It’s the beginning of the 2011 farming season. My name is Paul Madeira, and this will be the seventh year I’ve set out to grow food for my livelihood. January has had some fantastic weather with plenty of time for outside projects.

Its 2011 and Paul is taking over the blog.

Now the little lad show's Ross how its done.

Danielle teaches Farmer Paul a new trick.

Farmer Paul teaches this little lad how to look cool and hoop at the same time.

We like the way this farm gal added some feathers to her chapeau.

Young hipster farmers at a Shin Digg.
(note the longjons under the cut off shorts, we'll be seeing a lot of that this season)

The IT dog to have a Samoyed.

Tie dye, Dreads, and the Youth

Coco and Sunny circa 2006

Farmer Paul's First Brookings Market talking to Ret. Circa 2006

A Place Called Home

strawberry fields forever

STRAWBERRIES...

The first soil of the season is worked, and ready for the new strawberry planting. Four-thousand new strawberry crowns await on our porch to be plunged through black plastic into their prepared beds. Weather reports make it look like we'll have them planted yet this week! The black plastic is a weed control technique but also can keep the soil temps up a degree or two. Though we don't really like using plastic for our crops, we've found that since strawberries are a multi-year investment, the use of plastic mulch for this specific crop seems justified. Some fellow farmers' seems to think we're crazy for not using it on many other crops, including tomatoes, spouting out claims of higher yields and less weeding labor required, but quite frankly, we don't like the looks of it in our fields. "Plasticulture" as plastic intensive agriculture is sometimes referred it as, is just not our cup of tea. However, we will continue to use it this season for those highly demanded strawberries.

Last year we give credit and many thanks to our neighbor whom offered his second well for use at the farm. We installed a new pump and electric line, and ran irrigation lines across the driveway and out into the fields. For the first time ever, we were able to set up hand-lines (3-inch aluminum pipes) and felt like we were one of the big dogs now. Thanks to another neighbor's offering of 'sticks' (lengths of 3-inch hand-lines) we could overhead irrigate not only the cut lettuce mix, leeks, and flowers, but also the strawberries. And let me tell you, the strawberries loved it, and responded to every watering after a harvest with a new flush of berries- it doesn't get much better than that! We all know that sometimes it's really hard to change a good thing, so with this years' planting of new strawberry's we're trying to replicate what we had last year. The location will be different, the new strawberries will be planted in part of last season's pumpkin and winter squash fields (at Paul's parents property further down on Morehead Rd). The patch of annual flowers will also relocate to that location this year and will be irrigated with 2-inch hand-lines (which by the way, we need just a couple more sticks of to reach the lengths of the entire beds, just in case you know of any throughout the county not in use). So while your driving West on Morehead Rd, this summer in route to visiting Kellog beach, Tolowa Dunes, or the Eco-Dairy, keep your eyes peeled for a lovely view of flowers and strawberries in the foreground.

Apple Tree Spring Pruning

So, the decisions were contemplated, and the cuts were made. Our young orchard that we planted last year got it's first hair cut and we are so proud of it. I was urged to start with the lower branches, eliminating the future hassle of mowing obstacles. Then the harder part, selecting the main branches to determine the shape of the little tree, always snipping down to an outward bud. This was the hardest part as most of our trees didn't give us many options, they were weird to say the least, branches heavy on one side and empty on the other side type of thing. Finally trimming back a bit if all growth from the past year. I'd have to say that the book "the apply grower" didn't make it sound any easier than it was. Obviously there is a science to this and a rookie can only hope that the trees will overcome any wrong choices and cuts that were made. The straight forward cuts were all of the branches that had some dead parts to them, or funky spots that just needed to go. I still need to wash my clippers with alcohol, and actually I could use a brand new pair of clippers, I used Paul's (I don't have my own) and his have been mis-treated and have some rust on them. All in all it was a beautiful day, the sun was out and the bees were out of their box and buzzing around, it was lovely and I can only hope that I helped the future of the orchard. Last year we got 5 little Liberty Apples, this year my fingers are crossed for more, if not apples, at least many flowers for my bees to enjoy!

