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Spring is just around the corner, but we still have a bit more time before everything is in full swing. Here at Reformation Farms, we are not waiting until spring to prepare for the season ahead, and we want to share with you 3 things YOU can start on right now, to get ahead of the growing season this Winter. #1. Start Your Own Seeds It can be indoors under a light, by a window, or in a greenhouse. No matter what, you can start your own seeds indoors and get a jumpstart on the growing season (not to mention SAVE some money on buying plant starts)! If you are feeling brave, you can even mix your own potting soil and make this project fit your budget even better! You may ask what seeds can be started in February? There are quite a few: - Lettuce - Spinach - Kale - Peas - Beets - Radishes - Tomatoes - Peppers - And several others You'll need some pots, cell trays or may even choose soil blocks (see here), if you prefer to steer away from plastic.
Once you have seeded your preferred containers, water them well and place a dome or a sheet of plastic wrap over the top to create a greenhouse affect (this will keep the seeds warm and moist and speed up germination). Once they germinate, make sure they have plenty of light and water until they are ready to plant outdoors. #2. Plant Potatoes If you live in zone 7 like we do, February is the perfect time to get your seed potatoes in the ground! Giving them an earlier start in the winter will ensure a stronger root system before they sprout in March. (If you don't know what zone you are in, this zone finder can help). Planting Potatoes is easy and fun! 1. Choose a dry afternoon when the sun has thawed the soil enough and plant potatoes about 2-3 inches deep in the ground. 2. Apply a layer of mulch (we use pesticide and seed free hay - grown locally - but you could use wood chips, old grass clippings, etc.) over the bed or area planted. 3. Label the area and forget about your potatoes until they sprout! #3. Deep Mulch a New Garden Area If you don't own chickens, please don't skip over this section! You can still deep mulch a new garden area easily and get both composting and soil microbial benefits without a flock, but let's talk about the benefits of chickens for a moment. Ideally in the warm months, a flock of chickens will be moved in a portable net or coop to new grass each day. So what about in the winter? There's no grass, weeds or insects for the chickens to eat... so why not take a break from moving them daily and put them to work on a future garden plot! The chickens will kill all the vegetation in the prescribed area and happily scratch and fertilize generously.  All YOU need to do during this winter break is to: 1. Feed and water the chickens (that's pretty obvious :)) 2. lay down a generous amount of mulch on the bare soil/manure build up once or twice a week. The mulch keeps the area clean, minimizes bad odors, breaks down into compost, provides a foot warmer for the chickens and a hiding place for earth worms... the benefits are endless. 3. Move the coop occasionally, to distribute the birds nightly manure deposits. The result in the Spring will be a rested you, happy chickens, and an extra garden area beautifully ready to plant in or make beds out of. I think that's a great deal, don't you? Now, like I said, if you don't own your own flock, you can still do this. Just lay down mulch once or twice a week until the area is covered and leave it until Spring. The soil will have softened, the mulch will have decomposed some and the weeds under the covering will have died.  So these are three things you can do right now to get a jumpstart on your growing season!
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Our 2021 Spring Box CSA program is now available for signup with a brand new page dedicated to giving you more information and answering frequently asked questions. You can check it out below! Get More Details!
  Photo: Soil demonstrations during the class During our gardening class, we had a great time with the students here at Reformation Farms! We covered everything from soil development and garden layout to cultivating a proper heart attitude and making disciples through Agriculture. Praise the Lord for holding the expected rain off and giving us two beautiful days!
We finally have the date and details up for the Christian gardening course! This training is tentatively scheduled until we reach the minimum number of participants. Christian Gardening Course This September 25th - 26th Come to our farm this September for a two-day, hands-on training that will help equip you to produce your own food using low-tech, simple methods that copy God's design in creation. While the course will be catered as much as possible to the needs of the participants, the following are some of the things that may be covered/included.
Price : Singles price - $150 Couples Price (bring a family member, spouse or friend along) - $100 per person Meals : Lunch included in course price. Please let us know if you have any particular allergies. Lodging: If you are coming from out of town, you may stay on our farm during the course, for an additional $20. Let us know if this is the case and we will work out logistics. If you will be staying overnight with us, additional meals for both course days can be discussed when you sign up. The deadline for sign up is September 5th, so if you are interested in attending or have any questions please contact us using our contact page! 
A few weeks ago we purchased and transported onto our farm three Yorkshire/Hampshire piglets from a local breeder! We have enjoyed getting to know these unique animals and their fun personalities. Pigs bring a whole different aspect to the farm and provide a great solution to the reduction of waste, such as food scraps the chickens won't eat, old or bolting garden produce, and much, much more! So thankful for these new creatures. 
 
We received another shipment of 100 chicks to continue the broiler season!   Stress-free Chicken Tractors from building to operation! We are using this design in conjunction with the Pasture Poultry Pen for the first time this year and are loving it!
 Say hello to mama hen and her little chick-y baby! She has 8 more hidden under her somewhere. :)
We are excited to announce a new, Greens Box CSA membership program we are making available for 2020!
WHAT IS A CSA? CSA stands for “Community Supported Agriculture”. CSA programs are designed to build a relationship between the farmer and community. When you become a member of our CSA, you are essentially buying shares in the farm's output before the season starts, and then reaping the benefits of the harvest each week as the season progresses. We are cutting out the middle man and you are getting beyond-organic, local food, grown and harvested, using sustainable farming practices. The benefits of a CSA are endless. Typically, consumers buy fruits and vegetables from the grocery store that have been shipped from all over the world, regardless of the season. By choosing wholesome, locally grown food, it is ensured that you are eating the freshest, most nutrient dense and best tasting food possible! WHAT IS INCLUDED IN OUR GREENS BOX: Each member will enjoy a weekly box of fresh greens and herbs. Members can enjoy peace of mind knowing that everything is grown beyond organically. Our produce is always free from: -Chemicals -Pesticides -Herbicides -GMOs An example of a box might include: Salad mix, Arugula, Head Lettuce, Herbs, Swiss Chard, Kale. Seasonal Vegetables: Non-GMO, Beyond-Organic, Chemical-Free: Arugula, Herbs, Kale, Head Lettuce, Spinach, Salad Mix, Swiss Chard, Green Onions, Pea Shoots, Cut Flowers PICK UP DETAILS : All weekly shares will be picked up by each member at chosen locations. Please let us know if you are ever unable to pick up your box and we will happily make other arrangements for you. SPRING SALAD BOX CSA INFORMATION Cost is $20/week, paid up front. $200 for a 10-week subscription. Pick up (depending on location) begins May 3 and runs until June 28. 2 Pickup Locations
It's apple season!! We all love making a trip to the orchard to buy "seconds" for our different apple "delights", but let's talk about applesauce! You can transform those grainy, cooking apples into something healthy for you and your family without canning! Raw, cultured applesauce is about as easy and nutrient dense as it gets, plus it's quick to make and something adults and children will enjoy! See below for the recipe! 
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We came across this podcast the other day of an interview with Mr. Mark Wilkes of Honey Brook Farms, who is truly doing “Ministry in the Marketplace” with his family on their farm in Central Virginia. If you choose to listen in, hopefully you will be challenged and encouraged by this Gentleman's testimony and example.
Please click on button below to listen!
Please click on button below to listen!
Author
The Nelson Family
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