Many of you have heard of the woes of the farm this summer, some of you have not. I kind of stopped blogging because everywhere I turned I was facing another devastation. It started with Cows who did not do well through the drought and miscarried to chickens who couldn't stand the intense heat of our 108 days all the way through a early freeze that wiped out the last of the summer veggies!
Well you can sit and look for the bad, or you can "Pick yourself up, Dust yourself off, and start all over again" (Got to love Sesame Street) So that is what the Cox Family Farm did!
We have re-breed half the cows and will be testing soon, to be sure that it took. We have 2 cows that were born on the farm that were breed for the first time! So if you are looking for some grass feed beef, get on the waiting list so that when they are born and ready you can put some in your freezer! I love having beef in the freezer, the hard part is deciding what is for dinner because there are so many choices! We are looking forward to having NEW BABIES on the ground and hopefully lots of rain SOON so we can have lots of grass for them!
The garden is on the next phase, winter veggies! So if you have been craving salads, turnips, greens, and more they are here, with Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, and others on the way! We are excited about the winter garden and getting ready for next year! We are adding more CSA shares so if you want a basket full of veggies each week for $12 a week, give me a call! We are hoping to add some of your favorites too! So if you have veggies that you look forward too, or just LOVE give me an jingle or shoot me an e-mail, you can even just post of FaceBook and we will get the seeds ordered and the planting schedule adjusted!
Planting is always a busy time of year and it takes everyone so if you feel like getting dirty or just hanging out with us and visiting while we work, give me a call and we can schedule sometime for everyone to be apart of the FARM! The greenhouse will be the hangout starting about the second week of January!
We are making improvements to the farm also, so if you want to come check them out, or swing a hammer for awhile, give me a shout and we can all pull things together!
I am excited about the growth on the farm this year and hoping to see wonderful thing popping up all over. Come and visit and enjoy some dehydrated squash chips while you are here! They are turning out to be a welcome addition out here! Healthier than potato chips, and tastier than you would think. My favorite feed back so far has been "I wouldn't mind eating squash like this, they are good!"Maddy "She likes them so I had to come try one, they're good!"Dad
Hope to see you all soon, and hope to update sooner so I can keep everyone informed of the going ons at COX FAMILY FARM!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Ramping up for a new School Year and Fall Garden!
We have got our supplies, books, and are ready for the best school year so far! We homeschool so that we can be the biggest influence on Alice, it is fun and we all learn! We are starting 3rd Grade this year and very excited. Trying to establish our Homeschool support group at the farm again, so we can practice public speaking like book reports and hold cool classes like worm composting or pottery! This year I also want to add science projects once a month! Big plans, so we will all try to work it out!
We create a grade book/journal each year and this year's book is done and being filled in! I created grade sheets with all the assignments so that it would be easier to track! Always putting pics of Alice from last year on the cover. This time I put a picture of Alice and her new brother, well brother-in-law, close as she will get to a brother! We are excited to have him in the family!
The fall garden is coming along, we have started seeds and are working on more. We have got lots coming up right now, watermelon personal size, squash (yellow, patty pan, butternut, zucchini) along with Purple Hull peas and Black eyed peas, but don't forget the Okra! Lots being harvested and lots of excitement!!
We are starting to get a steady supply of eggs for those interested call the farm! We are still waiting on the Baby Calf to be born, does anyone what to guess if it is a boy or girl? Maybe I will start a poll on Facebook where you can vote! Who ever gets it right can get a pound of flour (fresh ground)!
The hides are dried and the next step is to start the tanning process to make the leather soft! Will keep you informed and post pictures as soon as we start the next step!
DH is working on improving water lines and building chicken tractors and PLOWING gardens space for me! He stays pretty busy with Honey dos. Maybe this weekend I will grill him a rib eye from the new calf we butchered! Have a good week everyone!
We create a grade book/journal each year and this year's book is done and being filled in! I created grade sheets with all the assignments so that it would be easier to track! Always putting pics of Alice from last year on the cover. This time I put a picture of Alice and her new brother, well brother-in-law, close as she will get to a brother! We are excited to have him in the family!
The fall garden is coming along, we have started seeds and are working on more. We have got lots coming up right now, watermelon personal size, squash (yellow, patty pan, butternut, zucchini) along with Purple Hull peas and Black eyed peas, but don't forget the Okra! Lots being harvested and lots of excitement!!
We are starting to get a steady supply of eggs for those interested call the farm! We are still waiting on the Baby Calf to be born, does anyone what to guess if it is a boy or girl? Maybe I will start a poll on Facebook where you can vote! Who ever gets it right can get a pound of flour (fresh ground)!
The hides are dried and the next step is to start the tanning process to make the leather soft! Will keep you informed and post pictures as soon as we start the next step!
DH is working on improving water lines and building chicken tractors and PLOWING gardens space for me! He stays pretty busy with Honey dos. Maybe this weekend I will grill him a rib eye from the new calf we butchered! Have a good week everyone!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Salting of the Hides...
OK sometimes common sense just has to kick in! We salted the hides and my darling Husband says the articles I have read says to stack them on top of each other. I say if you stack them on top of each other they won't dry. He says Cathy that is what it says can we follow instructions? ....
