tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36520725428434771172024-03-25T01:09:32.806-05:00HumbleRoots Heritage LiveStalk: Mulefoot Hogs, Bourbon Red Turkeys, Poulet Rouge MeatbirdsAs a sustainable farmer, I first chose breeds of poultry that can humanely exist in the diverse Minnesota climates with minimum housing needs during our harsh winters and hot summers. Then I focus on beauty, quality of meat, and breeds listed as Critically Rare by the American Livestock Breed Conservatory. It is important to me that as I come up my drive, I am pleased by what I see, and as I pass my work onto you, I am proud to be the producer,Jess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-43148985451206487642015-04-06T12:16:00.002-05:002015-04-06T12:16:45.262-05:00Presenting the new HRH!Turkeys on the way, processing date confirmed. Are you ready?Jess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-10720888287996625042010-08-17T10:16:00.004-05:002010-08-17T10:23:48.703-05:00Thanksgiving shares from Easy BeanWe are teaming up with Easy Bean to offer Thanksgiving boxes full of everything you will need (but the butter and cream) for your perfect meal. It will include local apples (from Calliroe Farms), wheat from Dry Creek (are you invisioning apple pies and gravy?), squash, onions, potatoes, garlic, beets, carrots and what else??? Please email me directly if you are interested and I will forward you onto Seth at Easy Bean for the real skinny!Jess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-13426696099282974152010-07-13T16:56:00.003-05:002010-07-13T17:00:57.817-05:00Biggest Marketing Project yet!<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#6600cc;">HumbleRoots Heritage is For Sale!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">In Body but Not Soul. </span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">We are selling our homestead as we have made an offer (that has been accepted) on another nearby farm. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.westernhomesource.com/"><span style="font-size:180%;">www.westernhomesource.com</span></a><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">mls# 33679</span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">We will still be close but the acreage will allow us to raise more birds without sacrificing our land or the quality of life of the birds. Please email me for more info or questions~</span>Jess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-14975106444460406932010-07-02T11:24:00.005-05:002010-07-02T13:10:49.816-05:00WWOOFing Week 3The week of the baby chicks! Not only did we get 100 Poulet Rouge chicks, but Mrs. Broody Two-Shoes finally hatched 10 chicks! She had been sitting on her eggs for almost a month and we happened to walk into the coop when they started to hatch. They look great and are following their mum around religiously.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgmhoCR9cu7CreGsds8wTYFGWuLcXm6NZtc1TYJ6Y8a57Fe45LZpA1FSJimyumNW9kGzvI2fAai-zixzk2QCsgmdpzxjb5GxGOG-WmF0TPjvDrpEQgQJoTuwT21W-BxCuh7GcRmjcM4A/s1600/IMG_0256.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgmhoCR9cu7CreGsds8wTYFGWuLcXm6NZtc1TYJ6Y8a57Fe45LZpA1FSJimyumNW9kGzvI2fAai-zixzk2QCsgmdpzxjb5GxGOG-WmF0TPjvDrpEQgQJoTuwT21W-BxCuh7GcRmjcM4A/s200/IMG_0256.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489348637774472466" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Poulet Rouge chicks arrived happy and healthy and cheeping loudly. We set up an area for them with two heat lamps and they seem pleased with their new digs. They already seem to be growing quickly and it's great fun to watch them waddle around pecking and cheeping. The kids have learned how to hold them gently and we all enjoy going out several times a day to check on them and make sure they have plenty of food and water.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uOE21gNvDcwBWZqPfGMqsFNYllnKWPGfQ8SVTNwro0J6LQ3gjw-GzCi2RRgaigLtI5cwuP3gz7WqsqXF9fZcU1ZWFMRLKkybQy-zEquDBhbWWVPbdN4Ist43oJa1q9UOH0cmMY_IWL0/s1600/IMG_0260.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uOE21gNvDcwBWZqPfGMqsFNYllnKWPGfQ8SVTNwro0J6LQ3gjw-GzCi2RRgaigLtI5cwuP3gz7WqsqXF9fZcU1ZWFMRLKkybQy-zEquDBhbWWVPbdN4Ist43oJa1q9UOH0cmMY_IWL0/s200/IMG_0260.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489353034384499250" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The hogs are also enjoying their new digs, which we were finally able to set them up in after the torrential rains subsided. Freya, especially, has been rolling around in the grass and mud and clearly loving life! They have been venturing out farther each day to explore their new area and munching on tons of pigweed. Scott spent some time with the chainsaw going after a few rogue trees while Jessi and I got the electric fence up and running. As of this post, we've managed to go three weeks now without accidentally getting shocked (knock on wood)!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1ATZ_tWBU0hYP04KMq2hqcSK4AVX2A3h-dPzglxY7S09Ll7SVtoQZr3SsqFmbUjgxWWP0phHpv35kVr0X7Ds6m0ugpUZwX9I8cyYvhXMSD_19lSrsQviWzhcVuO4lPIJ3FwY3D1WgKw/s1600/IMG_0391.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1ATZ_tWBU0hYP04KMq2hqcSK4AVX2A3h-dPzglxY7S09Ll7SVtoQZr3SsqFmbUjgxWWP0phHpv35kVr0X7Ds6m0ugpUZwX9I8cyYvhXMSD_19lSrsQviWzhcVuO4lPIJ3FwY3D1WgKw/s200/IMG_0391.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489369916436350114" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We're looking forward to a big bonfire party this weekend and next week is Stinker Day in Madison!<br /><br />Ashley & ScottJess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-88774770543706935522010-06-28T16:55:00.011-05:002010-06-28T17:17:11.899-05:00WWOOFing Week 2Week 2 on ze farm:<br /><br />Went to <a href="http://www.easybeanfarm.com/">Easy Bean</a> with Joey on Tuesday and had a great time harvesting veggies. We picked spinach & broccoli rabe, washed scallions, and helped pack boxes. This week's box had broccoli, kale, spinach, broccoli rabe, lettuce, bok choi, and scallions - delicious! We also met a lot of really cool people and got to experience first hand how a CSA works. We definitely look forward to going back again.<br /><br />We also got our first experience with an electric fence as we set up the fence to train the hogs. Next week we'll be letting them out to graze and forage.