Nature's Way

Now you see her......

Now you don't!!

Nature is so amazing - how it accommodates and provides for us.  Sometimes it is harsh and sometimes giving - it runneth over...
I ask everyone to think daily about how we can be more gentle with our Earth.  As Earth Day approaches, how can we make our footprint less damaging and more loving.  Ecosystems are fragile and population continues to stress resources.  So be good to the Earth.  And be well.

EARTH PRAYER

from the book of same title:

EARTH PRAYER

"And God saw everything he had made, and found it very good.
And He said: This is a beautiful world that I have given you.
Take good care of it, do not ruin it.
It is said: Before the world was created, the Holy One kept creating worlds and destroying them.  Finally he created this one,
and was satisfied.  He said to Adam: This is the last world I shall make.  I place it in your hands: hold it in trust."

Biodynamic Farming

...this method of farming maintains ecosystems, plant and animal diversity, as true to the original nature of the place as possible.

We've maintained the original lands that were carved out for growing as well as  allowed portions to return to fallow and hence wild nature.

Our growing medium is enhanced by our horses and goat manure as well as other natural inputs or rock dust and minerals.

Many parts of this land is untouched by human manipulation and left to native plants and animals.

The View From Our farm

The River and Swimming

the dogs like to cool off in the River on our runs - they drink from it too...Ugh, but dogs have a greater capacity to tolerate unsure water.  I still wish they would not drink it due to run off from farms and all the other pollutants thrown into it.  You would think from this photo it is pristine water - but very few, if any, waterways, lakes, oceans are unpolluted in our era.   Maybe future generations will place a higher level of importance on Mother Earth.  Happy Earth Day!

NYS Bans Fracking

I live in a region at risk for shale exploitation. While I may have benefited financially - LOST would be the serene peace, beauty, and quiet that comes without all the noise and destruction of fracking. The tradeoff of being in a rural environment, is natural beauty we want to preserve and be a custodian for the future.  The benefits are esoteric! 

New York can establish more natural food production by young farmers as parts of California are in real trouble with water. There are already plenty of areas being allocated to energy production.

Destruction is continuing as people use more natural resources and forgo preservation. Trees logged on land that was conserved for 20 years. Loss of habitat affecting wildlife, insects of bees and butterflies.

In my opinion, there are never enough acres dedicated to natural habitat and national parks!

Pure Whiteness...

Ambrosia Farms: Nature Preserve

It has been awhile since I discovered all the secret treasures of Ambrosia Farms - a grove of Norway Spruce trees between the stream - running water cascading on either side - wildlife hidden in this trove of nature.

Here are a few photos of late:

I feel so fortunate to have stumbled upon this piece of Earth and preserve all that existed.

Today we went on a walk - the beauty of the Catskill Mountains was a backdrop to the Ashokan Reservoir.  A really nice walk - but no dogs allowed, in case you are wondering - on the bridge walk!

we saw and met some birdwatchers, and walkers, that were great to talk to and learn from on our walk today.  

http://bobbyf-filver.blogspot.com/

it's nice to know that other people have the same reverence for nature as we do...

"the reservoir is approximately 9,000 acres and is part of the New York City water supply system, owned by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Surrounding lands are generally undisturbed beech/oak/maple and mixed pine/hemlock forest, much of which is protected as a buffer zone for the reservoir. According to the NY GAP land cover data, approximately 85% of the site is forested, and includes Appalachian oak-pine, deciduous wetland, evergreen northern hardwood, evergreen plantation, oak, and sugar maple mesic forests. The area has been largely undisturbed since 1915. This site has supported a nesting pair of Bald Eagles for the past ten years and hosts up to six Bald Eagles during the winter. The reservoir also serves as a stopover site for waterfowl, including an estimated 325 American Black Ducks and 50 or more Common Loons. Surrounding woodlands support an estimated 20 pairs of breeding Red-shouldered Hawks, as well as other breeding at-risk birds, including American Black Ducks, American Woodcocks, Whip-poor-wills, Red-headed Woodpeckers, Willow Flycatchers, Wood Thrushes, Blue-winged Warblers, Prairie Warblers, and Worm-eating Warblers. Migrating at-risk species include Pied-billed Grebes (potential breeder), Ospreys, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper?s Hawks, and Peregrine Falcons. In the fall, when the reservoir is low, the site also supports shorebirds, including American Golden-Plovers, Pectoral Sandpipers, Whiterumped Sandpipers, and Baird?s Sandpipers. Flocks of Snow Buntings and Lapland Longspurs also use the site during the fall." http://netapp.audubon.org/iba/Reports/816

Another Rain Soaked Summer

We have been riddled with increasing rainfall here near Cooperstown, NY.  The tomatoes are green and ready to ripen.  Now is the time they need summer sun to become sweet and juicy - like any fruit.