So the next day we are placing them on a piece of fence and putting that on top of the clothes line with him saying that is what it said to do, but it is not drying. I say You can't stack a bunch of wet towles and expect them to dry! LOL So now that we have that figured out, they are on the clothes line (litteral on top) and they are almost completely dry! YEA! then on to the next step. I will keep you informed.
On to other news, we planted a LOT of tomatoes for the fall garden today. We also planted some Bell Peppers. The fall garden is shapping up and so is the existing garden. Purple Hull peas are rippining up and looking great! The Egg Plant decided it like the irrigation being fixed and it is doing awesome too! So lots of good things happening at the farm.
Eggs, Eggs, Eggs..... soon we will have tons of eggs approx. 3 dozen a day! So if you want to get on our waiting list of receiving eggs each week give us a call! We already have approx. 8 dozen a week spoken for so hurry up and get your orders in!
I guess that is all for today. Check back with us and I'll see ya on the farm! Remember all this good food is for your family from ours with love!
So the next day we are placing them on a piece of fence and putting that on top of the clothes line with him saying that is what it said to do, but it is not drying. I say You can't stack a bunch of wet towles and expect them to dry! LOL So now that we have that figured out, they are on the clothes line (litteral on top) and they are almost completely dry! YEA! then on to the next step. I will keep you informed.
On to other news, we planted a LOT of tomatoes for the fall garden today. We also planted some Bell Peppers. The fall garden is shapping up and so is the existing garden. Purple Hull peas are rippining up and looking great! The Egg Plant decided it like the irrigation being fixed and it is doing awesome too! So lots of good things happening at the farm.
Eggs, Eggs, Eggs..... soon we will have tons of eggs approx. 3 dozen a day! So if you want to get on our waiting list of receiving eggs each week give us a call! We already have approx. 8 dozen a week spoken for so hurry up and get your orders in!
I guess that is all for today. Check back with us and I'll see ya on the farm! Remember all this good food is for your family from ours with love!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Tanning Hides & Enjoying the fruits of our labors!
We raise grass feed beef on the farm and have had several steers processed. Although we have enjoyed the meat, we have also wanted to tan a hide from one of the cows. Not sure what we would get from this process. We are hoping that the process will be a fun learning experience. In the past we have had a lot of new things going on and one more thing just seemed too much, but we took the first step today!
When having the steers processed we requested the hides back and they said we would have to pick it up today before closing, so we did.
We have enjoyed raising the cows in a happy environment with their mothers milk and grass being the main diet. We did not have a problem with bring them to the processor and eating the beef. Everyone asks how can we pet and love an animal and then kill it for consumption and I give them the same answer that I give my (3 yo the first time we did this) 7 year old. If God wanted us to keep the animal he would have given us a girl so we could milk her and let her raise babies. God gave us a boy so that we could nurture our bodies. She is OK with this and understands the process, so it works well for us.
We have always been sad to seem them go, but understanding this is how a farm works. I did not expect to run through a sadden state when we started working with the hide. Seeing their colors and rubbing the salt on the hide was a little more difficult than I thought it would be. We started the process today and I decided that it should be a topic of the blog so that everyone can see the process and finished product! I don't know how much detail I will go into on the blog, but if you desire more detail please feel free to give us a call.
So how do you start? Well, my husband really wanted to do this project so he scan cyberspace until he found several articles about tanning. He compared them and studied the techniques and concepts. This is where we started, before we ever brought the cow in. Sometimes you try to be prepared, but sometimes things don't quite happen like you think they will. I will share the experiences and applications that we will use in this process with you as we go through it!
We are working on 2 at once, which maybe a good thing and may not we will see. The first step is to cure and dry the hide/skin. We had to find a location where the animals domestic (cats and dogs) as well as wild life would not get to the hides and tear them up. So we decided to use the old barn, that is basically storage for now. We cleared a spot and placed a sheet of plywood up off the ground on boxes. Then we laid the first hide flat on the plywood. After ensuring that the skin is flat and doesn't hang off anywhere or buckle around the corners, we placed salt all over the hide and rubbed it in. This will dry out the skin and create a firm/brittle skin with no moisture. We are unsure how long this will take, but the articles that we have read said anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks, one even said 2 months. So we will watch the progress and apply more salt where needed.
The excitement has begun and then the thoughts flood through your mind, and Alice's, what do you do with it when you are done? Alice figured out that Cow hide = leather and leather=BOOTS! Don't know if boots will be the end result, but we will see. Maybe just a very lovingly made pair of moccasins. I would like to make a wall hanging or rug out of one, so maybe the fact that it is two will be a good thing. Wish us luck and keep posted for progress!
When having the steers processed we requested the hides back and they said we would have to pick it up today before closing, so we did.
We have enjoyed raising the cows in a happy environment with their mothers milk and grass being the main diet. We did not have a problem with bring them to the processor and eating the beef. Everyone asks how can we pet and love an animal and then kill it for consumption and I give them the same answer that I give my (3 yo the first time we did this) 7 year old. If God wanted us to keep the animal he would have given us a girl so we could milk her and let her raise babies. God gave us a boy so that we could nurture our bodies. She is OK with this and understands the process, so it works well for us.
