National Day Of Service 2014

Our MLK National Day Of Service was a great day for our Farm. Over 100 adults and kids showed up to lend a hand and accomplish a ton of work. Our community is amazing, strong and hard workers. Thanks to all who came out to support our farming efforts. It was a great day!

Our farm is a better place because of the community we build!

Winter Work On The Farm

We are making plans for our Spring crops, so the farmers are busy getting ready to plant!

 

With all the prep that needs to be done, Beta Club hours are easy to get on the Farm. Thanks for picking up trash boys!

Mr. A brought out the worms from their science unit and these girlies were happy to hold them and serve them up to the chicks.

 We planted 2 fruit trees this week. One is a 5:1 apple and the other is a 3:1 pear. Both trees will have several varieties of fruit on them.

With hole digging, we find grubs and our chickens love them!

These boys planted our tomato seeds. They will be ready to go in the dirt in about 8 weeks, after the last frost date.

To make way for our trees, we had to move some planters and these farmers did a great job on their own.

Since our Fall and Winter collided, we are still managing leaves. We rake. We dump. We crunch, and of course we play!

January is the start of our busy time. Check back next week to see all the progress that we keep making. You'll be glad that you did!

Remember The Birds!

Winter takes a toll on our feathered friends. They have to constantly scrounge for food and water. You can help them make it through the cold Winter season. 

Birds need water, so make sure they have access to a bird bath. One can easily be made from clay pots and a saucer. If it freezes, just pour hot water over it to make sure it returns to a liquid. Remember to check it at morning and the end of the day.

Keep a bird feeder filled during the barren Winter months for the hungry birds. Make sure that it is high enough and not too close to the tree trunk to discourage pesky rodents and squirrels. 

If you don't have a bird feeder, you can make a flock block.
Flock Block Recipe It can be a cute shape like the one above or you can pour into a mold. You can also purchase one at a garden center. 

 Backyard birds are part of our local ecosystem and they are here for a reason. They are great for pest control. Many birds eat insect pests like, aphids, mosquitoes and spiders. Birds are pollinators. They bounce from flower to flower to add boost for extra blooms on your plants. Some birds help with weed control. They love to eat weed seeds, which will cut down on the ones growing in your yard. So, take good care of them while they are in your backyard. 

By observing birds you can learn many things about them. You can see migrations, courtship, seasonal plumage changes and nesting behaviors just by looking out your window.  

If you want to learn more about attracting and caring for backyard birds you can find it here:
Benefits of Attracting Birds
Helping Birds

How To Attract Birds To Your Garden

Fitness and Healthy Living for the New Year

January is a month of renewal. With New Year's resolution goals in hand, chances are that health or wellness are one of those goals that you have planned for.

Did you know that kids should have at least 60 minutes of play/exercise each day? It also wouldn't hurt adults to make that number a goal as well. It is simple to add more exercise in your day. You can park in a far off spot in the lot or take the stairs instead of an elevator. You could walk or bike to work or school, if you live close enough. You could also get more active at the gym, active play with the family, walks around the block or power walking at the mall. It doesn't have to cost money and if you do it with a partner or your family, it will be a lot of fun!

Eating better is a simple goal to attain. Start by drinking more water. Water is the key to beautiful skin and healthy organ function. If you drink a glass before each meal, you won't be as  hungry and will tend to eat less. Another thing to consider is trying to eat whole, fresh foods. The fresher the food, the less preservatives and unhealthy ingredients are put into your body. You can start by using the "My Plate" model. This is a great graphic to remember when loading up your plate for a meal. 

If you want more information about health and wellness you can check it out at:

choosemyplate.gov or dairymax.org   

Health and wellness are the best gifts that we can give to ourselves and our families. Start small and set some goals with a friend. You will be glad that you did.