News on our 2011 Season
For News on our 2010 Season click here
Pumpkin Seed Oil on Popcorn
June 11, 2013
This is really good and really easy. Drizzle pumpkin seed oil on popcorn, salt and toss.
Even better if you use popcorn from friend, neighbor and HRPSO pumpkin grower, Kate Stout, North Creek Community Farm.
North Creek Community Farm on Facebook
FINALLY
June 7, 2013
FINALLY. A day it didn't rain. Our first chance to cultivate the field where the pumpkins seedlings will be planted next week. They should have gone in this week but way to wet and cool. Used to be that I 100% controlled the weather, what has happened?
Beautiful Seedlings
June 4, 2013
One of my favorite stages for the seedlings. 95% Germinated, they will need to come out of the greenhouse soon but our persistent cool and wet weather is a concern.
"GER-MI-NA-TION"
May 31, 2013
What a long cool spring it has been in NW Wisconsin. After spending a week in suspended animation, finally we are getting some germination. GROW NOW!
"Spring Treat!"
May 26, 2013
Just picked fiddlehead fern fronds lightly steamed with Hay River Pumpkin Seed Oil. Pumpkin seed oil is also delicious on broccoli, asparagus and corn and...
"Why didn't you come over to help?"
May 23, 2013
The 2013 crew at the very beginning of greenhouse starting 25,000 pumpkin seedlings. Such a long winter, everyone is predicting a long growing season (but that's what farmers always do, ever the optimists...).
"So, how are the pumpkins doing this year!"
April 20, 2013
Ken travels a lot for his "day job" and people less familiar with the ways of Wisconsin weather will often ask how things are going. As you can see, they are not. Field looks just like it did in December. We are getting into record setting territory for most snow and cold so very late in the season. Spring will come...spring will come...spring...
What is happening with the world's bees?
April 7, 2013
When the weather warmed up a bit last week, Jay went to inspect the beehive and was very sad to find them all dead. What is happening with the world's bees? Early reports are indicating this is the worst year ever, possibly up to 35% of the hives in the US have suffered CCD, Colony Collapse Disorder, where the bees either vanish or are found dead. We need bees for their early pollination services and Jay is replacing the hive.
Welcome New Wisconsin Retailers
April 3, 2013
Say howdy to our newest Wisconsin Retailers. 20 Mile Organics in Barronette, Main Street Market in Rice Lake and Viroqua Food Coop have all made the right desicion to stock America's first pumpkin seed oil. We are proud to be on your shelves!
2012 Vintage Price Reduction
March 14, 2013
We are happy to announce that with the arrival of our 2012 vintage for sale, we are able to have a price reduction to $18.95. As many of our friends already know, Hay River Pumpkin Seed Oil is a labor of love. We are committed to sustainability; certainly for the land with our organic certification but also for the people. We have a long-term goal of creating jobs in our community and pay excellent wages to the fine folks that help us and very attractive payment to the farmers that grow our seeds. We are beginning to refine some of our processes and now in addition to keeping dollars flowing in our community, are able to offer our delicious oil at a more attractive price of $18.95.
America's first pumpkin seed oil continues to grow!
Ours are a little smaller...
February 18, 2013
Oh it has been way too long since we've posted. Of course, in winter there is just less stuff happening but it is time to think about pumpkins. Here's something that got my attention today, the UK seed company Thompson & Morgan just paid $263 for a single seed from last year's giant pumpkin contest winner. The monster was over 2,009 lb. Our pumpkins tend to run ever so slightly smaller. British Company Pays Big for Big Pumpkin Seed
HRPSO Featured in Video
November 3, 2012
On the last day of harvesting, we were visited by the very beautiful Inga Witscher along with Joe Mauer and Rick Witscher, the crew behind the charming series, "Around the Farm Table." Check out there video of us, we had so much fun with them.
Highly recomended!
Around the Farm Table HRPSO episode
Like Around the Farm Table on Facebook
It was a dry year.