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjls0-xlPo0azO8b2AB14kQiyEbVUgdTpcNUrhLQNk-h0cvEZFiQ0KMKMh2JRxI1gum1FJa818kboUZahAvm2q1ZHILZFid8B2gbxKUPB0ARuujXCyFAvoH36z7w-Dy8Z-GOvfJrvY9I_4/s1600/IMG_0199.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjls0-xlPo0azO8b2AB14kQiyEbVUgdTpcNUrhLQNk-h0cvEZFiQ0KMKMh2JRxI1gum1FJa818kboUZahAvm2q1ZHILZFid8B2gbxKUPB0ARuujXCyFAvoH36z7w-Dy8Z-GOvfJrvY9I_4/s320/IMG_0199.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487948411190849538" border="0" /></a><br />Scott learned how to use a chainsaw and cut up firewood for his homebrew boil (the homebrewing experience is separate post for another day). I rode the riding lawn mower around while Scott weedwacked like crazy and we were able to clear out a nice area for the turkeys, since we're about to start letting them out during the day. We also switched out their feeder and went to Montevideo to pick up their special-order feed.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsALeh7G5ZUk3__kGuTM5_jH9zAIzSBY9sGnuNUJIx9rgKGISrsJJNdEWvVLXlLzyIO1wY4A8g6D_meJF605rQL-Di-bjG6MbRSduuou7So7GJHIDyGFq-Vc3_uY2cbYDfBZby8vhXNI/s1600/IMG_0239.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsALeh7G5ZUk3__kGuTM5_jH9zAIzSBY9sGnuNUJIx9rgKGISrsJJNdEWvVLXlLzyIO1wY4A8g6D_meJF605rQL-Di-bjG6MbRSduuou7So7GJHIDyGFq-Vc3_uY2cbYDfBZby8vhXNI/s200/IMG_0239.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487949984316889010" border="0" /></a>And of course there was more fishing! We went to Green Lake (about an hour north) on Sunday and spent the day fishing for bass and sunnies (Happy Father's Day, Joey!) and everyone caught several fish - Azure and Aurelia especially were having a great day, as their respective Batman and Princess rods were the lucky poles, yet again. We came home with 6 small-mouth bass and about 15 sunnies, and while Scott and Joey bottled the beer, Jessi and I scaled and filleted the fish. We pan-fried them and had fish tacos with a raddish slaw - fantastic!<br /><br />Looking forward to next week, when we have 100 baby chicks arriving!<br /><br />Scott & AshleyJess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-91992415339900489642010-06-23T15:05:00.011-05:002010-06-28T17:23:03.251-05:00June WWOOF'ers: Two Southerners Experience Northern HospitalitySo what do two 20 somethings do when their college town gives them the boot? Drive to rural Minnesota and volunteer on an organic livestock farm, right?<br /><br />Having been unfulfilled by the post graduation lifestyle of very few job opportunities and doing something for the sake of a paycheck, Ashley and I finally got the opportunity and a bit of courage to pursue a cause we are quite passionate about; organic farming and sustainability.<br /><br />These days, people are becoming more detatched from how their food is raised, produced, handled and shipped to stores than ever. We saw plenty of documentaries (Food Inc.) that led us away from processed food, but getting the information is like dipping your toe into the kiddie pool to see if its cold. By using the WWOOF website, we wanted to dive straight into the deep end of the organic food movement.<br /><br />We were fortunate to find the Stout Family (Joey, Jessi, Azure, and Aurelia) through WWOOF and more fortunate that they would have us for a month stay.<br /><br />This first post documents our first week on the Humbleroots Heritage Farm.<br /><br />Week 1:<br /><br />We showed up, got the tour and went straight to moving hay to the respective turkey and chicken houses. At this point, all the turkeys and chickens were in the same place, so naturally two suburban college kids had to gather the 100 chickens, by hand, and place them in their new, recently hay laden coop. Welcome to livestock farming! We also made roosts out of branches and twigs, because chickens and turkeys like to be off the ground at night.<br /><br />In between visiting other farms (<a href="http://earthrisefarmfoundation.org/">Earthrise</a> was kind enough to share lunch and we got to pick thistles and sample strawberries at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Appleton-MN/The-Coyote-Grange/306463517940">Coyote Grange</a>), we had some time to get our Minnesota fishing licenses and try our luck at fishing the land of 10,000 lakes. A little beginner's luck struck my fishing pole that day and I caught a catfish.<br /><a style="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5AcL3lf8vmVBvu-HtXnSwCrw9cmV8WBd2Q65uUT_YsqFJHO8f6L63Y9kRSJbQbun_rWH4dmQ-2DcsRZzPsxfoVNrfaHve9Fz8Ga5O19XJsKyHcxZkxpxh4IPlJVbsadVZfH_cvWWhfw/s1600/IMG_0167.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5AcL3lf8vmVBvu-HtXnSwCrw9cmV8WBd2Q65uUT_YsqFJHO8f6L63Y9kRSJbQbun_rWH4dmQ-2DcsRZzPsxfoVNrfaHve9Fz8Ga5O19XJsKyHcxZkxpxh4IPlJVbsadVZfH_cvWWhfw/s200/IMG_0167.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486370022731942034" border="0" /></a>Lunch next day was delightful. We really couldn't have asked for a better first week experience at Humbleroots.<br /><br />More to come!<br /><br />Scott and AshleyJess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-44191710083825484152010-06-16T07:27:00.000-05:002010-06-16T07:27:50.819-05:00Program helps beginning farmers get started | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ<a href="http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/06/12/farm-beginnings/">Program helps beginning farmers get started Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ</a>Jess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-83012639498072586702010-05-04T11:55:00.002-05:002010-05-04T11:58:50.092-05:00Til next time<span style="color:#330099;">Thank you all for purchasing Poulet Rouge from us this round! We are currently sold out of the batch set to be processed in August. Have more chicks starting the last week in June so hold your horses and I will let you know when I begin to market them. Feel free to contact me and let me know that you are interested.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;">Turkeys are selling well...please reserve your soon if you want the yummiest turkey in the state!