tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68639401039834992052011-12-29T05:51:37.427-08:00My husband of 16 years died in March, 2010 and I am now faced with rebuilding my life without him. In my case, that meant moving back to my hometown, to be closer to my own family. Dave and I made our living as certified organic farmers for the past 10 years and so I will be in the process of re-establishing my growing spaces in a new location. It also means that I have to figure out how to cope with life without my husband and partner. I hope I am up to the tasks at hand...Suzannenoreply@blogger.comBlogger2191100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-68948493219560820302011-05-30T12:13:00.000-07:002011-05-30T12:16:33.321-07:00

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-43161794868656405752011-05-05T08:01:00.001-07:002011-05-05T08:04:19.612-07:00

Herb gardens may be purely functional, or they may include a blend of functional and ornamental plants. The herbs are usually used to flavour food in cooking, though they may also be used in other ways, such as discouraging pests, providing pleasant scents, or serving medicinal purposes (e.g., a physic garden), among others. A kitchen garden can be created by planting different herbs in pots or

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-11445928723630662342011-05-05T07:59:00.000-07:002011-05-05T08:03:40.927-07:00

One of the things I am the most enthralled about when it comes to growing food plants is the historical significance of those plants.   I try to mostly grow heirloom varieties and love the idea that I am eating the same things that the generations that preceeded me ate.  It is living history at its purest.  The following is from a handout I created for a lecture I gave on heirlooms.   Before

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-42512114399236433502011-04-17T11:21:00.000-07:002011-04-17T11:23:16.710-07:00

Just a quick rundown of what I have already up in flats so far: Tomatoes: Aunt Ruby's German Green Dave's Big Wave German Johnson Zapotec Big Zebra Brown Berry Snow White Cherry Green GRape Sun Gold Black Cherry Black Zebra Delicious Black Ethiopian True Tommy Toe Suddeth's Brandywine Black Brandywine True Black Brandywine Tall Vine Brandywine And I have a whole flat of mystery heirlooms coming

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-2308178676551214632011-04-17T11:08:00.000-07:002011-04-17T11:10:12.208-07:00

PICS OF NEW GARDEN SPACES  (This is the link to the pictures.) I took some pictures of what was going on in the garden a couple of weeks ago and posted them to the farm Facebook page.  I am too lazy to redo all that, so if you are interested you can go visit the link above and read the commentary with the pictures. Next time, I will post them here first and refer the Facebook page here.  I got a

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-32239386997299235122011-04-12T09:28:00.000-07:002011-04-12T09:28:32.865-07:00

If you follow this blog, the you probably discovered that the owner of this blog is incompetent when it comes to using the Blogger system.   I tried to set this up with my own URL and it backfired. Sorry. It took me about a month to figure out what was wrong.  (Go ahead and say it, I am.) What a  BONEHEAD! Anyway, I am back now....look for some new posts in the next few days as I get caught back

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-65776046034612014432011-02-12T07:44:00.000-08:002011-02-12T07:44:33.813-08:00

There now seems to be a lot of confusion floating around my circle concerning the deal on seeds. With all the Genetically Engineered seeds out there these days, it seems that everybody is running scared about what to plant in their gardens. Because we grew so many different things at New Moon Farm and because part of our certification obligation was to use certified organic seed, I have become

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-28551118823219164602011-01-20T18:14:00.000-08:002011-01-20T18:14:25.509-08:00

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-28676194763943662622011-01-10T06:33:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:17:39.051-08:00

It is very early and I take two of my dogs out in the snow. There is no sound for the world is still sleeping under its cold blanket, the one woven in shares of blue and gray.  It is beautiful and oddly comforting to me this morning, even though my feet are freezing in my less than adequate shoes. I do not leash the dogs because going out at this very early hour is the only chance that they will

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-5219269374545062622010-12-25T06:27:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:17.829-08:00

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-577578806896016962010-12-22T15:55:00.000-08:002010-12-22T15:56:34.949-08:00

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2010 Last Saturday, I was a vendor at my best and favorite farmer's market.  It was so cold, I thought I would never feel my right big toe again but even so, it was exhilarating! Since it is a winter market,  there weren't a lot of people perusing the venue early on.  That gave me a chance to look around and really "see" my fellow farmers. Usually I am so busy from the time I

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-37969160473355944092010-12-16T07:22:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:17.831-08:00

Visit my alter ego blog The Artful Omnivore to see what I have been up to lately.

