Etta Pinkens

Re: developing property with a wetland and what to be aware of.  I'm on 9 acres, of which < 1/2 acre is considered wetland.  In working to divide the property the wetland was evaluated by an environmental ecologist and was considered "high intensity" land use despite only one house on the 9 acres.  This meant the buffer needed to be wider (150') from the edge of the wetland, which then encompassed the well head, which the county almost didn't let me use!   While I now have only 9 chickens and a few geese I was considering adding sheep, which the ecologist thought would not be limited by the regulations.  That said, of course, the animals would not be allowed to graze in the wetland, but could use the buffer.

But with all the setbacks, buffer zones, well protection zones, land use restrictions, one would be wise to get the information on restrictions of the wetland before mapping out your property plans, especially before septic sites,   I heartily agree with all these protections, but some of them seemed greater than I guessed and threw off my plans.  Big process.

A story for aspiring small grain growers: My first year of winter rye, I cut the acre of grass low, pulled a simple harrow behind my mower JD 570, then I ran it over with a soil plugger, also JD. Limed it lightly.  Opened the bag of organic seed and it had weevils in it! I freaked and ordered more grain, but by the 2weeks later when the seed arrived my native grasses had been beautifully cared for!  Bummer.  I went ahead and seeded anyway with a little pull behind seeder, just before a rain, then re-harrowed.  Tried to chase after birds for the first week or so.  

I ended up harvesting, by hand, about 50#. Which is exactly what I planted.  Good thing I am motivated to build soil for a future farmer!

Still a fun story.  I appreciate farmers!

Next time I’m gonna open the grain soon as I get it, check it and if it has bugs, I’d just freeze the whole bag.  Not sure how many days, but quicker than ordering more grain.