Garden of Eat'n

The 2011 Season - Coming to an End

2011-09-20T11:07:00.000-04:00

Dear 2011 Season Garden of Eat’n CSA Members,

The Rothe Family would like to thank you for participating in our CSA for the 2011 year. We are getting close to the end of this season. We hope you have enjoyed the veggies this year and will join us again next year.

Wednesday Pick Up members will have their last pick up on Wednesday, September 28^th

Friday Pick Up members will have their last pick up on Friday, September 30^th

Saturday Pick Up members will have their last pick up Saturday, October 1^st

Monday Pick Up members will have their last pick up Monday, October 3^rd

We know the turnips are growing and should be ready for Thanksgiving. We will have them available for you for your pick-up the week or two before Thanksgiving. You can call Chris to check 860-985-2812 or check our blog http://gardenofeatn-rhf.blogspot.com/ for the information.

If you purchased your own bins you may take them with you and keep them at your home or leave them with us to store over the winter. If we purchased your bins and lent them to you please return them so we have them for next year’s members (hopefully you).

We have enjoyed the challenge of this year and appreciate that you have hung in there with us through some of the severe weather we faced this year. We were luckier than some of our farming friends around the state and we hope for them and ourselves a better year weather wise all around.

Edward Jr. Edward Sr. Jane Tyson (farm pup)

Gene Jean Chris Diesel (farm pup)

Our CSA's fifth year

2011-07-27T13:22:00.000-04:00

This is our fifth season as a CSA or Community Supported Agriculture on our farm (Rothe Homestead Farm and now Rothe Partnership) in Ellington, CT. The season has brought forth the vegetables and new members too. This season we have 54 members. In the beginning we mostly had members from Emanuel Lutheran Church but now we have members from Ellington, South Windsor, West of the River and Emanuel. To think this was all a result of the Immersion Trip to Mexico some years back still amazes me. When we began we had much to learn about sharing with partners or shareholders that would come to the farm and take home varied vegetables, share recipes, stories and more. All the visitors to the farm whether from CSA membership, church youth and just curious visitors has so lifted up the family and being able to share our dream of self-sustaining has been such a gift to the whole family. We still have our pup Diesel who manages to amble out to meet anyone that visits the farm. He is still a hefty 170 plus pounds and moves slower now that he has aged some but he still loves greeting visitors. Jean now spends his retirement years enjoying the work on the farm at his leisure and Ed Sr. will soon join his brother after retiring from Gerber Scientific after his 46 years. This year the sons, Ed Jr. and Gene now are the owners of the farm. It was time to turn the farm over to the next generation but that does not give Jean and I a break from being involved with the farm and farm work. It just changes who makes the decisions on how we will keep our farm and animals thriving. The farm began in 1902 and we are pleased to say we see it being in the family for many more years to come. You are always welcome to visit us at the farm.

Chris

Notice of First Pick-up for the Garden of Eat’n 2011

2011-06-09T11:35:00.000-04:00

First Monday pickup will be June 20th

After those dates you will continue to pick up each week for as long as the veggies last. If you are on vacation you will need to have someone pick up your share. If you do not have someone to pick up your share while on vacation please notify us so that the vegetables do not sit in the Veggie Shack and spoil.

Eggs will be available @ $2.25 for a dozen and $2.75 for the 18 egg cartons (please bring back the cartons for reuse!) They can be found in the small refrigerator and you can put the money in the can on top.

You can reach Chris by phone for any questions 860-985-2812

You can check our Blog http://gardenofeatn-rhf.blogspot.com to receive the latest information and see what else is going on at the farm. You can send us recipes to share with the CSA members by sending them to stitcher44@comcast.net That is the email address for Chris Rothe.

We were not able to set up a “Visit the Farm Day” before the first pickup due to the rain and need to get the veggies in the ground and ready for you. We will have a “Visit” day very soon.

Ed Jr. is the farm manager

Gene is the mechanic and owner of Diesel

Jane is the “egg lady” and farm stand operator

Ed Sr. and Jean are the farm hands

Chris is the CSA coordinator

We all wish you Welcome for the 2011 Season at Garden of Eat’n

Let's Talk.....

2011-05-05T12:30:00.000-04:00

Let’s talk about spices……..

Did you know that anise seed is considered really good for indigestion? That is why so many cough drops and tonics have the sweet licorice flavor in them. Most cooks keep their use to cookies, cakes and breads but used in cottage cheese and even in pasta dishes it adds a whole new flavor.

Let’s talk about the veggies…..

Things are really jumping at the farm and the land is getting prepared for all the veggies you are all looking forward to getting soon. When it comes to trying to list all the veggies we will be growing it is hard to keep a list in your mind when that question comes up. Just know that most veggies you would find in a vegetable soup you will be getting this year….green beans, tomatoes, onions, snap peas, etc.A notice will go out well ahead of time when the first pick up will be ready. You will also receive an email confirming the pickup day you are scheduled for.

Let’s talk about the chickens…..

We will have eggs available for you and still want you to return the empty egg cartons so they can be reused. You will find the eggs in the small refrigerator and there will be a can on top for the money. Jane will be making a sign to tell you the price. I believe the price may go up this year but we shall see.

Let’s talk about a Farm Visit……

We will try to give you a heads up for the Farm Visit and will try to make it close to the time the first pick up will take place. We do this so you can meet the farm family (including Diesel) and also know where you will pick up your veggies. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

If you want to know more about canning veggies and or jams, jellies Jane is the one to talk to.

We can’t wait to welcome you all back to the farm! Watch for the invite!

Chris

Garden of Eat'n 2011 is getting underway.

2011-05-03T13:48:00.002-04:00

This contains news about the CSA: Garden of Eat’n and the changes in Rothe Homestead Farm.

From this year on, Rothe Homestead Farm will be the Broadleaf Tobacco operation and Rothe Partnership will be the CSA.

We will begin another year of our CSA Garden of Eat’n with the same pickup days of Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Pickup times will remain noon until 8:00 pm each pickup day.

The application for the 2011 season is downloadable from the upper right column. Please keep this cover letter to help you know the procedures for the CSA season. You may copy both this and the application for anyone you know that may be interested in joining this year.

The half shares will remain at $175.00 and the full shares at $325.00. Two 10 gal Rubbermaid type bins will be needed to switch out each week for your share. (Larger bins are difficult for us to set up for you and hard for you to handle each week. If you had a bin larger than the 10 gal bins you may find that we switch them out for 2 other bins which you may use during the CSA year and then return to us at the end of the season. Your name will be taped to the ends of the bins for ease in setting up on shelves and for you to quickly find the ones that are yours.