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-42954674949888349912010-11-20T14:54:00.000-08:002010-11-20T14:54:25.288-08:00

Sorry I have been slack again. Not much going on. Finally got the funds I was expecting but have not had time to do anything much outside lately. Weather has been perfect but I have just not been in the mood.  Brother is getting married and that has taken precedence over much of what I could be doing but it is all good. Will be having the field plowed soon and be working on putting together a

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-63658492298589845082010-11-02T10:57:00.000-07:002010-11-02T10:57:33.182-07:00

Tractor guy came by today and said he is ready to plow any time I want him to come. I am waiting on a check from the estate and when I get it I will have the funds to pay him, so I am excited I can finally get something positive and productive done towards the new field. Not exciting to most people but to me it is like being part way up Everest.

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-59528840739210098042010-10-29T06:25:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:17.834-08:00

Working on projects in the house this week. Nothing much interesting to write about on this blog.  Creative juices flowing but no cash to follow through.  Got some funds coming in next week that should put me back on the road to something....don't know what but something.

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-54353039665970807672010-10-25T07:27:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:17.836-08:00

It is raining today so that put the kibosh on any outside plans I had for today.  I am kind of glad about that because the other day I was working on getting all my pots, etc. up to put into storage and I had a little experience that made me throw down what I was working on and literally run away.I had all kinds of stuff in pots this year and I was pulling out the dead stuff and dumping out the

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-48319164952007192010-10-23T10:30:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:17.838-08:00

Today I am working on a project that started back before Dave passed away. It was something that was very important to us and I have just not been in a frame of mind where I have felt like I could continue to work on it. I have not really felt inspired to put anything new up for a long time, but if I am going to survive, I have to get my butt in gear and move in a positive direction.  Dave taught

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-15107981346023698672010-10-21T15:18:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:17.844-08:00

Okay, I admit it. I am wishy washy.  I said I wasn't going to post much on this blog anymore, but I keep coming back to it.  It is like a comfortable old pair of jeans you just can't seem to throw out because there might be one more season of wear left in them. This blog feels like home and so I have come back to it again...most likely to stay.To paraphrase that guy from Extreme Makeover, "

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-30380635371915616242010-10-06T08:08:00.000-07:002010-10-06T08:08:23.556-07:00

I am making a little progress on the field this week.  The friend with the tractor finally got it repaired and he came this week and bush hogged the upper part of the field, so I could get a better look at it. It is much larger than I anticipated and I am kind of excited about that.  My friend is planning on coming and turning it once this fall and working it again for me in the spring. He said

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-9005009169317993942010-09-14T07:52:00.001-07:002011-01-18T15:23:18.633-08:00

When my husband died, I moved to my hometown, to be closer to my parents and frankly, because I wasn't given much choice in the matter.  Family dynamics change when someone dies and this time was no exception. I have never been particularly close to Dave's mother. The reasons don't really matter any more but they had a profound impact on my life after Dave died.  I am trying to make the best of a

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-71592964818238891832010-09-06T07:38:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:17.858-08:00

Oh my!  I just looked at the last time I posted something here.  It has been like 6 weeks.  I have to admit that there is nothing much going on right now. I have had to postpone my readying of the raised beds due to lack of fundage.  That is something that is not easy to overcome, so I am just hanging in, putting it out to the Universe that I need a miracle to happen.  That was a veiled reference

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-50903836758994769732010-08-23T07:10:00.000-07:002010-08-23T07:18:34.518-07:00

Things are not going as planned....BIG SURPRISE!!!  When I started this venture, I think I mentioned that I had no idea how long it would take and I meant that.  I didn't mention, though, that I gave myself a year for a project that probably would only take a couple of months in a different set of circumstances. To think that things would go smoothly was my being totally optimistic about it. Of

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-40266729188867247492010-08-16T07:11:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:18.644-08:00

If you are interested in following my journey as I transition from Classic New Moon Farm tothe Updated New Moon Farm, I have several new blogs about specific chapters of this latest journey I am on.If you are interested, here they are:

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-7271187852467534552010-08-10T08:53:00.001-07:002010-08-10T08:53:37.612-07:00

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-72476139357772244112010-08-10T08:26:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:18.649-08:00

Only a true Hillbilly both knows and understands the difference between a redneck, a good ol' boy, and po' white trash. 