We have always been sad to seem them go, but understanding this is how a farm works. I did not expect to run through a sadden state when we started working with the hide. Seeing their colors and rubbing the salt on the hide was a little more difficult than I thought it would be. We started the process today and I decided that it should be a topic of the blog so that everyone can see the process and finished product! I don't know how much detail I will go into on the blog, but if you desire more detail please feel free to give us a call.
So how do you start? Well, my husband really wanted to do this project so he scan cyberspace until he found several articles about tanning. He compared them and studied the techniques and concepts. This is where we started, before we ever brought the cow in. Sometimes you try to be prepared, but sometimes things don't quite happen like you think they will. I will share the experiences and applications that we will use in this process with you as we go through it!
We are working on 2 at once, which maybe a good thing and may not we will see. The first step is to cure and dry the hide/skin. We had to find a location where the animals domestic (cats and dogs) as well as wild life would not get to the hides and tear them up. So we decided to use the old barn, that is basically storage for now. We cleared a spot and placed a sheet of plywood up off the ground on boxes. Then we laid the first hide flat on the plywood. After ensuring that the skin is flat and doesn't hang off anywhere or buckle around the corners, we placed salt all over the hide and rubbed it in. This will dry out the skin and create a firm/brittle skin with no moisture. We are unsure how long this will take, but the articles that we have read said anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks, one even said 2 months. So we will watch the progress and apply more salt where needed.
The excitement has begun and then the thoughts flood through your mind, and Alice's, what do you do with it when you are done? Alice figured out that Cow hide = leather and leather=BOOTS! Don't know if boots will be the end result, but we will see. Maybe just a very lovingly made pair of moccasins. I would like to make a wall hanging or rug out of one, so maybe the fact that it is two will be a good thing. Wish us luck and keep posted for progress!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Moving through the Hot Summer Months
July is starting with a BANG! In Brazos Valley we are in a burn ban so there were no fireworks, but Texas A & M and George Bush Library had a great Laser Show so that the celebration can go on! God Bless America.
Thank God for a wonderful country in which we can live the lives we are lead to live. We choose to live on the farm and produce good wholesome food! We are glad that our friends can be a part of the farm as well as enjoy the wonderful Nutritional food.
Well enough about my gratitude, now on to the information you have all been waiting for:
Garden:
The garden is growing and growing, we have black-eyed peas, purple hull peas, okra, and squash growing along with egg plant, tomatoes, and banana peppers that are producing. We have been offering baskets (1/2 bushel) for $10. Currently we are sold out for the baskets, but as new items are coming on-line we will add more shares to become available. All of our vegetables are $2.00 a pound, unless you belong to the CSA receiving a basket each week then it is $1.50 a pound. If you want to get on the waiting list to be the next to receive a basket give us a call or e-mail me!
Cows:
The cows are about to have calves! We have one due is July, this month, and another due in September. So if you want to come and see the new babies, keep posted for the birth announcements! Once born you can place a deposit for any bull calves that were born for future grass feed beef. The two steers that are currently spoken for are going to the butcher on July 19th.
We have a new cow that will be breed in August, so she can join the ranks of the other milkers. We are excited as this is the first cow that was actually born on the farm!
Chickens:
We have new laying hens that should start laying, YEA! This will allow us to keep up with the demand for eggs. We are excited about getting the new girls on-line.
We have also been raising chickens for our friends and ourselves. We are excited about how big the chickens are getting. The are looking so good. We are getting ramped up for processing day. We will have a day, September 17th, with all our friends to process our chickens that will allow everyone to have chickens in the freezer for the next 4 months. We will be looking at raising the next group starting in September, so if you would like farm fresh chickens please contact us by e-mail or phone.
WOW we have been busy and enjoying every minute. If you get an itch to stick your hands in dirt or plants some seeds, give us a call and we would be happy for you to come out and help on the farm! There is lots to do and it is always more fun with friends! We like to teach, guide, and work along side our friends. This is a community/family farm and we would like everyone to feel apart!
I am sorry it took me so long to update the blog, I will try to do better in the future, but as you can tell we stay pretty busy on the farm.
Thank God for a wonderful country in which we can live the lives we are lead to live. We choose to live on the farm and produce good wholesome food! We are glad that our friends can be a part of the farm as well as enjoy the wonderful Nutritional food.
Well enough about my gratitude, now on to the information you have all been waiting for:
Garden:
The garden is growing and growing, we have black-eyed peas, purple hull peas, okra, and squash growing along with egg plant, tomatoes, and banana peppers that are producing. We have been offering baskets (1/2 bushel) for $10. Currently we are sold out for the baskets, but as new items are coming on-line we will add more shares to become available. All of our vegetables are $2.00 a pound, unless you belong to the CSA receiving a basket each week then it is $1.50 a pound. If you want to get on the waiting list to be the next to receive a basket give us a call or e-mail me!
Cows:
The cows are about to have calves! We have one due is July, this month, and another due in September. So if you want to come and see the new babies, keep posted for the birth announcements! Once born you can place a deposit for any bull calves that were born for future grass feed beef. The two steers that are currently spoken for are going to the butcher on July 19th.