</span>Jess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-52629113809655611642010-04-23T15:37:00.004-05:002010-04-23T15:59:24.290-05:002010 Pricing on Turkeys and ChickensIt's that time of year again and I am already going strong. Turkey and chicken orders coming through strong. I just finished up my brooder house and got my lights set up. Bring it! Let's talk prices...products still the same great breeds; Heritage Turkeys- Bourbon Reds and adding a few Black Spanish this year because they fit all my requirements, rare and need to be publicized, beautiful and good foragers...and '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ze</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Poulet</span> Rouge Rangers, (said in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ze</span> Pink <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Panthea</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Frensh</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Axcen</span>)...still no antibiotics or medications, always out to pasture and feed naturally!<br /><br />So here we are in 2010...<br /><br />Heritage Turkeys will be $7.50 per pound and you will be responsible for the processing fees (about $6.50/bird). Deposits ($20)will be required for a commitment, so we can keep in on the up-n-up. Again, we will have 2 different weight variations due to the sex of the turkeys. The ladies will be about 6-10 pounds and the fellas will be around 13-16. Last year we were able to make <em>everyone</em> happy as we were within a pound or two of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">every one's</span> ideal turkey weight. We thought it worked out well last year to process then the Thursday prior to Thanksgiving and have them <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">available</span> for pick up at our farm Sat. AM or at our family's home in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">MPLS</span> Sat PM. We had about 20 people on a waiting list last year so we upped our numbers but are hoping that the calls will again exceed our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">availability</span>...makes us feel we are doing the right thing!<br /><br />I am running <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Poulet</span> Rouge every 6 weeks...my first batch being available in early August and then again 6 weeks after that. They will be $3.50/lb and you will pay processing (about $2.50 per bird). Deposits ($3.50/bird) will be required upon commitment. I am going to require a 5 bird minimum this year as it got to be too much running around to deliver 1-2 birds.I love our new processor (way up in Ashby)! They have made me happy over and over again. For anyone who doesn't know. These are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">delicious</span> birds, they are slow growing, taking 2 times as long to grow to processing weight as Cornish Cross and thus <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">have</span> a mush happier life. They roost (whereas Cornish X lay in their own excrement due to skeletal problems) and create flocks...they also range all over our property, greatly increasing my satisfaction. They will be available for pick up from our farm and, as always, we'll get the city cats their country birds!<br /><br />Call me at the farm or email me for any orders! Happy Earth Day!Jess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-8303092216994848182010-03-18T06:20:00.004-05:002010-03-18T06:38:32.305-05:00We've got Spirit, Yes we do, We've got spirit, How bout YOU?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEl9FUQWzpfBTVMRxbVVKCh9JVoT3BMtiPObQJRjDSIZztsNN7IbpYTWZEUZyjNDGthMZ18VU8728OM51j_L-9mTqlOkIsMTOx4gQ4itAXdc3h4O2IBmL2-ntRFuprRLlQG63MGHL5xI/s1600-h/IMG_2871.JPG"><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#33cc00;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449933846330665938" style="WIDTH: 431px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 314px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEl9FUQWzpfBTVMRxbVVKCh9JVoT3BMtiPObQJRjDSIZztsNN7IbpYTWZEUZyjNDGthMZ18VU8728OM51j_L-9mTqlOkIsMTOx4gQ4itAXdc3h4O2IBmL2-ntRFuprRLlQG63MGHL5xI/s400/IMG_2871.JPG" border="0" /></span></em></a><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#33cc00;"> </span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#33cc00;">Loco Ono is "not lucky, just cute"</span></em><br /><br />I mean, is there a difference on whether I wait for spring or spring it myself? Emotionally and physically, I need it to be here. March is the hardest month for me...gloomy, flooded, mud...and, in every way, I am at my wits end. I can tell my body needs to be cleansed by the heat of the sun (I begin to break out in March), I usually begin to have restless nights and bad dreams; Tuesday night I beat a EBD (Emotional-Behavior Disorder) kid up that I work with at the High School after driving a big pick-up through the river to an island, last night I forgot both my kids at my mom's house (could' ve been worse, huh...) and then had to turn around and get them but I was running and the running path was full of walkers...aaahhh..I was held up behind a bunch of people mosey-ing around, knowing that I had to get my children and I was going to be late to work. Granted, they are not terrible dreams, but they are stressful- all playing on my own weaknesses.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3I-43IggTB1xsY3LJGxtCIcflL7qCoaTzOKvvS8BDgc45Z1OF3tDaU2ZfT4HnqCfig2VAagcBER7lS9MIpqtliv_uE_-V5CVAPNe8yI0ZYm-naaQgHsUDE5CYlL_iyiR8Ehovt0WgP4/s1600-h/IMG_2873.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449933832514827058" style="WIDTH: 353px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 410px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3I-43IggTB1xsY3LJGxtCIcflL7qCoaTzOKvvS8BDgc45Z1OF3tDaU2ZfT4HnqCfig2VAagcBER7lS9MIpqtliv_uE_-V5CVAPNe8yI0ZYm-naaQgHsUDE5CYlL_iyiR8Ehovt0WgP4/s400/IMG_2873.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#33cc00;"><em>He's saw, first hand, what a leprechaun does to a </em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#33cc00;"><em>class room and it ain't pretty...good thing the lil'</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#33cc00;"><em>fella couldn't get his pot of gold out through the </em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#33cc00;"><em>window...Azure got a gold coin!</em></span><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#33cc00;"></span></em><br />Needless to say, I need something...I cannot force the sun to shine and heat our ground, dry up our mud, I can't end the school year whenever I want so that I can enjoy the summer with my kids..but I can (and did) get some spring chicks! Some new Indian Runners and Blue Swedish ducks, Auracana bantams, Buff and Partridge Cochins (with fuzzy feet). And they arrived yesterday!