Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Yippey......
We are done planting. Sorry, no pictures. But it is a great feeling to be done. We finished late yesterday afternoon. And today is dedicated to paperwork, cleaning, grading and putting equipment away. More later, we have to eat now........
Friday, May 23, 2008
Change of siding............
We finaly have our new back door in place. Got it late last fall,and then it sat in the barn for the winter. I wanted to finish it before planting. 
The top pictures shows you how nicely things are greening up here. The flowers are starting to grow as well. We certainly had enough rain lately.
Also put some new siding on the house, as you can see in these pictures. I kind of like the rustic wood look.
Planting has come to a standstill. Last Friday afternoon and Saturday we planted about thirty acres. And we have not turned a wheel since. It was nice yesterday, but is raining again right now.
Matt and Amanda are coming here tonight. We are all looking forward to that.
The stockcar races are starting again tomorrow. Weather permitting. It was cacelled on Monday because of the rain. The farm is sponsoring Walter again this year. I hope that he has fun, it is certainly entertaining for the crowd. Well folks, I hope everyone has a good weekend...........
The top pictures shows you how nicely things are greening up here. The flowers are starting to grow as well. We certainly had enough rain lately. 
Also put some new siding on the house, as you can see in these pictures. I kind of like the rustic wood look. Planting has come to a standstill. Last Friday afternoon and Saturday we planted about thirty acres. And we have not turned a wheel since. It was nice yesterday, but is raining again right now.
Matt and Amanda are coming here tonight. We are all looking forward to that.
The stockcar races are starting again tomorrow. Weather permitting. It was cacelled on Monday because of the rain. The farm is sponsoring Walter again this year. I hope that he has fun, it is certainly entertaining for the crowd. Well folks, I hope everyone has a good weekend...........
Friday, May 2, 2008
The Crisis in Agriculture..........
This past Thursday we went to an event in Charlottetown called: May Day, MayDay!
It was organized by the West Prince Chamber of Commerce. In support of farmers, rural businesses churches and schools. The situation with Island Farmers and farm related business here on PEI is serious. After the second year in a row of low commodity prices, a high Canadian dollar, too many potatoes on the market, the closing of the only hog processing plant on PEI and poor beef prices. The Island farming community came together in front of Province House to plead their case with the government. It was very cold, drizzly weather. But about 400 people came out for this very important gathering. Premier Ghiz came out to address the crowd. But not much was accomplished. The PEI GOvernment can't fix this with a big cheque, he said.
We knew this already, but what else can be done, that is the question.
Many speakers had passionate words to say about the quality of rural life that is quickly coming to an end. One young farmer come up and said that in his area, last year there were six small family farming operations. This year there will be only one left on his road. And sadly, that is becoming more frequent, as you talk to other farmes from different areas. The financial crisis in farming today is equal or worse then the thirties were. Something needs to happen. And it has to happen REAL SOON. Or it will be to late for many!
What will happen in the big cities where there is no awareness, if the farmers are not there to feed them anymore. Are they all going to be content with the fact that their food now comes from China and South America? What if the borders are closed for some reason? We need farmers in this country. And all we ask for is a decent living like everybody else. But it seems with the pricing of our products, we depend on others to set the price for us. But when we need parts, then too, the price is set. The problem is, that the margins betwqeen cost and return have overlapped the wrong way for too long. We are no longer able to support this cheap food policy that we have hear in North America. It is time for change. Or life on PEI as we know it today, will be a thing of the past. And that would be a shame. Anyway, let me introduce you to a few people in these pictures.
In this picture, in the white shirt on the left, is Dr. Gary Morgan. He is a vet. from the O'Leary area. With the guitar I believe is Gary Gallant, a dairy farmer from the West Prince area. He sang the song May Day, MayDay for us. It summed up in a few words the serious situation that we find ourselves in today.
The above picture shows you the amount of people that turned out for the event. It was good to see this many show up, eventhough the weather was very poor. It showed the government that we were serious.
This last picture is one for the books. Never before have I been at a meeting where the Federation of Agriculture and the National Farmers Union were standing side by side and coming with a joint resolution to bring to the premier. That actually didn't happen until a little while later, after the meeting was moved inside the House. When the premier was finaly cornered for the third time that day, he started to get the picture that this was serious. Not just a bunch of upset farmers. But mayors, church ministers, equipment dealers, feed company owners. A representative portion of rural PEI. Including farmers.
