Farm update from Dana - March 17th, 2025

Our lovely river-bottom alfalfa field has finally come to the end of its life. It’s time to spread manure, plow it up, and plant another crop for a bit of a rotation.

Fortunately, it is spring break for the local high school in Johnstown, so we are lucky to have Jax. We will post official introductions to Jax soon on the website, but for starters, Jax is amazingly good with farm equipment for someone his age. We attribute this to Jax growing up on a farm and learning from his father, Tyler who is himself a great farmer and machinist.

Most local farms spray poisonous chemicals from airplanes and helicopters, and spread fertilizers made through synthetic processes and sometimes imported from overseas. On our farm we get cow manure from the local dairy, compost it and treat it with biodynamic preparations (that are somewhat magical), then spread it on the fields. This process helps to build soil heath and soil structure. It minimizes toxic runoff, atmospheric air and water pollution including in the manufacturing and transportation process. It also increases the quality and nutritional value of our food and forage products that also transfers to the meat that we raise.

This week Jax and his little brother loaded and spread our special manure, and also plowed the field to prepare for a new crop.

Photos: “It is quite fun to watch Jax as he strategizes the best pattern to efficiently plow the field“.