<br /><br /><br /><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7hfI0DSLApqwxzUuiGy4naCBLDSYMrddplly3LwkmZ0kXZt2ZYusdLYEwEsnnkAnV8TkhWkMCznqMA7-Bb8JXELE8_ejRUZEGUstEKDVEAHqeAsUeeu0NuWWbDopu5CecThApexlZBw/s1600-h/IMG_2869.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449933823964680370" style="WIDTH: 489px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 440px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7hfI0DSLApqwxzUuiGy4naCBLDSYMrddplly3LwkmZ0kXZt2ZYusdLYEwEsnnkAnV8TkhWkMCznqMA7-Bb8JXELE8_ejRUZEGUstEKDVEAHqeAsUeeu0NuWWbDopu5CecThApexlZBw/s400/IMG_2869.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#333399;"><em>Why can't I get this picture to upload at the correct angle... In real life, </em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ffff00;"><em><span style="color:#333399;">the ducks and stuff are not laying on their side!</span></em><br /></span><br /><br /></div></div>Jess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-51555495439921900502010-03-18T05:48:00.003-05:002010-03-18T06:20:39.856-05:00Manually sprung spring<div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvssb-APzHS0557beM-UPg_wwXIgczizV3DpPm7QJLVD1MsiWYq4htqOU1sdOlC3GuuGsf2eG917j7gogS7BXH8V2rnPTh6CooAvwiL6EAiUqkyfj1cPyvl2H3C_akeD9OihDsGROTL4Y/s1600-h/IMG_2841.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449929284001574290" style="WIDTH: 451px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 246px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvssb-APzHS0557beM-UPg_wwXIgczizV3DpPm7QJLVD1MsiWYq4htqOU1sdOlC3GuuGsf2eG917j7gogS7BXH8V2rnPTh6CooAvwiL6EAiUqkyfj1cPyvl2H3C_akeD9OihDsGROTL4Y/s400/IMG_2841.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc9933;"><em>we have known for a long time we would be doing this remodel- hence the </em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc9933;"><em>ultra tacky hallway wall etc- forgive them</em></span></div><div> </div><div>This March is an exception though...not only do I have all of the above, but...we are remodeling our bathroom/hallway/closet and our whole house is a mess...full of old bathtubs that need to be moved out, sheetrock that has been removed from the closet that will soon (how soon?) host our first ever shower! See, in our little farmhouse bathroom (always an after thought back then for those hard-working, Norwegian Bachelor Farmers- no lie, Noble was a NBF until very late in life when he married Edna), had a bathtub under a slanted roof that could hold no shower, our sink had our one and only closet (in the whole house) behind it and our hallway is exceptionally wide with a great South view. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUpfKs4pdGJ0hRjMwIth05sIJebNQwvxvrxvoOMU1d0iVYsskmPE2YS6r8IXWHheF7ZvzUr7e7iczzUNPJ9l7Eeidb20reXWd5iD8MDieVbHO3K1Hiyhr4su66W4qBWXW5oCHwaBcQyo/s1600-h/IMG_2843.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449929283727425042" style="WIDTH: 547px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 319px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUpfKs4pdGJ0hRjMwIth05sIJebNQwvxvrxvoOMU1d0iVYsskmPE2YS6r8IXWHheF7ZvzUr7e7iczzUNPJ9l7Eeidb20reXWd5iD8MDieVbHO3K1Hiyhr4su66W4qBWXW5oCHwaBcQyo/s400/IMG_2843.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>So we removed the sink, gutted the closet and are tiling that to be our new shower, a clawfoot tub that we harvested from an old house last year will go in the same place as our old tub was, and our new Buff colored concrete countertop that is hosting the hand painted sink I picked up in Sayulita, Mexico last year is under the window with the Southern view in the big hallway. It is spectacular...or will be when it is done. In the meantime, we are tip toeing around the mess, and bathing/showering at Theresa's (our exquisite neighbor). Deep breath....</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcEauyJnLwmF9SS2HcblDFQao6UnlmCRNN0G8lBL386w5-Ptp5y19DIugOekAGaWDUrwfCYoMI9-q3kdwo4aS0XWND9vY5x30bAUG_0HIa_W3mDw_xC8XWnuhyphenhyphen6H_ZGk8z5EACqzbxtw/s1600-h/IMG_2862.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449929274023374802" style="WIDTH: 565px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 330px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcEauyJnLwmF9SS2HcblDFQao6UnlmCRNN0G8lBL386w5-Ptp5y19DIugOekAGaWDUrwfCYoMI9-q3kdwo4aS0XWND9vY5x30bAUG_0HIa_W3mDw_xC8XWnuhyphenhyphen6H_ZGk8z5EACqzbxtw/s400/IMG_2862.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><em>All natural slate tiles covering the bottom 4 feet of the entire bathroom (this view is where the clawfoot will go) and these same tiles will be the walls for the shower.<br /></em></span><br /><br /> </div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div>Jess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-85896489841570111822010-03-08T06:33:00.006-06:002010-03-08T07:00:07.001-06:00the Good, the Bad and the Ugly<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDufgAFSDoU9Lm6CE_HSLCJc_rxNITfoFjbd87DA_nsNNYs1gQkKpNiXizgW-GNgBkB79-24uVxjs89T7eq0O_fOhLOy_pZWzmJh1z25Iw0LmAhdgIA9e77hMRJ93e3CprZ_dZk5uhw_8/s1600-h/IMG_2814.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446242709850670290" style="WIDTH: 298px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 253px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDufgAFSDoU9Lm6CE_HSLCJc_rxNITfoFjbd87DA_nsNNYs1gQkKpNiXizgW-GNgBkB79-24uVxjs89T7eq0O_fOhLOy_pZWzmJh1z25Iw0LmAhdgIA9e77hMRJ93e3CprZ_dZk5uhw_8/s400/IMG_2814.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#000099;">The Good Little Gilt</span> of our Litter of Perfection (see last years post for some of her when she was first born. She must be about 200 lbs, as with the other 2 gilts and the single <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">lil</span>' boar. For those interested, we have decided to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">experiment</span> with the practice of not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">castrating</span>. We believe in the humanity of it and think we can overcome Boar taint with the simplicity of our breed and keeping some distance between our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">uncasterated</span> boars and any females. Note: we will be keeping the boar meat for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ourself</span> until this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">experiment</span> is proven one way or another...those of you who buy <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">from</span> us need not worry~!