeping up…so far.
Filed under: September 2019 | Tags: compost application, draft horses, haying with horses, horse training, Small Farming
September 9, 2019
The heavy dew stays on the grass and hay until very late morning, almost lunchtime. The horses and I are filling that wet time in with compost spreading. Abby got her first voyage with the power cart a couple days ago. She couldn’t have cared less. The running engine and flinging poop didn’t bother her in the least.
We could finally rake the second cutting hay for the first time. It is thin, but will make some very good feed. The cows and sheep will really enjoy the sweet, high protein hay during the cold, windy days of late winter. Sam, the dog, goes with me everywhere. He thinks that he is the inspector of all that I do.
Knight poses for a photo. He was working with Abby on the hay rake. He keeps her in line. He teaches her much by just being himself, the steady worker. He is my main man. I think I can do almost anything as long as he is there with me.
So, we continue to work on the hay. I believe we will be able to bale it up later this afternoon. The compost pile is getting smaller and a few other things are getting done, as I spend the mornings, working around the dew.
Filed under: September 2019 | Tags: draft horses, Mowing hay, Small Farming, speltz
September 6, 2019
The weatherman says a stretch of good weather, without rain is upon us. I cut the last field of second cutting hay. The boys did a great job. They settled into a nice walking pace and pulled the mower effortlessly. The grass and clovers were just right for clipping. I think this will make some real nice hay.
The dew stays on the grass a bit longer on September mornings than in the heat of summer. The sun doesn’t get quite as hot, but I think the hay will cure and dry nicely in spite of this early fall weather. We will be diligent in fluffing and turning it, to aid in the drying process.
This hay will make a yummy treat in the cold, dark days of winter. The sweet, soft grass will provide added protein needs for the livestock. They like the sweet hay and will lick up every morsel. I give it sparingly to all but the horses. It is simply too rich for the draft horses. They will be content and stay in good condition on our first cut timothy hay…and oats of course.
We have a few busy days in front of us, but once its done, we are done with haying for the year. We can clean and lubricate the machinery for winter storage. Its looking like we will be working on hay and plowing for speltz at the same time. I hope that the fall planted speltz, are in the ground and growing by the end of the month. That will just leave the corn harvest to complete before the snow flies….funny to be talking about making hay and snow in the same post, but then again, this is northeast Ohio!
Filed under: September 2019 | Tags: Fall color, forge projects, inspiration
September 3, 2019
Wow, just like that August is gone! We just celebrated Labor Day, pretty much the end of summer, even though the calendar says we have three more weeks! As I looked around the farm this morning, through the heavy dew, I saw the leaves are starting to change color. The tips of some are turning yellow and even a few reds are starting to show. Soon the landscape will be awash with color. I better get moving and complete a few items on my never-ending list.
I spent the first part of Labor Day in the forge shop. Among other things, I made these corbels. A fancy set of shelf brackets to accent a stove hood. It was a fun project that teased my brain as I free handed them start to finish. The rain fell outside, as I hammered away in the shop. The peace I feel as I make stuff, is a feeling like no other.
I will continue to improve my craft and hone my skills. The cool season of autumn will soon be upon us. The cool makes it a good time to be next to the forge and red hot steel. My leaf making ability is getting better, but Mother Nature still gets the top prize!
RicelandMeadows 