Harper Farms

06/30/2024

Sorry we have not posted in quite some time, but we've been very busy. Between a period of excessive rain followed by a period of excessive drought it's been quite the challenge.

As the celebration of Independence is around the corner, we are finally beginning to see the fruits of our labor here at Harper Farms . Several heirloom tomatoes are finally beginning to take shape, our corn is coming in nicely and of course sunflowers everywhere because sunflowers!!!

We were gifted about 75 lb of apples which we turned into apple juice applesauce and canned apples on our new outdoor propane burners which keep the heat out of the house.

Every year is different. We've watched conditions the last 3 years and I think as a result we are going to try again with potatoes next year. Seems changes are giving us prolonged springs which should allow us.

Never be discouraged by challenges. Learn adapt and grow. Our ancestors taught us this all we have to do is listen.

03/20/2024

IT HAS BEGUN.

01/21/2024

My whole life i have tried to make melt on your mouth bread, only to create dense loaves that were really only good for breadcrumbs.

Then i took one last run at a sourdough starter. This time i starter with sir galahad bread flour from king arthur flour. Ive even made pasta from this starter.

If you or someone you know has issues with gluten but have not been diagnosed with Celiac disease, you really need to check out sourdough. There's a molecule called Gliadin that is broken down in the sourdough process, and is responsible for many people having issues with bread. My wife has this condition and she can eat this bread with no inflammation response.

01/07/2024

On Sunday we bake bread.

11/30/2023

The leaves have fallen and the bugs have gone away for the winter here in Baltimore. Chickens need a little bit different diet this time of year. This is two parts chicken feed, one part each of rabbit feed, scratch grains and bird seed. I add a generous helping of soldier fly larvae (dried). I've seen some people use high protein cat food but I didn't really want anything that was processed like that. At the other end of the run I put in a bale of hay for them to gradually pick apart to give them something to do. Chickens generally lay less eggs in the winter, but if you feed them right and keep their brains occupied it does not have to be zero.

10/29/2023

If someone had told me 2 years ago I'd be doing this, I would have laughed in their face. I grew up with beekeepers in the family but I just never wanted any part of it because well, you know, stings. It's crazy how far away from your comfort zone you can find yourself while following a single thought.

I grew up with a family member who cooked food in a pressure cooker but never actually canned food. I had family members who hunted trapped and took care of beehives but I wanted none of it. Others took care of chickens and I wanted none of it.

Now today I can over a thousand jars of food a year. I have many chickens and now apparently I'm a beekeeper.

If you think your kids are not paying attention, you'd be completely wrong. I'm now doing nearly all of the things I watched with fear and boredom (and some resentment) as a child. Don't force your kids. Just be the example.

Andicakes The Canadian Pioneer Woman

09/24/2023

One of our friends brought us some Pawpaws!! We've been wanting to play with some of these for years, but we're always too busy to try and forage. The Pawpaw tree is native to our area, sometimes referred to as "the poor man's banana". What do you make out of them?

Fermenting the seeds, then i'll freeze them and give them out in the spring. I'm sure I will think all winter about where to plant a couple. Nicole Evanshaw

08/13/2023

This week we harvested pears off of our trees. He's been waiting several years for these trees to grow, seems like forever, but we finally got a good harvest.

We made some leathers with them as well as some chutney. What do you do with your pears?

08/08/2023

We just love that this "little fingers" zucchini literally looks like its being held up by little fingers! Not what we expected at all. So cute!

04/04/2022

04/04/2022

Did you know forsythia blossoms are edible? They've long been known for their medicinal properties, but they also pair exceptionally well with honey. I harvested some blossoms from the tree in my yard and made this simple syrup by combining 1 C flowers, 1 C water and 1 C honey. Boil the water, pour over blossoms and let sit at least until completely cooled. I let mine sit overnight. The syrup can be used on waffles, over ice cream, in a cup of tea or with gin. So versatile! And so pretty! I'm currently enjoying some in a glass of lemonade while wearing mah fancy chicken socks. Tell me, have you ever tried forsythia?