We expect that the first of the deliveries will occur in June weather permitting but as usual an email alert will come before so that you know when to drop off your bins if you took them home last year at the end of the season. For new members you will find that the bins will be purchased and paid for by the farm for your use and will expect that you return them to us at the end of the year. We are doing this because different sizes make for difficult spacing issues in the area where you will pick up your shares.

Due to a potato blight last year we will not grow them this year. We do plan to have lots of wonderful vegetables for you and welcome your recipes that we would share with the other members of the CSA. We will have a Visit the Farm Day before the season starts so that you can visit with us and make sure you know where and when you will pick up your veggies.

Please print clearly when you fill out the applications as I will use the information on the application to set up your email notification of delivery start, changes or additional news you need to know. As always any questions can be directed to my email address: stitcher44@comcast.net.

If there are more than one person listed on the application and the person needs to have the information please make sure that persons name and email address is also listed.

We hope that you all will return one bin when you pick up the next one. If you forgot it we will try to have a replacement for you but we will only have a limited supply. So if you are taking turns picking up someone else’s bin you are responsible to make sure you have their replacement too.

If we have a storm with lightning Ed will do the very best to have your bin ready for you by noon. Many times he is able to set it up the night before. Please remember that in an open field no one wants to be where lightning can strike them and he may have to wait set up the bins.

We cannot take the time to sort out any vegetable you may not want so you may set it off to the side or share it with a neighbor.

If you are unable to pick up your bin on the designated day it will be there the next day. After that your bin will be emptied and set aside for the next pick up scheduled. A friend may pick up for you if you cannot do so but please instruct them of how the procedure works so that they do not pick up any bin but the one that has your name on it.

We are excited to offer the CSA to you again this year and look forward to sharing our veggies, Diesel ( our farm pup) and our special attention when you need us!

The Rothe Farmily

Ed Jr, Farm Manager, Gene Rothe, Farm Mechanic,
Ed Sr and Jane, Farm Stand, and Chris and Jean, CSA; Diesel; Farm Pup

Ed Jr's Progress

2010-08-18T08:51:00.000-04:00

Ed's surgery on Monday went very well. He returned home on Tuesday morning and will be recuperating for the next couple of weeks. We thank you all for the prayers and support!!!

The Rothe Family

Ed Jr Update 8/14

2010-08-14T22:10:00.001-04:00

I really don't feel like posting right now, but feel an update is in order after all the emails that we have gotten.
Ed was released from the hospital Friday night and is home right now. I'll be honest here.....he looks like crap, but he's in good spirits, and still want to be "kept in the loop" of what's going on around here.
He will be going in for some reconstructive surgery Monday morning to fix a broken bone just below his eye. So.......long story short.......I'll post another update after he's home from his surgery and I know more.

BTW.....he 'reminded' his father and Gene that the cucumbers in the garden by the road needed to be picked tonight!

We (Ed and his entire family) thank you for the support and well wishes received over his unfortunate accident.

God bless

Thank You!!!

The Rothe Family

Prayer Request

2010-08-14T09:47:00.000-04:00

We at Rothe Homestead Farm and Garden of Eat’n have some sad news to share and we request prayers of healing for Edward Jr.

At noontime yesterday he was on an upper tier hanging tobacco and slipped and fell landing on one of the tobacco riggings. He landed on his face and was rushed by ambulance to Hartford Hospital. He will be undergoing some surgeries early next week.

In the meantime the family will pull together to try to fill in for him and keep those veggies coming! These are big shoes that we are going to try and fill and Ed always wanted them done just so for all of you! Please hang in there with us as we do our best for you and for him.

The Rothe Family

Tobacco Harvest 2010

2010-08-09T11:20:00.001-04:00

Started the tobacco harvest this past weekend and thought I'd post some pics.......

Cutting

Spearing (the boss in the foreground checking up on the help)

Shed

Spacing Poles

Hanging

Bottom Tier Started (there are 4 tiers in the shed)

Managed to get 3 of the 10 acres in over the weekend. Now a couple days "off" to let the rest ripen a bit more.

I'll try to get some more pics over the next couple of weeks.

Gene

Sunflowers for Wishes

2010-07-19T11:21:00.000-04:00

I would like to tell you about a wonderful opportunity in CT for all of you! July 17 through July 25 there is a wonderful farm that grows sunflowers. Not just a bunch or two, but thousands and you can purchase a bunch for $5 to support the Make-a-Wish foundation! They also have sunflower flavored ice cream. The farm is named Buttonwood Farm and it is located in Griswold, CT. 473 Shetucket Turnpike, Route 165, Griswold to be correct! They have been doing this for a number of years and it is one of the most spectacular things I have ever seen…..sunflowers as far as you can look! You can take a wagon ride through them. For more information on the times they are open you may call their phone number 860-376-4081 or visit their website: www.sunflowers forwishes.com.

Don’t miss the opportunity to see this and experience another farm in CT trying to give back to the community and the larger community.

Chris

Some 2010 Garden Pics

2010-06-28T14:06:00.000-04:00

no, these aren't veggies.....these are where the eggs come from :)

Piggies

2010-06-15T10:02:00.000-04:00

Picked up two piglets Sunday morning. They seem to be getting along quite well with the 2 older pigs.

6 weeks old....

Gene

A Few Pics From Farm Visit Day

2010-06-14T10:52:00.000-04:00

We'd like to thank all that came out to visit us!

RHF

Garden of Eat’n Farm Visit Day

2010-06-01T09:36:00.000-04:00

You are invited to visit the farm and check out the veggie shack and farm stand along with meeting the family and farm pup “Diesel”. See where the crops are grown and learn about the history of the farm and family.

The farm will host you on Saturday, June 5, 2010
From 1:00 pm to 3:00pm

With light refreshments and a show of tractors
(children welcome!)

The address of the farm is 222 Windsorville Road, Ellington, CT just down from the five corners and across from Windemere School. Please park on the right side of the Main House (white house) near the veggie shack. We will explain the set-up for the bins, what happens on a thunderstorm day, who to call with questions, how to let us know you are on vacation, etc.

You may bring your number one bin if you have them…..if we have your first bin do not worry about it. You do not need to R.S.V.P just come if you can.

Chris, Jean, Ed, Edward, Gene, Jane and Diesel

Two More Tractors

2010-05-17T15:15:00.000-04:00

We have two acquired two more Farmall tractors this spring.

A Farmall Cub about two weeks ago.....

and a Farmall 140 yesterday.....

I think that makes 63 Farmalls on the farm now :)

Gene

04/06/2010

2010-04-06T12:13:00.000-04:00

Hopefully you all have been able to pull up the application form and information form from either our Blog site or you have received them through an email from last year’s listing. If you are new to our site you may download the app and info from this blog. If you have a family member wishing to join or a neighbor please do not hesitate to share the form and info with them. We do not anticipate that we would have to turn anyone down this year.

