2 Corinthians 12: 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the powers of Christ may rest upon me.
Wow, May 1st??? Happy May Ya'll!
Well it has certainly been a while since I have posted, wow, I didn't realize it has been so long. We stay so busy. I manage Amazon, Etsy, eBay and Facebook orders, I am an artist, baker and farmerette. Since my last posting I have made many sculptures, paintings and baked a thousand cookies and loaves of bread. Ron and I have both planted thousands of seeds, plants and pulled six trillion weeds. We have hatch a few hundred chicks and have sold hundreds of dozens of chicken and duck eggs. We have harvested fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers for ourselves and our customers, as I type this my fingers are purple from picking about four pounds of mulberries this evening. Mulberry syrup coming soon folks! We have taken many hundred photographs and numerous videos that we'll be posting. Most will be unedited and even some will be mistakenly vertical (portrait instead of landscape... hint - Seminole Squash video).
I am here now to spend some time with you and let you know what's been going on at our Little Eden. So happy you are here. I WILL post more often as I have so many recipes, videos, photographs to share. Oh and we also set up our Farm Stand each week, weather permitting, in Panacea, Florida every Friday and Sunday afternoons from around 1-2 p.m. until 5 p.m.
I am actually creating a bit of time each week, usually on Friday and Sunday afternoons to bring my sketch pad and paints and enjoy creating a sketch or work on a painting. Super excited to get back into my love of drawing and painting. I have a Society6 site: https://society6.com/product/friends-tall-or-small-baby-elephant-sunflower-butterflies-art_printand here's my Etsy art site: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CountrySquirrelsRUS and hopefully a Fine Art Pixels site soon. Ron is getting back into leather working and I am super excited about sharing his work with you here. I stayed up until 3 a.m. this morning baking bread orders so I will sign off for today go check on baby goslings that are pipping out of their shells, go in the office/studio and prep a bit for tomorrow's orders, shower and off to bed, hopefully before midnight.....
May the Lord bless you and keep you safe.
I'll leave you with a video of Ron enjoying the afternoon a bit in the shade, playing musical cats - Happy Birthday to You song.
Ron and Annette Layton and the Gang Little Eden Heirloom Farm
Wake up America. Monsanto, Bayer, and others with their Roundup,
Atrazine and other deadly herbicides. Too much politics and money is
involved, the U.S. government is not
going to remove these from the store shelves but we can educate
ourselves and care enough to not use them. The same stores sell weed
eaters and lawn mowers, these just take a bit more effort on our part.
Is this dying man your brother, uncle, father, best friend? Is he you?
Why wait until death knocks close to home before we start to care?
Below is the link to the original post followed up with a copy and paste of the article.
Plaintiff Dewayne Johnson reacts after hearing the verdict to his case against Monsanto - AFP
A
jury has ordered the chemical giant Monsanto to pay a terminally ill
school groundskeeper $289 million (£226 million) in damages in the first
trial over claims that its Roundup weedkiller causes cancer.
Lee
Johnson, whose doctors didn’t think he’d live long enough to learn the
verdict, prevailed Friday in San Francisco state court after jurors
deliberated for three days.
The
trial was an important test of the evidence against Monsanto and will
serve as a template for litigating thousands of other claims over the
herbicide.
The
company immediately said it would appeal against the decision and tried
to reassure consumers - including those using Roundup in Britain - that
its weedkiller was safe.
Mr
Johnson was seeking $412 million in damages. Jurors awarded him $39
million for his losses and $250 million to punish the company after
finding it liable for a design defect and failing to warn of Roundup’s
risks. Monsanto said it will appeal.
Bottles of Roundup herbicide, a product of Monsanto Credit: Jeff Roberson/AP
Monsanto
vice president Scott Partridge told the Press Association: "Roundup has
been safe for four decades and will continue to be safe. There is no
credible scientific evidence that demonstrates otherwise.
"It
is completely and totally safe and the public should not be concerned
about this verdict... We will work through the legal process to see if
we can get the right result. The science is crystal clear."
If
the litigation generates large verdicts against Monsanto, it could have
a material impact on Bayer’s bottom line, said Chris Perrella, an
analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence.
Since
Roundup is ubiquitous in modern farming, there’s a “huge potential
liability,” though it’s very uncertain it will materialise, he said.
Bayer investors might not be aware of the risks because many analysts covering the company focus on pharmaceuticals, Mr Perrella said.
Glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup, was first approved for use in Monsanto’s weedkiller in 1974.
While
becoming the world’s most popular and widely used herbicide, the
question of whether it causes cancer has been hotly debated by
environmentalists, regulators, researchers and lawyers - even
as Monsanto has insisted for decades that it’s perfectly safe.
