October 18, 2016I

The garden is almost finished for the year.  We have peppers and carrots still growing and we're planning to plant some fall lettuce today before the forecast rain.  The chickens are enjoying roaming the area with all the bugs and worms available.  Soon their choices will be very limited. I  added another layer of straw to the litter on the floor since the weather is supposed to be cooling off again.

We had the best harvest of pumpkins that we have ever had this year!!!  It was amazing for us.  It must also be amazing for the bugs that like to eat on the pumpkins because the pumpkins that have been attacked already are being canned.  We love pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie.

There are still plenty of strawberry plants available if you are interested in planting some this fall so they can root well before the weather turns cold.  Just email us and we will work out the rest.

The apple crop was also good this year and we have been busy making apple butter and applesauce...delicious!

The weather has been warm some days and cool others so the chickens can't make up their minds how or when they are going to lay, but at least the eggs are still coming just slower.  We here at Oak Valley Farm wish all of you a wonderful fall season and hope to see you again soon.

Monday, August 15, 2016

GOOD MORNING FROM OAK VALLEY FARM!

The garden is producing like crazy!  We have been so busy canning, freezing, and drying that we haven't had time for much else.  The watermelon and cantaloupe have been so good.  This hot weather makes me crave cold melon.  The peppers have been producing abundantly.  It is time to make salsa, roasted peppers and I have been drying certain kinds to use in cooking this winter.

The "girls" have been producing an abundance of eggs so we have had lots to eat and sell.  My family has been enjoying the eating, especially when I made a lemon meringue pie.

The flowers are a source of pleasure and create peace when I have a minute to sit down and just look at them and the butterflies and hummingbirds that are getting nutrients from them.  There are certain kinds of flowers that I get so much enjoyment from growing year after year.

The corn has produced so much we have filled the freezer and sold a lot this summer.  We planted 3 different plantings this spring and have never had all 3 plantings do so well.  Usually, worms start
during the second planting and by the 3rd planting we have to fight the worms to even get some corn.  This year, the worms didn't even get started good until toward the end of the 3rd planting, so we had beautiful ears of corn.

Our buddy, "Danni," has thoroughly adapted to life here at Oak Valley Farm and appears to plan
to stay.  She has made friends with the other cats and the dogs, so she has others to play with.  Our family has so enjoyed having a kitten around again that I don't know what we would do without her.

The pantry is full and awaiting winter to arrive when we are cooking lots of soups, stews, and hot foods....comfort foods.  The beauty of looking at all the shelves of canned food is a pleasure and a comfort in itself.

Thank you for following our blog. Our family hopes you have enjoyed it!

Monday, July 25, 2016
Oak Valley Farm 2016.blogspot.com

I am farmer Debbie and I grew up on Oak Valley Farm in the southwest corner of Missouri.  My parents purchased the farm about 70 years ago and farmed their entire married lives. Now my family is trying to build the farm back up to the way it was when my parents were alive and caring for the land.  You will meet the other farmers later on.  We are raising produce and some farm animals which we sell to provide the income to continue our quest.  We want to keep everything entirely organic and natural.

These pictures are of the garden at the end of June, now we have harvested the potatoes, onions, our second planting of corn, and many cucumbers.  Tomatoes and peppers are also in full swing.

The newest member of our "family" arrived suddenly at the end of June under the apple tree next to our driveway.  Her name is Danni and I am guessing she is about 2 1/2 months old.

Thank you for following our blog.  We will soon have an order form of available vegetables and fruits, as well as, eggs linked to our blog.  Please be patient as we are slowly becoming more comfortable with technology!