Learning how to farm has been a wonderful adventure. Our unique histories and pre-farming careers have helped us adapt to some of the many responsibilities of farm life. Mike is a talented auto mechanic who has adjusted his car repair skills to expertly maintain and repair our diesel tractors and farm equipment – most of which are older than we are. I bring to the table a back ground in business and a Marketing Diploma, which has proven to be a unique skill set when applied to the changing face of farming.
We like to think we have taken the best of what we have to offer and adopted the old 4H adage “learn to do by doing”, to find our way and grow our farm business. The prospect of adventure and learning more about the land and the animals we keep, brings both of us joy.
We operate our farm business using sustainable farm practices. Raising only enough animals that can be sustained using environmentally sound practices on our land. Animals are pastured close to our house and barn so we can oversee their health, needs and safety.
Our animals are provided with free access outside; weather and predator permitting. The old adage, “your chickens always come home to roost” is true. Our free-run laying hens and meat birds, all come indoors to roost just before the sun goes down and the weasels, coyotes and raccoons come out. Each night we shut the door to their coups to ensure they have a safe place to sleep.
The cattle and pigs seem to be able to take care of themselves. Our cattle have free access to the outdoors, everyday, no matter the season. We place the pigs on pasture right after spring flush.
The pigs are big enough to stand the cooler nights and they sleep together in their straw bedding, tucked inside their shelter. Sometimes at midnight, you can here them snorting around for a midnight snack of fresh grasses. By the end of the summer, we have a nicely tilled area from their rooting and digging. We move the pigs every two years to take advantage of their tilling skills and provide fresh areas of pasture.
We cut and bale our own hay. We are fortunate to have land that has a lot of old, perennial grasses that have been used as pasture and hay fields for more than 10 years. We find the finely textured perennial grasses that are native to Grey County, grow well on our hilly clay based soil. We have spent a lot of time and energy since purchasing the farm in 2006, improving the soil and hay and pasture lands.
As Grass farmers, our entire Farm operation relies on the health of our soil and the grass it provides. All the animals on our farm are on pasture. We use organic and ecological soil management practices to maintain our soil health. A few interesting things we do with our grass is
- Frost Seed (put seed on top of the ground in early spring before all the snow melts and the ground is open)
- Fertilize – with manure produced only on our farm and only after it has been properly composted. (we turn our manure pile at least 3 times prior to feeding the soil – encourages composting, worms and that wonderful good bacteria)
- Green Manure – We don’t take a second cut of hay, we cut it short and leave it to feed the soil.
- We lightly disk the top of the clay soil to open it up before winter to help flatten out the ground and break up the top layer of soil so it accepts frost seeding in the spring. The existing grass remains while the new seed is allowed to find a place to live.
Supporting other local farmers by purchasing certified organic grain, berkshire pigs (a heritage breed), turkey’s, chickens, ducks and straw for bedding, is important to us. By choosing to purchase direct from Dragonfly Garden Farm, you are also supporting a network of farmers who would not normally have a market in this area, to establish a better local market.
All our animals drink from the same fresh well water we drink from. We have fenced around ditches and creeks to keep our pasturing animals out to ensure safe drinking water and fulfill our goal of being good stewards of our small piece of land and water. We have added a livestock yard and manure storage area to ensure we store our natural fertilizer safely. Our farm has an Environmental Farm Plan to ensure we continually improve the land and act as safe stewards.
Accurate records of what works and what does not work with our soil conditions and trial and error both prove to be helpful in developing the best plan for the needs of our land. Our system seems to be working for us as our land is responding by becoming a stronger partner in growing better grasslands and feeding our animals.
We treat illness or health issues first with herbal or natural remedies, to date; each health challenge has been remedied without the intervention of antibiotics or drugs. The few ailments we have experienced were resolved with herbal tonics, essential oils and extra care.
Thank you for your interest in How We Farm. Check out the rest of our website for more details, use our Contact Us Form to send an email, give us a call with any questions or stop by for a Farm Tour, no appointment necessary.
Farming with Integrity,
Cindy & Mike Wilhelm