Though human activity at the farm has begun to slow down for the winter, the wild animals have been active and about in full force lately. And just as our thoughts turn to filling our bellies with warm and nourishing food this time of year, so has their attention zeroed in on the most delectable and nutritious calories they can find. This morning I watched a flock of a dozen turkeys scratching intently at the snow-covered veggie fields, hoping to unearth some of the oats and peas cover crop that was seeded at the end of the growing season. Crusted snow is hard for them to break through, so any green tuft that sticks about the snow surface is a prime target for pecking. Meanwhile, the stampede of deer tracks into our newly unfenced lower field speaks to their taste for frost-sweetened kale. Since we’ve moved our harvest into the greenhouse planting we’ll happily share the bounty.
Up at the compost pile we’ve created an animal oasis, of sorts. Culled winter squash, apples, and sweet potatoes are unusually sweet and nutrient dense foods for wild animals this time of year. I’ve seen tracks of everything from raven to mouse to squirrel to bluejay, and even a fox investigating the buffet! Deeper in the pile the heat of decomposition persists, and a party of earthworms and microorganisms are busy turning scraps into soil to be returned to the fields; a good reminder that even the less charismatic fauna are still out and about in their own ways.
Though not directly feeding on our veggie crops, the bobcat and coyotes whose tracks we’ve spotted recently at the forest edge are certainly benefiting from the well-fed rodent population around the farm. Hopefully with their help we’ll maintain a reasonable balance and not find ourselves over-run come springtime. In the meantime, we’re happy to have some extra company to share the farm with on these short winter days.
Cheers
Norah and the Sweetland Crew
Week 7 Winter Harvest
Green Cabbage, 1 head
Carrots, 1 pound
Celeriac, 2
Sweet Potatoes, 2 pounds
Spinach, .35 pounds
Hakurei Turnips, 1.5 pounds
Butternut Squash, 2
What’s Cooking This Week
You can find ingredients for all of these recipes in our farm store! We source meats, dairy, grains, beans, sweets, and more from local and sustainable producers. Don’t forget to use your CSA member discount!
You can find ingredients for all of these recipes in our farm store! We source meats, dairy, grains, beans, sweets, and more from local and sustainable producers. Don’t forget to use your CSA member discount!