Spring has sprung...

Isidro starts the application of compost tea on the pasture grass at Go Away Farm. We are going to do at least three applications. The compost is all organic and made at the farm from scraps, coffee grounds, manure, clippings, leaves, and hay refuse. Our efforts are to replace all chemical fertilizer dependency for the farm. This is our third year to be free of chemical fertilizers, but we are in need of supplementing the soil with nutrients that the synthetic fertilizers have stripped from the soil.

Next week we will break up the soil in the front pastures and then we'll apply another application of tea in a couple weeks. Next fall we are going to attempt to plant cover crops to sustain the cows through the winter and reduce the dependency on hay. Then again in about 45 days we'll make our third application. Tomorrow, I plan to apply tea to all of the orchard and vines, as well as to our yard area.

One of the benefits of a pesticide free place is the abundance of wonderfully beautiful creatures. This little guy came and enjoyed a few seed and the warmth of copper in the morning sun while awaiting some lush prey to arrive and whet his appetite. He kept thinking about leaving and then he'd turn to look at me again. Then he'd think a bit more and then turn and look at me. Then like lightning he lept about 4 feet to a tree nearby.