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-33887598165657830322010-08-08T07:23:00.000-07:002010-08-08T07:23:43.258-07:00

Well, the dirt didn't come last week.  No biggie, I actually didn't want it to come because there was a big thunderstorm the afternoon before the delivery day and I didn't want all that dirt coming in soggy.  Probably would not have been that big of a deal, since it is already in a big, wet pile where it coming from and turning it over would probably have helped it dry out faster. But, I know me

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-12558490426301408392010-08-04T11:08:00.000-07:002010-08-04T11:18:46.924-07:00

Tomorrow I am getting a load of organic top soil delivered to my new spot. Even though it is more cost effective than some of the alternatives, it is still pretty expensive and I am only getting enough for now to fill in my raised beds so that I can finish off what I have already started.  I apologize for not being able to put up pictures lately, but my digital camera is not working at the moment

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-83500189698155024462010-08-04T09:59:00.000-07:002010-08-04T10:00:06.960-07:00

I have officially bestowed a new title on myself. I shall henceforth be known as "Suzanne, Mistress of the Dirt"

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-10453157951937286272010-08-04T09:09:00.001-07:002011-01-18T15:23:18.659-08:00

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-62602196501480811312010-08-03T15:03:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:18.664-08:00

A

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-348094038814342032010-07-30T09:46:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:18.669-08:00

In that last post, I mentioned that I lived on top of a mountain in a tent for almost a year. That is totally true and a great story.

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-31796861071985888962010-07-30T09:43:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:17.877-08:00

I was tottering on the rim of  Despair Canyon yesterday but I am back on solid ground today. Have recovered most of my balance overnight.  After the last couple of months, I was actually starting to feel pretty okay with my situation. I had just gotten settled into what I thought was going to be a comfortable, semi-permanent space while my new diggs are being rehabbed but then found out that I

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-14586315747572208602010-07-29T09:03:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:17.880-08:00

I think that this blog may be becoming passe.  There is no more organic farm for me to expound on and talk about how wonderful my life is.  My mother-in-law saw to that almost immediately after Dave died. I can't believe that the very people who were supposed to be my family could turn on me like that at a point where I was dealing with the most devastating blow of my life. Over 4 months later

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-53006646634381441632010-07-26T07:13:00.000-07:002010-08-04T09:55:46.760-07:00

Think that the heat might finally let up a bit this week and I will be able to finally get some of these plants in the ground.  I have 50-60 heirloom tomato plants growing in pots and to tell you the truth, they look better than most of the tomatoes I have planted in the ground in the past.  Probably because I have focused so much attention on them. I do have to tell you their story and why I

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-92055865073775032472010-07-19T06:15:00.000-07:002010-07-19T06:18:51.232-07:00

Starting this week off with a bang (at least that is my plan).  Since I have been offline for a bit, with the moving and all and so I will try to play catch up on this post. Then we can press forward with the real intention of this blog. For the last month, I have been in deep transition. I have gone from living and working on a 30 acre organic farm to living with my parents, having the majority

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-68596686643156192322010-07-07T14:00:00.001-07:002010-07-07T14:00:29.889-07:00

It has taken almost a month, but as of today, I am finally back online.  I don't have time to play catch up on the blog right now, but plan on doing all that tonight.  Things are going slowly, mostly because of this extreme heat wave we have been having for the last month.

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-38965651207907026442010-06-28T09:54:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.366-08:00

Hello to everybody. I have sneaked a little time on a friend's computer, so I thought I would post something here today. I am officially moved and to tell the truth, the confusion just grows. I am now a displaced person and there are so many loose ends that need typing up I feel like Medusa's hairdresser. Anyway, I am hoping to have my own computer back on line this week so that I can catch up

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-33723838409044438602010-06-12T06:08:00.000-07:002010-06-12T06:08:34.215-07:00

I am down to the wire on moving. Have hit a snag because, among those who have offered to help me move,  I can't find two burly men and a truck that will help me move my appliances. So now I am going to have to hire Two Men and a Truck to move these final items.  Along with my dogs.   Can't move the dogs without the dog lots. Can't move the dog lots without moving the dogs. Can't move the dogs

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-18890216347647427792010-06-11T17:12:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.369-08:00

Tonight I decided it was time to get back to posting on this blog. I am going in about 20 directions at once and most of them seem to be in a grand circle.