We have a new cow that will be breed in August, so she can join the ranks of the other milkers. We are excited as this is the first cow that was actually born on the farm!
Chickens:
We have new laying hens that should start laying, YEA! This will allow us to keep up with the demand for eggs. We are excited about getting the new girls on-line.
We have also been raising chickens for our friends and ourselves. We are excited about how big the chickens are getting. The are looking so good. We are getting ramped up for processing day. We will have a day, September 17th, with all our friends to process our chickens that will allow everyone to have chickens in the freezer for the next 4 months. We will be looking at raising the next group starting in September, so if you would like farm fresh chickens please contact us by e-mail or phone.
WOW we have been busy and enjoying every minute. If you get an itch to stick your hands in dirt or plants some seeds, give us a call and we would be happy for you to come out and help on the farm! There is lots to do and it is always more fun with friends! We like to teach, guide, and work along side our friends. This is a community/family farm and we would like everyone to feel apart!
I am sorry it took me so long to update the blog, I will try to do better in the future, but as you can tell we stay pretty busy on the farm.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Summer is ramping up and school activities are calming down!
We have been very busy on the farm, new chickens arrived so we have adults, teenagers, and tots! They are a lot of work, but it is fun to see them grow and play. Sometimes I go sit in the chicken coop and watch them scratch, eat, and play they are very relaxing and humours to watch! We are building chicken tractors because these babies are growing fast! Everyone ready for processing day? I am kind of excited and we have Andrew who is going to help us quarter and cut up our chickens (we might get lucky and he'll give us all a demonstration!)
We are planning for the processing day event which should be fun! Lots of help and lots of learning!
The garden is doing great! We have 3 varieties of squash available and one more is about to be ready! Zucchini is looking good and going fast! We have some cabbage and spinach and Swiss chard still available and the Roma tomatoes should be ready any day now! Banana Peppers are ready too, boy don't they look good! We have pulled up all the lettuce and replanted more crops to follow! OH and the egg plant has the most beautiful purple flowers on it when you come by the farm stop and take a look!
We have been picking lately and got peaches, strawberries, and blueberries so I've been making jam and jam and did i mention jam? It is good and fresh! When you come to the farm remind me and I'll let you know what is still available!
We have been drying up Dixie so she can have her new calf soon, and she is not happy about it, but she will be a good momma, she always is! Let's all cross our fingers for a boy, can you say "Beef: it's whats for dinner"
Alice is having her dance recital this weekend so we will be busy fixing hair, dressing up, and running to rehearsal and performances! We are excited and can't wait to see her shine.
We are planning for the processing day event which should be fun! Lots of help and lots of learning!
The garden is doing great! We have 3 varieties of squash available and one more is about to be ready! Zucchini is looking good and going fast! We have some cabbage and spinach and Swiss chard still available and the Roma tomatoes should be ready any day now! Banana Peppers are ready too, boy don't they look good! We have pulled up all the lettuce and replanted more crops to follow! OH and the egg plant has the most beautiful purple flowers on it when you come by the farm stop and take a look!
We have been picking lately and got peaches, strawberries, and blueberries so I've been making jam and jam and did i mention jam? It is good and fresh! When you come to the farm remind me and I'll let you know what is still available!
We have been drying up Dixie so she can have her new calf soon, and she is not happy about it, but she will be a good momma, she always is! Let's all cross our fingers for a boy, can you say "Beef: it's whats for dinner"
Alice is having her dance recital this weekend so we will be busy fixing hair, dressing up, and running to rehearsal and performances! We are excited and can't wait to see her shine.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Lots of Firsts this year!
Well, this is the first year we have been to the farmers market and it seems to be going well. We are very excited to see everyone out there. Thanks for helping us make this successfull.
We have been eating more salad this year out of the garden and it has been AWESOME! Really enjoy the variety of lettuce in the salads along with the spinach. I even went and bought several different kinds of dressing so everyone can have their favorites! The carrots are still really small, but good!
We have EXPANDED the garden, it is official! We planted in the new garden area and applied the drip irrigation so hopefully it will all be ok, everyone cross your fingers for us! We planted Squash(straight neck, crook neck, spaghetti, butternut), Zuchinii, purple hull peas, english peas(i know were late on this one, but we will see), and banana peppers! Very excited to have the additional room in the garden, but we are not through yet! Still have some black eyed peas to plant and watermelon and pumpkins!! Come check it out as soon as you can! OH and a very big thanks to Christopher Johnson, David, Micheal, Benjamin Capps for all their hard work. These boys helped me plant over 400sqft of garden and apply drip irrigation, i could not have gotten it done in a day without thier help! A special thanks to Hubby for coming home and helping me in my crisis with the irrigations stuff!
Keep Growing and we will see you soon!
We have been eating more salad this year out of the garden and it has been AWESOME! Really enjoy the variety of lettuce in the salads along with the spinach. I even went and bought several different kinds of dressing so everyone can have their favorites! The carrots are still really small, but good!