<br /><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbGq8pk5vfnUuBPQ5tOLaHUPUMggzlX6ctUeTINNiRR5m8Cz5hY946452aGOhe54yr7krqyphyRqeOMdMt543tGiHTJ2OSBRWuyUMJnDoyxktyDnhwzQ8-FiNb3toOJg8eHAL7sWfI8A/s1600-h/IMG_2789.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446242044194852818" style="WIDTH: 360px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbGq8pk5vfnUuBPQ5tOLaHUPUMggzlX6ctUeTINNiRR5m8Cz5hY946452aGOhe54yr7krqyphyRqeOMdMt543tGiHTJ2OSBRWuyUMJnDoyxktyDnhwzQ8-FiNb3toOJg8eHAL7sWfI8A/s400/IMG_2789.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#990000;">The Bad <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">BillyBoar</span>, </span><span style="color:#000000;">the escapee Mr. Purple laying in his bed of feed. He left his barn digs, broke the shoot of the feeder, dropped over a ton ($200+) of feed on the snow and made a bed in the sun..meanwhile, we are still sleeping on hand-me-down, free mattresses. i long for the day to spend 200 bucks on a new bed! </span><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfrrlppvjYntZZbtvEQoDs3iqsyNXDMa2eI-NQ2-_x1_PIsF98ZcCcoYTrlYMbdr8bMwG0zX4rPWhye83Y_1jAb3fQ5Z8nIDsCsX-_9gVb8B7JFgUM_4W67Pdohrnuwsw7euha8WLu5Y/s1600-h/IMG_2816.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446242035602057442" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfrrlppvjYntZZbtvEQoDs3iqsyNXDMa2eI-NQ2-_x1_PIsF98ZcCcoYTrlYMbdr8bMwG0zX4rPWhye83Y_1jAb3fQ5Z8nIDsCsX-_9gVb8B7JFgUM_4W67Pdohrnuwsw7euha8WLu5Y/s400/IMG_2816.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#ff6600;">The </span><span style="color:#ff6600;">Ugly... <span style="color:#000000;">yeah, I know...what is it. Yesterday I was looking for some specific screws in Joey's junk drawer. We have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">separate</span> junk drawers because, although I like mine messy...I don't like it messy like his. Anyways, I reached in and grabbed a wire and this came out...Just exactly like this...there is a necklace someone made <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">him</span> from before we met, 2 cell phone cords (we haven't had cells in over 4 years), string, dental floss and the list goes on...it is so chaotic that I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">absolutely</span> love it and am going to try to preserve it (like a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">windchime</span>, perhaps)...any suggestions?</span><br /><br /><br /></span><div></div></div></div>Jess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-36382116412639015812010-02-22T09:39:00.002-06:002010-02-22T09:43:29.982-06:00shhh...it's a treat<strong><span style="color:#339999;">So I've done it again...I got me some turkeys. That's not all, I also refilled on the Indian Runner ducks I lost this winter and, here's the secret and the clincher, I got some Auracana Bantams... I am soooo excited. Reality check...time to start marketing. In case you were just thinking, "where's the visual candy?"...I still didn't get the camera I asked for at Christmas time...and I haven't let anyone live it down yet.</span> </strong>Jess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-4071829074699571642010-01-29T14:13:00.003-06:002010-01-29T14:15:56.176-06:00Come on out!Hello all, we are looking for a small group of people (ie; a family, a few friends, etc) to come and stay with us for a couple weeks this summer, right after school lets out, say June 12-27th. We will be fencing in our entire grove and setting up a rotational grazing system for our American Mulefoot Hogs, renovate a barn so that we can house more heritage turkeys next year, and move another barn to house our Poulet Rouge (slow growing) meatbirds. We will provide all food, a fully equipped camper that comfortably sleeps 4, and a Bourbon Red turkey come Thanksgiving. Naturally, we can't help but share our fresh air, prairie nights complete with stars and constellations, local and "fowl" entertainment (heritage turkeys, rare breed ducks, laying hens, meat birds) bonfire and gatherings. We hope to work hard during the day and enjoy great company in the evenings. Bring your instruments or hobbies; we have tons of room for you to express yourself. We would really like to encourage a family with young kids who wants to get out of the city for a while and have a different experience but would be gracious for anyone. If two weeks is hard to commit to but you would like to come out for a weekend or a couple days, bring your tent and make yourself at home (just call to let us know when your coming). The more the merrier. We plan to move the barn over a weekend when we can get the most help (this will also be the weekend of our annual potluck/bonfire). Please pass the word as it would be great to get to know some people that are interested and field any questions. Call us at the farm 320-752-4276 or email <a href="mailto:HumbleRootsHeritage@gmail.com">HumbleRootsHeritage@gmail.com</a> Thank you!Jess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-42962762960230438192009-12-28T23:29:00.000-06:002009-12-28T23:29:56.467-06:00Minnesota couple nurtures endangered farm animals | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ<a href="http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/10/08/saving-farm-species/">Minnesota couple nurtures endangered farm animals Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ</a>Jess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-21736621236234182832009-11-18T22:23:00.003-06:002009-11-18T22:40:49.097-06:00Regarding regretsThank you all for visiting our blog! I am so sorry to inform you that we are all sold out of turkeys and pork at this time. It has recently come to my knowledge that we are in the Minneapolis St Paul Magazine this month and so I am sure we are going to get some visitors to this blog (which my the way, is not getting the attention it needs from me because my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">camera</span> is broken and photos are what keep me blogging). Please send me an email so I can get you on our list for next year. Although April is early to begin thinking TURKEY it is when we begin taking orders and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">accepting</span> deposits. Just think, you can reserve your heritage bird in