It was organized by the West Prince Chamber of Commerce. In support of farmers, rural businesses churches and schools. The situation with Island Farmers and farm related business here on PEI is serious. After the second year in a row of low commodity prices, a high Canadian dollar, too many potatoes on the market, the closing of the only hog processing plant on PEI and poor beef prices. The Island farming community came together in front of Province House to plead their case with the government. It was very cold, drizzly weather. But about 400 people came out for this very important gathering. Premier Ghiz came out to address the crowd. But not much was accomplished. The PEI GOvernment can't fix this with a big cheque, he said.
We knew this already, but what else can be done, that is the question.
Many speakers had passionate words to say about the quality of rural life that is quickly coming to an end. One young farmer come up and said that in his area, last year there were six small family farming operations. This year there will be only one left on his road. And sadly, that is becoming more frequent, as you talk to other farmes from different areas. The financial crisis in farming today is equal or worse then the thirties were. Something needs to happen. And it has to happen REAL SOON. Or it will be to late for many!
What will happen in the big cities where there is no awareness, if the farmers are not there to feed them anymore. Are they all going to be content with the fact that their food now comes from China and South America? What if the borders are closed for some reason? We need farmers in this country. And all we ask for is a decent living like everybody else. But it seems with the pricing of our products, we depend on others to set the price for us. But when we need parts, then too, the price is set. The problem is, that the margins betwqeen cost and return have overlapped the wrong way for too long. We are no longer able to support this cheap food policy that we have hear in North America. It is time for change. Or life on PEI as we know it today, will be a thing of the past. And that would be a shame. Anyway, let me introduce you to a few people in these pictures.
In this picture, in the white shirt on the left, is Dr. Gary Morgan. He is a vet. from the O'Leary area. With the guitar I believe is Gary Gallant, a dairy farmer from the West Prince area. He sang the song May Day, MayDay for us. It summed up in a few words the serious situation that we find ourselves in today.
The above picture shows you the amount of people that turned out for the event. It was good to see this many show up, eventhough the weather was very poor. It showed the government that we were serious.
This last picture is one for the books. Never before have I been at a meeting where the Federation of Agriculture and the National Farmers Union were standing side by side and coming with a joint resolution to bring to the premier. That actually didn't happen until a little while later, after the meeting was moved inside the House. When the premier was finaly cornered for the third time that day, he started to get the picture that this was serious. Not just a bunch of upset farmers. But mayors, church ministers, equipment dealers, feed company owners. A representative portion of rural PEI. Including farmers.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Our friends have arrived............
Well, the big day has finaly come to P.E.I. It means that spring is here to stay. The weather was just beautiful yesterday. Nice and sunny, and warm too.
Elisabeth said that gardening is earlier this year.
The kids were having lots of fun out, looking for worms in the gardens. They made a wormfarm with them. Hmmm...maybe a new crop for me. Hope your week is going well. Ours is.This Sunday we are going to visit with Matt and Amanda. That should be exciting. We are looking forwaed to it. Back home again Monday night after a stopover in Moncton.
Have a great weekend everyone.........
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Spring is coming.......
Dear readers
It looks and feels very much like spring today. I played catch with Caleb and Damaris today. The grass was a little spongie yet, but we had lots of fun.
The land in front of the house is steaming as I write this. Another sign of spring. Although we are a long ways away from planting potatoes.
The ice on the bay is starting to thaw. There is a dark line from the bridge to behind UK's place. The ice in the straight is going away as well. Soon it will start to warm up again. The picture was taken in the National Park above North Rustico.
I'm getting some comment spam lately. So I have decided to change the way that I post your comments. For now I pick wich ones get published. The comments will go to my e-mail account first and then I post or delete them. We'll see if it works. So if your comment doesn't show up right away, that is why.
Have a great week.......
It looks and feels very much like spring today. I played catch with Caleb and Damaris today. The grass was a little spongie yet, but we had lots of fun.
The land in front of the house is steaming as I write this. Another sign of spring. Although we are a long ways away from planting potatoes.
The ice on the bay is starting to thaw. There is a dark line from the bridge to behind UK's place. The ice in the straight is going away as well. Soon it will start to warm up again. The picture was taken in the National Park above North Rustico. I'm getting some comment spam lately. So I have decided to change the way that I post your comments. For now I pick wich ones get published. The comments will go to my e-mail account first and then I post or delete them. We'll see if it works. So if your comment doesn't show up right away, that is why.
Have a great week.......