We have EXPANDED the garden, it is official! We planted in the new garden area and applied the drip irrigation so hopefully it will all be ok, everyone cross your fingers for us! We planted Squash(straight neck, crook neck, spaghetti, butternut), Zuchinii, purple hull peas, english peas(i know were late on this one, but we will see), and banana peppers! Very excited to have the additional room in the garden, but we are not through yet! Still have some black eyed peas to plant and watermelon and pumpkins!! Come check it out as soon as you can! OH and a very big thanks to Christopher Johnson, David, Micheal, Benjamin Capps for all their hard work. These boys helped me plant over 400sqft of garden and apply drip irrigation, i could not have gotten it done in a day without thier help! A special thanks to Hubby for coming home and helping me in my crisis with the irrigations stuff!
Keep Growing and we will see you soon!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
First Farmers Market Event for the Farm
I just wanted everyone to know that we have had our first appearance at the Brazos Valley Farmers Market! We had a table at the Village Foods Wednesday Market. Thanks to everyone for supporting the farm and keep looking for us at future markets! Working on having a table at Saturday Mornings market too!
For those of you who tried the link in the last post and it did not work, I am sorry. I was typing late at night and made a typo it has been corrected so again to view our updated web-site please visit www.coxfamilyfarm.com and enjoy the Photo Gallery, I will be adding captions over time for the pics!
Keep growing and we will see you soon.
For those of you who tried the link in the last post and it did not work, I am sorry. I was typing late at night and made a typo it has been corrected so again to view our updated web-site please visit www.coxfamilyfarm.com and enjoy the Photo Gallery, I will be adding captions over time for the pics!
Keep growing and we will see you soon.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Things are coming together! Check out our New Web-site....
We have been so busy on the farm. The garden is getting bigger and bigger, we have filled up the existing garden area and are expanding into the next pasture! How exciting it is to see this growth! We have been working hard and this is the first time that we have been able to fill the existing garden area and are looking at expansion! We have several things ready for HARVEST at the farm RIGHT NOW!
We have been planting berries too! Blueberries, Blackberries, and grapes! Which are looking great, we will keep you informed about their progress.
The big chicken coop is almost ready, we should be getting the baby chicks in at the end of April or Begginnig of May. We are getting ready and very excited.
Please check out our new Web-site and give us your feed back. http://www.coxfamilyfarm.com/
thanks and keep growing.
- Lettuce (butter crunch, ice berg, and red leaf)
- Swiss Chard
- Radishes
We have been planting berries too! Blueberries, Blackberries, and grapes! Which are looking great, we will keep you informed about their progress.
The big chicken coop is almost ready, we should be getting the baby chicks in at the end of April or Begginnig of May. We are getting ready and very excited.
Please check out our new Web-site and give us your feed back. http://www.coxfamilyfarm.com/
thanks and keep growing.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Sharing Photos!
I have been wanting to share some photos of the garden as we are moving along in the season! BTW I think we will be expanding the garden this year to accomidate all the good produce!
Garden the lettuce is growing! it has actually gotten bigger since this was taken, but i thought it was an ok shot to share!
These tomatoes were planted yesterday! Thanks to my friends and wonderful Husband!
All of these flats are starting too pop! So we need MORE ROOM! think i found it!
One of the new blueberry plants trying to grow!
Well I just wanted to add a few photos so you could see what is going on! See you soon, at the farm!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Spring time is sooooo busy!
Working on the farm in spring time always makes me feel behind! No matter how much I get done, because there is always something else to do that should have been done or needs doing ASAP!
We have been working hard, between the chickens and the coops, New fences and barns, and the garden and new fruit patch, we have accomplished a lot!
This past week we have a green house full of flats that are popping everyday with new life! It is so cool to see the seeds you plant pop up out of the ground trying to grow! I love watching them and watering the flats makes the coolest rain drop sound that I love, it is so relaxing, and God planned for you to water at the end of the day so you can hear the relaxing sounds! To list a few of the items in the flats to get your mouths watering, Lima Beans, Black-eyed peas, purple hul peas, corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc. etc. there is a lot! So stay tuned for what is in harvest!
We also planted 9 blueberry plants, 3 blackberry plants, 3 raspberry plants and 12 grape vines! WOW! excited about producing fruit this year or maybe next! One of the grape vines has a bunch of grapes already growing so i hope it keeps producing and growing! Now the trick is going to be beating Alice to the fruit so that we all can get some! LOL
We also got over 400 sq ft of Roma tomatoes in the ground and lots of egg plant too! The green house is full of flats that are poping so be watching for which items are going in the garden next!
On top of all of this the New Web-Site is about to be released and it looks great! We have a photo Gallery on the site and i have been trying to add photos in my spare time (lol for those who know how much spare time i get). So I will let you know when it goes up and want everyone to check it out and let me know what you think!
I am out of town today at a Karate Tournement with Alice, she is nervous and scared and excited! We will be back tonight and tomorrow planting more in the garden! Have a great week and keep growing...
We have been working hard, between the chickens and the coops, New fences and barns, and the garden and new fruit patch, we have accomplished a lot!
This past week we have a green house full of flats that are popping everyday with new life! It is so cool to see the seeds you plant pop up out of the ground trying to grow! I love watching them and watering the flats makes the coolest rain drop sound that I love, it is so relaxing, and God planned for you to water at the end of the day so you can hear the relaxing sounds! To list a few of the items in the flats to get your mouths watering, Lima Beans, Black-eyed peas, purple hul peas, corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc. etc. there is a lot! So stay tuned for what is in harvest!
