Sheep, chickens, ducks and such in the Waitsfield, Mad River Valley, Vermont
Always watching, thinking, dreaming and creating on Stowell Farm
Yes, the view from the top was super wonderful, uplifting and amazing...but gotta say, the slow walk down offered some things unexpected: mosses, mushrooms...and can anyone tell me what sort of butterfly this is? It sat patiently as I shot a dozen-plus pictures.
This year, I planted lots of sunflowers from seed—and they are blossomed into giants! They are beautiful! Realizing this new type, I'll grow beans around and about them next year vs. creating fencing for my peas and beans (these are natural companions). The garden is an adventure: each year as I see new things grow in their ways, I am presented new ideas about how to "companion" better...or how to reorganize based on what "everyone" asks for or suggests.
I have never had great luck with growing cucumbers, but this year have had a bounty crop—so...pickles! I usually make zucchini (sweet butter) pickles because—well—we all have a ton of zucchini, but this year I was happy to make the real deal (note: I'll still make the sweet butter zucchini "pickles" because they are super delicious). Both recipes come from Canning for a New Generation by Lianna Krissoff. I did the "quickie" pickles, but if you go by her favored recipe, you'll get a nice, crisp and crunchy pickle. I highly recommend her book—and every recipe I've made has been a success. Her ketchup is the super best. p.s., this year, I learned why pickling cuc's are really the best for pickling.
A treat? Yes...before you miss the chance, drive by the farm between the barn and Rolston Road...and check the field that Seth planted in the spring: I've seen the kale, buckwheat and blue vervain...but the sunflowers are breathtaking. Take them in while they are blooming bright and happily as they are. It's really an amazing site. Me? I ventured into the field to take some close-up photos: I knew the bees would be there too. :) Honeybees are the must numerous insect visiting sunflower crops. "The bright, large flower heads of sunflowers (Helianthus annuus and cultivars) present a nectar and pollen mother lode for their pollinators, which are bees of all kinds. Each flower head's central disc contains many smaller tubular disc flowers, each with its own supply of nectar and pollen. The showy outer ray petals help attract the pollinators. Bees go from flower to flower within the disc, becoming covered with pollen. They then pollinate other sunflowers as they go from plant to plant. The success of sunflower as a crop for seeds and oil depends totally on bees." (homeguides.sfgate.com).
Welcome to Stowell Farm. This site tells and shows a bit about the many things we do on this amazing property on the East Warren Road in the Mad River Valley.
The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont is a nonprofit association of farmers, gardeners, and consumers working to promote an economically viable and ecologically sound Vermont food system for the benefit of current and future generations.
www.nofavt.org
The Vermont Sheep Breeders’ Association is a non-profit agricultural membership organization and has been in existence for over 100 years. We are incorporated in the State of Vermont, have a Board of Directors and a written set of by-laws. In addition to soliciting our membership on an annual basis for dues to sustain our administrative services and publications, we write for grants to support our programs.
As a volunteer organization, we could do nothing without the good will, ideas and help of our membership.
The Vermont Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization with policies and priorities set at the County level by individual farmer members in a democratic process that dates back to our beginning.
Helping the public make responsible choices about herbal medicine and healthcare. The Council provides education using science-based and traditional information to promote responsible use of herbal medicine — serving the public, researchers, educators, healthcare professionals, industry and media.
The Safe Seed Pledge was created in 1999 when High Mowing Organic Seeds guided a coalition of 9 other seed companies in drafting a statement about the signers' stance on genetic engineering. Over 70 companies have signed the pledge, ranging from large seed companies to family-owned businesses such as ours.
United Plant Savers' mission is to protect native medicinal plants of the United States and Canada and their native habitat while ensuring an abundant renewable supply of medicinal plants for generations to come.
http://www.unitedplantsavers.org
A non-profit organization dedicated to providing healthcare resources grounded in Nature. Our work brings clinical herbalism to community practice through the weaving of science, spirit and grassroots activism. We provide one of the nation’s most extensive clinical training opportunities in herbal medicine, rooted in deep connection with the plants and place.
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