October 10, 2012
Our dear friend, farmer and pumpkin seed grower, Kate Stout of North Creek Community farm is also an excellent writer. She operates a CSA, Community Supported Agriculture, that delivers a weekly box of fresh produce to her members. With each delivery is a newsletter and with permission, I'd like to share her comments on our Wisconsin weather this season, "I cannot look back on the season without being thankful for the rains that we did receive. The whim of the jet stream is all that prevented the seavere drought that struck the southern part of Wisconsin from hitting us. It is a sobering thought. The combines are out in full force here and each gravity box of corn and soybeans is worth more than it has ever been. In the gamble of farming, farmers around here hit the jackpot.
We are very happy to be members of Kate's CSA and if you happen to live in the Twin Cities or Menomonie, WI area, we highly recommend it. You can contact her on her website or on Facebook.
North Creek Community Farm on Facebook
Inner 13 year old speaks.
October 2, 2012
Don't you think this pumpkin has an interesting asspect?
Fall in Wisconsin.
September 30, 2012
These pictures rarely capture the stunning fall color. Harvest is winding down, we should finish this week. Jay's beehive is a white spec in the middle of the picture.
Harvest 2012 Update.
September 22, 2012
Harvest is finished at our place and now on to farmer Kate Stout's field. The pumpkins look beautiful. One of the cool things for us is that for the first time ever, we are going to leave and let our very excellent crew continue with the harvesting, cleaning, drying and processing of this year's seeds. We are so fortunate to have such committed and competent people help us, thanks guys!
Harvest starts tomorrow.
September 17, 2012
We begin harvesting tomorrow! These are buckets for the clean and then dirty gloves worn in the field. Mr. Jay always likes to make the leeetle jokes.
Getting ready for harvest.
September 10, 2012
We spent the weekend, mowing, weed whacking, cleaning and putting away all the implements we use during the summer. Now we'll start getting out all the harvest equipment. Lots of power washing in our near future. We think we will start harvest weeks early on September 18th.
We're Organic and Hello 2013
September 6, 2012
We had our annual organic certification inspection and are pleased to report all went well. This year's inspection was a lightening 5.5 hours, often it can take 8. They are thorough! For 2013 we will be planting pumpkins in a brand new field as part of our farm rotation. Neighbor Todd Hillman helped out by giving the mowed hay its first disking to prep for next year.
Time to ripen
September 1, 2012
Things are looking good! It is a very early season, we will get started harvesting Sep 17. This shot is at Kate Stout's North Creek Community Farm. Normal for the end of season, the leaves are getting beaten back with mildew, and the fruits are exposed to more sun. Both factors signal to the fruit that it is time to ripen and finish things up.
New Retailers
August 22, 2012Happy to add new retailers in the great states of Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.
Waste not, want not.
August 18, 2012
We use top-of-the-line bottles for Hay River Pumpkin Seed Oil and they make beautiful wildflower vases, just line them up, they'll look cool.
Thank you Trout Caviar!
August 17, 2012
We are way overdue on this one, if you are a foodie, you should be reading this excellent blog by Brett Laidlaw. He very kindly featured HRPSO in a July post. His book of the same name, Trout Caviar, has gotten rave reviews and is a delightful read.
Highly recomended!
Trout Caviar Blog
Rejuvenation, it's not just for souls anymore...
August 4, 2012
We've taken half of this field out of production this year and it has just been rotovated and densely seeded with deep-rooted alfalfa which has the amazing ability to store nitrogen from the atmosphere into nodules in its roots, increasing our soil's fertility. It is very commonly done but a miracle none-the-less.
What is a female pumpkin flower, what is a male flower and how the heck could you tell anyway?
July 30, 2012
Our annual posting about the definition of male and female.
