Relay For Life

We had a fund raiser at the farm last Friday. The overnight event was a Relay For Life for the Canadian Cancer Society. This non-competitive relay starts with a lap to honor survivors of cancer and then continues for 12 hours. At dusk we light luminary candles around the course (the picture above). These luminaries honor survivors and commemorate those who have lost the fight with cancer. The event was fun. We did have some excitement with a rattle snake on the course. I removed it to the safety of the bog... we watched the moon rise...walked all night... then the sun rise over the bog.

A big thank you to all those who helped with the event as well as our sponsors. We raised about $10,000.00.

On another note it is always nice to show off the bog. What an incredible place it is to work! There is the constant change of the natural world. Wildlife abounds at the farm. I am so fortunate.

Snake on board!

We had a Eastern Massasauga Rattle Snake at the store today. Around the farm if we see a snake we try to work around it but sometimes we have to relocate the snake. With visitors and their pets around the store we had to move this snake.

While this snake was small, it took many years to get to this point. Massasaugas are short snakes, thick around the middle.

We often see snakes in the fields or along the dikes and canals and try to avoid them. When we do have to move them for worker or public safety we only move them about 750 metres so as not to disrupt the snake too much. We are part of the system that is the farm and we must get along with all the animals that inhabit the area.

We put the snake in a deep plastic container and move it away from activity. When you see the little yellow truck... watch out! Snake on board!

Now we wait...

The bees have done their work and have gone home. There is still some fertilizing to do... and soil and tissue testing but much of what we do now is wait for the berries to size up. Well.. we don't really wait there is lots to do to get ready for harvest. Lots of equipment must be serviced. Most equipment has to have 100% reliability during harvest. In some cases we have backups but it is important that everything works properly.

I am slowing down a little. I have to if I am to be ready for harvest. I have been kayaking a bit and I will probably do a road trip or two before the end of summer.

I love the lake at home. Although it is a small lake there are many places to explore. I took some 'beaver' canals deep into the marsh at the south end of the lake. Many plants were blooming and I could smell the fragrance drifting in the light breeze.

I want to explore our lower reservoir with the kayak too...there are many things to see in our wetlands if you take the time. Beyond the plants there are many turtles close to shore and water birds and lots of beaver sign. The colors are amazing.

Here they come!

This time of year is sometimes tough as you wait for the berries to size up. You have done all you can to maximize the growing conditions. The results will soon be there for all to see.

Some years better than others. Farmers must remain optimists. You have to understand that it is hopeless (basic thermodynamics) and decide you are going to make the most of it!

As soon as the berries start to size and you can see then in the field, worry about bud developments then starts. This little bud has next years growth in it so it is critical.

Soon enough we will have to worry about cool temperatures and frost... but for now... I can sleep...

Working at Night

Powered by Sirius?

I have had to apply foliar nutrients to the cranberry vine in the last few weeks. We have to do this at night when the winds are calm. There is not much to see at night...just keeping the tractor and sprayer on the dike. The lights of the tractor attract moths and bugs. Off in the field you can see the fireflies lighting up. Some nights the fog envelopes the tractor and you have to stop the sprayer and wait as you cannot see the dike. Other nights you can see the stars and moon with some clouds drifting across the sky.

I have satellite radio in the tractor to help pass the time. Sometimes its NPR... great talk radio... OutQ or Area 33... while you do have to concentrate, you get into a groove the same actions, dike after dike.

This work needs to be done to maximize the crop potential.

Working at night can be dangerous. Fatigue is an issue that can lead to mistakes and accidents. Your circadian rhythm is "screwed up" (there is no better word for it). This disrupts your sleep, your appetite, everything. Hmmm.....

THE NEXT TIME THE FARMER IS GRUMPY... Understand it takes more than you think to get that food to your table...