I have decided that we are not busy enough. So this will be a weekly-ish blog about the goings-on of our farm.
As most in northeast Wisconsin know, Wisconsin springs can bring some wild weather. This spring has been one for the books. With having to dig out of over three feet of snow a month ago to a 100 year flood, it has been a challenging start to the growing season. The ponds on our farm had ran over their banks a week ago. It doesn’t sound like much, but for that to happen it means the water rose an astonishing six feet! After moving pigs to higher ground, pumping off the soon to be planted garden beds and helping our neighbors to the west of us, our attention turned to our newest sow, Ms. Piggy.
Ms. Piggy had been due any day, and we had moved her out of her flooded pen so she had a nice, dry area to farrow. After getting back from church last Sunday, to our excitement we had four piglets on the ground! The problem was, was that she was still in labor. After keeping an eye on her over the course of the afternoon, then consulting with our farm vet Bob, we decided we needed to start pulling piglets. Through the course of the night, we pulled five more piglets from her with flashlights in hand. After we had gotten the last piglet out the others began sucking and we left them alone. The next day we noticed that the Ms. Piggy was not doing well, her milk had stopped, she wasn’t eating or drinking and the piglets were losing weight. So once again, late at night, we moved them indoors to try to save the remaining piglets. Piglets cannot be bottle fed like lambs or calves so we needed to pan feed. My wife made it to the feed store just in time to pick up a milk replacer before they closed. The first night we had to syringe feed the piglets. Much like a newborn not accepting milk or formula. Ms. Piggy had a tough time recovering, but I am beyond thrilled to say that it looks as though she will make a full recovery. As of today she had been walking and eating and drinking! So that’s where we are at with the pigs. Pulling piglets and raising them in the house. Farming.
As the flooding had receded and the weather has warmed up, it put everything into a flurry of getting ready to plant. Our wild ramps started to pop through the forest floor. The first of our shitake mushroom logs started to produce mushrooms. Daffodils and tulips sent up blossoms and started to bloom. While it is nice to take some time to see all of the new growth, we had a lot of work to do. Through the weekend we got beds prepped, chickens moved and started planting. With the chickens officially being out on pasture we were able to start on the potatoes. All 150 pounds of them! This year we are planting Red Pontiac, Kennebec, and Purple Majesty. We also got the first seedings of carrots, radish and beets in the ground as well. All before a gentle rain. Perfect timing.
This upcoming Saturday, May 2nd, we will be at Market on Military at the BMO bank on Military Avenue in Green Bay. Wild ramps will be the highlighted product for us. We will have a lot more seasonal offerings as we progress through spring. Fiddleheads and rhubarb will be coming next and possibly early lettuce and even some cherry tomatoes if the weather cooperates.