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-50146384062064363762010-06-10T04:39:00.000-07:002010-06-10T04:39:06.972-07:00

Been VERY busy with finalizing the move. Haven't had time to do much else with the new garden spaces, hence my absence.  I will officially be moved this weekend and will be starting in earnest on the new spaces first of next week.  I am still excited about this new chapter in my life, although it is incredibly hard and incredibly sad to be closing the last chapter of my life with Dave.  He is

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-11851356861868638082010-06-05T07:52:00.000-07:002010-06-05T07:52:29.787-07:00

Been very busy this week other places besides the new digs this week.  I am in the final stages of moving and I have been almost totally focused on that.  I have nearly everything done except for odds and ends. All the drawers and closets are cleared out now and I am packing the last of my personal items this weekend.  If all goes according to my plan, I will be moved out by next week and I can

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-38042506769603884762010-05-29T09:44:00.000-07:002010-05-29T09:56:38.227-07:00

The rain has slowed me down this week. I can not believe how many times it has rained in the last 2 weeks. Of course, if I wanted it to rain, it would be dry as a buffalo chip. Anyway, haven't slacked off on things, just working on some behind the scenes stuff right now that is not all that interesting at this point. I am going to post some info about how much this is costing me so that people

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-33629436725474854962010-05-25T06:27:00.000-07:002010-05-29T09:56:38.230-07:00

Here are some of the things that I have carted over from the old place. Fence panels will be used for trellising tomatoes and that roll of smaller wire is used to for cukes, snap and snow peas, etc. - in other words plants that are not quite as robust at tomatoes. These panels are just about indestructible. We used these for at least the last 7 or 8 years. Way more efficient than wooden tomato

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-77541062562586616712010-05-24T07:34:00.000-07:002010-05-29T09:57:27.822-07:00

Here are some more pictures of the new location, Ground Zero, meaning that I haven't done a single thing to the ground yet in these pictures. This first picture was taken standing about midway of the mowed section looking back toward the road. The next view is directly the other way, standing pretty much in the same spot as the previous picture. Down toward the end, it is just grass. That little

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-33160314816352465312010-05-22T08:08:00.000-07:002010-05-29T09:56:38.235-07:00

This is a short angle view of the new location, so that you can see the trees, etc. at the back edge. The property is cleared at the front, but there is still a good bit of vegetation at the rear. Lots of honeysuckle, which is good for attracting bees and other pollinating insects and wild blackberries mingled among them. This is the area where I will be establishing the first

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-79834446149982739722010-05-22T07:42:00.000-07:002010-05-29T09:54:17.254-07:00

This is an example of a really well done yet simple raised bed. This is a stock photo, not mine, but eventually, the beds I put in will look like this (or better, I hope)!Another stock photo of an excellent example of what we are shooting for at the new place. I love this oval configuration. I am planning on the perennial herb area to be decorative, as well as functional. I hope to plant a

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-28168584496543239482010-05-22T07:36:00.000-07:002010-05-29T09:53:55.034-07:00

These are tiny seedlings planted in flats back in February. They were started under grow lights.I use a really fine organic seed starting mix and simply scatter the seeds over the top of the flat and pat theminto the soil. The seed starting mix is soaked with water before any planting is done so it is wet before I apply the seeds. Seeds that might blow away get a light covering of soil

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-90679587949700307852010-05-22T07:21:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.374-08:00

i

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-25331680246040018862010-05-22T07:14:00.000-07:002010-05-29T09:58:15.158-07:00

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-60843204885170476612010-05-18T06:17:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.375-08:00

Still not posting much to this blog. I am working on a new blog about the creation of a new growing situation where I am moving to in my hometown. I have not gone live with it yet but when I do, I will post the link here. I may end up focusing some of my blogging energy over there for a while. At the new place I am basically starting totally from the ground up and I thought it would be the

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-53180748311722842942010-05-13T21:03:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.377-08:00

Been very, very slack with the blog lately. Simply have too much going on right now so hang in and I will get back to business soon as....Moving sucks, by the way.

