Our farmers were finding that is was becoming time consuming to venture out on pasture to let the laying hens out of their housing every morning and back in each night. That’s when they figured out how to power the henhouse door automatically.
What is a farmer? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a farmer as “a person who cultivates land or crops or raises animals (such as livestock or fish).” Although this statement is very true, a farmer is much more than this.
See a milking in action! Watch the twice-daily process of milking our 30+ herd of organic dairy cows in our parlor in this step-by-step guide.
Prioritizing healthy soils takes many forms at Wolfe’s Neck Center, but core to this ideology is the use of cover crops whenever possible. For our fruit and vegetable farmers, this is a no brainer and is at the root of what they do. One rule of thumb they have is that it’s always best to keep roots in ground at all times.
Walk by our West Bay fruit and vegetable plot and you’ll see a tall blossoming crop, trellised and nearly six-feet tall and extending down a whole row. This is our asparagus patch, and despite it being quite a sight already, there’s a greater story and purpose to the crop than meets the eye. Follow along to see where they end up!
A rainy spring kept us anxiously awaiting warm summer days, but the farmers had their eyes to the forecast, sky, and fields for much more significant reasons. For them, the wetter-than-usual conditions delayed their seasonal growing, haying, and grazing cycles. This delay has a spiral effect on production and more, and was a frustration that reverberated among farms all across the state.
After months of planning, construction, and anticipation, our farming operations have officially transitioned to the site of our new organic dairy facility. Dairy Manager Ben Jensen invites you to stop by for a visit.
This year we welcomed Joe Grady of Two Coves Farm in Harpswell to our team as the Senior Director of Programs. We sat down with him to discuss the importance of farming for a healthier planet and the role it plays at Wolfe’s Neck Center.
The first three apprentices who graduated our Organic Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Program in 2018 remain connected to their Wolfe’s Neck Center roots. Kelly O’Connell, Lauren Robertson, and Josh Harlan recently completed the two year, first-of-its-kind residential training program, offered in partnership with NH-based Stonyfield Organic and the WI-based Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship.
When you think back through what you accomplished in the past year, how your life may have changed or how you may have changed, it gives you an idea of what you want for yourself in the new year. January is all about this time of reflection and setting intentions for the months ahead.