Chris

Information for the 2010 CSA Season

2010-03-03T15:06:00.006-05:00

A downloadable application for the 2010 CSA season is available on the upper right hand corner of this blog. Please print clearly your name, address, city and email address.The email address is how you will receive confirmation that we have received your application. Along with that you will be confirmed on your Pick Up Day choice. Please keep a copy of your application and this information sheet so you can refer back to it for payment dates and our contact information. Farm news, recipes and other information will be sent to you and your “other participant(s)” will also receive updates as they are sent to you.

Edward and I (Chris) are your contacts regarding the CSA. We have listed our cell phone numbers for your convenience. The email address for questions and/or your recipes and suggestions is: www.stitcher44@comcast.net.

Pick up days include Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Your vegetables will be picked that morning and Edward, Jean and “Tyson” will be packing your 10 gal. bin that morning. If there has been a thunderstorm that morning, please be aware that it would be dangerous for anyone to be in the open field and the picking will be done a little later. You may pick up your vegetables from noon to 8:00pm on clear days. Leave your empty bin to the right of the door of the Veggie Shack and take the filled bin. Next week you will bring the empty and again take the filled bin. If you do not already have your 2 (10 gal.) bins we can purchase them for you for the addition of $20.00 in your payment amount. You can usually find some of the bins at Lowe’s with lids included.

Half of you share is due on 5/15/2010 and the last half is due 6/15/2010. If you need to make other arrangements please call Chris and she will be happy to set up an arrangement that will work for both you and the CSA.

As shareholders in the 2010 crop we appreciate that you are willing to share the risk of 2010’s growing season. We are glad when the weather made its important change to warmer and drier weather so that we could begin to share the harvest with all of you. You will be notified of the first pickup date! Weather including frost, rain, hail, drought always makes farming a real challenge.

If you are unable to pick up on your day or you will be on vacation please let us know if you have someone to pick up your share that/those week(s). If we are not notified and you have not picked up your bin by the next day we will automatically give your share to someone else. If you want your vegetables to go to a shelter during vacations please contact Chris and let her know.

We added honey bees to the farm. We will let you know if there will be honey for sale later in the year. Edward and Chris are the beekeepers.

The shares have gone up for 2010: $325.00 for a full share and $175.00 for a half share. You will be emailed or called to let you know that the veggies will start on your pickup day.

We would like you to know that although we are not certified organic we grow the vegetables with the least amount of chemicals. Each year we must be recertified for chemical and pesticide use. Most homeowners use more chemicals on their lawn than we use on the whole farm. We have been eating our own vegetables and beef for many years and do not want any more usage than necessary of any chemical.

If you would like a tour of the farm please contact us so that we can set aside time to spend with you and show you the farm. Diesel and Tyson our Farm “pups” love company and so do we! Right now Diesel is on the prowl for the foxes and groundhogs that are showing themselves as the weather gets warmer.

The guys (Edward and Gene) are getting the hot houses ready for sowing seed for the vegetables. The Veggie Shack is just off the driveway to the right of the main farm house. This is where you will pick up your vegetables each week and drop off a fresh bin. Eggs will be in the small fridge and for a price of $2.00 a dozen you may help yourself and leave the money in the container. (We have aracauna hens so you will find one or more greenish shelled eggs…..also known as the famous Martha Stewart chickens!) Jane runs the farm stand in front of their house (right of main farm house) and will have much of what is in the bins for any friends that would like to “shop” for veggies but not be a shareholder.

Chris

Piggies Get a New House and Ed Jr. Gets a New Dog

2010-03-01T12:15:00.003-05:00

Since we got the truck (that was in our shop for over a month) running, it was time to get the pigs out of there also. Ed Jr. came up with an idea of what we were going to build using up some of the old wood we had kicking around.....roof boards and siding from some old buildings we've torn down over the years and shipping crates that Ed Sr. has been bringing home.

The base with a side wall waiting to be put up.

The two side walls in place

Back wall is now up

Front wall with rafters up.....back one up against it's wall, an the others leaning up against the shop's sliding door

Two ends with plywood put up

One side with plywood and siding, and ends sided

Rafters up, and Ed starting the roof

Sided, roofed, shingled, and first coat of paint

Finished and brought outside

Final inspection

Diesel gives his approval

And Ed's new pup......Tyson

Moving pigs into their new home is tough work!!!!

Gene

It's Alive!!!!

2010-02-15T14:56:00.002-05:00

We bought this poor girl last September.

She was a basket case (literally) with a blown engine. The block was broken where a connecting rod that snapped off went through. The intake and heads were already off, and the heads were cracked like nothing I've seen before. Supposedly, the previous owner ran her out of coolant and started to disassemble the engine in hopes of repairing her but had given up.
Ed Jr. put an engine together, we dropped it in, and spent hours trying to figure out where everything hooked up (since we weren't the ones who took it apart). Ed got the exhaust back together and it was time to fire her up ........ not so good.
It ran, but barely.
Ed and I spent the last two weeks pulling codes from the inboard computer, testing sensors (I was even swapping some of them with ones on my Blazer to see if they were bad), changing bad ones, re-timing the distributor, readjusting the valves, changing more electrial components, and FINALLY got her to run!! Ya can't imagine how happy I am that I don't have to stare at her in the shop, wondering what we were gonna try next when I get home from work tonight!!!

Tonight, it's get the hood back on so we don't have to see this anymore......

Just might have to weld the hood closed!!! LOLOL

Gene

Saturday's Rib Roast Smoke

2010-02-01T16:19:00.003-05:00

Although it was only 13 degrees out last Saturday, this rib roast had a date with one of my smokers.

Rubbed with salt, pepper and a little garlic powder

I brought my small gas smoker in the shop for the job. To get the smoke from the stack to go outside instead of clouding up the shop, I bought a piece of aluminum dryer exhaust hose and slipped in over the smoker exhaust and through a window. One pane was replaced with an aluminum plate which had a hole the size of my exhaust hose.

It still needs some work, but it worked for the rib roast.

After being in the smoker @ 235 for three hours.

5 1/2 hours in the smoker, it's ready to be wrapped up to rest for another hour.

Final inspection.....looks good enough for me to eat!!

I need to tweak things a bit, but I think I'm going to do more winter smokes with this setup. :)

Gene

Gene's Culinary Skills.....LOL

2010-01-28T15:21:00.005-05:00

We took out my little "kitchen" out of the shop to make room for the woodstove and firewood for the winter. I've been using the woodstove for cooking dinner for the two pigs that are temporarily living in the shop until the ground thaws enough to put up a fence for them.

A pot of turnips (greens n' all) on the stove

All cooked

Chopped up

Now the good part

add some doughnuts......

some grain.....

and mash it all together

I know, it doesn't sound or look very good at all......

but they love it!!

