Monthly Archives: September 2013
Marking the Sugar Maples
When the trees lining our driveway start to look like this, we know that winter is not too far away. Before the leaves fall off the trees, we wanted to be sure to mark our sugar maples. Come springtime, … Continue reading
Autumn Seedlings
The weather is changing and it’s time to start thinking about winter farming. While there is significantly less to do in the winter months in the Hudson River Valley, there are ways to continue to grow food that defy snow … Continue reading
Another Chicken Coop
Some days, it seems like we are always building something on applewood farm. When we first started out, the only buildings on the property were the house, the garage, and the tractor shed. We quickly modified the shed to be … Continue reading
The Precipitate Piglet
This coming Sunday will be yet another Pig Day. We have adopted this euphemism to refer to the days when one of our happy pigs will make the transformation from pig to pork. One of the many things we’ve learned … Continue reading
Shhh… Don’t tell the New York Times
Ever since opening applewood in 2004, we’ve maintained a set of guiding principles from which we have never wavered. We wanted a restaurant that served only sustainably-sourced foods, whether grown locally or farther afield, with an emphasis on supporting small … Continue reading
When we started keeping chickens, we bought a dozen Rhode Island Reds (RIRs) from a guy down near Red Hook, New York. The hens were about 16 months old and they cost $2 each. It was the perfect starter flock. … Continue reading
The Bears and The Bees – A Not-Love Story
On Monday, my friend Maggie came over to help me open my hives and see what was going on in there. Maggie is into her fourth year as a beekeeper and I’m in my first, so having an experienced set … Continue reading
New Goat Shed? Not Baaaaaaaad!
Goats need a lot of space to run and climb. They climb the most improbable things and they do it without hesitation or concern for what may be awaiting them upon landing. Their utter lack of fear is inspiring and … Continue reading
One Pig, Two Pig, Fat Pig, New Pig
We just keep getting pigs. In keeping with our original PIG PLAN, I prepared to collect two more Duroc-Landrace-Yorkshire pigs from our friends at Amlaw Family Farm yesterday. Dave readied the car for me by putting down a tarp covered … Continue reading
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