What defines a male, with a pumpkin or a man? What is similar with a female pumpkin blossom and your mom? The best college lecture I ever attended addressed this matter. Sometime in the late 1980’s Dr. Harold Koopowitz lectured a large group in a theatre at University of California, Irvine. My parents (now gone) had driven down to have lunch and attend a lecture. We were knocked out. It was so profound. Let me try to retell. Across all plants, all mammals, all animals there are certain things that are constant and are used to define what is male and what is female. Females have very few sex cells but they are huge and highly developed and produced in small numbers. Generally they are a complete organism except that they lack one last little bit of info. DNA from a male. Males have abundant sex cells. Hello pollen, hay fever? The cells are produced in huge numbers and are widely disseminated. This applies to pumpkins and men. The male sex cells only contribute a tiny, but crucial amount of DNA that is missing from the female sex cells. Pumpkins are types of plants that have both male and female flowers. Once you know what to look for, they are easy to identify. The female flowers have a miniature pumpkin at their base. As with all things female, this cell is well developed and ready to become a full-on pumpkin provided it is fertilized with pollen (male sex cells) from a male flower. That is where the bees are useful, transferring male pollen to female blossoms in the field. The male flowers are also easy to identify, they have thin, straight stems, no mini pumpkins here, and produce abundant pollen.It all makes so much sense, doesn't it?
Say "hi" to 2013's pumpkin seed oil.
July 5, 2012
They are just little, itty, bitty pumpkins. Say hello to the gals who will be producing our 2013 vintage pumpkin seed oil. These small fruit were most likely fertilized today. Like much of the rest of the nation, we've had unbearable heat and humidity in NW Wisconsin. Uncomfortable for us but good if you are a pumpkin, they love it. The season continues to look good - we seem to be clear of our annual insect problems. We love this time, other than a little mowing there is nothing for us to do. We say, "you grow girl!
The pumpkins are all girls. Next post, our annual chat about sex. Why are the pumpkins girls? What makes a flower male or female?
Very racy stuff!
The season is off to a great start.
June 24, 2012
Way to long since an update. Pumpkins are in and doing great. Plants very well established, forming buds. After a dry spell right when we planted, we've had plenty of rain. Today we ran the tine cultivator over them to beat back the weeds. Cucumber beetle damage is minimal. 2012 looks like it is going to be a good year.
Hello 2012, everybody germinate!
May 19, 2012
One big side benefit for us is being able to work with friends and neighbors, the NICEST people. Here we've just finished planting all the pumpkins for the 2012 vintage in Steve & Kate Hearth's greenhouse. Work is such a big deal in all of our lives, so much better to do it with people you love to be around. Pictured is Sherrine Bundt, Bob Grundy and Jay Gilbertson. Karolyn Larson left a little earlier and Ken Seguine is taking the picture (rest assured, he looked excellent, ha!) A great start to the season!
Presenting to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture
May 16, 2012
Ken Seguine & Jay Gilbertson in Madison, WI presenting HRPSO to the Wisconsin Board of Agriculture, Secretary of Agriculture Ben Brancel is on the far left. We sampled the oil and it was an honor to be invited.
Great book, "Turn Here Sweet Corn"
May 11, 2012
We loved this beautifully written book! Part memoir, part manifesto, author/farmer Atina Diffly shares her powerful story of farming, local food production, organic agriculture, love and her battle with the largest privately held corporation on earth. Atina and Martin Diffly are inspirational heroes to many. This book is just crying out to be made into a movie.
Highly recomended!
Author's website
Finally, we begin
May 2, 2012
Like many people that farm, we also have "day jobs". My day job has been crazy busy with an intense travel schedule and just no time to prep the strips in the pumpkin field. Finally was able to rotovate yesterday.
Presenting to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture
May 16, 2012
Ken Seguine & Jay Gilbertson in Madison, WI presenting HRPSO to the Wisconsin Board of Agriculture, Secretary of Agriculture Ben Brancel is on the far left. We sampled the oil and it was an honor to be invited.
Highest score ever recorded.
April 23, 2012
Well, that was the highest score ever recorded at the Soderberg Eye Clinic in Glenwood City, WI, for levels of pigment in the macula of the eye. Let me explain. Carotinoid (yellow-orange) antioxident pigments are concentrated in the back of the eye in the macula. Low levels are associated with a greater risk of Age Related Macular Degerneration (ARED), the leading cause of blindness in older Americans. There is now a test that can be performed to measure the levels of these pigments in the eye. The two primary pigments are lutein (fairly common in fruits and vegetables) and zeaxanthin (rare even in the best nutritional sources). Guess what? Pumpkin seed oil is rich in zeaxanthin, and it is in a lipid (oil) form that is most available for the body. Not surprisingly, we use pumpkin seed oil 3-5 times per week and I was eager to take the test. Why, my vision is so good, I'm watching you right now and I've got the proof.