April and all your thoughts can be clear until November! Rest assured your bird is in good hands and will be ready for you to do what you will with... I will be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">sending</span> out an email regarding the birds and our pick up drop off plans in April and, again, would love for you to be on our list. We will be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">increasing</span> our numbers slightly next year but only to about 50 as we believe that they should be raised humanely and any more than that would make us sacrifice some of our qualities which include things like roosting space and barn space (which played a huge hand during the flooding this year). We know that we are raising a quality product and are unwilling to sacrifice quality for quantity. We also want you to recognize that in ways of quality is our "quality of life" that we deserve as farmers and the turkeys deserve as our livestock. We strive on keeping everything manageable.<br /><br />On another quality of life note, we had a generous gentleman order a turkey from us with the request that we give it to a family in need and send him the bill. If this is something that you would ever wish to do we would be most gracious to partake in that order. Perhaps you would like to donate a certain amount towards their turkey but cannot make the entire order, we will work that out amongst folks that are willing to donate. If everybody this year were to offer an additional $10 we <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">could've</span> served about 5 families with a great turkey and will <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">increasing</span> our numbers to 50 birds next year we would do even more. Just something to think about. We will also join in the fund and then we can all feel that much better about the meals we are eating.<br /><br />As we grow a certain amount of vegetables here we are also <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">thinking</span> about offering a Thanksgiving package which would include things like sage, potatoes, garlic, and other common Thanksgiving <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">amenities</span>. If this sounds good to you, we would love some feed back. Thank you for visiting our blog and please, drop us an email so that we can get in touch with you early next year!Jess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-23369141395151271472009-08-28T10:22:00.009-05:002009-09-28T22:03:59.577-05:00Nature versus Nurture<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfhd7vmAX3igfbAqb7qYyL_drFX9_sBPAgrm46UuN2YZb3tYnP6Z6NANySIRBMUz1BtGzEm8m5KYM7P8GGCmm5lcV0Fs1CrY01gHciBKvcWy1n9ZwlY04lZOZeXKamgAmdJOazfr0WzY/s1600-h/021.JPG"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXci0EB8xGK8L45CpVGKeaCsemJNiQD6Sqo01iZWJsoTwYjIv3p9JuLUfybcHeWm4BOT6sQ-ecUJRxPW3vb819nNlBMyVq9nkqmR0jpVkd8GZBwXc3neHsewd0mn3_SOOSv5Om7s6nfQ/s1600-h/020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375038872157560514" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 234px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXci0EB8xGK8L45CpVGKeaCsemJNiQD6Sqo01iZWJsoTwYjIv3p9JuLUfybcHeWm4BOT6sQ-ecUJRxPW3vb819nNlBMyVq9nkqmR0jpVkd8GZBwXc3neHsewd0mn3_SOOSv5Om7s6nfQ/s320/020.JPG" border="0" /></a> I have many times chewed the cud about NATURE vs NURTURE and feel that there is no clear line... <div>everything </div><div>uses and adapts a little of both to survive. However, Aurelia's 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">nd</span> birthday has hit me with a bit of an epiphany... In our house, <span style="color:#ff6666;">Hot Pink</span> (which has become a noun in our house since the arrival of Aurelia) is Nature...I do not like <span style="color:#ff6666;">Hot Pink</span>, Joey doesn't like <span style="color:#ff6666;">Hot Pink</span>, Azure only likes <span style="color:#009900;">Green</span> and <span style="color:#663300;">Brown</span> (which have the support of both of us Parents) but Aurelia thinks <span style="color:#ff6666;">Hot Pink</span> is <span style="color:#ff6666;">Pretty</span> and only <span style="color:#ff6666;">Hot Pink</span> is <span style="color:#ff6666;">Pretty</span> and she is only interested in <span style="color:#ff6666;">Pretty</span></div></div>Jess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-27778040683122161072009-08-18T12:56:00.003-05:002009-09-28T21:53:13.359-05:00"Bring your Guns to Town, Boys" bonfire<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiMXh_AhkgTG9CBDMhTdJ1KTc0uA3cfRUnbTOdtoxefmGCdseo8FL-sctb5l3giYFVoV47GCqTu_oISjETCbo8RvS5iI_tlSZvBCVTU-2VGBBt-9ryAi0zfeGDNPAg_QYpoGuPxU_ZXE/s1600-h/IMG_2617.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371364961674549794" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiMXh_AhkgTG9CBDMhTdJ1KTc0uA3cfRUnbTOdtoxefmGCdseo8FL-sctb5l3giYFVoV47GCqTu_oISjETCbo8RvS5iI_tlSZvBCVTU-2VGBBt-9ryAi0zfeGDNPAg_QYpoGuPxU_ZXE/s400/IMG_2617.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>September 19<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span>...kids and parents come at 4 for Azure's birthday- we'll do the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ol</span>' fashioned gunny sack races, egg tosses, etc...bonfire for everyone else starts at dusk..BYO...musical instrument. Valet parking available for a million dollar fee...</div>Jess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-84946534153982340052009-08-16T12:40:00.004-05:002009-09-28T21:54:00.905-05:00The Haps<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8fvrok-3il8ZuPtjcv9mCYj7R5ukJegGC1ZfRaMoxzaXUUr0WEKCBjoLS4gRaFdAjeJZlL1kBPYiE_sE075GrnC10KkAU2lISty_uZVTtHwV7ur8b8sSqcbpH9JVgNUJ0MxDDDlvAjY/s1600-h/IMG_0251.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370619714296187922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8fvrok-3il8ZuPtjcv9mCYj7R5ukJegGC1ZfRaMoxzaXUUr0WEKCBjoLS4gRaFdAjeJZlL1kBPYiE_sE075GrnC10KkAU2lISty_uZVTtHwV7ur8b8sSqcbpH9JVgNUJ0MxDDDlvAjY/s400/IMG_0251.