100 Mile Locavore Challange on TV

There is a new show on Discovery Channels Planet Green called "100 Mile Challange". This show is about local eating. The participants can only eat food grown within 100 miles of their home. Here is a link to the show. It is on on Monday nights. This is reality "Animal, Vegetable Miracle."- Kingsolvers book and memoir of being a "locavore" for one full year. Link:

planetgreen.discovery.com/tv/100-mile-challenge

October Update

October is going well, after a week of cold/ flu sickness everyone is up and back to normal. We have been cutting and splitting more firewood, we are actively using the wood stove nearly 24/7. Below is a view of cows in pasture during fall color.
The hogs are doing very well, growing well. Below is a photo me building their new hog house which is on skids so it can be pulled by a tractor to rotation graze.

Here is a photo of the new house in the pig pen (1/2 of our garden) where the pigs are harvesting the garden leftovers. And turning the soil. Below Jay watching his pigs (they're names are "Bacon"- that what he calls them).

Here is one of the calves which are being weaned in the barn and is currently for sale.

Congrats!!! 60TH Anniversary in Family

This past week we travelled to S.C. to watch my grandparents renew thier 60th Wedding vows. What a great time had by all. Here are some photos. Congrats Grandma and Grandpa on 60 years of marriage!!

2010 Homesteading Today Calender!!!

We entered a few pictures for review and voting by members of the Homesteading Today Online community. This is a "Forum" or group of folks with similar ideals, a common place to congregate online and ask questions and get answers and advice. There are according to the site 21,000 Members; only 3,500 active Members. Link: http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/

Of the pictures that we entered, 2 were chosen for next years (2010) Calender. There was approx 90 pictures to vote from. Below the chosen pictures. Info will be updated as to what month these will be, and where they maybe for sale.

Slate Run Historical Farm Visit

On Sunday we visited Slate Run Historical Farm- run by Metro Parks. It is a fully functioning 1880's farm in Canal Winchester, OH. The farm is very activity filled with much to see. Please check out this link: http://friendsofslaterunfarm.org/home . What an outlook of the primitive ways of farming a century ago. As you can see Jay loved every minute!

Wedding in the Family

Congrats to George and Natalie! They were wed this past Saturday. What a great time had by all. Best wishes to them.

Farm Goals 2009 Update

This is a 2009 Farm Goals Update. In January we made a farm goals list, link is at bottom of page for review purposes, if needed. Below is the list with marks beside.
KEY:
U- Undone- May no get done...
I-In Progress
X- Done

I 1. Have fun, enjoy family and seasons more- In progress, we have had quality family time. We purchased a pop-up camper, and hope to spend more time together and enjoy this fall season!

I 2. Firewood Shed & Firewood & Firewood Wagon- Shed done, Roughly 1/2 winters firewood in, Wagon in progress but delayed.

I 3. Cow Shed on Barn- New roof for old section first, then maybe new cow shed?

U 4. Expand Cow Herd- Maybe not this year. We had 2 heifer calves born and hope to buy a couple of beef steers to raise and sell.

X 5. Fence- Mostly complete. See past posts.

I 6. Pig House & Pens- Pen done- though will be expanding very soon. Pig house in progress. Pig herd= 10 to feed out this fall. That's a lot of mouths to feed.

U 7. Chickens- Completed, then dissolved. Due to Raccoons and other farm projects chickens are on hold.

X 8. Flooring for sun room- Hardwood complete.

U 9. Garage Door- Probably not getting done, unless I find a good deal on a door.

X 10. Garden & Canning- Complete, I think. Garden fared well. Lots of canned goods: green beans, tomato juice and beets. Frozen corn, tomato juice, bell peppers. Potatoes in storage.

X 11. Water lines- waterer- Complete. Water line in. Frost-Free Spigot-- works great.

I 12. 220 electric to garage- Electric line in, not connected on either end yet.

Unlisted are the daily chores that go along with raising a family and expanding a farm. Two big events not planned on were the purchase of a Haybine and Tractor. There will be a year end review in a few more months. For now that hay season is mostly over- Firewood is the name of my game!

http://concordmeadowsfarm.blogspot.com/2009/01/goals-for-2009.html