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-48394204866497227572010-04-26T17:38:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.379-08:00

Wow! didn't realize it has been so long since I posted anything. Right now, I am just trying to keep my head above water. Between the move of the Farm and everything else going on, I have been a slacker/blogger. I have posted a couple of things at my farm Facebook page (it is just easier that logging on to the blog) so if you want to see what's been happening at the Farm, checkNew Moon Farm

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-34669381342477464482010-04-12T05:48:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.381-08:00

Since my husband passed away several weeks ago, many things have changed here at the Farm. The main thing is that I have discovered that I simply cannot remain here without him. It is intolerable on many levels and for many reasons. After a lot of agonizing consideration, I have decided to move New Moon Farm Organics back to my hometown, back to my own farming roots. I have access to a fine

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-70294228359366880922010-04-10T19:16:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.384-08:00

This is a reposting of an article from this blog from about 3 years ago. I thought I would put it back up because I recently listened to something on NPR about things people pay big bucks for that are not the real thing...caviar was one of those things and there is something about that in this post. I think that it is time that I do my part to bring attention to the issue of food prejudice. Since

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-16864678877462704362010-04-10T19:08:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.387-08:00

Just looked back thru some of my older posts from back in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and realized that there is quite a chronicle of farm life there. So that it wasn't so hard to find them, I changed the archive to a pulldown menu to make it easier to read thru these old posts.

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-84729753688031965282010-04-10T05:27:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.388-08:00

We had a pretty chilly night here last night. Had to bring all 5 Jack Russells on the back porch. Any night time temps under 45 degrees get them a warm bed, in their kennels. When it is warmer, they like to be outside, in a puppy pile in the doghouse. But I have talked about that in older posts and so I will just leave it at that.Everything in the greenhouse is still gorgeous this morning. It

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-65414138394719262682010-04-08T08:38:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.391-08:00

This post is gonna get me a lot of flack, but I call them like I see them.I don't acknowledge Earth Day any more. I have become a little jaded about the whole concept. Back in the 70's, I was a little hippie chickie with granny glasses and flowers in my hair and I cared about EVERYTHING!!!! Earth Day was a huge deal to me at that time. It was a chance for the citizens of the Earth to come

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-36806179945634842342010-04-08T08:09:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.393-08:00

If you have been reading this blog lately, you know that I have been dealing with the death of my beloved Farmer Dave. Dave was my best friend, husband, mentor, teacher, spiritual guide, counselor , alter ego, companion, confidant, comrade, helpmate, playmate and my soul mate. He was my kindred spirit, my knight in shining armor and the heart of my heart. I miss him so fiercely that it is like

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-69519028541749860032010-04-06T05:48:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.396-08:00

Shamanism is the about being connected with nature,understanding that we are earth-based.The real and living knowledge is then used for balance, health and right relationship,as well as success, in all that is that we do.-Taken from Earthkeeperway.com-"We define the practice of Shamanism as a family of traditions whose practioners focus on voluntarily entering altered state of consciousness in

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-60591972723385946192010-04-04T06:05:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.399-08:00

I miss Dave....

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-64551613988969873852010-04-01T20:52:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.402-08:00

Once upon a time, there was a little girl with big, beautiful blue eyes. She had a very big heart and was touched by things that other people seemed not to even notice. She sometimes dreamed that animals would come to her in the woods, that birds would fly to her and that rabbits would eat from her hand. Once she found a baby bird that had fallen from its nest. She tried to put it back but it

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-69015211402900077522010-03-30T06:46:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.407-08:00

Widow Origin: bef. 900; (n.) ME wid(e)we, OE widuwe, wydewe; c. G Witwe, Gothwiduwo, L vidua (fem. of viduus bereaved), Skt vidhavā widow; (v.) ME, deriv. of the n.; def. A women whose husband has died and who has not yet remarried.What a narrow definition for something so consuming. It is interesting to me to note that this definition says who has "not yet" remarried. Somehow thinking about

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-75259870170476055412010-03-29T05:51:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.411-08:00

Farmer DaveAfter 16 incredible, amazing years with the man that I loved almost beyond reason, my sweet, organic life changed last week, in the blink of an eye. Dave left this world behind last Tuesday and now I miss him more than I imagined possible. When we finally resigned ourselves to the fact that he wasn't ever going to get better and that his time was growing short, I tried to imagine how

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-39963161581180969942010-03-20T12:24:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.415-08:00

A little more somber topic here today. Dave, my husband and co-founder of the Farm is gravely ill. He has had kidney cancer since 2005 and has finally reached that stage where quality of life is paramount. He is home and in hospice care. Alert some days, others completely "gone somewhere else", he is still guiding my hand when he can but mostly he just gazes out the window from his hospital bed