"Saint" & "Valentine" goat kids

It's a valentines day. We woke this morning in a friends yurt, nestled in the redwoods and near the beautiful smith river, rain was falling, and new fluffy white puppy love greeted us with kisses. Our spring intern (Adam) was taking care of the evening and morning chores, and we returned home in time for the mid-day bottle feeding to see Matte' going into labor. Last year Matte' gave us twin girls "oreo" and "domino." This year however she seemed to be having troubles, over an hour into it and paul figures he must on a short sleeve shirt for a reason. (since he got all of his authentic cowboy shirts, it's really rare to see him wear a t-shirt now days) So with his eye nearly shut and his face in disqust, he reaches in and helps matte' with the birth of a huge buck. I mean this little guy is as big even bigger than some of the other kids that are already six days old. We call him Valentine, all white with a cute grey stripe down his back. And that's not all Matte' then popped out "saint" another buck, a little buck, mostly black with a little white in the middle, (looks much like domino and oreo.) So there we have it, so far triplets (2 girls 1 boy) two sets of twins (all girls) and a new set of twins (boys). Now only loyla is left to give birth for the year- for the goats that is. Everyone is fine, taking to the bottle like it's going out of style and just cute as can be.

We still wait for leek seeds to come in the mail, they are still back-ordered and we are a bit bothered but it will have to be ok. The vast majority of onions are already sown in flats in the green house, along with some herbs and artichokes to replace the ones that melted in the hard winter frosts. Our christmas tree still stands in the leaving room but is not decorated with hearts, pink and red and even a bit of glitter. Boxes of strawberries should be arriving on the porch any day now and we've only gotten one pass with the tiller over two small patches of cover crop. We hope for more sunny dry days to come.

oh, also I posted up a photo gallery on the web, check it out at

http://oceanairfarms.shutterfly.com

and got front page picture and story in our paper Daily Tripilcate the other day,

both are helping bring in 2010 CSA memberships. We already have 7 paid-in-full members that signed up just in the month of Feb. -credit card we're gonna pay you off! yeah!

ps. I got the photos added, so now I publish this post and add that Loyla gave birth to twins, one boy and one girl.

new years news

Here we are the start of a new decade, get use to typing/writing it now, it's officially 2010! 2010! 2010! 2010! 2010! yep yep yep.
I believe we are on our 10th straight day away from the farm. Traveled the length of California, visited friends and family and now we are back to the original stomping grounds and it feels so good. Amongest the community and environment that I've come to truly love a great launching ground for the new year ahead-bring it on. Starting it off with 12 days of exploration along Oregon and Washington's coast. Away from the farm and in a state of solitude that will allow us to snuggle up with the current seed catalogs and get our order in-order.
There is much to look forward to in the future, though call it what you will, resolution of sorts, I want to work on being in the presence, so I'm letting the urge overcome me to stop typing and enjoy the friends who surround me right now.
Before I close the mac, I'll leave with a remembrance of the past...
a great pic from the First Annual Farm Fest 2009 POTATO SHIN-DIGG, it was a good one.
happy healthy new years to ya all- be well.

false pregnancy but plenty of meat.

So we've been bamboozled. Hershey is not pregnant, she is not having her first litter, she fooled us and herself. She continues to nest, and wants to eat like an expecting mama (our pet food bill went up these past 70 days, letting her eat till her content). So what to say, we feel silly, stupid, a little sad, but also relief. Now we don't have to convert the back of my Nissan pick-up into a puppy play ground as we are soon to take our annual winter road trip. That surely will be lighter load and less of a headache on the road. (this year we'll do the pacific coast So Cal to Seattle). And no more wondering where all the puppies will go. But still slightly sad, as puppies are always a bundle of cuteness. Well take a deep breath and let it sink in, because the converted bird brooder turned dog birthing box is being dismantled as I type.

Instead of dwelling, I'll take the time to quickly celebrate and announce the arrival of our first bacon! YES! Our pork we took into Talyor's Sausage in Cave Junction is now smoked and sliced and ready to be picked up and savored. Now that is something to write home about. Second reasons for toasts and cheers is the security of knowing where our beef will be hung and cured for 7-14 days. Excellent to know as now we can cap those big guys and replenish our beef supply. I can type it so easily, but trust me, the whole process does not go with out emotion and shed tears. I will miss hearing the "wild animal" park noises coming from the back acres of the house, hungry steers remind me of the noise that comes from elephants. Maybe it's just me, but it's true I can close my eyes and vision elephants roaming the 6 acres here in the coastal pastures and speckled stands of old growth redwoods here in fort dick. The nearby ocean roars like a pack of lions the sky fills with migratory birds and all the while I'm snug by the wood stove on a chilly winter night. Life is good. Pork is wonderful, and beef is an old fav. Here's to the beasts that fall to feed us- hip hip hooray.