We also planted 9 blueberry plants, 3 blackberry plants, 3 raspberry plants and 12 grape vines! WOW! excited about producing fruit this year or maybe next! One of the grape vines has a bunch of grapes already growing so i hope it keeps producing and growing! Now the trick is going to be beating Alice to the fruit so that we all can get some! LOL
We also got over 400 sq ft of Roma tomatoes in the ground and lots of egg plant too! The green house is full of flats that are poping so be watching for which items are going in the garden next!
On top of all of this the New Web-Site is about to be released and it looks great! We have a photo Gallery on the site and i have been trying to add photos in my spare time (lol for those who know how much spare time i get). So I will let you know when it goes up and want everyone to check it out and let me know what you think!
I am out of town today at a Karate Tournement with Alice, she is nervous and scared and excited! We will be back tonight and tomorrow planting more in the garden! Have a great week and keep growing...
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Fruits and Veggies..... Yumm!
We are working hard on the farm! Building chicken coops and fences. The Aggie's have a Big Event day and they are suppose to come out on March 26th and help with the fence and a barn! We will have hot dogs and hot links for them and hopefully get a lot done and have a good time.
We are also steady planting in the greenhouse and moving stuff out as it gets done! We have 5 rows planted so far! I am totally excited and can't wait for all the stuff in the green house to sprout so we can move more to the garden.
Yesterday I bought some blueberry, raspberry and grape plants so that we can get them planted and have fruit this year, or maybe next we will have to see how that goes!
Lot is happening and the farm is coming together this year. I am so very pleased with all the progress! We are also in the process of updating our Web-site and it is almost done! So I will announce that as soon as it happens! It will have a photo gallery with lots of pictures for everyone to see what is going on.
Well, I need to get digging so I will post more later....
Enjoy the sunshine!
We are also steady planting in the greenhouse and moving stuff out as it gets done! We have 5 rows planted so far! I am totally excited and can't wait for all the stuff in the green house to sprout so we can move more to the garden.
Yesterday I bought some blueberry, raspberry and grape plants so that we can get them planted and have fruit this year, or maybe next we will have to see how that goes!
Lot is happening and the farm is coming together this year. I am so very pleased with all the progress! We are also in the process of updating our Web-site and it is almost done! So I will announce that as soon as it happens! It will have a photo gallery with lots of pictures for everyone to see what is going on.
Well, I need to get digging so I will post more later....
Enjoy the sunshine!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
More Gardening.... and Chicks
We have been busy in the garden. We have planted 2 1/2 Rows which equal approx. 1000 sq ft of garden! WOW! We have lettuce, potatoes, radishes, brocoli, beets, carrots so far! Tomorrow we are planting cabbage and egg plant. Then planting more seeds in the greenhouse! Excited about the progress on the farm. We also installed the drip irrigation for the season. The raised bed is looking good and trying to start a second one.
We have ordered the chickens for meat and more layers to hopefull fill the egg demand that we have! We received some baby chicks today and should get the rest of them in around April 27. So if you want to come and oooh and aaah over the baby chicks come on out!
See y'all soon,
We have ordered the chickens for meat and more layers to hopefull fill the egg demand that we have! We received some baby chicks today and should get the rest of them in around April 27. So if you want to come and oooh and aaah over the baby chicks come on out!
See y'all soon,
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Sharing Thoughts and Happenings on the Farm!
Well, we had an interesting week on the farm. We had a cow get stuck in the mud. Now HOW do you get her out you may ask! I did, I called several friends, who raise cattle, and got several answers! But one showed up, Yea Dylan, to help so we went with their expertise. Basically we pulled her out with my Tahoe, sounds like a commercial one friend said Ford got nothing on that! Well, she was not hurt and very happy to be free, followed me all the way to the barn. She seems much nicer now, coming up for a little extra pat now and then!
We also are rooting some fig tree clippings in hopes of growing figs! Thanks Mr. Polo for the clippings! Basically I cut the clippings at the nodes, dipped them in root starter, and buried them in Vermiculite. Worked last year so will try it again!
We got a whole row planted this week so far, lettuce, carrots, and potatoes. So we should have goodies soon! Hope that we can get a lot more in the ground today! Will keep you updated. But the greenhouse is looking GREAT with all the flats sprouting up.
We are getting a face lift on the web-site also. So if you have been to our site, sorry about the broken links, but we are hoping to get it fixed and updated with a new look thanks to Mr. Dee! I will keep you posted when we are ready to unveil our new site!
Also, I have been wanting to write a children's book called "Alice's Farm" since we moved up here! Well, I found someone to help me publish it. I am excited about it and will keep you all updated about it's release! Basically it will be a series about old country sayings so if you know any that you like send them in and they may make it in a book!
I guess that gets you updated for now. I have to get busy the daylight is shining and I need to take advantage of it!
We also are rooting some fig tree clippings in hopes of growing figs! Thanks Mr. Polo for the clippings! Basically I cut the clippings at the nodes, dipped them in root starter, and buried them in Vermiculite. Worked last year so will try it again!
