Fiddlers Folly

06/26/2024

Contrary to popluar belief, pasture doesn’t grow itself. Second fertilizer application for the year and praying for the rain!!

06/11/2024

Well, if it gets too tall, you have options. Pastures are hay fields with a haircut.

04/11/2024

Reminder buzzing is fun!

Helpful guide

03/13/2024

When you see the Maryland Department of Agriculture in action or at least the sign that they had been there. This is a guarantee that the % on the bag are as they say. This sticker covers the sample hole.

03/03/2024

Due to rotational grazing and three less horses this year I bought 15 LESS rounds. My hay guy is asking me to let all my friends know that he has rounds left. Grown and stored in Anne Arundel County first and second cutting. Text Billy: (443) 871-1193.

12/03/2023

I have the BEST hay guy! Early Christmas came to Fiddlers, there is even a bow on it. Now I can take out two rounds at a time. IYKYK!

10/17/2023

SOLD OUT!!

The AASCD Dinner is packed! All the best people are coming!

Couple of updates:
- The dinner is full!
- Dinner is in an event tent, dress accordingly.
- There is a cash bar!

10/12/2023

As part of our Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), we agree to create homes for native critters. Talking with my boarders we decided to do bird and bat houses; blue bird houses because we have many species of birds that will use them (so says my bird watching boarders) and bat houses because we have quite a few “flitter mouses” already and they are really good with mosquitoes!

CSPs pay cooperators for doing the right thing, who doesn’t like that? More photos to come when they are hung this weekend!

Thank you, NRCS

Houses by: Bird Gazer

10/01/2023

Please come celebrate with us as Amy and Fiddlers Folly receive the honor of Anne Arundel Conservationist of the Year! This award is given to the person/operation that exemplifies conservation in the district. Tickets are on sale through Monday, October 9th and it is a great event. Come celebrate one of the equine community! Questions, please direct message Amy.

09/30/2023

Great article about forage only diets.

Madeline Boast explains why you might need to provide supplements for horses on a forage-only diet to maintain a healthy equine gut microbiome.

08/31/2023

A huge congratulations to my friend and mentor Eileen Beard, she is the current interim District Manager for Calvert Soil Conservation District. She has assisted me in becoming the best cooperator I can be, through smacking knowledge into my thick skull, for the last 10 years.

If you have an Equine Operation, please reach out to the Conservation Districts, they are staffed with helpful people like her!

07/20/2023

🎉 For those that are interested in joining:

Amy Posey,because of her work including Fiddlers Folly had been selected Anne Arundel Soil Conservation District as Cooperator of the Year! This award is in part to so many, it and other recognitions are given at a dinner, which will be October 18th.

There will be another post with how to purchase tickets, but it is a great evening and we hope many of you can attend. Tickets are limited, based on the location, but if you are planning to come please let us know!!

05/07/2023

We are a stop for the 23rd pick up. Please reach out to me to let me know if you are interested in dropping off. Thanks!

7 places -

04/23/2023

Looking for summer work? Fiddlers Folly is looking to add 1 or 2 members to the crew. We will be transitioning to night turn out so working after your 9-5 is totally doable, weekends also avalible. We have 14 stalls. Must be 18 years or older and have transportation. We have a great crew, but want to make sure we start someone before summer vacations. PM Fiddlers Folly, if interested, for more information.

03/24/2023

Headed to Dover this weekend for Tent Sale?

Want to make a difference for a rural Egyptian clinic?

Amy is collecting Vetwrap to take to an awesome clinic helping donkeys, goats, cattle, and poultry in rural Egypt. When she reached out to the organization and asked what they need, the veterinarian said VETWRAP! Something that we all have in our tack trunks would make a world of difference for them.

Dover has a bucket to collect VETWRAP donations at checkout. We have a goal of 100 rolls. For less that $3, you can donate 2 rolls.

Thank you!

https://www.facebook.com/rwi.egypt

03/20/2023

A little behind this spring, but applied fertilizer ahead of the rain coming this week. A good grass stand should get ~150lbs of N/acre* each year, split into 2 or 3 applications. Ideally when should the first application be? When the yellow flowers (daffodils and forsythia) start to bloom. Photo captions have more information. Happy Spring!