We've always said use Hay River Pumpkin Seed Oil because it is delicious and there are many health benefits as well.
Information on test for macular pigments
Dr. Oz talks about Pumpkin Seed Oil
April 16, 2012
On his show last week, Dr. Oz talked about pumpkin seed oil for memory.
What was the name of that one brand that was supposed to be really good...?
Thank you Madison Magazine
April 7, 2012
A complete surprise to us was this excellent article by Nancy and Neil Heinen in the current issue of Madison Magazine (Wisconsin).
We think one of the best articles we've seen, they extensively reported on some of the issues near and dear to our hearts, sustainable jobs.
A big thank you to Neil & Nancy!
HRPSO featured Fine and Tasty Blog.
April 3, 2012
Well, you gotta have friends. When we sampled HRPSO back in January at Whole Foods Market St. Paul, we met the nicest couple, Jill & Chuck Marshall. They are professional photographers with a beautiful website, JC Marshall Photography and they said they'd be featuring us in their food blog.
They did. Say hello to Fine and Tasty. Not surprisingly, there are a couple of really beautiful product shots. Thanks Jill & Chuck.
Fine and Tasty Blog
Spring, damn it.
April 1, 2012
Like the rest of the country, we are having the earliest spring on record. No, no, no I say! Normally we'd have a foot of snow on the ground but this year the weeds are already germinating in our pumpkin field. Being organic certified, the major way of dealing with the weeds is cultivation. Our problem is that I have a very busy "day job" and we don't have time to deal with these amazing early weeds, but we must.
One of my favorite things about winter is that you don't have to do anything to keep up outside. No mowing, no plowing, no nothing. Sigh, not 2012. Ok, gotta go get on the tractor...
Wisconsin Sells.
March 6, 2012
HRPSO was honored to be featured in the State of Wisconsin 2012 report on the status of organic agriculture.
"Hay River's marketing message and label focus on two key features of their
product: organic and Wisconsin. Seguine emphasizes Wisconsin not only for
local marketing purposes, but also because he believes that national customers
associate our state with quality. 'Wisconsin sells,' he says. 'We have a wonderfulreputation within the United States. People associate purity, quality, truthfulness and other good attributes with Wisconsin.'
Organic Agriculture in Wisconsin, 2012 Status Report
Snow at last!
February 29, 2012
After what has been a very dry and brown winter, today we woke up to abundant, wet, heavy snow. It is good, our soil moisture needs replenishing.
Happy Leap Year Everybody!
HRPSO goes to the Organic Farming Conference.
February 27, 2012
This last weekend we attended the Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse, WI. Educational, inspirational and fun. As always, we learned so much. Being certified organic requires sophisticated farm management with the goal of improving the soil and health of the crops without the use of pesticides and artificial fertilizers.
There were so many motivated young people attending giving proof to the trend that with the growth of organic and local foods, organic farming can provide a viable income.
Organic Farming Conference
5 New Retailers
February 8, 2012
More Good News! We are pleased to announce 5 (count'em, 5) new retailers including our first in San Francisco and in the great state of Michigan. Complete listings on the California, Michigan and Wisconsin store pages.
New lower price.
February 1, 2012
Good News! With the arrival of our 2011 vintage, we are happy to announce a long desired price reduction. The suggested retail price is now $19.95. Our retailers will also be instituting this change.
HRPSO visits the state capitol.
January 31, 2012
We had the opportunity to visit the very beautiful Wisconsin State capitol building this weekend. Hay River Pumpkin Seed Oil is proud to be from the Badger State.
View of the rotunda on Wikipedia
Calling all Mad People
Calling all Mad People
On Sunday we're traveling to our beautiful state capitol, Madison, WI and will be sampling our goods at Willy Street Coop West in Middleton from 4:00 to 6:00. Monday Ken attends the quarterly Wisconsin State Organic Advisory Council meeting.
Power to the People!
Power to the People!
We are pleased to announce that Hay River Pumpkin Seed Oil is now available at River Market in Stillwater, MN and The People's Food Coop in La Crosse, WI.