We got a whole row planted this week so far, lettuce, carrots, and potatoes. So we should have goodies soon! Hope that we can get a lot more in the ground today! Will keep you updated. But the greenhouse is looking GREAT with all the flats sprouting up.
We are getting a face lift on the web-site also. So if you have been to our site, sorry about the broken links, but we are hoping to get it fixed and updated with a new look thanks to Mr. Dee! I will keep you posted when we are ready to unveil our new site!
Also, I have been wanting to write a children's book called "Alice's Farm" since we moved up here! Well, I found someone to help me publish it. I am excited about it and will keep you all updated about it's release! Basically it will be a series about old country sayings so if you know any that you like send them in and they may make it in a book!
I guess that gets you updated for now. I have to get busy the daylight is shining and I need to take advantage of it!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Working Hard on the Farm!
We have been working hard on the Farm and amazing things are happening! Let me tell you what is going on.
First we have built a raised bed for items that stay all year long. This will cut down on tilling and weeding for the farm, YEA! Also we planted the whole thing in a day. It is 4 feet wide, 28 feet long, and 2 feet deep! So needless to say that is a LOT of wheel barrels full of dirt to haul! But we completely filled it up, so I guess I need to get busy on building the second one! Thought it might take me awhile to fill it up, but no such luck! Got too excited and I hope everyone like onions! We actually planted onions, garlic, asparagus, shallots, thyme, basil, cilantro, and other spices! So if you need spice you now know where to go! If you have a favorite spice contact me and I'll add it in.
Second we got 6 rows fertilized and tilled and ready for planting! Bye-Bye Winter garden, Hello spring Garden! We are so excited. We have approx. 26 flats planted and waiting to go in. Lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, carrots, tomatoes, radishes, beets, and more! So keep tuned in to find out what is available and when!
Last but not least, Meat Chickens! We have construction underway to update the buck pen, into the chicken coop for the meat birds! We are about to place our first order of meat birds and need to know who wants us to raise meat chickens for them and how many do you need? Call or e-mail me so we can make arrangements and you can get the details!
Well, I guess I am going to sign off for now, but stay tuned to find out what else is happening at the Cox Family Farm!
First we have built a raised bed for items that stay all year long. This will cut down on tilling and weeding for the farm, YEA! Also we planted the whole thing in a day. It is 4 feet wide, 28 feet long, and 2 feet deep! So needless to say that is a LOT of wheel barrels full of dirt to haul! But we completely filled it up, so I guess I need to get busy on building the second one! Thought it might take me awhile to fill it up, but no such luck! Got too excited and I hope everyone like onions! We actually planted onions, garlic, asparagus, shallots, thyme, basil, cilantro, and other spices! So if you need spice you now know where to go! If you have a favorite spice contact me and I'll add it in.
Second we got 6 rows fertilized and tilled and ready for planting! Bye-Bye Winter garden, Hello spring Garden! We are so excited. We have approx. 26 flats planted and waiting to go in. Lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, carrots, tomatoes, radishes, beets, and more! So keep tuned in to find out what is available and when!
Last but not least, Meat Chickens! We have construction underway to update the buck pen, into the chicken coop for the meat birds! We are about to place our first order of meat birds and need to know who wants us to raise meat chickens for them and how many do you need? Call or e-mail me so we can make arrangements and you can get the details!
Well, I guess I am going to sign off for now, but stay tuned to find out what else is happening at the Cox Family Farm!
Meat Chicken Shares available!
I wanted to let you all know that we are explanding with meat chickens on the farm. I need a count of how many people are wanting chickens and how many chickens they want.
We are starting to raise meat chickens. We are doing it on a pre-order basis. Let me explain how it will work.
We are starting to raise meat chickens. We are doing it on a pre-order basis. Let me explain how it will work.
- You decide how many chickens do you and your family eat each week/month? Example 1 wk/4 month
- Pay a deposit for the number of chickens you want us to raise for you each month. Deposit will be $3.00 Example 4 x 3 = $12
- We order the chickens, eventually we will be hatching your chickens instead of buying them, but to start we are getting them from ideal poultry.
- We raise the chickens…. For approximately 4-6 months.
- Then we have a processing day. If you choose to, totally your option, you can help process the birds. If you help with the processing day you do not pay for processing the birds. If you do not help then you will pay $1 a pound for process your birds. We will process once every 4 months. This way we are only processing 3 times a year.
- You pick up your chicken. We are charging $2.50 a pound for raising your bird.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Things are growing! Inspite the weather!
Well, we planted approx 15 flats before all the bad/cold weather hit. They survived and are starting to sprout, Yea for the greenhouse!
Tomorrow we are building raised beds and planting more flats! Maybe even starting on the chicken coop. Did you decide how many chickens you need each month? Call and let us know so we can have them for you.
Lots to do and excited about getting it done!
Brussel Sprouts are looking good too! So if you are wanting some come on out to the farm!
See y'all soon,
Tomorrow we are building raised beds and planting more flats! Maybe even starting on the chicken coop. Did you decide how many chickens you need each month? Call and let us know so we can have them for you.