LOLOL!!!

Gene

I need some sleep!

2010-01-18T12:31:00.000-05:00

Okay, I love animals just like the rest of you but this is getting serious! We have not had a full night of sleep for over 10 days now! Three in the morning and again at six the coyotes that are “vacationing” at our farm are driving us crazy! Even Diesel has had it with them! Each night I hope that they have moved on to wherever they go after vacationing at our farm but NO! Each night the barking and howling calls back and forth to one another are driving me insane. If I get up and peer out the back of our house to see if I can spot them I see nothing but the moon shining on the snow cover. No sign of them! Diesel can hear/smell them and wants at them badly. One he could handle but not four or five so we hold him off. I wonder if they can smell our piglets? Hmmm I hadn’t thought of that before. Someone asked me today “Oh, you have pigs?” Yes, I said! Pork Chops and Bacon! “Is that what you named them?” they ask. “No!” I say that is what they will become!

Chris

Piggy Vids...LOL

2010-01-13T15:22:00.000-05:00

Hopefully this video comes out a little better than the last one!

Gene

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New Piglets

2010-01-13T15:02:00.002-05:00

Per requests....our newest family members, Choppy and Hammy.

They may seem alittle crazy, but they sure are gonna make some great BBQ!

Gene

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Tobacco Stalks

2009-10-20T11:11:00.002-04:00

I haven't gotten to take any pics of taking the tobacco down from the shed, or of stripping the leaves off yet this year....I will get some the next time we take some down. I did however get some pics of pulling the stalks off the lath.

Here the leaves are in 30 lbs bundles, the stalks and lath are piled behind the bundles.

Ed Sr. feeds the lath with stalks through the Lath Puller.

Two rolls pull the lath through the headboard leavin the stalks on a shelf.

The lath are tied into buldes of about 50 and piled in the corner of the shed for next years use.
The stalks are piled into a wagon and will be spread out on pasture and corn fields.

The white circles in the pics are the camera capturing the flash reflecting off all the dust in the air.

One shed done....two more to go!

Gene

Cooling Down

2009-10-15T09:54:00.001-04:00

Well this is certainly a day to see the frost on the pumpkin………that is IF we had any pumpkins! Some crops did sooooo well and others not so much! Even our “pup” Diesel didn’t want to crawl out of bed to get a biscuit! That is saying something. It’s definitely turning cold now and it will make it much harder for the guys to strip the tobacco. Even being in the shed with some protection after the sun goes down it gets cold very fast.
The geese are flying south but also finding some of the fields to make a stopover and the gun fire is abundant. First thing in the morning you can hear the shots being fired. Several farms around us must have them set to go off!
My windshield needed scraping this morning too! I am not ready for cold weather! I would have liked a few more weeks of 45-50 degree weather but I think we are in for some pretty low temperatures now. I guess that means the turnips will be much sweeter this year! Jean brought out his coveralls and so the season goes on!
On our farm the work doesn’t stop because the season is over! Now some of the other work begins. This weekend sweet corn was cooked and packaged for the freezer. The sheds will house some of the tractors as the tobacco is stripped and bundled. The stalks will be put out in the fields to go back in the ground from where it came.
At home our Oak trees are sharing their abundance with us too! Lots of acorns and many, many leaves to cover the ground…….now of course we expect the rain because each year we have not been able to rake or pick up the leaves due to continual rain! Let’s hope we can get some of them up!

Chris

Cutting Corn Silage

2009-09-28T12:01:00.004-04:00

We finished cutting the corn silage for the cows to eat over the winter.

Ed Jr. running the chopper with Jean along side with the trailer

Gene pushing up the pile and packing it down with the dozer.

Ed Sr. backing up to the pile to dump off a load of corn.

Gene back on the dozer.

And of course, the hardest worker on the farm, Diesel.

Gene

Feather Pots

2009-09-23T15:59:00.001-04:00

I just read an article in the Connecticut Weekly Agricultural Report that says there is now a way to take chicken feathers and make flower pots from them. The chicken feathers which are an unwanted byproduct of poultry processing may have a more valuable use as an ingredient in biodegradable flower pots. This is according to an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist. The pot looks and feels like a normal plastic pot that you could buy at your local nursery. These pots are made to disintegrate naturally without harming the environment. These pots are manufactured without any petroleum components would release beneficial nitrogen into the soil. For the full article www.ct.gov/doag the September 16th issue. Well, Jane I guess we know what we should save all our chicken feathers for! It may take a while but we have time. (Only 24 chickens could take a LONG while so don’t wait for us to have pots for you for next planting season.)

Chris

Winding Down

2009-09-16T10:15:00.000-04:00

This year has been quite a year for the Garden of Eat’n. We are winding down now on our weekly pickups. This week and next may be the last of the main vegetables. Potatoes and Turnips will be available closer to Thanksgiving. We of course, will let you know about that as the time draws nearer. We hope you have enjoyed what vegetables we were able to provide for you this year.
Our honey production for this year was not as plentiful as we hoped but what we did take this year was good quality. We are most grateful to our mentor John Howe of Willington who gave much of his time and talent to help Chris and Ed Jr. learn how to take care of the hives and bees. Thank you so much!
A very grateful thank you also goes out to Joe Jauss for his help in setting up this year’s shares at Emanuel Lutheran Church. Thank you so much!
If you wish to take home your bins home to store them until next year please feel free to do so. If you wish us to hold them over for next year we will be happy to do so for you.
When potatoes and turnips are ready you can bring a bin or bag as we will let you decide how many you would like to have for your family. We will give you notice by email, blog and/or by phone so you will know for certain that they are ready for pick up.
Again all of us at Rothe Homestead Farm would like to say thank you to all who shared our ups and downs with the weather and veggies this year! We hope to see you again next year!

Edward Jr. , Edward Sr. and Jane, Gene and Diesel, Jean and Chris

I know, I'm a slacker!

2009-09-10T18:27:00.005-04:00

I haven't been keeping up with updating here. Even though the tobacco harvest is done, we're still busy here.

The newest addition to our Farmall family.....I think this one makes the count now 62.

A new fan assembly and a fix an oil leak.

One of the Cubs I'm workin on.

This one needs a new rear main seal on the engine.

Flywheel removal

A buddy of ours dropped of his H for me to fix. Engine was froze up. Got it freed, but it smokes like a chimney.

Bad valve guides.

Pulled the head...gonna put new rings on the pistons and new rod bearings in it while I got it apart.

Meanwhile, Ed Jr.'s been busy reroofing one of the tobacco sheds.

Ed Sr. helpin him out...ya ain't gettin me up there. I'll stay in the shop...thats where the beer is anyways!!!

One more day and he'll have it pretty much finished. Hope the Rain holds off!!