Power to the people right on!
River Market
The People's Food Coop
St. Paul on Saturday
January 20, 2012
We're going to be at Whole Foods Market tomorrow, Saturday morning between 10 AM and noon sampling Hay River Pumpkin Seed Oil. 'Yall come by and say "hi".
Whole Foods Market St. Paul
Hello Ashland, WI
January 13, 2012
Say hello to our newest retailer, Chequamegon Food Coop in Ashland, WI. Actually, just saying the word Chequamegon would be enough of a challenge. The "Q" is pronounced as a "W", a beautiful, melodic, Native American word. Like most of our fine retailers, they have a long, proud history of bringing healthful food to their community.
Chequamegon Food Coop
Trout Caviar
December 24, 2011
We are honored. Our new neighbor and successful author of "Trout Caviar", Brett Laidlaw, featured meeting us in the field in his most recent blog post. It was a funny moment. Our first day of harvesting at Kate Stout's farm and of course, the equipment was not working right. At the time Brett and his wife stopped by, we were mostly cursing. We've just purchased his book and it looks wonderful and well written. Thanks Brett!
http://troutcaviar.blogspot.com//
We can now process credit cards directly.
December 21, 2011
Google Checkout has been great for our credit card processing but now, for those of you who would rather just call us up, we can process your card directly.
Give us a call at 800.928.7145.
California Here We Come!
December 17, 2011
As a native Californian, Ken is especially happy to welcome our first retailer in the Golden State, FarmShop in Santa Monica, CA. It is a restaurant with an attached soon-to-open market. the menu sounds amazing.
http://www.farmshopla.com/
Wonder if they deliver to Prairie Farm...
Hello WALL STREET JOURNAL!
November 17, 2011
Hello Friends! We are honored to be featured in an article in today's Wall Street Journal. Here is a link to a slide show that is available to all. The actual article can only be read by subscribers. We are flattered and grateful for the attention and for all or your support. Ken & Jay
Wall Street Journal, Pumpkin seed oil gains attention
Kapoopstipated.
November 13, 2011
We are done! This picture was from last Sunday, Nov 6, almost the whole crew for the final round of cleaning the seeds. We then dried them and delivered the entire harvest to Botanic Oil Tuesday evening. Best year ever by far, we are thrilled with the quantity of seeds. It took far longer than we had dreamed and it is good to be done. This week we've been cleaning and storing equipment for next year, today should be the last of it.
It is now very late in the season, the ground is beginning to freeze in places and we are also trying to catch up on long delayed fall chores. Not much to do with the oil now, it will be pressed then it will rest for about a month to clarify. Vintage 2011 should be ready just before Christmas.
In the picture, from the left, front row: Beau Brickman, Bob Grundy, Telea Dodge, Ken Seguine, Sherrine Bundt, Mike Dowd. Back row: Jen Bush, Jay Gilbertson. Important people missing: Tyler Sampson, Deborah Dowd, Betty Jorstad.
The Last Day of Harvest!
November 3, 2011
Frosty morning today, left this note in the drum of the harvester before the crew got there.
We'll still have another 5 days or so on the backend, cleaning & drying seeds then cleaning up for the year.
The Best Team
November 1, 2011
Can you believe it? We are STILL harvesting pumpkin seeds. It seems to just goes on and on but the end is in sight. One more day in this very weedy part of our field and we're DONE. Just a fantastic & fun crew, we will miss seeing them every day.
From the left, Beau Brickman, Sherrine Bundt, Jen Bush & Bob Grundy. Not pictured, Tyler Sampson.
Great event in beautiful Madison, WI
October 25, 2011
Ken had a meeting of the Wisconsin Organic Advisory Council on Monday in beautiful Madison, WI. We went a day early, got in a quick tour of our state capitol and then had a very successful sampling event at Willy Street Coop East. Thank you Madison!
By the way, Willy Street takes the cake for most unusual item in a coop. Does your store stock bat guano?
We'll be rich I tell you, RICH!