Signs of early and late blight continue to sneak up on the plants each year - without sun - the disease progresses and kills the plant.

We plant lots of tomato plants but Mother nature is not cooperating!  Next year we'll just grow crops that do well in wet conditions - the kale and swiss chard looks great...

THE SWEET SMELL OF SPRING!!!!!

Finally  - blue skies and warmth...  It is May 10th and the night temps just rose above 30 degrees.  The day temps appear to be 70 degrees going forward.  Yea!!!
Such a long cold spell.

Here is Bucky and Buckeye ("DJ") sniffing out the Spring.  While others are enjoying tulips, cherry blossoms, and blueberries (in Florida) we are just now smelling hyacinths!  AAAH - THE SWEET SMELL OF SPRING!

First Day of Spring 2014

Such a cold hard winter - and now we are seeing some signs of Spring - like icy to melted snow - and partly muddy - which will go on for another month.

Here is the forecast on the last frost  - Yea!
and first frost - Ugh - who wants to think about that?

Climate Station	Last Spring Frost (50% Probability)	First Fall Frost (50% Probability)	Growing Season
ZONE 4 climate station	May 20	September 24	126

with only 126 days of a growing season - for sensitive plants - we need to be on top of planting as soon as it becomes safe.  I usually wait until May 31 to put in tomato plants outdoors - but I may try a week early this year.   I'll check in with my greenhouse guru and see what he says first!

The list of plants to be grown by the greenhouse and transplanted by me includes:

full moon

Full Moon Dates 2014

• January 15, 2014 at 10:52pm
• February 14, 2014 at 5:53pm
• March 16, 2014 at 11:09 am
• April 15, 2014 at 1:42 am, Total Eclipse
• May 14, 2014 at 1:16 pm
• June 12, 2014 at 10:11 pm
• July 12, 2014 at 5:25 am
• August 10, 2014 at 12:09 pm
• September 8, 2014 at 7:38 pm
• October 8, 2014 at 4:51 am, Total Eclipse
• November 6, 2014 at 4:23 pm
• December 6, 2014 at 6:27 am

California...

California is Fracking
...fracking is a process which injects water, sand and chemicals deep into shale rock to unlock the oil and gas underground...oil and gas companies are 'Fracking' in areas of California that grow almond trees and other vegetable commodities...  New York is one of the few States that have a moratorium on Fracking.  All around us - Penn, Ohio, ET AL - allow fracking.  

In California, just as in New Jersey, their Coastal region runs the length of the State.  Like NJ, the amount of fertile prime agricultural vegetable production is threatened by human developments and now FRACKING.  Most of our produce in the U. S. comes from California.  Does it matter that more and more farmland and waterways are being exposed to toxic chemicals?

When Flowers Bloom...

when flowers bloom - summer is here - we hardly get Spring lasts only a few weeks in Zone 4. Nothing makes me feel more alive than nature at it's peak. I'm moving the animals onto pasture, running the dogs, planting in the fields - my body responds with more energy and muscular toning. All the while I get to breathe in fresh scented blooms. The farm has mostly "wild" natural blooming flowers and trees...believe me - it is a feast for eyes! Over the 25 years I've only introduced more lilac trees in addition to the pre- existing ones. There were pre -existing cultivated antique apple trees still alive and pictured here. I have transplanted Maple and Norway Spruce trees and pre - existing cultivated flowers such as daylilies.




when the apple blossoms fall off the trees it is time to plant corn - they are pictured here in full bloom on May 7th this year





Aubrieta is in Bloom - a low, spreading plant, hardy, evergreen and perennial, with small violet, pink or white flowers, and inhabits rocks and banks.



borrowing a wisdom from my sister who told me long ago just after I purchased the farm - live with your surroundings without altering anything until you see what is there.

It is true - the gift of nature is a beautiful thing - it takes a while to absorb its extensive details - we can choose to protect the existing ecosystem - forgo any human intrusion and invasion - and coexist with these beautiful gifts from the Gods. Only than should we choose to put our own signature creations in its mist for some tweaking of our landscape in a few designated areas and to replant that which was lost from previous generations and carry on their legacy of preservation, if they were so inclined as we are!

Noise Pollution

I really value privacy, peace and calm.  The future of more noise pollution is not promising.

"Domestic drones currently cost anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 for a small system like the DraganflyerX6, which stays aloft only 15 minutes, to more than $1 million for sophisticated fixed-wing drones that can remain aloft for hours."  NYTimes article

The Man Who Planted Trees