farminghearts

WORLDWIDE OPPORTUNITIES ON ORGANIC FARMS

I have just registered with WWOOF USA which stands for WorldWide Opportunities on Organic farms and I am eagerly anticipating my directory. It should be here any day now. The directory includes families all across the US who are living and operating organic farms and are willing for individuals and families to come and stay as long as they like to learn and work on their farms! Most are quite open to having children along and I am looking forward to planning our summer of stays on our way to the land of the OZARKS.

Where will our adventure begin???

MULBERRY LANE FARM

Mulberry Lane Farm was our joyous destination on this hot June day. The big two story yellow farmhouse in Lincoln greeted us cheerfully as we pulled into the driveway. "Tippy" the black and white dog with a white tipped nose (hence the name) excitedly jumped around by our car to investigate her new friends. My two boys, Jackson and Luke, were ever so happy to oblige. They were dreamily in their element throwing a beat up ball for Tippy to chase and roll around with. I think she might be headed for professional soccer with the way she knocks that ball with her nose! Mrs. Hollinrake kindly guided us toward her chicken houses and described with warm affection each one in her Barred Plymouth Rock collection. We learned that she ordered her chicks from an east coast location where they are innoculated and sent on their second day of life! She waits for the call from her local postal workers who gleefully exclaim "Your chicks have arrived!". The boys were able to feed the chickens and then gather as many eggs as they could. Walking over to the barn to get a glimpse of the horses was my favorite part. Two friendly goats innocently chewed on Jacksons shorts while we brushed and pet Sam, the orphaned and donated mare.

We were amazed to find out that the Hollinrake's are looking for some extra help on their farm during the upcoming summer months and we will be keeping this in mind for an opportunity to learn some beginning farming skills! 

PLANT THE SEEDS AND WATCH THEM GROW 10 BIBLICAL VIRTUES TO PRAY FOR YOUR CHILDREN

1) SALVATION. "Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory" (Is. 45:8, 2 Tim 2:10).

2) GROWTH IN GRACE. "I pray that my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18).

3) LOVE. "Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who dwells in them" (Gal. 5:25, Eph. 5:2).

4) HONESTY & INTEGRITY. "May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection" (Ps. 25:21).

5) SELF-CONTROL. "Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be alert and self-controlled in all they do" (1 Thes. 5:6)

6) LOVE FOR GOD'S WORD. "May my children grow to find Your Word more precious than much pure gold and sweeter than honey from the comb" (Ps. 19:10).

7) JUSTICE. "God, help my children to love justice as You do and act justly in all they do" (Ps. 11:7, Mic.6:8).

8) MERCY. "May my children always be merciful, just as their Father is merciful (Lk. 6:36).

9) RESPECT (FOR SELF, OTHERS, AUTHORITY). "Father, grant that my children may show proper respect to everyone, as your Word commands" (1 Peter 2:17).

10) BIBLICAL SELF-ESTEEM. "Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:10).

OUR DAY IN DAVIS

Strolling through the UC Davis Arboretum was a wonderful beginning to our adventure today. Late spring flowers were in full bloom including many wildflowers, golden lupine, flannel bush, coral bells, salvias, and roses. The white flower moonlight garden surrounding the huge gazebo was my personal favorite. These flowers are all white and are intended to be enjoyed in the moonlight! Being visible at night as they reflect the light of the moon, this looks like quite the romantic and blissful getaway....

Coming out of the gardens we caught a view of gorgeous horses across the street. We had to linger with these special delights for as long as we could. There was a new sparkle in the eyes of my little boys and they did not want to leave. An instant friendship was made and the horses followed us along the fence all the way to our car. I believe this was the UC Davis farm program and we gathered information on upcoming classes and events.

Check out pictures of the arboretum at www.ucdavis.edu

We headed over to the Explorit Science Museum where we were blessed to be just in time to hold a ball python snake, skink, hissing cockroaches, and walking sticks. I can't believe I was convinced to have these creatures in my hands....