October 18, 2011
Well...maybe not, but this is interesting. The University of Wisconsin Madison and the excellent dietary supplement company Standard Process are doing a micronutrient analysis of pumpkin flesh. We've just sent them a big box of the "remains" for them to study. The variety of pumpkins we grow is not suitable for eating and it would be great to find some use for this by-product.
Great event in beautiful Madison, WI
October 25, 2011
Ken had a meeting of the Wisconsin Organic Advisory Council on Monday in beautiful Madison, WI. We went a day early, got in a quick tour of our state capitol and then had a very successful sampling event at Willy Street Coop East. Thank you Madison!
By the way, Willy Street takes the cake for most unusual item in a coop. Does your store stock bat guano?
Well, as a matter of fact, I have EVERY heard of Hay River Pumpkin Seed Oil.
October 15, 2011
Look at this sweet article in a local paper, complete with typo in the headline. Thank you Glenwood City Tribune Press Reporter!
Hello 2012
October 10, 2011
Say hello to our 2012 pumpkins. We've walked the fields with our awesome powers and made the determination on who gets to have children. We selected the best and then carefully hand harvested and dried the seeds.
We have done this in the past but lost them all in our fire of 2010 (overly toasted, :), ).
Gorgeous, warm & drying naturally
October 6, 2011
It is so gorgeous here right now, a joy to be outside. So warm and dry, we're doing something we've never done before, drying seeds on tarps out in the open.
Harvest is going well but slow it will be at least 2 more weeks. Continued thanks to our wonderful harvest team!
Hello Whole Foods Market Minnetonka, MN
October 5, 2011
We're glad to welcome our newest retailer, Whole Foods Market Minnetonka, MN. Their beautiful new store opens Oct 12 and we'll be on the shelf.
Also, although not new, we're available in Chicago at Whole Foods Market Kingsbury.
Harvesting
October 3, 2011
We are knee deep in pumpkin seed harvesting. It is going well but slower than we would like. I get so stressed about it. In general, I'm a pretty positive guy but I worry endlessly about harvest. I think of it as ADN syndrome. Anxiety, Despair, Nausea. One thing that cheers me on are the fantastic people and friends we work with. We are so fortunate.
Aren't they sweet?
We Begin!
September 29, 2011
Today is the first day of pumpkin seed harvest 2011. Got our majorly rehabbed harvester back from Segebrecht Repair, it should function much better for us and to top it off, it is even beautiful. Shiny black and orange epoxy paint and clear polycarbonate protective panels. We've been thinking that this is not going to be a good year for pounds of seeds harvested but now I don't know...the pumpkins look fantastic at Kate Stout's North Creek Community Farm.
It is a beautiful warm day and fall colors are almost at their peak, it will be very pretty to be outside.
Getting to be harvest time
September 21, 2011
It has been too long without a post.
We've had our first frost and the pumpkin foliage is pretty much toast. The fruit are not quite ripe, we should have some more 70 degree days and that will push them along. The harvester is finally in the shop for the long anticipated major rehab.
We might get started next week if they weather and equipment cooperate.
I've got the power
September 5, 2011
Happy Labor Day Everybody!
To quote our good friend, Sharon Hannigan's Facebook post today, "And just like that...it's fall." Woke up to the distinct smell of autumn in the air, beautiful. We're just weeks away from starting harvest and we're power washing all our equipment and buildings.
I LOVE to power wash!
America's Purest Pumpkin Seed Oil
August 25, 2011
Click here for a PDF of the full size test results on our oil.
Click here for a PDF of the full size test results on our meal used in Zenbev sleep supplements.
Fall is in the air in Prairie Farm, pumpkins are ripening and we are now looking toward harvest, hopefully starting the last week of September. The big project right now is cleaning and prepping all of our harvesting equipment. You already knew we were the first
pumpkin seed oil in America, did you know we are also the purest? Above are links to PDF
copies of the results from the microbiological testing done on last year's oil and pumpkin seed meal.
For those of you without a scientific background, these are EXCELLENT numbers, our products are PURE.
Farm Report
August 11, 2011
Sorry, it has been way too long since we've posted. We've had a fun and intense time with family visits this last two weeks. Things are coming along out in the field. As you can see, the pumpkins are beginning to turn orange. We are a little disappointed in the number of pumpkins so far. They are still blossoming and fruit that sets now still has a chance of ripening. It will depend on the September weather. You just never know from year to year what you are going to get.