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-76042151663832711842010-03-17T05:47:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.418-08:00

It is that time of the year. Things are bursting at the seams with life! You can smell it on the air. The trees are covered with tiny leaf buds, the hens are laying again, the weeds are coming up faster than the planted seeds and the weather can't decide whether to be warm, windy, cold or wet. I LOVE Spring in the South!!!Right now, I have so many irons in the fire, I need another arm or two

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-53841600689121804422010-03-11T07:48:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.421-08:00

Wow! It has been another one of those week, months, years. Hubby has been in the hospital for the last week and just got him home. I pray that nobody has to go through what we are going through, but I know that as long as there is no cure for cancer, that won't happen. Taking each day as it comes is all you can do. My sweet Farmer is beyond being cured and now we are in palliative care.

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-31338064204980886402010-02-26T06:38:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.424-08:00

How does a person cope with tragedy? How do you move with grace and dignity when you are so scared that you feel like you are coming apart at the seams? Where do you find the inner light to press forward when you feel like the entire world is dissolving before your very eyes?

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-14229298356989934272010-02-26T03:37:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.426-08:00

There has been a movement in this country to bring the concept of "local food" back to communities.

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-78312350438095474262010-02-24T05:50:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.428-08:00

Organic vs. Non-organic ProduceHumans have been growing produce organically for thousands of years. Today, the USDA has strict regulations governing the production of organic produce. In general, the use of genetically engineered seeds and methods, chemicals or radiation as preservatives, and chemically based fertilizers and pesticides are not allowed. Organic agricultural methods are more

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-23403868747321108402010-02-24T05:49:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.431-08:00

Farming has been around for many ages. At a point in time, this was what most people did, until other things developed such as the automobile industry and ushered in the industrial revolution. Farming also became industrialized. The old ways fell aside as this new non-organic farming evolved into the conventional methods we know today. Here are some of the things that conventional food farming

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-66944139200852087332010-02-23T06:51:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.434-08:00

I have been a blogslacker (I made that word up...) lately but I have a good excuse. I do our website myself and am an old dinosaur when it comes to writing the code for the site. It takes me forever because I don't use a program for it and I have to tweak every page until I like it and that can take me days just to finish one section. While our website is pretty "folksy" and homemade, it takes a

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-72187720439982028002010-02-12T08:05:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.437-08:00

Support New Moon Farm Organics by participating in ourMARKETDISCOUNT CARD PROGRAM We have issued 100 "I SUPPORT NEW MOON FARM" discount cards,which will sell for $10 each.The card will entitle the holder to a 10% discount on produce purchases for the entire 2010 market seasonat the Davidson Farmer's market and/or at any other farmer's market we attend in 2010. The card can be used as a one time

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-37277742750786960352010-02-12T07:59:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.439-08:00

Many of you have probably noticed that Farmer Dave, who is the soul of New Moon Farm, was conspiciously absent from the market scene in 2009. Many of you, however, may not know the reason for his absence.In early 2005, Dave was diagnosed with a renal cell carcinoma in his right kidney. The kidney was removed at that time and he was pronounced cancer free. Because his surgery and recovery occurred

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-8517084963356216482010-02-12T06:27:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.442-08:00

NEW MOON FARM ORGANICDISCOUNT CARD PROGRAM We have issued 100 "I SUPPORT NEW MOON FARM" discount cards,which will sell for $10 each. The card will entitle the holder to a 10% discount on produce purchases for the entire 2010 market season at the Davidson Farmer's market and/or at any other farmer's market we attend in 2010.ORThe card can be used as a one time $10.00 discount toward a 12 week

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-14949661285019568732010-02-07T07:28:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.445-08:00

This article is posted on one of my other blogs, but I thought it was a good topic for this one, too. The original post was sparked by an article I read about how Dean Foods "quietly removed" the word organic from the label of its line of Silk Soy products. I identified with the headline because I was a victim of exactly what the article was written about. (The link on this blog is listed at the

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-56506700910971321132010-02-03T07:45:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.449-08:00

Genetically Altered, Genetically Enhanced, Genetically Engineered, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)Today, I am feeling like one lonely soldier that the general sent in to take down the entire left flank of the ene

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-9843964012910110332010-02-02T05:26:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.451-08:00