So very thankful, but still no puppies.

Hershey Girl... SOON to be Hershey Mama!
Hershey's baby-daddy: Ocento.

Thanksgiving is nearly concluded, we soon will approach the mid-night hour. It was another day of labor. Paul and his father Lou continued to work on the "loafing area" building project back behind the barn. (They are just about ready to put up the ply-wood now.) Donna (Paul's mother) and I were in the kitchen most of the day... starting with deviled eggs-made from Alexander's kids jumbo eggs, home made cranberry and raspberry relish/sauce, a pan of brownies from scratch, and a pumpkin pie from scratch. These dishes were all done before noon. It continued with stuffing, chicken, gravy, garden salad with roasted pumpkin seeds on top, mashed potatoes, oatmeal bread and cooking up pet food too. The dinner table assured there was much to be thankful for, but still Hershey has yet to have her puppies. We wait and count the days figuring that the first of Dec. might be the latest possible date according to the books. The rains are back, starting around 3 in the afternoon, just in time to greet us as Paul and I headed into the fields for a pre-harvest of leeks and carrots for tomorrow's Brookings Market at the Chetco Grange 1-6pm. The rest of the harvest will happen in the morning, I am thankful for the jump start we got on it. Dessert and an early birthday celebration brought the evening to a close, Paul got a new Carhart hoodie (kids XL his favorite) and a half dozen or so brand new authentic cowboy shirts, a new pair of Atlas blue palm work gloves, and long neck hay hooks. I said it before and I'll say it again, so much to be thankful for I can't help but think that as we snuggle around the warmth of the wood stove, sip our tea and start to hear snores coming for the far side of the house. Life is good.

BEE Thankful!

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and today I am especially thankful for my bees. This morning as I headed out to work I wandered through the house garden and over to check out the bee boxes. No trace of activity, which was no surprise as it was early in the morning and it was cold enough outside for me to wear a scarf. So I knelt down to listen to the boxes "buzz" but there was nothing. I opened the top lid, no bee suite or face guard on and peeked inside to get a glimpse of the sleeping bees, only to see nothing. I did notice however the potentially deadly freezing cold condensation clinging to the top of the inner lid. (This is why some books recommend slightly tipping your hive boxes forward during the cold months so the freezing drips don't drop onto the huddle of bees below.) Thankfully though, after returning from work, suiting up in bee gear to fully investigate, the hive was alive and buzzing about in the sunshine! Legs filled with pollen returning home, where they are finding the necture these days I'm not sure. There are few flowers near by, calendulas, roses, and yarrow, but they must be finding sources elsewhere too. I sure am glad the ladies are still alive, they is plenty of honey stored for them for the winter as I didn't harvest this year. I want them to have the best chance possible to get through their first winter. My fingers are crossed and I'll keep reading to see how I can better assist them. There are so many things to be thankful for, but for just right now I want to thank the bees.

will this ever work???

Will this ever work???? It seems to be question I ask all the time as a farmer, wondering about the crops, the animals, the weather and the market. This time though, I ask myself if I can keep the commitment of a blog. Will it just simple be another communication tool that attempts to connect me closer to my consumer, but still keeps us from meeting face to face and truly getting personal? Do I have it in me to re-type recipes that can be found a zillion other places? Am I brave enough to publicly babble about farm haps all the time? If so, do I need to feel the obligation to take the time and actually use spell check even though I will still choose to ignore nearly all grammar recommendations- I'm not sure. I like to type what I would speak in person, and trust me, it doesn't always translate on a keyboard, sometimes for better, mostly for worse.

Well here goes nothing... in attempts to increase communication and awarness with our supporters, on behalf of Ocean Air Farms, I, Julie Jo hereby begin to blog. wish us luck and cross your fingers.