Gene

The Garden

2009-08-31T13:17:00.001-04:00

This year we are trying something new with the basil and dill. Since the season was so wet and much of the herbs did not do well we decided that using the cold frame nearest the tobacco shed by Ed Sr.’s house might be the better place to grow herbs. These were planted a little late (cause not all good ideas come timely) and they are making a good showing now. We will be cutting them in just a week or so and bunch them. Then you will find 2 small buckets in the Veggie Shack with where you may take a bunch from each small bucket. We also planted cut flowers and savory and marjoram. I will have to see when these will be ready for the buckets too. Next year we will plant the herbs earlier and plan for wet or dry weather.
The tomatoes took a real hit this year. Not many of the farmers we have talked to have had a really great crop. It took corn quite a while before there was any available for picking. The weather this year could have been much, much better. But we should also be thankful that we did not have a real drought that lasted all season or year! Which is worse you ask; drought or constantly wet? Either can ruin a farmers crops in a year.

Chris

Tobacco Harvest is Done!!

2009-08-26T10:22:00.002-04:00

The guys took advantage of every sunny moment of these days to get the rest of the broadleaf tobacco in. Just when you think the day will be great up pops a shower. You cannot take the tobacco in if it is not ready but you need to make sure that you are there when it is and getting the whole routine down takes some knowledge. The tobacco is cut down by the stalk with tobacco hatchets and left to lay on the ground to wilt. The stalk is sometimes 1 ½ to 2 inches in diameter. The leaves need to wilt so they will fold closer to the stalk when it is put onto the lathe. The lathe resembles the old lathe used in houses that horsehair plaster would be covered with for walls. A spear head is on one end of the lathe and it is placed into a “spear horse” which holds the lathe out so the end of the stalk can be pierced through. Six stalks are hung on each lathe. Leaves that fall off as this is done are not discarded. They are saved and put onto nails placed in other lathe. All tobacco is precious unless too destroyed to be any good. The lath with the stalks are loaded onto a tobacco rigging (think of the rigging as if it were a file cabinet and the lathe is the hanging folder). When the rigging is full it is pulled by Farmall tractor (of course) to the shed where it will be polled up into layers. Think of the poll as a bbq fork! The poll is centered in the middle of the lathe and when balanced it is handed up to the next tier to be handed on. The top most tier is loaded in each shed first and then each tier is filled to the bottom. The tobacco is spaced out so that air can flow through and wilt/dry the tobacco (this is called curing). The guys work from 9:30 am to around 8pm or later breaking only for lunch. This job is not for the faint hearted! This is not the end of the work. This is only one stage. There are more pictures in earlier posts.

Some Farmalls

One of the Spear-horses

Waiting to be unloaded into the shed

Ed Sr. putting loose leaves on a nail lathe

Chris

Still Chuggin' Along

2009-08-23T09:49:00.003-04:00

Looks like the weather is going to be an issue for the last two acres of our tobacco harvest. The last two weeks of sun were perfect for havesting, unfortunately, it looks like we are going back to the weather pattern we had earlier this summer.

Gene

Summer Weather

2009-08-21T08:52:00.000-04:00

Well we wanted a break from the rain and we certainly got it! The vegetables certainly responded to it with a BANG! The cucumbers look good, the yellow squash perked back up and the zucchini, well we all know that we will always have more zucchini than the whole world can eat. The lemon squash looks good this year too! I hope you all have been enjoying the sweet corn! The tomatoes are another story. This has not been a great year for tomatoes! We are slowly seeing some for harvest.

The heat was hard to take during the hottest part of the day and times were needed in the shade! Our fearless furry hunter went on a hunt and found that the black and white “kitty” had a terrible smell and now Diesel still has a trace of it! He was banished to the shed for a night or two so that we could all breathe in the house!

Ed will take advantage of the cooler days to keep an eye on the veggies and make sure that the broadleaf has a chance to finish getting to the harvest stage. We now just hope that
heavy rains, hail and high winds don’t finish the tobacco before we do!

Chris

Coyotes

2009-08-13T11:38:00.001-04:00

There was an announcement that coyotes have been seen is New Haven. That means that you will see them in your neighborhood soon. Usually around dusk or early morning before the sun is up fully in the sky. Why is this important to know? Because you should not tie up your small pet (anything under 180 lbs) without supervision. And even then if your pet is small and the coyote snags it there will be little you can do to rescue it. Some areas they will travel in packs of 4 to 8. The coyotes cross our farm usually closer to the end of September and in October. They can take down a calf and will usually leave half for us. Please tell your neighbors that may have small pets (cats and dogs) that they should be out with them and take them in late at night/early in the am.

Chris

Repair Time

2009-08-13T10:26:00.003-04:00

Ed Jr. and I spent yesterday helping out our cousin Roy with his JD 350B Bulldozer. The steering clutches on the right track slipped under a load, so we had him bring it over and put in the shop. After 7 hours of dismantling.

Gene

Tobacco Harvest

2009-08-12T12:17:00.002-04:00

We started harvesting the tobacco on Monday. It will takes us a couple of weeks to get it all in. Today is too cloudy, but the rest of the week looks good.

Gene

Last Month of "Summer"?

2009-08-04T14:37:00.001-04:00

The Farmer’s Almanac (almanac.com) says “You may notice in the middle of the month of August a subtle change – cooler nights, a shift in quality of light, the scritch of crickets instead of the trill of songbirds”. I got news for the FA because Connecticut has had these things for the past 2 – 3 months now! When is the last 80 degree night? And quality of light????? It has been so cloudy many days you didn’t know if it was night or day. I don’t worry about hearing the crickets because I think they have all drowned. Not only is the farm wet in many areas; our yard at home squiches when you walk over to check the bird feeder or bird bath. I am beginning to know what Noah must have thought about during his time on the ark……….will this wet weather ever go away (just for a week or two so I could stop feeling like a mushroom). Ohhhhhh! I just read an article in the Pollution Prevention View newsletter that is for Summer 2009 (Comes out from the CT DEP Office of Pollution Prevention) that gives ways to save water usage and compares top loading washer to front loading washers…….well, the last item was Dishwashing by hand (20 gallons used) and Automatic dishwashing (full load) 10 gallons…..I am so glad that all these years I have been a staunch supporter of saving water! You can read the articles online at www.ct.gov/dep/p2

Chris

Corn Tomato Onion Pepper Salad

2009-07-30T11:44:00.000-04:00

The Farmer’s Almanac tells us to observe on which day in August the first heavy fog occurs and then to expect a hard frost on the same day in October.