Monsanto Vice President Scott Partridge speaks during a press conference after the ruling Credit: JOSH EDELSON/AFP
Working
for a school district in Benicia, California, about 40 miles east of
San Francisco, Mr Johnson mixed and sprayed hundreds of gallons of
Roundup.
He
was diagnosed with cancer in 2014, and in July 2017, after chemotherapy
and other treatments, his oncologist gave him six months to live.
Mr
Johnson’s lawyers, relying on his testimony and expert witnesses,
argued that his exposure, including accidents that got him soaked from
head to toe in Roundup, caused his non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Monsanto scientists
knew of the cancer risk posed by Roundup as far back as the 1970s, but
failed to inform the public and instead engaged in a "deliberate effort
to distort the truth” as the weedkiller generated hefty returns, Mr
Johnson’s lawyer, Brent Wisner, told the jury in closing arguments on
Tuesday.
“Monsanto made
a choice to not put a cancer warning on the label,” Mr Wisner said.
“That is a choice that shows their reckless disregard for human health,
and today is their day of reckoning.”
DeWayne Johnson hugs one of his lawyers after hearing the verdict Credit: JOSH EDELSON/AFP
Monsanto argued
that the type of cancer contracted by Mr Johnson takes many years to
form. The short period between his first exposure in 2012 and his
diagnosis in 2014 made any connection between his contact and the
disease impossible, according to the company.
Monsanto lawyer
George Lombardi insisted that science had found no connection between
Roundup and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He noted that the US Environmental
Protection Agency continued to assert - after repeated assessments -
that Roundup was safe.
In fact, Mr Lombardi told the jury, no one had yet figured out what causes the disease.
“We
don’t know why people get mycosis fungoides,” he said, using the name
of the specific form of cancer Mr Johnson has. "It would be nice if we
could tell people why they get it, but we can’t.”
Thank you to our fallen heroes for helping keep this land of ours free, may we not take it for granted.
Today's Alberto brings back memories of another Alberto:
Tropical Storm Alberto, July 1994
Landfall near Destin, Florida
I
lived in a small farming community in the middle of Georgia,
Oglethorpe, Georgia, about 160 miles, which is 3 1/2 hours from
Crawfordville give or take following a few tractors and/or poultry
trucks. When rushing rain waters flooded the Flint River and northern
area waterways making creeks and streams into raging rushing waters, a
neighboring town, Montezuma, just 8 or so short miles away was
flooded to rooftop levels in a time span of one hour when a dam broke
to the north. A few hundred yards from my home was a small creek not
more than three feet wide and about three feet deep could be heard
roaring, creating new paths through the trees cutting gullies in farm land and under commercial
poultry houses, drowning thousands of chickens.
Hundreds
of thousands in the larger cities were without running water due to
their water supply being contaminated. The breach of Lake Blackshear Dam
drained the lake sending even more water toward Albany, Georgia, where
more than 400 caskets were washed out of Oakview Cemetery.
Millions
of dollars were poured into the state. The National Guard took up
residence in Montezuma for a long time, helping rebuild the devastated
town. Some never rebuilt.
Dozens of lives were reported lost in Georgia and Alabama due to that Alberto.
Today
is another Alberto. Rain and wind but as far as the current reports,
a much less life changing Alberto, we are thankful.
Thanks
so much for supporting our Little Eden, giving us the opportunity to
do what we love. On the Farm front, we're busy pulling weeds, the
softer ground is making it a bit easier along with staking and tying
tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, melons, etc., keeping them off the
ground. All in all, they're loving this cooler weather.
Our Shiitake logs are enjoying this weather so we're harvesting extra mushrooms this week. You can order by sending us a Personal Message on Facebook, calling or texting us at 850/274-7690 or sending us an email at littleedenheirloomfarm@zoho.com.
Pick up here at the Farm at 1067 Lower Bridge Road. Order $20 or more and we'll deliver to the Crawfordville area (Closed Saturdays. Unavailable for Crawfordville delivery on Wednesdays.) The $20 minimum can also include various fruit, vegetables, herbs, baked goods, preserves, etc., send us an email and we'll respond with our current Fresh List.
Payment can be when delivered/picked up or if you want us to send you an invoice to pay with a credit/debit card. You can also send payment via PayPal using the Send Money to Friends and Family option.
Shiitake Mushrooms - 1/2 lb. bag - $7
If you have family or friends that may want to purchase, please send them this information. They can also pick up at Lake Ella Wednesday afternoons on the northwest side of the lake under the oak trees at the Organic Growers Market from 1ish p.m. - 5ish p.m. at 229 Lake Ella Drive, Tallahassee.
Thanks so much for supporting our Little Eden, giving us the opportunity to do what we love.