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Belated Sleighride Fun.......
It was a while ago already that we went on our sleighride. But I finaly got the pictures developed. And I decided to share them with you.
Those Percheron horses looks pretty huge upclose. The team on the right weighs in at about four thousand pounds together. They have no problem pulling a big sleigh. The one horse open sleigh that we had out is for smaller groups, like us. We were only five of us. Jim said that he had a pretty busy winter.
Jim also made a big hill for sledding as well. We all had a go at it. Lots of fun was had by all. The whole week was a fundraiser for Sarah. She is going to try the bicicle trip across the U.S.A. The Sea To Sea Biketour. It is organized by the Christian Reformed Church. We wish her all the best.
They start in Seattle WA on June 30 and finish in Jersey City,NJ. on August 30. http://www.crcna.org/pages/sea_front.cfm
Here is the website in case you want to check it out.
And then I found this picture yet from when Jordan and me went snowmobiling on the Island. It looks like that is all over for another year. So the pictures will have to last until next winter.
It is still pretty busy on the farm, most of the tablestock is gone. And we will be starting to move more seed in the next few weeks.
We are not growing carrots this year, so one thing less to get ready for. I'm sure it will be lots busy anyway. Hope you guys have a great weekend..........
Those Percheron horses looks pretty huge upclose. The team on the right weighs in at about four thousand pounds together. They have no problem pulling a big sleigh. The one horse open sleigh that we had out is for smaller groups, like us. We were only five of us. Jim said that he had a pretty busy winter.
Jim also made a big hill for sledding as well. We all had a go at it. Lots of fun was had by all. The whole week was a fundraiser for Sarah. She is going to try the bicicle trip across the U.S.A. The Sea To Sea Biketour. It is organized by the Christian Reformed Church. We wish her all the best.They start in Seattle WA on June 30 and finish in Jersey City,NJ. on August 30. http://www.crcna.org/pages/sea_front.cfm
Here is the website in case you want to check it out.
And then I found this picture yet from when Jordan and me went snowmobiling on the Island. It looks like that is all over for another year. So the pictures will have to last until next winter. It is still pretty busy on the farm, most of the tablestock is gone. And we will be starting to move more seed in the next few weeks.
We are not growing carrots this year, so one thing less to get ready for. I'm sure it will be lots busy anyway. Hope you guys have a great weekend..........
Thursday, March 6, 2008
A nice sunny day...........
The weather certainly cooperated today. Nice and sunny and not too cold. First we went North to Balmoral. We saw a lot of awesome nature views. Like the ones 
below. There is lots of snow every where. Some of the cottages along the trail had about four feet of snow on the roof.
Picture perfect. Lots of fun was had by all. This is what you call: Getting right into it. We had a few laughs over that. It is all part of the fun.
The trails were really good. Hard base with a few cm of powder on top. And then the groomer goes by to make it all smooth as glass.
You can see that the guys are getting tired. Some of these groomers are running 24/7.
Here is a nice action picture of Klaas. He seems to be having fun. The last bunch of pictures were taken in the Mount Carleton Park area. We drove right trough there. Some more spectacular scenery. A picture doesn't do it justice. You can see how much fun we all had.
Lots of thumbs up!
It was almost eight o'clock when we finaly got back to the hotel.
Friends forever. Klaas and Andre.
A quick shower and then a bite to eat yet. And a Corona of course. I hope you enjoyed the pictures and the timely updates. We are going for a short run tomorrow morning yet. And then we are heading home for supper. See you all soon...
below. There is lots of snow every where. Some of the cottages along the trail had about four feet of snow on the roof. 
Picture perfect. Lots of fun was had by all. This is what you call: Getting right into it. We had a few laughs over that. It is all part of the fun.
The trails were really good. Hard base with a few cm of powder on top. And then the groomer goes by to make it all smooth as glass.
You can see that the guys are getting tired. Some of these groomers are running 24/7.
Here is a nice action picture of Klaas. He seems to be having fun. The last bunch of pictures were taken in the Mount Carleton Park area. We drove right trough there. Some more spectacular scenery. A picture doesn't do it justice. You can see how much fun we all had.
Lots of thumbs up! It was almost eight o'clock when we finaly got back to the hotel.
Friends forever. Klaas and Andre.
A quick shower and then a bite to eat yet. And a Corona of course. I hope you enjoyed the pictures and the timely updates. We are going for a short run tomorrow morning yet. And then we are heading home for supper. See you all soon...
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