Lots to do and excited about getting it done!
Brussel Sprouts are looking good too! So if you are wanting some come on out to the farm!
See y'all soon,
Monday, February 7, 2011
Survived the Snow!
Well we have survived the cold with no broken pipes! YEA! We lost water for a week and a special thanks goes out to my friends who took us in and let us shower and clean milk equipment. We are very grateful for that. We are working on building back up the milk production, glad we have 3 cows in milk. One bad thing is the Washing machine broke :( so laundry mat here we come.
We are rampping up for the spring with planting and improving the soil! We are building chicken coops for meat birds, so if you want meat chickens with out all the yuk in them give us a call. We are now accepting members for the chicken shares. Think about how many birds you eat a month and how many you want, then give us a call.
The veggie garden is shaping up too! So look forward and keep checking on what is ready for harvest.
We are rampping up for the spring with planting and improving the soil! We are building chicken coops for meat birds, so if you want meat chickens with out all the yuk in them give us a call. We are now accepting members for the chicken shares. Think about how many birds you eat a month and how many you want, then give us a call.
The veggie garden is shaping up too! So look forward and keep checking on what is ready for harvest.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Playing the Farmers Wife!
So today was a busy day, but not a usually busy day.
So if you are making baked zitia do you consider it from scratch if you milk the cow and make the cheese AND grind the wheat to make the pasta? I did use can tomatoes sauce.... but this year I will can more tomatoes for us!
Well just wanted to give an update for a busy day!
Come see us soon!
- We had 3 families drop in on the farm.
- We made mozzarella cheese for dinner (baked ziti).
- Also made pasta for dinner!
- We made 1 pound of butter
- Did the regular chores of milking cows, cleaning equipment, feeding animals, up keep on green house.
So if you are making baked zitia do you consider it from scratch if you milk the cow and make the cheese AND grind the wheat to make the pasta? I did use can tomatoes sauce.... but this year I will can more tomatoes for us!
Well just wanted to give an update for a busy day!
Come see us soon!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Planting, Planting, Planting.....
We are busy on the farm planting! Getting ready for a BIG garden this year! Wanting to master the soil block technique, we have been reading up on it and finally mastered it! We used the technique from the organic farmer, great book!
GREENHOUSE HAPPENINGS: We created 10 flats of soil blocks and filled them all with seeds. So be watching for lettuce, beets, carrots, tomatoes, and others to become available on the farm!
CURRENTLY HARVESTING: We currently have broccoli and Brussel sprouts available, along with cabbage. So if your in the mood for some fresh veggies give us a call!
CHICKEN: We are about to place an order for meat birds! If you want to have pasture raised chicken for your freezer then call me and we can get you on program for birds!
GOT MILK? Maggie is back on line for all those who were wanting a milk share, please contact us! We are starting are cheese season here on the farm too! I'll keep you informed when the cheese is properly aged and ready! If you want ricotta or mozzarella give me a call and place an order!
GREENHOUSE HAPPENINGS: We created 10 flats of soil blocks and filled them all with seeds. So be watching for lettuce, beets, carrots, tomatoes, and others to become available on the farm!
CURRENTLY HARVESTING: We currently have broccoli and Brussel sprouts available, along with cabbage. So if your in the mood for some fresh veggies give us a call!
CHICKEN: We are about to place an order for meat birds! If you want to have pasture raised chicken for your freezer then call me and we can get you on program for birds!
GOT MILK? Maggie is back on line for all those who were wanting a milk share, please contact us! We are starting are cheese season here on the farm too! I'll keep you informed when the cheese is properly aged and ready! If you want ricotta or mozzarella give me a call and place an order!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Happy 2011 Everyone!
Like everyone else, with a new year comes new dreams and hopes! We are getting ramped up for a new garden and have had 1 new baby calf! So I am going to try and blog at least once a week! pics may be pushing it, but at least tell y'all what is going on out here!
The winter garden is looking OK, we have cabbage and broccoli. We are getting geared up to start the new garden for the spring. We are looking at finally fixing/cleaning up the fence. The greenhouse needs it's annual spring cleaning and we are ordering Mushroom compost! I love watching them deliver the Mushroom compost on the big truck with the moving floor. It is really cool! I'll post when the delivery is coming so if you want to see you can come watch!
The New baby Calf is a week old now and learning the ropes. She is such a sweetie and too cute! Mom is flowing with the good stuff and we are looking forward to making cheese on Friday and Saturday!
Well hope your new years is starting off with a bang and all your adventures are successes. A success can be a learning experience too!
The winter garden is looking OK, we have cabbage and broccoli. We are getting geared up to start the new garden for the spring. We are looking at finally fixing/cleaning up the fence. The greenhouse needs it's annual spring cleaning and we are ordering Mushroom compost! I love watching them deliver the Mushroom compost on the big truck with the moving floor. It is really cool! I'll post when the delivery is coming so if you want to see you can come watch!
The New baby Calf is a week old now and learning the ropes. She is such a sweetie and too cute! Mom is flowing with the good stuff and we are looking forward to making cheese on Friday and Saturday!
Well hope your new years is starting off with a bang and all your adventures are successes. A success can be a learning experience too!
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