Corn Tomato Onion Pepper Salad

8 ears of corn, cut off the cob after cooking
1 large red onion, sliced thin
1 cup green, red, yellow or a combination of all, chopped fine
3 medium tomatoes, cubed
Basil leaves, sliced thin

Slowly sauté the corn, onion, and pepper until just soft. Add the cubed tomatoes and basil leaves. Add 2 Tablespoon of balsamic vinegar; blend together. Salt & Pepper to taste. Will serve 12 -15

Chris

Sweet Corn

2009-07-29T10:58:00.003-04:00

Seems the racoons have found the sweet corn. Just might have to put Diesel to work. Pics came out too dark....will try to get more pics this evening if it's not pourin out.

Gene

Bees!

2009-07-25T11:39:00.003-04:00

This morning Ed Jr., John Howe and Chris checked on the hives. We have one that is struggling along and one that is already producing honey. We are nursing the weak one and will continue to feed them with sugar syrup. The other one (with honey) will get an added super and hope for more honey. The honey right now is just sugar syrup honey because the weather has been so wet and many flowers and weeds (goldenrod) have not had a chance to really bloom. The honey we have will be needed to keep the bees over winter. With a little luck the strong hive will bring our wildflower honey if the weather just cooperates. The other hive may go through summer and fall still being fed. As a last resort we may have to find a new queen. That will be tricky! The girls are out when possible and gathering pollen where they can find it!

By pulling out the frames we can check for eggs, pollen and honey. We also look for disease! So far everything looks good. We use the smoker filled with pine needles to calm the bees so that we can take out each of the frames to check them.

It is always amazing to see God’s creations and how beautiful they are with the sun shinning on them.

Chris

New Toy!!!

2009-07-24T15:38:00.002-04:00

It's been raining so much that I've had time to play on the computer. Found myself spending way too much time on ebay. I've been buying different things here and there, but yesterday....just had ta have this!!!

1962 International Harvester Hi Lift Tractor Fork Lift

Gene

July 22....Doesn't Seem Like It

2009-07-22T11:20:00.001-04:00

Many tips that have been passed on to you for your home gardens have come from one of two sources. The Farmers Almanac, which is still a wonderful source of history, weather, folklore and gardening tips. (www.almanac.com) The other comes from Jerry Baker, master gardener and his blog is full of excellent hints and tips for the backyard gardener as well as green lawn enthusiasts. (http://jerrybaker-amg.blogspot.com/) You may remember watching him on PBS with garden, lawn and inside plants tips and pest removal information. I particularly liked his series on companion gardening and which vegetables do best next to each other.

The weather is still a challenge but we keep hoping that there will be at least one full week of sun just so we feel like we have a true summer. The cows, the dog “Diesel” and the rest of us are just pushing through what needs to be done. We need some SUN! We all seem like we need to hibernate! Sun before the first snowfall would really be appreciated and enjoyed!

Chris

Blog July 20, 2009

2009-07-20T11:22:00.000-04:00

Well, as you are finding out, Rothe Homestead Farm has a myriad of activities going on at all times. One never knows what the next operation to take place is until that day. Making plans with friends is hard because of the farm needs (taking in hay, hoeing tobacco or topping, and picking of vegetables). None of these can wait until you are ready. The farm has its own timeframe. Each member knows what their basic job is but that can change; say when a wheel falls off the hay wagon, or two days in a row with constant rain, or someone is sick and others have to fill in. They are long days too. From early morning to eight or nine o’clock is not unusual. Yet the next morning, you look out over the fields and know this is where you were meant to be!

Chris

Gene Smokes a Rib Roast

2009-07-20T10:22:00.004-04:00

I managed to sneak in smoking a rib roast yesterday.

The roast, fresh from one of the cows we just got back from the butcher.

Seasoned with just salt and pepper

Into my smaller smoker @ 225 degrees with some hickory wood.

after 2 hours in the smoker

after 4 hours

Done at a meat temp of 135 degrees and 6 hours

Mmmmm, mmmmm! Tasted even better than it looks!!!

I really need to take more time for cooking!!

Gene

Ed Jr. Topping the Tobacco

2009-07-20T09:39:00.003-04:00

Just a few more pics

Oops!

2009-07-19T14:44:00.002-04:00

Well, something was bound to happen.
Things have been running pretty smooth the last couple of days...until today.
Ed Jr. and I went to deliver a load of hay when our luck ran out! We were towing a hay wagon behind the truck about 15 miles from home when BANG! I get out, walk up to the wagon, and yell out to Ed..."Where's the wheel?!!"
I found it. About 30 feet back...in the road.

How does this happen???

So much for a quick hay delivery!!

Gene

Busy, Busy, Busy!

2009-07-19T10:56:00.003-04:00

We're still trying to get the rest of the hay in, along with taking care of the garden, picking veggies and working in the tobacco.
The tobacco is starting to get big.

We have started the process of "topping".

Topping is breaking off the top of the plant so that the leaves will broaden out and thicken up...hence the name of this type of tobacco, Broadleaf.

The tobacco harvest will start on Aug 10 and will continue til.... well, it's all hanging in the sheds ;)

Gene

Sunflowers for Wishes

2009-07-16T09:49:00.003-04:00

Last year Chris and Jean with their daughter, Cheryl and granddaughter Jessica visited Buttonwood Farm in Griswold, CT. Each year Buttonwood Farm does an event called “Sunflowers for Wishes”. This farm plants 400,000 sunflowers that become bouquets for sale to support the “Make A Wish Foundation”. The bouquets are $5.00 and all monies go to make wishes come true for CT children with life-threatening medical conditions. The event dates are July 18th through July 26th from 10 a.m. until dusk. Hayrides for $5 are also available. Don’t miss having some sunflower ice cream and waffle cones. Buttonwood Farm is located at 473 Shetucket Turnpike, (Rtes 201 & 165) in Griswold, CT. The fields of sunflowers are breathtaking. Bring a camera. Don’t miss this event!

http://www.sunflowersforwishes.com/

Chris

Just Rolling Along

2009-07-14T10:39:00.004-04:00

Along with getting the hay in, everything else still needs attention.

Ed, Ed, and Jean are out hilling the tobacco.

This will keep the plants from blowing over when they get taller.

They are getting bigger but still have a ways to go.

While the other guys are out in the tobacco, Gene is again working on the tractors and equipment (the tractor behind him may need a little more work).

In the evening, the veggies are picked.

"Okay, enough with the summer squash....where are the hops and barley again?"

Gene

Trying to Catch-up on the Hay

2009-07-13T14:01:00.004-04:00

Nice weather means we're pushing to get all the hay in.

Ed Jr. is still out cutting with the Farmall Super MTA and the International Harvester 990 Haybine.

The hay that was baled this last weekend will now be delivered by Gene and Ed Jr. to one of our customers. The process is long, dry and very hard work even with the equipment. The bales weigh a good amount and as you can see from the pictures Jean and Ed Sr. have to bend down to take them to load on the hay wagon. We will continue to cut and bale hay as long as the weather holds up.

