Farmer Rob plants cilantro in the kitchen garden while demonstrating good balance and flexibility.
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Earlier this month, American scientists updated the National Climate Assessment, a report that monitors how global climate change is impacting the United States:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/07/science/earth/climate-change-report.html?src=me&ref=general&_r=0 The findings most relevant to New Jersey farmers include: -With a warming of 2 degrees Fahrenheit over the past century, New Jersey is one of the states that has experienced the most warming. -Over the past half-century, the proportion of precipitation that is falling in very heavy rain events has jumped by 71 percent in the Northeast. -Sweeping changes have been caused by an average warming of less than 2 degrees F. over most areas of the U.S. in the past century. Warming could conceivably exceed 10 degrees by the end of this century. Another sure sign of spring, the sugar snap peas and spinach planted in the kitchen garden are thriving.
Farmer Ian and Farmer Jeremy (plus four hard-working draft horses) just finished discing the oat field, which means it's now ready for planting.
As part of last Saturday's sheep shearing program, Howell Farm was visited by a pack of champion sheep-herding border collies, including the #5 ranked dog in the United States. The dogs' trainer explained how competitive sheep herding came about: Because farmers have always had so little time for outside hobbies, when they get together socially they compete at the things they already do for work. Thus plowing matches, tractor pulls, hay bale throwing and sheep herding competitions were born.
Restoration work on Howell Farm's historic farmhouse is almost complete. Updates and some inside-the-house photos coming soon.
After two days of heavy spring rain, the farm is green and glistening.
As part of a public arts program put on by the Hopewell Valley Arts Council, Howell Farm is currently being visited by a fiberglass oxen, one of 55 oxen sculptures that will roam the Hopewell Valley area this summer. A local artist decorated the sculpture with photos of oxen powered farming around the world.
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About
The Furrow is the online newsletter of The Friends of Howell Living History Farm. We will be updating this site about once a week with crop reports and other insights into life on a horse-drawn living history farm. Archives
June 2015
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