In this picture, there are two important tools for the farm.

Just some pictures of the garden and yard in November...

We have been hand-cutting a parasite in our hay field.  It is called dodder and it is a plant with no chlorophyll that latches on to other green plants (especially alfalfa) and drains it of its nutrients until it dies.

However, the bright spot is the fox who has adopted Alex.  Alex took these pictures of his new friend.

These pictures show the system as it was on March 30.  It was the last day for a 2017 tax credit. (WHEW!)

The system is now up and running on April 9.  It is generating over 2000 watts.

Our solar energy project with shaded area for garlic and seed processing and a nice shady space to serve lunch has started in earnest.  Until today, it was just holes in the ground with substantial concrete blocks in them.

The hay wagon is now in service.  It holds 64 bales in this picture.

I have now painted the surface of the plywood.  I did two coats.  I hope it helps protect it from the weather.  I'll look for some angle metal to protect the edges next.

All the supports are in place.  These pictures show where the plywood will go!

We are rebuilding an old hay wagon.  The wooden parts all rotted away, but the underlying metal "farm truck" is in good shape.  I did have to replace a tire.

Ours has the optional rubber tires

The truck is in good shape.  The left rear tire is new.

A load of pressure treated lumber and 1-1/8" plywood has arrived.

That's me bolting parts together after drilling some DEEP holes!

It is the first of May and the farm stand is open for business!

Herbie has had enough of winter and it isn't even January yet.  Don't put that tongue on any pump handles, Herbie!

These are naturally fermenting dill pickles.  The cucumbers and the dill are from our garden.

I put new batteries and topped up the coolant in our Massey Ferguson 2705.  It starts right up and runs well.  The next thing we need to figure out how to do is add hydraulic fluid.

Our first cutting was done on Friday, June 3.  I took the following photographs to show that the swather was clean of conventional weeds and crop that would contaminate our certified organic field.

Buddy seems to be saying to Cappi and Herbie, "Look, let's get this straight.  I am the shepherd and you guys are the herd."

We sat down for a real farm meal last night.  It was a vegetarian stew and biscuits with cheese.  (And a nice bottle of Italian red wine!)

Here is Susan, enjoying the meal with our new colleagues, Devin and Elizabeth.

I have posted pictures of our field this past summer.  This is what it looks like today.  We have had a lot of precipitation; rain here and snow at higher elevations.

Elisabeth and Devin visited us this past weekend.  They are graduates from an ag program in California who will join us next season.  If the season goes well for us, they will be our partners in future seasons.  I am really excited about the prospect.

There were some pretty big logs across Little Creek.  I worked with Laurie Allen to remove them and cut them into smaller pieces.  Susan came by and took these pictures towards the end of our adventure.

... and, the tree is down!