Vacation time is here for some of you so please let us know if someone else will be picking up your veggies or should we just hold up your weekly veggies. You can email Chris at stitcher44@comcast.net or call her at 985-2812. Chris sets up your bins the night before so that they are ready for Ed to fill in the morning.

How to calculate your dog’s age….
multiplying your dog’s age by seven is not accurate.

The new way to determine the age is that a 6-month-old dog is 10 human years old
A 1-year-old dog is 15 human years old
A 2-year-old dog is 24 human years old
A 3-year-old dog is 28 human years old

Who knew?

Chris

Some Hay Baling pics

2009-07-12T10:44:00.002-04:00

Gene on his Farmall 300, pulling the baler and wagon.

Jean and Ed Sr. on the wagon with Ed Jr. in the background raking.

There's Ed Jr.

Nothin like a red Farmall out in the field!

Gene ;)

It's About Time!

2009-07-10T12:13:00.003-04:00

Finally, some hay cutting weather!

Ed Jr. breaks out the haybine

Just happy it's not gonna rain for a while

Diesel's out snacking on some field mice

Even the honey bees are happier now

Enjoy the sunshine!! :)

Daily News 7-9-09

2009-07-09T11:15:00.000-04:00

Chris has received calls that the Veggie Shack is locked. The rain and wet conditions have made the door to the Veggie Shack swell so you will need to pull hard on the door to open it. Ed Jr. did a great job of making it as air-tight as possible to keep the vegetables cool.

Please remember to bring your second bin with you if you haven’t already dropped it off. We have a few extra “fill-in” bins if you forget but we may have to use a shopping bag. The vegetables are coming along; some fruit on the plant is small but if we can get some sunshine we will see the quick growth.

Since Peaches and berries are in season I thought I would share a dessert recipe for four:

Peach, Berry and Honey Dessert

4 Peaches, skinned and pitted
1 pint Berries (raspberries, blueberries or other; your choice)
1 pint Strawberries
1/3 C Honey
½ t Cardamom or Cinnamon

Cut each peach into half and place in bowl
Wash berries, hull strawberries; set aside to dry
Mix berries and spoon into bowl over peaches
Mix honey with cinnamon and/or cardamom; drizzle
over the berries and peaches. Serves 4 generously.

You will note that many recipes we share will include honey. We have to promote our bees!

Chris

Storm Damage Update

2009-07-08T17:57:00.002-04:00

After getting to the farm after work this afternoon, I was informed that the sweet corn was hit late last night in the final (3rd) storm of the day.

We are still lucky in that we haven't been hit as bad as some of our neighbors.
When is summer going to get here????

Gene

$&^*#@^!

2009-07-08T09:28:00.006-04:00

Has anyone seen Toto? Where is Auntie Em? This weather pattern is really getting hard to take. The wind and heavy rain hit our farm yesterday and damaged some of our crops. Ed Jr. noticed the damage in the broad leaf tobacco and will be out this morning checking it out after more heavy rain late last night! Whew! Nice to see sunshine this morning (though it won't last). Good thing that some of the veggies for today were already picked and safely stored in the veggie shack. Ever wonder why farmers keep farming after such weather? It only takes getting back out the next day and looking out over their land. Seeing the sun come up over the trees or watching the cows shake off the rain or knowing today will be better keeps them going. It’s nice knowing today is a new start.

Have you noticed holes in your veggies and outside plants? This may be bug damage. The Farmer’s Almanac has a recipe for helping prevent this damage or at least get it under control. Mix: 1 teaspoon lemon dish soap, 1 cup vegetable oil and 1 gallon warm water. Put into spray bottle and spray infected areas. Spray the tops of the leaves only or you will seal off the leaf and it won’t be able to take in nutrients.

Chris

The two gardens seem to have been undamaged.....muddy, but the plants are okay. One of our tobacco fields wasn't so fortunate. (These pics were taken after the storm and the air was calm)

The heavy rain combined with severe winds bruised and broke leaves along with laying the plants over.

The dark spots on the leaves are bruises which makes the leaves worthless.

The rain also washed through the field taking some of the plants out, while burying others.

Enough with these storms!!
BTW...this is the same field as yesterday's post. Can we go back in time???(Looked much better yesterday)

Gene

Daily News 7-7-09

2009-07-07T10:47:00.002-04:00

Ed Jr. has been out side dressing the tobacco crop.

This adds some more fertilizer to the growing plants.

After the fertilizer is added, it must then be cultivated to incorporate the fertilizer into the soil.

Gene

July 7 is the time of the Full Buck Moon as described by the Algonquin Indians to tell when the bucks antlers would start to grow. The Indians often used the moons to tell certain weather patterns and growing seasons. It was sometimes called the Thunder Moon. The latter seems to fit our growing season again this year. With more possible wet weather today in surrounding areas..

This wet weather has sure made our bees unhappy. They cannot go out and gather pollen and nectar because their wings would get wet and they would not be able to fly back to the hives. Ed Jr. and Chris took their beekeeping classes last February at UCONN. After the classes we were in the field with master beekeeper Adam Fuller for additional instruction. A good friend of Chris and Jean, John Howe from Willington has mentored Chris and Ed Jr. in the care of beekeeping this season. John and wife, Linda have been beekeepers for over 20 years and are much appreciated. The farm decided that having bees on the farm could help greatly with the pollination of our vegetables. There has been much to learn about beekeeping. We have two hives set way back on the farm so as not to be in the way of visitors or farm work. We set them to face the rising sun in hopes that they will produce some honey this year. The wet weather may delay that until next year. All queens are different as we found out. One hive is buzzin’ and we have put several supers on. The other is just so so. A queen can lay 2000 or so eggs per day! Now that is a busy bee! The workers are all females and take very good care of the queen. The drones (males) are there for a short while but not really necessary as the queen is already mated when you set up your hive. Soon into the warm season the worker bees will push them out for good. Our bees are Italian bred so they are mild in nature.

Chris

Daily News 7-6-09

2009-07-06T13:22:00.002-04:00

Another day with some sunshine! Dare we hope for more days like this. We now start our second week of veggies and will soon begin to use the bins. We so appreciate the "heads up" for those of you that will be on vacation and have others pick up your share. When you are not able to pick up please let us know as the vegetables we set out for you could go to someone else. Some are already taking advantage of the buddy system so they only have to pick up every other week. Someone in your area would make a great "buddy" to share the pickups. There is a dry wipe board by the scale in the Veggie Shack so you can leave us a note anytime. One of us is in the Veggie Shack daily. Please remember that we would love your recipes, hints and other feed back on the CSA or farm.

