Well, for most people that would mean the end of the week. But there are always something going on around here. I need to take pictures of the extra cages added to Rabbit Alley. We are awaiting the go ahead on a bunny swap. We are trading our two Holland lops for a Californian Buck, named Surfer Dude and a beautiful Harlequin named Shelby. I know their current mommy very well. Dude has dated our Miss Alice before so we are hoping to hook them up again. We have decided that our Rex crew is still a bit on the immature side. I have also somehow managed to get involved with a group of meat rabbit producers who want to actually promote the industry. I know I need another project like I need another hole in my head. But I can justify the time, it will help with selling fresh fryers. J Once our production is up we will be visiting the local processing center (USDA inspected) having our fryers butchered, packaged and frozen. They will include the farm logo (when I get around to designing one),name and contact info on the packaging…we can store them in the freezer we are planning on getting.

We are also seeing a small increase in our CSA share purchase and that is probably due to the new pricing structure. I decided not to do the local farmer’s markets this year. I am however, adding a drop point in Winston Salem it looks like. Actually most of my customers are coming out of that area. Mt. Airy still has quite a few backyard gardeners though that is slowly changing as a new wave of transplants comes in. Many are from regional and northern metro areas. There is also an increase in the Hispanic population who enjoys and is used to buying their produce in open markets. It’s sad but many of the sellers at the local farmer’s market do not enjoy mixing with other cultures, not an atmosphere I want to be a part of. So other than a drop once a week in Winston I will be selling out of the front yard.

This brings me to the fairly finalized plan for what produce we will be offering. I am not done with the herb list yet but this is what I know we can get out this year for sure. J

·        Beans (several varieties)

·        Tomatoes

·        Cucumbers

·        Squash (including pumpkins)

·        Gourds

·        Greens (Spinach, Kale, Collards, etc)

·        Cabbage

·        Broccoli

·        Cauliflower

·        Peppers (hot and sweet)

·        Onions

·        Leeks

·        Potatoes (white and sweet)

·        Brussels Sprouts

·        Radishes

·        Carrots

·        Beets

·        Swiss Chard

·        Oriental Vegetables

·        Mushrooms

·        Peas (several varieties)

·        Salad Greens

·        Strawberries

·        Mulberries

·        Black Raspberries

·        Oregano

·        Thyme

·        Marjoram

·        Basil

·        Chamomile

·        Feverfew

·        Horehound

·        Savory

·        Garlic

·        Shallots

·        Mints

·        Catnip

·        Coriander/Cilantro

·        Chives

·        Dill

·        Borage

·        Parsley

·        Rosemary

·        Lavender

·        Anise

·        Sage

·        Watercress

·        Chervil

·        Lemon Balm

This weekend’s plans include cleaning the basement and getting it ready for finishing, marking out the spots for the raised beds, for terracing in the back, finalizing plans for the greenhouse, hoop greenhouses, and figuring out what to do with that back ¼ acre once we clear it. I have gathered all info and will be purchasing beneficial nematodes for pest control, ducks to help with weeding and for eggs, chickens for eggs, guineas for larger bug control (I also just happen to be weird enough to enjoy the boogers) and while we happen to have a fairly good population of red wrigglers (earthworms) I am going to purchase some anyway so that we have a decent population of them for sale for bait and to keep our compost piles in good working order.

Well, it’s time to get dinner on, still not sure what I am having, I am so lost without having planned a menu, I really need to re-do my control journal, I am going crazy without it!!!

This is one race of people for whom psychoanalysis is of no use whatsoever. Sigmund Freud (about the Irish)

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