01/25/2023

I was surprised when I saw someone else had shared this, didn’t even realize we were getting a write up! Thanks Anne Arundel Soil Conservation District! Can’t wait to complete the other five this year.

01/23/2023

What is going on right now?

Winter is slower for agriculture, but preparing for the growing season is not far from our minds. Educational programs available for learning are in full swing. Last week I went to the Hay and Pasture Conference (only $20) hosted by University of Maryland Extension and today I am at Tractor College (Free) hosted by Charles County Soil Conservation District. Both serve lunch, included in the cost. 🤓

12/23/2022

🥶 I saw half the boarders this morning.

12/04/2022

Final upgrade to the new HUA, LIGHT! Safely leading horses in at night, now that it is getting dark early. Great project for three strong people at about $250.

TENKOO Solar Street Light, 1200W -$132 (on sale)
https://a.co/03gQoPL

Other materials:
10’ 2” Metal Pipe Rigid (compare electrical vs plumbing, plumbing was $10 cheaper) - $83.46
Pipe Cap- $9.21
U brackets- $5.06
Lag bolts for U brackets- $11.70
L bracket- $4.48
Lag bolt for L bracket- $1.93

Recommended:
Gap filler to keep wasp out of bottom of pipe- $4.38
Rubber sheets for Light bracket to post- $6.25

Mounted to 6x6 gate post pressure treated (did not add into cost because it was already there).

12/03/2022

Yesterday I was informed by my landowner that they had replaced the heat lamp in the barn well house with a well heater. At 50° it will kick on, no more wondering if the cold snap blew the heat lamp bulb causing the pump to freeze leaving us to be without water once the pipe to the barn emptied.

I didn’t ask for it, I didn’t know it exsisted. It was just a nice thing to do. Christmas came early to the barn. 🧑🏻‍🎄

11/18/2022

Absolutely had a blast today talking with the planner class that stopped by to meet an equine operation. They had great questions and I know they will be amazing NRCS and Maryland Department of Agriculture mentors in their counties. These are the types folks that taught me how to rotationally graze, overseed (renovate pastures), and put in HUAs.

11/12/2022

Weirdest thing seen at the barn:

We have a small creek that splits the main property easily 100 yards (33 meters) from the barn. I was very suprised to see this fellow in the aisle. I took a walk and returned it to the stream. Still going 🤔

10/22/2022

Planting some perennial grass seed (Fescue - MaxQ II) in the East field today. It will be rested until March. Will be spinning out some winter rye for late fall-winter and then early spring in the other four pastures not being rested and then everything will be hit with some fall fertilizer. Busy-busy.

10/21/2022

Sometimes rotating fields can be super tame. Other time they run for it like someone at a birthday said “Time for Cake!!”

10/04/2022

Just a reminder that the Lunch Zoom for the Heavy Use Area Build is today at noon!

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09/11/2022

Another free event that Fiddlers Folly is hosting, October 12th University of Maryland Extension Forages to talk about pasture renovation! Fall is the best time to get grass established! Registration link in the post.

Schools may be starting up again but there is still lots to see in the pasture! Join us for one of these upcoming pasture walks this fall.

August 25 at Sines Family Farm (Friendsville, MD): https://go.umd.edu/augustpasturewalk

September 22 at Kefauver Farms (Clear Spring, MD):
https://go.umd.edu/septemberpasturewalk

October 12 at Fiddlers Folly Farm (Edgewater, MD):
https://go.umd.edu/octoberpasturewalk

November 17 at UMD Beef Demonstration Site (Ellicott City, MD):
https://go.umd.edu/novemberpasturewalk

09/11/2022

Mark your calendars if you are looking to fix muddy areas. We are placing a Heavy Use Area at the intersection of two gates. Information provided on how to implement at your farm. Lunchtime Zoom follow up after construction is done, for all to join.

05/05/2022

Two Old Mares Blanket Services has scheduled another run for 5/11. They need 40 for a pick up, I have a possible 6. Anyone miss the pick up lastime that is interested this go?

04/15/2022

Grass has pros and cons… the geldings decorating the warer trough. 😂