Grass Fed Beef

Since I began raising my own beef, I've always raised two calves together.  Folks "in the know" recommend it.  I'm getting a lovely respite this year from doing my butchering after watching another family owned locker plant shutter, I'm going to give someone some business as long as I can.  If I'm still on the planet when the last locker plant closes in this area, 'll still have the knowledge.  In the meantime, I'm doing a bit of networking.

                                   

In the spring, I purchase 3 day old bottle calves and raise them on goat's milk until they are ready to graze.  Actually, I give them a bottle longer.  The place where I get them recommends 10 weeks.  These guys got cut down to one bottle a day when they hit 13 weeks.  I like to do the evening chore bottle through most of the summer if possible.  As beef prices continue to increase, I know if I wasn't raising beef, I couldn't afford it, and who knows what they feed what's sold in the store.  This beef contains no antibiotics, no GMO grain, and the pasture is naturally maintained, no chemical herbicides or fertilizer.  

When I home process, I have do it when they are about 350-400 pounds.  I can't physically handle anything any bigger without making some major investments in hydraulics.  So, since I've decided to send them to market this year, I've been able to let them get bigger and since they are going to be professionally processed, I will be able to donate some.  I'm really trying to get a better understanding of agricultural offerings according to Scripture. 

In all this figuring and planning, I've had to make one concession.  Sheep and goats are led by their shepherd.  Cattle are driven, except bottle calves.  I cannot drive my calves into the stock trailer.  As soon as I get behind them, they turn around, and the three of us go nowhere.  So, my concession is this.  I've had to obtain organic, non GMO grain and have spent the last few evenings coaxing them with grain into the stock trailer.  They haven't ever been grained, so I don't think a week of it it will affect the meat.  I certainly hope things go as planned.  I'll say it this way, I truly pray my plan is the will of YHWH.

Let's Talk Veggies

The less that is done in preparing vegetables, the more vitamins, nutrients, and all around integrity of creation remains.  Locally grown, fresh vegetables are not an option year round for most of us, so fresh veggies through the growing season truly are a treat!  I can and freeze to preserve through the winter, but I prefer my veggies unadulterated!  Most vegetables can be consumed raw.  For those that require a bit of cooking, usually steaming is adequate.

People add all sorts of flavor enhancements to their vegetables, but in my opinion those are actually a deterrent.  I understand, as I shake my head; there are folks who do not care for the pure flavor of some vegetables, so enhanced is better than refused.

I do have a sad note regarding my corn.  A friend gifted me with some harvested heirloom seeds from their last year's crop.  This crop was grown in a state that has had some major protests regarding GMO.  Not to sound too conspiranoid, but . . . the corn got taller than I've ever seen corn grow, but it didn't take much wind to destabilize it.  It didn't break, but it never tassled.  In this growing zone, sweet corn is July crop.  The stalks are 7-8 feet tall, no tassle, no ears.  My harvested popcorn from last year is doing well at this point, but it's a later crop!  I'll keep you posted.

Simple and Delicious

This week I enjoyed two fresh and natural treats that are now in season.

A bowl of granola with fresh dewberries, a splash of goat's milk and the Psalms doesn't even need stevia or honey.











I love cucumbers, and dill is "dillicious" but I'm not a big fan of pickles, but I make them.  I'm one of those silver haired southern women that cans treats for everyone she calls "Sugar."  But when cucumbers are in season and the dill is growing on the deck, I make a wonderful snack that too simple for words.
A sliced cucumber with fresh sprigs of dill, is the most perfect lunch or snack.

It's Not Manna, but I Didn't Plant It

Every year, I do at least one experiment pertaining to the garden.  Actually, it's usually several.  Much of my life is "experimental."  The only thing certain in my life is YHWH in Y'hshuwah!  When He showed me a design for an organic chicken yard/garden, I had no idea where He was taking it, and to be honest, I'm thankful for that.  Much of this homesteading business has become more than I could have asked or imagined.  I truly believe, I would have been completely overwhelmed if He'd shown me more at the time.

When Abba told me, it was time to have a small wheat field, I didn't know what to do.  We are all aware that most of the wheat and corn is GMO and I believe that is the reason for so many gluten issues and digestive disturbances in general.  Once I acknowledged my willingness, He took me to the chicken yard/garden and directed me to do the math!  I then figured the amount of wheat that could be grown in that space.  He reminded me that I do have a wheat mill, and a coffee mill . . .  So, for the year of Shemitah, the chicken yard/garden will produce soil enriching clover, and the next year, one side is to be sown in wheat.  Until Messiah's return or my work is finished, this place is to always be moving away from earthly dependence.

Something utterly amazing has happened this year.  Since the vegetable garden is now in last year's kid pen, I've been working diligently, believing for the double harvest.  So far, the salads have been wonderful and the tomatoes look nice, but there's been a very unusual and unexpected blessing.

The amazing blessing is sugar snap peas.  I didn't plant any this year.  I love them, but for the year before Shemitah, I was trying to be very practical and sugar snap peas just don't produce abundantly for the space they take.

As I was planting in the spring, I noticed some leaves that looked like peas, so I left them, but I knew I hadn't planted them.  Abba blessed me with half a row of sugar snap peas and they've been such a treat!

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:  Isaiah 1:19

Raised Strawberry Bed

I know I've mentioned before, the struggle I've had with finding just the right place for strawberries.  I also mentioned a few weeks ago, there are several experiments going on around here.  I'm a literal person, and strawberries are called what they are because they do best when surrounded by straw.  When winter comes, it's best to cover them with straw and they'll peek back through in the spring.  When establishing the strawberry patch, straw around the plants keeps moisture in and weeds down, so the straw is really vital to healthy strawberries.

I got a real deal on some bales of straw, then I got a great vision of plan.  So far, it's working well.  I've actually harvested a few berries.  It's the best in raised bed gardening and square foot gardening, I've yet to experience.  The entire plan takes 13 bales of straw, weed cloth, and about 200 pounds of topsoil.  Stay with me here, it's not nearly as involved as you might think.

I lined up three bales of straw end to end.  Then three more parallel to that, but left the width of a flake of straw between.  Then did the same thing again!  Three rows of three bales parallel with about a foot and half space between.  You can have as many bales end to end as you choose, but three parallel is the maximum as well as the most economical and efficient.  My fenced area didn't allow for longer straw rows.

Next I broke two bales and placed two flakes flat between the rows of bales.  I then covered the flat flakes of straw with weed cloth between rows, the full length of my project.  Then it was just a matter of pouring topsoil on the weed cloth, filling the gap between the parallel straw bales and planting my bedding plants.


As for the remaining two bales.  I set them at the end to prevent soil washout.  One bale is wide enough to protect both rows.