This
week's Farm photo sharing is a group of snapshots featuring a bit of
what goes into the feeding of our chickens to make them lay the tastiest
healthiest eggs. We take pride in the health and well being of our
birds; depending on their personalities, some even have names. Each is
part of the family, we spend hours each day caring for, tending,
feeding, cleaning their night pen, nest boxes, etc.
This set of
photographs shows details of our fodder growing system. Fodder is a
term used for growing microgreens for animal food. Along with the many
bugs, grubs and plants that gain their infamous fame of being called
weeds by growing in our gardens, we also grow a non gmo no corn
microgreen mix. If these seeds were only wheatgrass, people who juice
appreciate its healthfulness. Our mixture contains pea seeds, grain
seeds and flax seed making a healthier Omega-3 egg. All seeds are soaked
and grown with organic kelp meal, absorbing the many minerals and
nutrients kelp provides. Feeding livestock seeds that are either
sprouted or grown a little longer into a microgreen increases the
nutrient content of the feed. The increase will vary from grain to grain, increasing the
natural proteins, vitamins, mineral, enzymatic activity, omega 3’s,
amino acids, etc., stimulating the immune system of the animal.
Healthier
feed the organic, natural way makes for a happier hen and healthier
egg. We have a sign on our Farmers' Market table that says "Healthy
eggs from Happy Hens!" Folks seem to like the sign and a comment is
often made that they would like to buy "Happy Hen" eggs.
The last photograph shows two of our miniature chickens (Old English bantams) enjoying some of their fodder.
I have been playing around with a photograph collage program (gotta
love those free phone apps). Since it is more than seven photographs,
it's not a photograph per day per se but I love sharing some of the
things currently happening around our Little Eden. Each photograph is
numbered with details following. We are planning to keep this up so
you can take a peak around the Farm each week. Ron and I
both enjoy the art of photography so there is a lot to share, hope you
enjoy!
We have for sell a bonded pair of Muscovy ducks approximately 6 months old. $25 pair. We also have younger ones available, please email for information. Muscovy ducks are quiet, they eat a lot of bugs and are great with most things in our summer gardens.
Cochin bantam/Sultan cross chicks - October 30 hatch date. Four white with black spots and two black.
Straight run. $6 each.
Sultan rooster approximately 7 months old - $7
Delivery to Tallahassee Monday afternoon if prepaid (credit/debit card invoice will be emailed to you for payment).
Our latest Farm Newsletter will be written soon. Below are some
highlights, I may get a chance to write about one, two or all; as usual,
we have a lot going on. We are still happily harvesting late summer
crops as well as cooler season fun. We're thankful for the cooler
weather, I feel more productive when I don't worry about overheating
while working in the sun. We have been busy planting thousands of
seeds, harvesting, weeding, and making chicken tunnels.
Photographs
pertaining to this will soon be found when I post this Newsletter at
our blog and Facebook websites, addresses are noted below.
Monarch. Zebra Longwing. Gulf Fritillary. Longtail Skipper. and so many more.
Recognize any names?
How about Bidens Alba?
Love the first ones listed ... hate the last one...
We
have rescued, hatched, fed, sheltered, watched, photographed and
enjoyed so many wonderful butterflies and moths this year and every
year. We plant numerous food sources just for them but there is one,
one we do not plant but do tolerate.... yeah, it's the white flowers
growing alongside most area roads this time of year.
Bidens
Alba - most commonly known as shepherd's needles, beggarticks, Spanish
needles or butterfly needles. It's one nasty plant but it is a
wonderful pollinator attracting every butterfly and honey bee for it's
nectar. It's a pretty little flower belonging to the aster, daisy
and sunflower family that smells nice, has no cut flower worthiness
and best of all it does most certainly have the most awful pokey
pronged devils that cling to your clothing and gets into your pet's
hair. All that being said, if you can tolerate it or have a spot to
grow it that you will not need to walk near it .... let it grow, the
honeybees and butterflies will love you for it.
Beloved
Monarchs. We may have lost almost all the leaves on our milkweed but
it's worth it when you see and are able to photograph and video
monarchs (and many other butterflies) who have freshly emerged from
her chrysalises. This was just a trickle of happenings the last few
days here at Little Eden. These may soon be on their way with many
thousands of other Monarch butterflies to the Sierra Madre Mountains
of Mexico where they will overwinter and migrate back to us in
spring.
Skippers. Such dainty butterfly beauties. It's so
hard to choose a favorite, I mean, there's only more than 3500
different species of skippers and this area has a large variety. They
are all my favorite, I just wish they weren't so jumpy, flitting
from flower to flower, not staying long enough to have their
photograph taken. They do have a bad side to them though ... pea and
bean leaves gets 2 little 1/4" rips and folded over...this denotes
that it's hatch time for these beautiful creatures. They, like all
caterpillars start small but this species stay small so we let them
rip and fold until just before it starts hindering the health of the
plants and then we have to stop the cycle with organic spray,
removing the eggs when we see them. Yes, we choose to share with the
bugs but since we can't eat the bugs, and they themselves won't
learn to share, ... awe, it is a never ending battle.
