Log In
Organic
Producer| Blog > Springtime at Prairie Horizons Farm | |
|---|---|
| Springtime at Prairie Horizons Farm | April 17, 2007 (updated April 30, 2007) |
| The earth is waking up, and life is bursting forth on the prairie. The first flowers are dotting the steepest hills, where the sun has warmed the soil sufficiently to coax the prairie crocus into bloom. We have always known this brave and delicate bloom as the mayflower, and it is exciting to spot the first lavendar petals with stems covered in furry coats, as if to be well-prepared for chilly April nights.
The new calves are arriving daily, and it's exhilarating to see how quickly they "gain their legs" and venture from their mothers' protective space to race full-tilt with the rest of the mischevious new arrivals. All of the cattle are enjoying the first bites of spring pasture growth, and we are so relieved that the drought of last summer and fall was quelled a bit by the 3 inches of rain soaked in before the last blast of winter in April. I'm not sure how April weather can still surprise us. We should know by now that it is consistently extreme! Next week we will begin a big project, with the help of a Minnesota Conservation Corps crew. We will be clearing woody invasive trees and shrubs from many acres of pasture and native prairie, on our farm and on surrounding lands. We have learned much more in the last 10 years about how to properly manage grasslands with grazing, mowing and fire, and it's exciting to see neighbors work together to make a positive difference for our beautiful landscape. We welcome Spring's transformation of our land, as we commit to another season of managing perennials, maximizing solar energy transformed into the highest quality beef. Finishing animals on lush, green pastures is best for taste, and best for nutrition. Only fresh green grass loads the beef with healthy CLA and Omega-3 fatty acids. Let us know when you are ready to try some. | |
| posted by forbord1 | |
