This week we saw the return of some wild turkeys to our field. Four adults and about a dozen younglings have been spotted bobbing and pecking their way up and down the field along the treeline. It's tough to get a good picture due to how cautious they are but we hope to have one for you soon.
Pumpkins In Progress
Field & Soil Restoration
One of the projects we took on this year was to begin a program to restore and improve the soil in our fields.
For the last several decades our family has rented a few of our workable fields to local area farmers. The fields have been used in a typical corn, soy, hay style rotation. This extract-only style of soil management is not sustainable and so we're making investments to chart a new course.
Sorghum Sudangrass Crop
This spring we seeded an 11 acre field with Sorghum Sudangrass. It's typically used as feed for livestock but we selected it for it's vigorous growth and exceptional drought tolerance. Sorghum should produce more organic matter per acre than any other crop in our area, supporting the first step in our soil plan: increasing organic matter. The crop is already around 6 feet tall and has roots that burrow deep, loosening the soil and providing a subterranean stage upon which the soil biology can perform. Like any good cover crop it also reduces erosion, helps retain moisture, and mediates surface temperature.
Next season we'll seed the field with a different crop with different though complimentary objectives. In the coming years we'll continue to work and invest in meaningfully improving the soil so that once we're ready to add edible crops to the rotation, we're in a strong position in terms of quality and fertility.
This Week's Share
Head Lettuce
Salad Mix
Zucchini
Swiss Chard
Carrots
Bunching Onions
Cherry Tomatoes
Garlic
Food Bank Support
This season we've donated over 1,700 pounds of fresh produce to our local food banks through the Kawartha Lakes Food Source. Our donations are made possible by the support of our CSA members. Thanks so much!