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Well, it has been pretty uneventful here on the prairie. "Everything is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">comin</span>' around" as I heard a wise man say one time. Our turkeys are growing more and more beautiful seemingly every few days. This morning I let them out of there digs, and as they do every morning, they twit about then gather into their formation, run and take flight for the next 50 feet to the silo where our ducks have a swimming hole and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">turkeys</span> frequent. I always wonder why they fly that short distance; our house is on a hill and our outbuildings all lay at the bottom of our hill, so as they could run downhill, they chose to fly...perhaps its for my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">viewing</span> pleasure. I do look forward to it every morning...it's awesome. I have tried several times to get a photo of it but the justice is never done. </div><div></div><div>All of our piglets are exquisite and our sows and boars are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">hopefully</span> doing what they are suppose to be doing, although I haven't been a witness yet. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Poulet</span> Rouge are scroungers...they are now running freely in the coop with my laying hens and are all over the acreage when they are out. I have finally been relieved of recruitment duty. I was having to spend an hour every night teaching them as a mother hen would to go back into the coop at 9 PM. It has been a few nights now and they have all been in when I go to shut them in (what a relief). I am <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">surprised</span> how much food they find around here...when I pick then up I can feel their gullets <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">bulging</span>; good greens etc. </div><div></div><div>All my ducks are looking good. My Indian Runner ducks are just like Ping (do you <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">know</span> the story). I didn't realize Ping from the Yangtze was a Runner...</div><div></div>Jess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-72896326215987145622009-08-08T10:10:00.005-05:002009-09-28T21:54:19.034-05:00The results are in, folksThe results on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Mulefoot</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">yummyness</span> is in...and flooding the nations papers. I have added a couple links (get it) but google them yourself. Also I have added to the right of this a quote on why it's important to eat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Mulefoot</span>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.grit.com/daily-commute/Mulefoot-Pork-Wins-Blind-Taste-Test.aspx">http://www.grit.com/daily-commute/Mulefoot-Pork-Wins-Blind-Taste-Test.aspx</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com/TheBlog/archives/2007/06/01/whole-hog-project-so-what-does-mulefoot-taste-/">http://www.chicagoreader.com/TheBlog/archives/2007/06/01/whole-hog-project-so-what-does-mulefoot-taste-/</a>Jess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-42363773624459916642009-07-28T14:40:00.001-05:002009-08-01T18:40:08.632-05:00Come and get it...Step right up...Hear YeI almost forgot to tell you... Joey, Azure, Aurelia and I have decided to run a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">HumbleRooted</span> Special. If you reserve your 1/2 or whole <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mulefoot</span> by 8/15/09 we will give you a special price of $4/lb live weight. To reserve, we need 1/2 down. If you want more details just contact us...we're here for you!Jess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-12347872175019669152009-07-27T09:28:00.005-05:002009-08-01T18:40:40.114-05:00It's that time of the month<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc3llgkpdp0FHZXx8i4tcK-j1apg2N46yfJoUfSeZPggvrvvdTxD3nDQ0ZXGmR6mhSEqFiQllYYpX_kWE4fT6vRQK5G9Nva-OPhsjhiDRu_moRHXfVYTiY4zyH6OnTwlvMLyhK2gbel0/s1600-h/IMG_0730.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363567484122620738" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 300px; height: 400px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc3llgkpdp0FHZXx8i4tcK-j1apg2N46yfJoUfSeZPggvrvvdTxD3nDQ0ZXGmR6mhSEqFiQllYYpX_kWE4fT6vRQK5G9Nva-OPhsjhiDRu_moRHXfVYTiY4zyH6OnTwlvMLyhK2gbel0/s400/IMG_0730.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>What a relief...we finally got some new area fenced in and rotated our boars and sows, we believe that Mao <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Feng</span> and Winona will have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">beautiful</span> babes as Winona has long and curly hair and Mao <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Feng</span> is physically perfect. We are really interested in what Freya does. Last season we saw her be bred (did I say that correctly and properly- you all know what I mean, right?) but she did not get pregnant. She is an absolutely huge and beautiful gilt with a quiet and calm demeanor and we love her! We really hope she does well this time so we placed her with Mr. Purple, who is the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">epitome</span> of "Boar". He has long shaggy hair and his tusks are growing larger every week. He is moi handsome and a little rough around the edges (just like many of us like 'em!).<br /><br />Still have some of Winona's "Litter of Perfection" for sale and they are all doing well and getting big...We are looking at January for processing. Penny's "Magnificent 7" and wonderful, 1.5 week old superstars. The r-u-n-t girlie, AKA "3 point 5", is now5.5 but that doesn't change her name, she'll always be "3 point 5" in my eyes. I can't believe she made it through her first night... We have some awesome sows! Have seen them out in the grass, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">skiddadle</span> ye! Will update with photos later. This is a link to our kids last year but I like to revisit every once in a while...<br /><br />For you viewing enjoyment, may I present...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.lundphotog.com/AzureandAurelia/">http://www.lundphotog.com/AzureandAurelia/</a></div>Jess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-51661110601348989812009-07-20T11:00:00.001-05:002009-08-01T18:41:30.848-05:00Tweets on Turkeys<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw794jeORwZ_oG52EpuhVQwIll7Rc0qAtn3bGdwaCmtyMngG65954RgdJH3zESpIEPLQHgMKwmkb65ntQlDD0ftxcEZGDBjDe6vl96mZ6MggbEPzo0ONa75ZLoBHtbfS8l3ySGk6GUNic/s1600-h/IMG_2580.