Farmer's Market Recap

On Saturday, we attended our second ever Farmer's Market.

Lessons Learned again. There are a couple of things that we need to spruce up to be attractive and competitive. Canopy, bigger signs, table cloths... These items will be picked up this week. We will be rocking! We have many new ideas and can't wait to use them.  We met many new wonderful people. Had many great conversations! What a treat it is to be around so many like-minded people!

In other farm news, we are down a few animals.  Another turkey died of natural causes? We have 3 missing chickens... Feathers were found. Max was caught chasing them, so is he the culprit? Or, maybe one of the cats? Who knows.  Whoever it is, we are watching and waiting for you...

Worm tea and worm castings are in the works for market.  We are using recycled soda bottles. Maybe we will have a recycled bottle drive?

Lessons Learned

So, as you all know today was the Farmer's Market. We had a trying day. At noon it was 80 degrees and at 3pm it was a cold 57 degrees, raining, windy wonderfulness. We were not prepared for the change of the weather at all. The kids were cold, the plants were cold but we were warm in spirits! We paid for our gas money and learned a lot. We had a great time and can't wait until next week to go again!


Better luck tomorrow though because we are going to St. Francois County Farmer's Market! Woo-Hoo! Population 65,848

We are hoping for a few customers!

FARMER'S MARKET TODAY!!!

Today is the First Ever Farmer's Market!!!

We are so excited!

If you are in Fredericktown, MO, or even close to us come on down to Gifford's Lumber Company today!

Wish us luck, we hope to see you there!

Plants Sold!

I would just like to say thank you to The Crafty Gardener for picking up our locally grown plants! We were able to sell them on consignment. YAY! So, if you are in the area head over to The Crafty Gardener for all of your gardening needs!

In other farm news, the turkeys were re-located to a new home today. Pictures to come soon. They are growing so fast, it is very exciting. We also found out yesterday that they are moving the farmer's market here in town to a great location. We are going to sign up! At first we were only set on doing one, but now its two! Two farmer's markets our first year! Wish us luck!!!

Hope you have a beautiful rest of the day!

Basil Sold!!

Huge Exciting News!!!!

The fruits of our labor have finally started to pay off. My mom was our first customer a couple of weeks ago with the purchase of some tomato plants! Today, we sold a flat and a half of Purple Basil! It flew off the tables like crazy! YAY! It was amazing to see something that I nurtured from seed to plant chosen to be purchased by someone else! We made $60.00 today and I couldn't be happier!

Earth Day

Happy Earth Day Everyone!

Give your thanks to the trees!

Down Time

Yesterday was such a joy! We had a blast with our fishing buddies. Early in the morning, Landon snagged a trip to the park. It was nice to go. Since we moved to the country, we hardly ever go to town just for the park, so it was a nice change of pace.

Funny how childhood memories flood back by the simplest exercises. I loved to swing, still do! It was carefree and fluid. Now worries. I will always choose to swing first. It just is so peaceful for me. I'm glad my son loves to swing as well.  I was also able to hug a few nice trees while at the park.

Self portrait

Landon's Feet high in the air!

My feet high in the air!

Chicken's Are Free Bird's

In other farm news, the chickens are now FREE RANGE and Loving it! The dinosaurs are on the hunt. This morning they were ready and waiting!!!

Fishing on the other hand was great as well. I think everyone but me caught a fish. Landon caught like ten!

Fish caught in the tree. Can you see it?

Have a beautiful day!

Gone Fishing

It was a beautiful spring morning here at the farm! Our fishing buddies arrived yesterday evening. So, we only could take the day and enjoy it! Here are some photos that I took this morning.  This is a sign we made last week, possibly could go up next to the road.

 

 Demolition has began on the old tractor shed. It will be the new turkey coop.

 Blackberries are blooming, hoping for a bumper crop this year!

 This is the chicken coop. Today our birds are one month old, and we are letting them venture out into the big, wide world.

 It took a little bit, but they finally ventured out.
A view of our peaceful creek this morning.

Happy Saturday! We are gone fishing!

Reality Sets In...

If you know anything about Deak's Farms, you know we both attend college full time. I am graduating with my Associate's Degree in two weeks!!! Now enough with the excitement, the reality is that I can not further my education. It has always been  HUGE goal of mine to have a Bachelor's Degree. I found out this harsh reality two days ago. I am out of student loans, so unless I somehow pull off six to eight thousand dollars in scholarships, this is the end of the road for me, kids. Am I sad and disappointed, you bet your sweet little bum I am. However, I have taken this news and I am making lemonade. Sweet southern lemonade. The kind that my grandma makes. So sweet it will make your teeth hurt. I am going to take this opportunity and put all of myself into our dream and our business. I will have the time now.

We are going to grow the biggest and best plants you have ever seen. We have dreams of one day opening up a C.S.A.,or maybe just a local wholesaler. I will be glad to maybe slow down a bit. Not so much work wise, but I will be home more and that will be nice. Enough about that. Let's talk goats. We are getting our goats hopefully by the end of May. I am STOKED! Truth be told, I have never milked a goat in my life, but I am excited to learn. I want to make beautiful goat cheese and heavenly goat soap.

I had the day off of school today, so the boys and I ran errands. While we were gone Steve put together the Apiary. Bees are due in a month, and their home is ready and waiting. We have decided that Saturday, the birds are out of the pen and free ranging, like little dinosaurs. Watch out bugs! We are getting ready to break open the worm beds. There is no telling how many pounds of worms we have. We started last year with maybe twenty. Steve thinks we have well over 100lbs! We shall soon see.

Tomato and Basil Loveliness

Beautiful things are happening here. Hard work always pays off they say. When the greenhouses were built I planted my little heart out. Here are some photos of the fruits of our labor. If you love Heirloom tomatoes, we have them available for sale! As well as peppers, basil, a handful of other herbs and worms as well! Here is a look inside our greenhouses! If you have never smelled a fresh basil plant, you are missing out. It is like heaven. I love to just run my hands over the plants and breathe in the aroma! 

New Kids on The Block

Baby Chickens Are Here!!!


We have 46 adorable Australorps  on the farm now.  My they are growing fast. We purchased 25 pullets and 25 straight run. They are going to bring a ton of happiness, eggs, and meat to us this year.

We also have the makings of Bunny Love!
All of our mama's had their babies withing 24 hours of each other. It was very cool!  I am sad to report that two of our mama's murdered all of their babies. The other two did exceptionally well. Better luck next time or they are rabbit stew.

Last but not least...

Bourbon Red Turkeys!!!
These little guys are doing amazing. The death rate of these guys is very high. You are supposed to expect 40% loss. We purchased 20 and we have 15 left. Hopefully, all 15 will grow big and beautiful.

Now all we are missing is the bees, which are being delivered next month, and my baby goats.

Long Time Gone

Well, It has been longer than I wanted since my last post. Life sure has us busy. Wonderful Positive Business! First things First...


Ode to Dumpling

After much pleading and begging, I lost the fight and Steve won, I guess if you call it a win. Dumpling is no longer with us. Steve brags about how tasty he was, I remembered why I used to be a vegetarian! Truth is I miss that old Rooster.

The early summer/spring brought many beautiful flowers blooming. I have lived on this land on and off my whole life and I never took the time to admire the little things. That is no longer the case. I wish that is all I had to do, just breathe in the peace and beauty of this gorgeous place.