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Thankyou,
Chris

Some Sad News

2009-07-05T10:53:00.003-04:00

Ed Jr.'s dog, Buddy, quietly past away yesterday afternoon in the repair shop. He will be missed by everyone that knew him.

Rest in Peace Buddy

Gene

Happy Independence Day!!!

2009-07-04T10:21:00.002-04:00

We hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July!

Daily News 7-3-09

2009-07-03T11:32:00.002-04:00

Yesterday's severe weather passed just south of us. More rain is expected for this afternoon...where's the sun?!!

The home garden

Onions and Beets

Peas and Green Beans

Squash

Cukes

Tomatoes

Potatoes

Rain, rain, go away....Come 0n Sunshine!!!!!!

Gene

The Rothe Family

2009-07-02T11:39:00.003-04:00

Ed Jr.

Ed Jr, with his “wonder dog” Buddy, live in the main house and Ed is our Farm Manager. He determines where the crops are planted, and reports to the Farm Service Agency when and where the crops are on the farm. He is tireless and works very hard to see that all of your pick-ups are stress free and available for you. He sits on the back of the setter for tobacco and veggies as well. He makes sure your veggies are well taken care of and picks them so they are fresh and ready for you to enjoy. He is a master mechanic for the Farmall equipment (we only have “red” tractors) on our farm. And he has been known to help out other farmers as well with repairs and/or suggestions.

Gene

Gene, with his “little pup” Diesel, live on Hayes Ave with his Dad Jean. Diesel is the Great Furry Hunter of the farm he has tried to train Buddy in the fine art; but Buddy just likes to tag along. Gene is the master behind the Blog and all computer related issues as well as master mechanic of the tractors or other equipment. Anything that cannot be coaxed into running with a little elbow grease and oil, he works his magic! He has made “to scale” models of machinery for his nephew’s riding tractor. Just recently we found out he can take on Bobby Flay anytime with his BBQing!

Jane

Married to Ed Sr. and lives to the right of the Main Farm House, she takes care of the Farm Stand. Jane makes the Farm Stand shine with all the veggies in-between working in the garden and taking care of her grandkids. She bakes and puts up jams and jellies. She has also been known to put up tomato sauce and fill bags of corn for the freezer. Her talents also include her artistic ability. She has made many lovely water color and acrylic paintings for friends and family.

Ed Sr.

Ed is still working for Gerber during the daytime and then heads out to the farm to finish out his evenings. Whether driving tractor or sitting on the back of the setter; grass does not grow under his feet. Also a machinist by trade (do you see a trend here?) he works with the others to make sure our Farmalls continue to perform to their expected calling. He is the caregiver to the cows (Herefords) and makes sure they are fed corn each evening. He has been seen on the back of the setter and driving the tractor for the wiggley hoe.

Jean

Jean lives on Hayes Avenue with Chris, his wife. Retired from Gerber and fulltime farmhand now. He is tractor driver for setting, hand hoer of crops, bank representative, farm history keeper, and main person to set up repairs with shops for items not repairable at the farm. He is Chris’s support person for setting up pick-up bins. He has a wonderful sense of humor unless you are the one being tricked (which Chris usually ends up being the one). He is the one that runs interference between the others and Chris for accounting purposes.

Chris

The main task for Chris is to see that the CSA runs smoothly. She sets up applications, and some of the info for the blog. She also does the accounting for the farm. She can occasionally be found on the back of the setter when someone else is missing or unavailable. She along with Ed Jr. are the beekeepers for the farm. She has been known to hand hoe or pick veggies on occasion and will set up events at the farm for the shareholders or other interested visitors.

Buddy

Diesel

Daily News 7-2-09

2009-07-02T11:38:00.001-04:00

Now come the Dog Days as they are called. They are named for the dog star Sirius. They are from 7/3 to 8/11. They are visible with the rising sun and the supposed start of the hot days to come. The only Dog Days our farm see are the two “pups” Diesel and Buddy chasing after something or stealing a bone or stick from each other. Or chasing the neighborhood cat! I hope by now all the neighbors know not to let their pet cats out as our “pups” will be sure to ruin the cat’s day. Well, more rain last night for us! When will it slow down or stop? It sure makes growing veggies, hay, corn and tobacco a real test.

Chris

Daily News 7-1-09

2009-07-01T09:36:00.002-04:00

We are into our first week of scheduled pickups, a little late this year due to the wet and cold weather. Last night the Ellington area had extensive hail damage. Some of the farms around us have very little of their crops left due to torn leaves and crushed stems. We lost power last evening for a short while and the lightening was intense.

As a shareholder you are invited to send recipes, comments and suggestions and share stories with all the other shareholders. In the Veggie Shack we have rulers for the kids, Danger Do Not Touch stickers that can be placed to let the kids know to stay away from an area and some brochures for family entertainment.

Pictures of the family members and our pups will be on the blog soon. It will give you a face to put with the work that is done. We occasionally see fox, deer, ducks and geese somewhere on the farm and our great furry hunter, Diesel along with his sidekick Buddy usually give them a run for their money. Our bees are buzzin and wishing for more sunshine so they can get out more to find the pollen and nectar.
We invite you to call us if you wish to see more of the farm and learn what happens day to day. Since the farm includes Herefords, hay, tobacco and vegetable gardens there is a variety of things going on at all times. This also includes the maintenance and repairs of all our beloved Farmall equipment. You can call Eddie at 860-874-7678 or Chris 860-985-2812 to set up a time that will be convenient for you and also us during the growing season.

Chris

Welcome

2009-06-26T16:49:00.004-04:00

Welcome to the Garden of Eat’n, our CSA (Community Sustainable Agriculture), we are now in our third year! Our family, the Rothe’s, have grown crops on this farm for over 100 years. Vegetables, hay, corn silage for the Herefords, and broadleaf tobacco have been cropped on this land since 1902. Over 87+ acres have produced food for our family and now we share our abundance with you. Although not totally organic we make every effort to use the least amount of chemicals possible. We want to be good stewards of the land. Vegetables for the farm stand and CSA are grown on 2 ½ acres and shared at the farm stand and with our shareholders.

The main farm house is situated across from the Windermere School on Windsorville Road in Ellington, CT. Ed Rothe Jr. and his farm pup, Buddy live in the main farm house while Ed’s parents, Ed Sr and wife Jane live next door to just to the right of the main farmhouse. On Hayes Avenue, Gene and his 180 lb pup Diesel, Gene’s father Jean and Jean’s wife Chris live and watch over the farm from their backyard.
Our CSA took on the name Garden of Eat’n as a play of words on Garden of Eden because it was being members of Emanuel Lutheran Church, Manchester, CT for Chris and Jean that started the interest in becoming a CSA.

The crew transplanting plants in one of the gardens.

Jean, Ed Jr., and Ed Sr. cultivating