From here we drove over to the Davis Farmer's Market at Central Park by C street and 4th. This is an enchanting area with water fountains that spray up to play in, tall shady oak trees, fun playgrounds, and a huge covered pavillion where all the market stands were set up. There were organic blackberries, strawberries, cherries, peaches, local honey, apple juice, cut flowers, peppers, leeks, onions, green beans, lettuces, artwork, face painting, rock climbing wall, and favorite restaurant vendors as well, including delicious gourmet vegetarian Mustard Seed. We relaxed for a long time stretched out on the grassy lawns listening to Celtic musicians playing beautiful songs.

This is such a perfect example of  a true sense of community that I long for. Perhaps we will be found here again many more times over the summer.

I am registering to join willing workers on organic farms because it looks like a blissful opportunity to learn and grow with other families who are living the life we are striving to achieve. I would love to hear any comments on this organization if anyone has any experience in doing this or has heard anything about this organization. Their website is www.wwoofusa.org

Tomorrow we will be going to Mulberry farm in Lincoln. This is a working farm about 20 minutes away where we are hoping to purchase organic eggs.....and maybe a chicken or two.

I'm off to take a walk with my eagerly waiting husband where we love the chance to talk, dream, and plan.

I look forward to getting to know many of you homesteaders out there!

Peaceful blessings,

Jennifer

delicious apple pancakes

Here is a tasty treat our family enjoys when we have extra apples in the kitchen that nobody seems to be eating. This makes a wonderful breakfast and my little Luke loves to help make it.

Double the batter for extra thickness if so desired.

1 tbsp oil

3 cups apples; sliced, peeled, & cored

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp allspice

Juice from half lemon

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

3/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup plain yogurt or crumbled tofu

2 eggs

Preheat oven to 400

Heat oil into large saucepan or skillet. Put in apples, cinnamon, allspice, and lemon juice. Mix gently. Cover pan. Turn heat to medium and bring to boil. When boiling, turn heat to low and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Combine the flour and baking powder in a small mixing bowl. Pour in the honey, yogurt or tofu and eggs. Mix with a fork just until smooth, about 30 seconds. Grease a 9 inch pie pan. Put about 1/3 of the batter in the bottom of the pie pan and spread around the bottom. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove from oven. Pour the apple mixture over the baked batter. Spoon the rest of the batter over the apples and spread evenly, making sure the batter touches the edges of the pan. Bake 20-25 minutes. Cut in wedges and serve warm. Yummy!!

seeking beginning farm adventures

Longing for farm life has not diminished in 13 years. Somewhere deep in my heart I know that children need fresh wild endless expanses of land, connections to the earth and all that lives and grows on it as a daily pattern of living.

I am not complete unless I begin to strive for the passions and dreams God has placed within me. Join me as I begin!

I will start with visits to local farmer's markets, working farms, organic food co-ops, and branching out to explore opportunities to grow and learn all I can using all the resources I can find. From local library books to agricultural classes, apprenticeship programs to willing workers on organic farms, I will start my journey on the road to owning and operating our future family farm.

If you have any interest in hosting me along with my three hard working boys with the intention of guiding and mentoring us please contact me. I am new at everything, but have an enthusiastic eagerness to learn all that I can.

We are currently renting a suburban house in Roseville, California with the hope of moving towards the Ozarks area of Missouri by the summer's end.

Look for my posted pictures as I document our journey and work on my current book about why today's children have a necessary need for the life that living on a farm provides.

My future dreams include an organic farm with plenty of room to offer stays for visitors and an outreach program for children to come and experience life on a farm, the process of wheat to bread, sheep's wool to yarn, butter and cheese making, horse therapy, family musical and singing gatherings, seasonal celebrations, and many other arts of the farm.

I look forward to meeting and chatting with many of you wonderful farming families and aspiring farmers like me!!

Love and peace to you,

Jennifer