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360704581720852914" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw794jeORwZ_oG52EpuhVQwIll7Rc0qAtn3bGdwaCmtyMngG65954RgdJH3zESpIEPLQHgMKwmkb65ntQlDD0ftxcEZGDBjDe6vl96mZ6MggbEPzo0ONa75ZLoBHtbfS8l3ySGk6GUNic/s320/IMG_2580.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So it has recently come to my attention that this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">thang</span></span> called Twitter is the way to go and so this is for the Twits out there (seriously, what do you call yourself? The post is called a Tweet and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">the</span> program is called Twitter...anyways, no offense intended).<br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bourbon</span> Red is the new bird...it is an old lovely breed from the South, historically known as Kentucky Reds or Bourbon Butternuts. We chose the Bourbon Red for many logical reasons: it is considered critically rare by the American Livestock Breed Conservator (<a href="http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/bourbon.html">http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/bourbon.html</a>) and at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">HumbleRoots</span>, we believe that one of the best ways to re-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">introduce</span> a breed is to promote it as a food (the more who eat it the more who breed it). We also selected this breed for its slow rate of growth and naturally <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">occurring</span> size (the dressed toms <em>max </em>out at about 15 lbs and the ladies at about 12 lbs), its edible qualities (Slow Foods USA has Bourbon Reds listed on their Ark of Taste (<a href="http://www.slowfoodusa.org%29/">http://www.slowfoodusa.org)/</a>) as being selected for improved darker red color meat production, a heavy breast and richly flavored meat). Superficially (or maybe it does really matter), it is one of the most beautiful turkeys and we love the ambiance they lend to our farm, especially <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">now</span> that the toms are beginning to puff out their chests and show their "authority", for lack of better term.<br />Our turkeys are fed naturally we do not use <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">antibiotics</span> or medications. Because they need a high <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">protein</span> diet (28% protein) we have opted to add fish meal to our feed and have worked with our local grain elevator to create this feed ration specific to our turkeys and farming morals, while supporting our local grain producers and businesses. Our turkeys leave their home digs early in the morning, spend their days roosting on our chicken coop, garage, or fallen trees and keeping our grass grazed; they have full run of all of our acreage. They mingle with our chickens, duck and pigs freely and come back in to roost in their barn at night.<br />It is a slow growing turkey so will come to you somewhere between 8-16 lbs. We do ask for a $30 deposit upon ordering and the rest is due upon either pick up or delivery (we will have a pick up sight in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">MPLS</span>); the final amount due will vary depending on the weight but will be priced at $7.50 per pound, the average bird costing around $90 We welcome you request for a specific weight and, in the end, will organize them the best we can but cannot guarantee anything as these are simply natural birds and are not bred for convention. We will be planning a pick up sight in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">MPLS</span> probably on Friday, Nov. 20<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">th</span> in the evening; this will allow time for you to travel with I, defrost it, brine it, etc. If you see a problem with picking it up then please specify that below so that we can make arrangement. We will have too many turkeys to fit in our freezer so it will be important that you are there to pay and pick the bird up.</div>Jess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-82524597309972793732009-07-14T06:34:00.001-05:002009-08-01T18:42:07.330-05:00Penny's litter has come to fruition!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPlHhEROFADqUxmwSHDrIUk1-hL4wqE-U7kA-LvPkoyLrcyQriG62z6xKbkiPJYU5uEvlWaMu2eAF30lLWJZ7cVpeh3V_IK6c3vD0Z3tlzA-21yMz3Blf0mVkaaG902fqh7d0I-6aXs0/s1600-h/IMG_2591.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360704046046371442" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPlHhEROFADqUxmwSHDrIUk1-hL4wqE-U7kA-LvPkoyLrcyQriG62z6xKbkiPJYU5uEvlWaMu2eAF30lLWJZ7cVpeh3V_IK6c3vD0Z3tlzA-21yMz3Blf0mVkaaG902fqh7d0I-6aXs0/s320/IMG_2591.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Finally after much teat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">draggin</span>', our little Penny has had 7 healthy piglets! Why do I not have batteries for my camera? I am an impossible battery buyer! But I will try to get some.<br /><br />The turkey <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">lurkies</span> are getting '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">uge</span> and about 1/2 are still looking for a place to spend the holidays. I will be excited when they go...they are messy creatures and the shade of our human stoop, of which we pass daily...<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">unfortunatly</span> are passing something there all day also. I do love the sound them. They are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">beginning</span> to get their "Gobbles" on and often reply to mine; I can't help but hope I am teaching them proper pronunciation.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Poulet</span> Rouge are doing great under their lights in the coop. I feel bad that they are sharing the Indian Runner ducklings...it's amazing what a mess 8 little 4 inch ducklings can do! But the chicks are already feeling weighty...</div>Jess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3652072542843477117.post-52305277569471395452009-07-11T00:21:00.000-05:002009-07-11T00:22:39.670-05:00whoa...we're liveSo I just realized our blog is search-able. Which means I need to get with it but am an hour away from our computer/photos/reality...will get back to it soon!Jess Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520326428649099140noreply@blogger.com0