I was surprised how thoroughly frozen I felt during morning chores today—watering eyes, burning cheeks, bare fingers numb and red during milking. I generally feel well-bundled and warm working outside all through the winter. I was satisfied when I checked the weather, after retreating indoors for breakfast, to see that it was -26 with wind chill factored in. Cold even by my standards.

First Winter Pick Up

This is the first pick up of the winter season. We have a few new veggies making their appearance as well as dry beans. The dry bean harvest was slight this year due to the extreme wet weather in the beginning of the summer, they are also a little softer than I would like to see for long term storage, but I think will feed us well for the winter and spring. We have the black beans cleaned and sorted to start out with, and will have some great, fun varieties in the coming weeks.

More Barn Work

We will take up work on the barn again next week, installing human sized doors with actual door knobs and finishing up the insulation so it will be even warmer at pick-up time. Thanks to everyone for hanging in there in the meantime with the awkward door and chilliness.

Travelling Farmers

James and Cara have been traveling for two and a half weeks now, on a long train trip out west. They are on the return leg now, coming back from Montana. An old friend Brad who now farms in Philadelphia has been up this week, helping with chores and indoor bean sorting among other projects. And I had great help before hand from Matt, throwing hay bales around and hauling manure out of the barn in between holiday celebrations. James and Cara will arrive just in time for a 38 degree Monday.

In the Farm Share

In the veggie share: Kohlrabi, radish and turnips! Winter squash, leeks, potatoes, cabbage, onions, garlic, carrots, beets, parsnips, celeriac, dried sage, wheat berries and black beans.

In the meat share: All cuts of pork and beef, half and whole broiler chickens in the freezer. Lard and leaf lard are available.

Sara Kurak
Full and By Farm

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• Full and By Farm: Faring Well in the Cold (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
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• Full and By Farm: Barn Building Continues (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
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