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Northcountry News Woods to Waterfowl uc nal Ed atio Ho etemsad
by Beth Weick It’s been a quick transition, real-
ly. A few weeks with the sights and sounds of heavy equipment gracing the D Acres grounds in early summer and voilá, what was once a wooded swamp has given way to some oversized puddles. On which shall I com- ment first – the sudden presence of bodies of water here at D Acres Organic Farm & Educational Homestead, or the unique experience of pulling weeds by hand while an excava- tor overhauled our landscape with the flick of a joystick?
It’s fair to say that the excavator is already a footnote in the sum- mer’s stock of memories, while the ponds and aquatic niches we are creating are just beginning to take root. With our brand- new watering holes we are beginning to capture available water to a much greater extent. We are also cultivating a sweet cannonball spot.
It’s been a process of seeding in rye, alfalfa, and clover, watch- ing the water level gradually
D ACRES an
New Hampshire Org
of ic Farm &
rise, welcoming the increased sunshine on that zone of the property, and growing accus- tomed to the changed path of sound. (Though we will pretend not to hear it, the ring of the telephone can now reach us in the lower garden.) The home- stead’s acoustics have also been revamped, with the bullfrogs, peepers, and crickets blasting their cacophonous symphony from their all-natural amphithe- ater. We have VIP seating whether we want it our not.
Development Aimed at Creating Rural Ecological Society
Nine ducks arrived in July: their house was built in an evening, their fence cobbled together from bedsprings and scraps of fencing the following afternoon. They took well to the water, their inaugural swim filled with full-on dives, head bobs, and wing flaps. (They have this back-scratching maneuver that is particularly entertaining.) Nine piglets – the numbers being mere coincidence – are the most recent addition, again with a fixed-up suite and re- used fencing. Next year’s bacon is growing fast while rooting and fertilizing oh so effectively.
summate garden bed preparers. They are the con-
So these are the most visible signs of the area’s transition. But there’s more. We hold the next steps in our heads, ready to bring each to fruition as the sea- sons allow.
September 17, 2010
suppression), graywater filtra- tion, cultivated aquaculture, ter- raced gardens & orchards, hydropower, wind power, swim- ming spots & backyard skat- ing….
Irrigation (and fire
For now, though, these earthen swimming pools have seen their first summer come and go. We’re watching the clover grow, wondering when we’ll share our first duck-egg breakfast, and hoping the pigs don’t best our fencing system. It’s a cool autumn wind that ripples across the young vegetation, and there are already fall colors reflecting on the water’s surface…proof,
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at least, that the ponds are not too murky.
should mention, still count for something. All seems right, when, farm-fresh tea in hand, you can stand on the bank, wit- ness the enthusiastic antics of the ducks, nod in agreement with the bull-frog, and watch the clouds blow over your own reflection.
And aesthetics, I
dy, as though we’ve forgotten how to greet each other with anything else.
Keeping Each Other Well by Elizabeth Terp RN
Natural Nurture: Learn from Babes
Perhaps our fascination with the wonder of newborn babes, that draws us to gaze expectantly when we see them, has to do with the basics of health every newborn is equipped to teach us.
We can learn a lot about how to breathe by watching a sleeping baby. The baby breathes fully and effortlessly demonstrating full expansion of the diaphragm muscle as its belly rises to inhale and then contracts to exhale. We find it relaxing to watch and notice that our own breathing relaxes and our lungs fill a little more easily.
WALKER MOTOR SALES, INC. RT. 10 • WOODSVILLE, NH 603-747-3389 or 603-747-3380
As soon as the baby wakes, its whole body wakes, arms and legs moving, stretching, exer- cising, and the baby gradually figures out how to roll over and continue to expand its ability and need to exercise.
The baby knows when its hun- gry, eats until satiated and wants no more until the next meal. These three abilities are innate in all of us and, so long as we pay attention to them, we have a good shot at being able to enjoy robust health.
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4dr, silver, one owner, 33,000 miles.... 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT tan, loaded, 25,000 miles... 2008 Dodge Caliber SXT FWD loaded, low miles.... 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
blue, loaded, 5 passenger, clean, one owner, 55,000 miles... 2007 Jeep Patriot Limited AWD
silver, loaded, leather, clean, one owner, 24,000 miles... 2007 Chrysler Pacifica AWD
black, 5-spd manual, one owner, 79,000 miles... 2006 Subaru Impreza Outback 5-dr AWD blue, 5-spd, loaded, 55,000 miles... 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo red, one owner,75,000 miles... 2005 Dodge Durango SLT 4x4 blue, loaded, clean, one owner, 58,000 miles... 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 PU green,one owner, with Plow... 2003 Dodge Caravan SE clean, one owner, 45,000 miles...
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Septic System Installation
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3255 Dartmouth College Hwy. • North Haverhill, NH 03774 (603) 787-6351 • Fax (603) 787-2564
It is when we forget to breathe fully that we don’t take in enough oxygen to keep our bod- ies tuned up. When we spend too much time sitting or stand- ing without giving our limbs their full range of motion, our joints begin to tighten up. When we overeat at mealtime and with endless snacks, we become sluggish.
Instead of seeing that these three abilities are fully activated, our culture has encouraged us to turn to pills to resolve our prob- lems. We have plenty of fodder from the media’s extensive ads and suggestions that we have all sorts of problems and whatever pill is advertized will solve everything. Conversations often begin and end with some mala-
It’s not to our credit that we’ve become the most medicated country in the world. Pills have their place but not as the gigan- tic potluck extravaganza being offered to us. Perhaps it’s time to wake up and enjoy the three basics we were all born with. Time to watch those little ones, the ones who are fully qualified to lead us.
Elizabeth Terp draws on her experiences as a School Nurse- Teacher, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Yoga Instructor and Home Health Nurse. She wel- comes your comments at PO Box 547, Campton, NH 03223, e-mail:
elizabethterp@yahoo.com, or her Keeping Each Other Well Blog: http://elizabethterp.word-
press.com. Her book, Forget That Diet And Eat What You Need: The Tao of Eating, is available locally and on line.
Program On Buying Used Farm Equipment And Installing Rollover Protection On Old Tractors_____________
Tuesday, September 21st. from 6:00 – 8:00 PM being held at:
James Rosencrantz & Sons John Deere, 184 South Road, Kensington, NH 03833. Going south on 125, turn left onto Route 107 (right if going north), continue on 107 about 6 miles and it is on the right.
Serving & Supporting All Things Local Since 1989.
603-764-5807
Northcountry News
Your
Farm safety is an attitude and awareness that needs to be in the forefront of our minds, even when things are hurried and time is of the essence. One care- less slip may cause an injury that could be life-changing.
Old equipment often has its challenges with repairs and breakdowns, and doesn’t always have the most up-to-date safety features. We are holding four sessions around the state to dis- cuss buying old equipment and installing rollover protection on old tractors.
The Rollover Protection Program (ROPS) is national and we are trying to get support for this in New Hampshire. Dr. Julie Sorensen, who is a social scientist with the New York Center for
Medicine and Health (NYCAMH) will be presenting information about ROPS and is looking for input to start a pro- gram in New Hampshire.
Agricultural
Dr. Stan Weeks, who does con- sulting on a regular basis in New Hampshire in agricultural engineering, will cover “Buying Used Farm Equipment”. Each of these sessions are being held at farm equipment dealerships so we can have hands-on instruction. Each family will get a free copy of the NRAES Book #25 “Used Farm Equipment”.
For more information, please call John Porter, UNH Extension Professor, Emeritus at 603-796-2151.
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