A few photographs I took, click on the photograph for a larger view.
Skipper on Bidens Alba flower
Monarch and empty chysalis
Monarch - not quite ready to fly.
Gulf Fritillary on Marigold flower
Skipper on Confederate Rose flower
Skipper on Bidens Alba flower
Happy fall and Happy October, thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to do what we love.
Ron and Annette Layton
Little Eden Heirloom Farm
Crawfordville, Florida
850/274-7690
Sprinklers are back to work again full-time in the mushroom shade house, ready for hopefully another wonderful Shiitake harvest season. Organic fodder is growing as always for the chickens, baby ducks are running around like little rotten two-year olds chasing bugs and getting into trouble. Recently the guineas even thought it would be fun to leave the gardens and take off in the woods and roadside ditches all day long. Reckon they just wanted to see how life is like on the run. They did, however, neglect to pack water so they came back home just before dark - thirsty.
Changes are coming as this area of the south will experience a yearly "second spring". A time when it cools down from the summer heat a bit. We are planting more varieties for late summer/fall/winter harvests that I'm sure you will enjoy. I'll label them so you can become familiar and add a recipe or two for your creating pleasure. A quote I recently read states "Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower". This even holds true in this area, the colors of the leaves may not be as dramatic as those north of us but each has beauty. This reminds me that I want to make cement bird baths, bird feeders and hypertufa planters using leaves of our elephant ears, mulberry and other local large and/or interesting shaped leaves. Hmmmm. Must put plans in motion before the leaves are marred or gone.
Happy almost fall, thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to do what we love.
Ron and Annette Layton Little Eden Heirloom Farm Crawfordville, Florida 850/274-7690
We harvested Shiitake mushrooms this morning and have some to share.
$7 bowl (avg. half pound). Shiitake mushrooms freeze, dry and can well. Dehydrated Shiitakes are also available at $7 bag.
Call/text or email to order. Telephone/Text: 850/274-7690 Email: littleedenheirloomfarm@zoho.com
Crawfordville Farm pick-up is available. Crawfordville delivery is available with minimum orders of $20.
We'll harvest each day this week so you can also pick up your order in
Tallahassee tomorrow (Monday), we can meet somewhere southeast Capital
Circle or Wednesday also in Tallahassee at Lake Ella on the northwest
side of the lake under the oak trees at Black Dog Cafe. (Address: 229
Lake Ella Drive, Tallahassee, FL).
Debit and credit cards accepted. Online store purchases can be made at https://squareup.com/store/littleedenheirloomfarm. For online purchases, please bring a copy of your receipt for proof of payment when picking up your order.
You can also pay upon arrival or I can send you an invoice for online
payment. PayPal payments accepted using the option to send money to
friends and family, our PayPal email address is
littleedenheirloomfarm@zoho.com
Thank you for supporting our Farm and our Mission!
Although I've been using this greenhouse all summer for succulents,
herbs and other plants that are not fond of so much rain, Ron helped me out by putting the final staple into the last piece of hardware cloth side recently....yay! It's such a relief to know that I don't have to worry about
one of our fur lizards (aka cats) going in there and using a seedling
tray as a nice cozy bed...or eating all the cat nip ....
We have taken delivery of some old boats we'll turn into goldfish
and koi ponds. This will be a win win as we get established as fish
breeders for those that have aquariums and ponds themselves but also
for our gardens. Each pond cleaning will help hydrate the compost
bins and will go into our red wiggler beds as they work decomposing
adding vital nutrients to our home-made organic garden fertilizers to
enrich our soils.
Fall is coming....With the end of September
coming up in a "New York Minute", it'll be fall before we know it.
Hope you have enjoyed this summer, oh how time flies. We pray for a
long beautiful fall.
Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to do what we love.
Ron and Annette Layton
Little Eden Heirloom Farm
Crawfordville, Florida
850/274-7690
Some of our cute Sultan chicks for today's "Show and Tell". Sultan Chickens are a rare breed of poultry, listed as critical by the Livestock Conservancy. See https://livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/sultan. We'll write a post soon on this breed and plan to offer chicks for sell in 2018. If interested in helping save this rare breed, please email us at littleedenheirloomfarm@zoho.com and ask to be placed on our "Chick List".
Mrs. Senorita Guajolote (she's a Black Spanish turkey) always stops in front of us so we can pet her cute bald head.
