12JUL02

Greetings from Baker Heritage Farms.

UPDATE: This is a late update. As we mentioned in April, Danielle preserved five quarts of dill pickles. We got to test the pickles several weeks ago and the "Pickle Adventure" was actually successful. The pickles definitely taste like dill pickles. Two problem areas that need to be rectified. First, they were very salty. Easily cured by adding less salt. Second, they were squishy rather than crisp. The thoughts are that the cucumbers that were used may not have been fresh. They have been refrigerated since they cured, so we will try them and see if they are more crispy. Great job for the first effort.

A family farm is not just about crop production. A family farm should involve everyone. Many farm women are excellent at crocheting, and Baker Heritage Farms is no different. Debbie does crocheting and loom knitting, as well as cooking and baking. Danielle also crochets and does loom knitting. Amazingly enough, even David loom knits and does some baking. Debbie has preserved jelly in the past and will be working on doing this in the future as well.

While many of the items have been for church functions and activities, eventually these will be added to the farm store to provide financial support for the farm. All of this is in keeping with our primary purpose, to prove that family farming is not dead and can provide a happy, healthy, and wholesome environment for families, communities, and the nation.

We would like to pass along kudus to Harps Food Stores. Harps (also known as Price Cutters) is an employee owned local grocery chain, where Danielle works in the produce department. Recently, the Harps store in Poteau began offering produce from a local farmer. We have known for some time that Harps is a supporter of local farmers and will sell their produce when available. Their support is a key to the success of our "all natural" produce marketing plan. But the local farmer whose produce they are providing is ... only 15 years old. He is growing produce on 5-acres of land with some help from family. Our thanks and appreciation go out to Harps for their continued, and gracious, support of local backyard and small acreage farmers. Retailers like Harps show that they are concerned for their community and deserve our thanks and appreciation for their efforts. See more on the Baker Heritage Farms Facebook page.

David and Donald got the balance of the test garden planted this past Saturday. David says 8 hills of Big Max pumpkin seeds were planted in Section 4. We also planted Kentucky Wonder (Pole) beans where the onions had been planted in Section 2, as well as in areas of Section 3 and 4. Another watermelon patch was tilled to the east of Sections 3 and 4 and 6 hills of Congo watermelon were planted.

While we will still be planting some remaining seed (just to see how long we can plant), the majority of the work in the test garden will now be maintenance.

Next Saturday we plan to complete clearing about 250 feet of the east fence line and begin laying out the main garden plots so we can start the soil testing process.

Mary, our church secretary, has also been a strong contributor to Baker Heritage Farms. She has been dropping off food scraps for our composting operations every week, for which we are thankful. Our composting efforts will also increase now that the garden is planted.

Until next week,

Blessings from all of us at Baker Heritage Farms