Just remembered that I haven't posted anything to this blog in quite a while. Of course, I haven't really had much to tell because there isn't much going on "farm wise" at the moment. Just snow, rain, ice, more rain, more snow, more rain, a little sun, cold, cold, cold, cold. So I have spent A LOT of time in the house lately. I have to drag myself out to feed and water the chickens when the

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-32838764824090188822010-01-22T04:35:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.455-08:00

I am kind of relishing the cold wet weather that has been back for the last two days because I don't have to feel so guilty about wanting to stay in the house. Having a couple of warm days to work outside was nice, I guess, but it is supposed to be cold this time of year and I simply longed to be inside, piddling around the kitchen or working on my cookbook. I don't get much time like this so it

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-78447109874808152072010-01-10T07:35:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.460-08:00

There hasn't been much exciting things to post about the Farm lately, so I think I will just take you through an ordinary winter morning here. This was originally posted 3 years ago, same time of year, and nothing has changed much. I don't know whether that sounds good to most people, but to me it sounds like heaven. (Originally posted in December 2007)First of all, we get up with the chickens or

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-59028482554827937912010-01-09T05:39:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.463-08:00

This morning I looked out my kitchen window to a veritable winter wonderland. Our backyard rolls down into a hollow and then back up a steep bank, much of which is treed with mostly old oaks and some huge poplars. Since the angle of the sun and the shade of the woods keeps out most sun this time of year, it takes a long time for any accumulation of snow to melt completely. That has given the

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-19839800848534384332010-01-05T04:57:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.467-08:00

Winter has come in like a lion this year. It is so cold here this morning that it felt like my eyeballs were frozen by the time I got back in from taking the dogs out. But, even though I was really, really cold, I have to say that the sunrise was worth every shiver. There is a pretty heavy cloud layer this morning because we have another system moving into the area so the sunrise was sort of

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-74684727704624921952009-12-29T06:33:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.470-08:00

Be a responsible gardener and always look for this pledge (or something similar) when purchasing your seeds.Agriculture and seeds provide the basis upon which our lives depend. We must protect this foundation as a safe and genetically stable source for future generations. For the benefit of all farmers, gardeners and consumers who want an alternative, we pledge that we do not knowingly buy or

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-8288708970163142832009-12-29T06:10:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.473-08:00

Since one of the touted benefits of buying local food is that you get to know your farmers, I thought would like to take this opportunity to present you with a thumbnail biography about the Farmer and myself. I have never done that before because it is very weird writing about yourself. If you read this blog regularly, you already know that growing things is a huge part of our life, so I am just

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-69539309697168126662009-12-29T06:03:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.476-08:00

I have been kind of neglectful of the "simple living" part of this blog and I think that given the tighter belts that many people are experiencing right now, it is time I put up something about ways you can live better for less.Anyone who has followed this blog for a while has read some of my descriptions of what it is like to live and work on an organic farm. We live a very simple and very

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-52534416112188808112009-12-29T05:52:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.479-08:00

The media's labeling of things puts them into a box from which there is sometimes no escape. Sometimes this labeling doesn't even mean anything. Like when some catch phrase from television or some equally spurious source starts being used so much people stop questioning the origin or even the meaning.Every year, yet another "think tank" (see what I mean?) comes out with an annual list of top new

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-62948638816923573072009-12-23T05:08:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.483-08:00

Unfortunately, anytime there is an economic demand for a product, impostors sometimes begin to spring up at an alarming rate. This is the situation that many small certified organic farmers are encountering with more and more regularity when trying to market their goods. At farmer's markets, roadside stands, buying clubs and other venues, there are unscrupulous growers who claim to be "almost

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-69169509792573037762009-12-18T06:51:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.487-08:00

Wow! I thought it was time to post something important to our many loyal customers and blog followers, since I know that many of you might be curious as to what is happening with Dave and myself right now, in regards to the Farm. Since many of my readers knew us during Dave's original bout with renal cancer and were so supportive at that time, it seemed that it was important to let them know that

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-9701550054353216522009-12-14T05:48:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.493-08:00

The title of this blog is "Simply Sustainable - My Life on an Organic Farm". It mostly talks about the ups and downs of living and working as a farmer. But I wasn't always a farmer. In fact, my previous incarnation was about as far from farmer as you can get. I worked in the financial services industry for over 25 years....securities and commodity brokerage, to be specific.My epiphany that maybe

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-37049918129250966332009-12-11T06:29:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.497-08:00

