Farmers in southern MN got nailed with flash floods and hail in the past few days. Our hearts go out to them. Farming is so dependent on smooth sailing in the weather department, which is completely out of anyone’s hands. Covering your bases by running a diversified farm is one way to spread the risk factor out a little. Still, a tornado could wipe EVERYTHING out in seconds. You can’t live in fear though, we farmers must persevere. There are mouths to feed, but take a moment to realize how hard farming is for the farmers. No farms, no farmers- no food.
fermented pickled radishes
rhubarb juice
We’ve been busy tending our food in the works. The garden is insanely beautiful, lush plant growth coming from well nourished strong roots. We have our animals to thank for completing the cycle! Without the pigs tilling last summer, the goats deep bedding that was composted in the garden over winter, and the ducks laying down a nice layer of fertilizer in the hoophouse, our plants would be starving for nourishment. Some farmers use soil tests, all kinds of amendments- but we just use lots of poop. The rabbit pellets get sprinkled about the cabbages and sweet corn, the ducks’ poop in the hoophouse is growing some massive tomato plants and causing our pepper plants to be loaded with fruit already! Goat poop bedding goes around the eggplants and garden tomatoes to slow-release and function as mulch, keeping the weeds down.
The LTD Farm rabbitry is bustling- we have 5 different litters right now. The 3 youngest groups of kits have just come out of their nests and are growing fast on momma’s rich milk. 
The 2 older groups of weaned kits are in their rabbit tractors, becoming grass-fed lapin. They are out in the fresh air, the sun and clover. It’s a wonderful way to raise meat rabbits in a happier, healthier way than stuffed into dark small spaces.
Last night we hosted a Dinner on the Farm. It was absolutely incredible. Such great people, such delicious food, such fun. We are very proud of our work here, the radiant health shining from our animals, and the nutritious beautiful food we grow and produce. Last night brought it all together. We’d highly recommend you check out one of the Dinners on the Farm this summer, check out www.dinneronthefarm.com
Andrew's Mom made this lovely display to greet the diners as they came up the path!
checking out the rabbits
we had a momentary downpour, thankfully a tent was in place just in case!
Duck barn update: 
We’re just about ready to move the ducks over, as soon as we get the water work done. There will be a frost-free hydrant inside the barn, so we will no longer be lugging buckets of water from the bathtub in the winter! Oh how very luxurious! The ducks are all doing very well and totally been digging the daytime rainstorms. Our Kickstarter ducklings are full grown and sassy. They’ll begin laying eggs in August and then well be able to have our delicious eggs available at a couple more co-ops.
Tomorrow we bid Khaiti’s sister Melanie adieu. She was our first “intern” experience, as she is very interested in farming compassionately. Mel did a great job helping out on the farm, and we also had some fun times making cheesecakes, attending farmer gatherings, eating all kinds of delicious meals that we prepared together, weeding and chatting, catching snakes and admiring the biodiversity of the land. Thanks Mel, we love you!
