Description

Stories in this issue:

• The Walipni Part 2 – Set Up: In this second article on the Danielle and Sean Londrigan’s underground greenhouse construction on their Illinois farm they explain the “setup.” This includes explanation of the air circulation system in a of couple designs. They also discuss the outer covering choices, walking paths, soil, and irrigation.
•  Old Iron Fever – Part 1: Ronnie Hartman visits Gene Loxtercampat his Sauk Centre, Minnesota. He has amassed a large collection of antique horsedrawn and stationary farm equipment that he has restored to safe working conditions with respect for historical accuracy. We have lots and lots of wonderful pictures with thorough descriptions of each piece.
• Rotary Hoe Rehab: Anne and Eric Nordell purchase an old horse-drawn rotary hoe and then try to figure out it’s best use on their organic, horse-powered vegetable farm. They determined it “does a nice job of lightly tilling and levelling the harrowed soil”. They explain the rehab process and costs as well as safety precautions used while operating it.
• A Hands-On Approach – 2019 Draft Animal-Powered Field Days: Karma Glos gives us a description of all of the activities of this draft animal powered event which included seminars, demonstrations, and hands-on workshops in vet care, hoof care, harness fitting, tillage, woodlot management, logging, and more. The equipment was powered by draft horses, mules, oxen and ponies.
• Sharing Helping Hands – 2019 Draft Animal-Powered Field Days: The Draft Animal-Powered Network held their 2019 Field days in Vermont this year. Dale Stoltzfus gives us a run down on the sessions and activities. He then discusses Jay and Janet Bailey’s lives in the draft-powered field and all of their contributions as founding members of the organizations and long time workshop teachers at their Fair Winds Farm.
• Woodlot to Landing: Moving downed trees and logs from your woodlot to the outside of your woods or an intermediate location readying for bucking, chopping or moving again takes some planning, equipment and skill. Ralph Rice, a horse logger, writes about the available equipment for these tasks and the various ways of going about it.
• Planning, Organization and Timing: Ralph Rice farms alone much of the time. His formula for being efficient and making work a little easier involves many little things. Here he shares some of those methods and techniques with us. And he gives us a month-by-month description of his farm activities.
• 2020 US Plowing Contest:  Results and lots of photos of this annual event where Belgians, Suffolk, Percherons and mules competed in various classes of plowing. This year’s event was held in Olympia, Kentucky.
• Wounded Wild Wood – Tales from Carter County: Another wonderful story from Jerry HIcks. This one involves tracking in the woods, an uncle, a chainsaw, and a fresh cut 24-inch oak that went missing. Jerry has a way with words and we get pulled right in
• Linseed Oil – Boiled or Raw?: Pete Cecil instructs us on the difference between boiled, raw and boiled stand linseed oil. He explains how they are manufactured and the pros and cons of each type.