Backyard Roots

Hey folks, theres a new urban farm book out called Backyard Roots, by Lori Eanes.  We had the privilege to be featured in her book as one of the thirty-five small farms and homesteads all along the west coast up to Vancouver.  We cant wait for our copy to arrive in the mail.  Lori is an amazing photographer so you can expect this to a be a stunning photographic essay.  One more good book out there you dont want to miss!

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Year Two Putting Our Roots Down

"Gratitude necessitates blessing."

July 1st marks the second anniversary of Soul Flower Farm.  For two years now we have been stewards of this small piece of land on a hilly slope, nestled in the east bay area.  How our lives have changed as we have settled in and grown a deeper relationship to the soil, our animals, and each other, is difficult to describe in words.  

In the last year, while our days have been filled with the tasks of starting seeds, caring for chickens and goats, and tending the garden, we have also been watching with awe, our boys grow into men.  And when we look back at this second year here we can remember some extraordinary experiences; learning to build with cob, discovering a wonderful community, catching slippery kids as they dove their way -nose first- into the world, bringing home our first jersey cow and then breeding her.  There have still been countless cups of tea, back breaking work, blood, sweat, tears, swarms, and so much laughter.

With the invaluable experience of neighbors, trial and error, a fearless curiosity, and of course a bit of risk taking, our knowledge is increasing, as is our confidence.  Having the opportunity to tap into the rhythms of nature in our daily lives will never be a blessing we take for granted.  

getting dirty at sustainable building workshop

finished cob oven and bench

fresh goats milk cheese

aerial view after community work party April 2012

2011 kitchen overflowing with harvest

natural beekeeping

first born set of kids

Oberhasli/Sable Saanen cross

feral chickens we adopted

We pray our adventures will continue.  And what is in the plan for year three?...aquaponics, a super adobe in-law unit,  more classes, community outreach, perhaps a CSA box, fresh raw cows milk that can only come with a little calf, and a family vacation!


Top Photo by 
Lori Eanes

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Goats Sprouts Roots and Shoots

“All the Worlds Problems Can Be Solved in a Garden” 

 -Geoff Lawton

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I realized I have not said much about our goats lately, probably not since the trauma with Poppy and her leg back in December.  Well, the report is that in the end the break healed well, not so well at first, but with some time and attention she is pretty much her old self again, jumping, butting, and playing with the others.  Poppy responded amazingly to her constitutional homeopathic remedy that was the cataylst for her healing. 
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goat and chicken feed combinations stored in 5 gallon food grade buckets

All of the herd is growing rapidly and seem to always be ravenous.  We are finally getting organized with our feed storage and regimen, sprouting their grain, a combinaion of oats, barley, and black sunflower seeds.  (You can see the goat page for our full routine.)

soaked and sprouting goat feed

Fencing has also been a big priortity around here.  So after much waiting, gathering of materials, and a few weekends of work, the approximate 1/2 acre of pasture for the goats to graze is almost completely fenced in. 

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Rosemary and Poppy grazing

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Poppy getting a hug

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?Lots of sprouting going on around here these days.  A natural born seed saver, we have a 7 yr old who is obsessed with sprouting everything he can get his hands on from any and all sproutable goods in the pantry to the seeds inside the dinner vegetables.  There is a constant collection of wet napkins full of seeds on the windowsill. 

poppy sprouts on the windowsill

Spring Cleansing?

Thinking about spring cleansing, root tonics, and simple home remedies, this recipe for Fire Cider is as easy as it is full of benefit.  Some healing properties of the roots are...

Horseradish:  anti-bacterial, horseradish strongly stimulates the digestion, increasing gastric secretions and appetite.  Also a good diuretic that promotes perspiration, useful in fevers, colds, and flu.  An expectorant and can be of use in respiratory and urinary tract infections. 

Ginger:  valued for its ability to warm the stomach, to ease vomiting and nausea, and fight off colds, chills, and coughs.  Useful for all types of congestion in the body. 

Garlic:  supports immune function and opens the pores of the skin to lower a fever.  Anti-bacterial and antimicrobial properties make it useful in treating bladder and kidney infections, yeast infections, strep throats, and ear infections. 

Cayenne:  useful for increasing circulation and to get mucous flowing.  Anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant.  Used as a digestive aid to to stimulate gastric juices.  Can be used to gain relief from migraines. 

Fire Cider
Ingredients
1 quart organic apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup horseradish root grated
1/8 cup garlic chopped
1/2 cup onion chopped
1/2 cup ginger grated
1 tsp cayanne

Directions:  Place all ingredients in a large, clean, glass jar and cover with apple cider vinegar.  Cover tightly and steep for 8 weeks, preferably on a sunny windowsill.  Strain into clean jar. 

Make this soon so it will be ready for spring colds and sniffles.  (Try diluted in H2O first, it is very spicy!)

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