Anyone who has followed this blog for a while knows that I am nutty about my beneficial insects and reluctantly enamored of even the not so beneficial ones. As I am out in the field, I get to observe up close, a tiny universe that many people never get to see. The life and activity in, under, around and between growing plants is a wonder to behold and I am in awe of it. Getting down and dirty

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-80384342454190050632009-11-28T09:47:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.500-08:00

This has been about the most hectic week I have spent in quite a while. Last Saturday, we had our last CSA pick up of the season (we go on for a really long time), as well as our regular winter Farmer's Market in Davidson. That means I got to pick all day Friday and it was COLD! I have to get down on my knees to pick lettuce and other baby sized greens, and since the ground was still wet from

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-26188617603085940842009-11-22T20:23:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:23:48.503-08:00

What a life! Every day I thank the stars that I am able to live this life I have. Even when adversity is thrown my way, I always have something to be thankful for. I sincerely wish that everyone could experience this way of living.I go to bed when I am tired and get up when I am ready. I almost never fail to fall asleep soon as my head hits the pillow. Stress happens, but not anything that I

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-17811158880882832202009-10-14T04:37:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.506-08:00

Someone asked me recently how many staff members we have here at the Farm this year. I didn't mean to, because it seemed rude after the fact, but I actually laughed out loud. Staff? How many? Well, let me see, 90% of the time, there is the Farmer and there is me. And this year, the Farmer's time has been cut dramatically, due to illness.This has been a long and ardous year for us here at the Farm

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-45007405259167376362009-10-12T06:40:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.518-08:00

Hello to everyone who reads my blog. I am very sorry that I have not posted anything in so very long, but posting here has been toward the bottom of the priorities list. For those of you who know us personally, you know about the journey we are presently on. It is a long and rocky one, fraught with twists and turns that sometimes make even simple things a bit difficult. For those of you who do

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-91646020448889249832009-08-03T06:29:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.521-08:00

I can't believe it is already August. Where the heck did the time get to? We are now at the half way (just about) point for our CSA/Farmer's Market circuit and so far it has been a pretty good run. I am facing most of August without any volunteers coming out to help, so I might have to drum up some new ones. ; )There are many, many muskmelons in the patch right now, just about a week from

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-9137200083179314312009-07-30T05:44:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.524-08:00

It has been a really long time since I posting anything interesting here. I apologize to my handful of faithful followers for that. This is the busiest time of year for us and frankly, when I come in at night I am not full of interesting or meaningful things to type. Plus, usually by the time I get to sit down, I immediately fall asleep.I watched exactly 4 minutes and 44 seconds of Valkyrie

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-89295689350716239252009-05-20T06:46:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.527-08:00

If you want to get updates on The Farmer's health, visithttp://farmerdavesblog.blogspot.com/

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-7264100681911760232009-05-20T06:17:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.529-08:00

For those of you who follow this blog, I apologize for not posting in so long. It is crazy at the Farm these days, and not just in the fields. Some days I feel like I am being pulled by both arms, both legs and the top of my head. We are still dealing with The Farmer's illness, which is one of the harder things to deal with at the present time. I have a separate blog for updates on his

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-77679731913091131362009-05-06T04:38:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.533-08:00

All of those rain dances I did out back, must have worked. Everything here at the Farm is so green and growing right now, you can almost see it happening before your eyes. We will be picking strawberries for market this weekend. They are wonderful, as usual, this year. Might be a little gritty, though, because we don't have the mulch finished yet. Oh well, maybe that will be a deterrent to

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-51545641162772848362009-04-19T09:11:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.535-08:00

In some of my previous posts, , I mentioned that we were having some issues with the Farmer's back that has now it has become an even bigger issue. Four years ago, he was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma. If that sounds like a big scary disease, it is. No question. It strikes like a cobra that has to be killed in one blow. With RCC, that blow is the removal of the kidney, where the tumor

Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863940103983499205.post-4661176055013259702009-04-13T05:37:00.000-07:002011-01-18T15:23:48.540-08:00

Whew! This spring has been one wild weather ride after another. So far, I have covered, uncovered, sprayed with water, shaded, opened and closed doors (on the greenhouse) and put up barriers to keep the wind from blowing seedlings out of their little pots. And that was just last week. But all kidding aside, this has been one of the springs that we usually have around here. I guess with the last

Suzannenoreply@blogger.com