KY PROUD

I have progressed in my knowledge and farming skills over the past few years although anyone who farms as a hobby or a business can tell you, there is always more to learn and no two years will be alike. The winter wasn't too bad until the very end. All of a sudden, we had two significant snow events that turned into record breakers, followed by flooding, then some 70 degree weather, and now, possible snow again tomorrow. Bulbs are breaking ground and coming up to bloom, while insects are gearing up for the season. Weeds are already awake and the grass is getting greener. I started seeds in the greenhouse in January. I have lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, kale and other cold loving crops ready to go in the ground but I am afraid to stick them out there. It seems about every two weeks, the temperature drops and we get a frost or snow event. It's just not worth losing them so I am keeping them in the greenhouse until I feel more confident. I will probably stick them out sometime in April with a low tunnel frost protection.

This year I have signed up to sell at the local farmer's market. I always have more than I can eat or preserve, so I usually give away the extra and also feed some to the chickens. I decided to grow more than last year. Each year I make the garden areas bigger and the soil better. Hopefully that means I will have even more extra food to sell this year. I have two boys that need to get a sense of what work is and how hard it is to make some money. This seems like the perfect opportunity for that. I told them they could keep most of the money we make if they would help me. So far, they do not seem too excited but I am hoping that will change once they get some dollars in their pockets. I try to explain to them the importance of buying local and growing organic. I am not sure if they get it but I guess if I say it often enough, it will eventually sink in. It will be a challenge since they are dedicated to soccer and it will be going on most of the summer. We will do the best we can though. Soccer comes first for them and I am okay with that. I only have a small amount of time before they are grown and making a life on their own, so I have to put them first for now.

Since I used to sell my soaps & candles at craft fairs, I understand what it will be like to sell at the farmer's market. I am excited to be able to label my products Kentucky Proud and Appalachian Proud. Tonight I went to the local farmers market meeting and filled out the paper work to use the special labels. I also bought a big Appalachian Proud banner to hang up in my booth and some stickers for my products. I am so excited to share what I love to do with the community and make some money for it too. To me, farming is not a job but a healthy lifestyle choice. I can't stand to jog or exercise in a group class. I like to work outside all day and not even realize I am sore and tired until it is dark. I also love the reward of having fresh organic food to feed my family.

I ordered seeds from Johnny's seeds again but I also ordered seeds from Sustainable Seed Co. this year. I am excited to start growing popcorn this year too. I have expanded the variety of fruits of veggies that I grow to include some bok choy, Chinese cabbage, swiss chard, red celery and some herbs and heirlooms I have never tried. I am also going to try selling cut flowers. I am not sure how great the market for that is here, but it will help make my booth look nice, even if they don't sell!

I will post some pictures of the greenhouse plants this weekend, I have to finish watching these KY Wildcats beat the West Virginia Mountaineers. I love my Old Kentucky Home! KY PROUD! GO CATS!