The deer are continuing to be a problem eating the pumpkins to get at the seeds. Especially since we think we might have fewer fruit this year, we're going to start an abatement program next week. We try to walk the field every day looking for new damage.
Problemas
July 25, 2011
Some days are just discouraging. Woke up to find that after a couple months of calm, the bear has attacked the beehives again. We like the hives where they are, right above the pumpkin field but realistically, we are probably looking at having to completely move the bee yard, a very large job this time of year when they have hundreds and hundreds of pounds of honey. We hope to consult with our favorite USDA expert tomorrow. Jay is beyond frustrated but has repaired the damage and hopefully stabilized things for tonight.
So on the way back from surveying the bear damage, we spot the first pumpkin munched by the damn deer. They are after the developing seeds. In the past, we've lost as much as 30% of the crop. When we meet with the cool USDA wildlife guy this week we'll see if we can start a control program. Do NOT eat our pumpkins deers!
Bizzy Beezs.
July 22, 2011
Here are the bees doing the deed. Gathering pollen from this male flower that will be transferred to a female blossom. They are intensely working the field and guarantee fruit. So far, this seems to be the year of no pests. Zero cucumber beetle damage and the deer have not been in the field at all. Both have wiped out 30% of the crop in past years.
Don't tell the pests about the plants. Shhh!
The pumpkins are inflating.
July 18, 2011
Ooooweee! It is hot. Like much of the country, it is amazingly hot & humid here right now. One clever local weather forecaster called it "Bangladesh with pine trees." Not so good for humans and sleep but this is heaven if you are a pumpkin. We had almost 3" of rain just before this spell of heat and they are out there in the field right now inflating.
Grow on!
S E X
July 9, 2011
Oh, I've delayed this long enough. What defines a male, on a pumpkin and a man? What is similar with a female pumpkin blossom and your mom? The best college lecture I ever attended addressed this matter. Sometime in the late 1980's Dr. Harold Koopowitz lectured a large group in a theatre at University of California Irvine. My parents had driven down to have lunch and attend the lecture. We were knocked out. It was so profound. Let me try to retell.
Across all plants, all mammals, all animals there are certain things that are constant and are used to define what is male and what is female.
Females have very few sex cells but they are huge and highly developed. Generally they are a complete organism except that they lack one last little bit of info. DNA from a male.
Males have abundant sex cells. Hello pollen, hay fever? The cells are produced in huge numbers and are widely disseminated. This applies to pumpkins as well as men. The male sex cells only contribute a tiny, but crucial amount of DNA that is missing from the female sex cells.
Pumpkins have both male and female flowers. Once you know what to look for, they are easy to identify.
The female flowers have a miniature pumpkin at their base. As with all things female this cell is well developed and ready to become a full-on pumpkin providing it is fertilized with pollen (male sex cells) from a male flower. That is where the bees are useful; transferring male pollen to female blossoms in the field. The male flowers are also easy to identify, they have thin, straight stems (no mini pumpkins here) and produce abundant pollen.
It all makes so much sense, doesn't it?
As far as the eye can see...
July 8, 2011
I love the pumpkins at this stage. Gorgeous, healthy plants, blooming like crazy and the weeds aren't too bad (yet). I threatened to last year, but did not do it, tomorrow we're going to talk about SEX.
Thanks Kitchen Window!
July 7, 2011
These guys are really good marketers. In their excellent newsletter, they were kind enough to feature Hay River Pumpkin Seed Oil. Much appreciated.
Kitchen Window Newsletter
This is really good.
July 4, 2011
For years we've had this serving suggestion on the recipe page but unlike all the others, had never actually made it. It seemed a little strange. Well, we finally tried it and it is our new favorite dessert. Different, super easy and really good. Vanilla ice cream sprinkled with pumpkin seed oil and just a little bit of salt.
Try it!
We're in the window.
July 2, 2011
We're in the Kitchen Window in Uptown Minneapolis, that is. Thank you farmer/chef/friend Brian Storey for the connection. Will post more about Brian and the amazing job he is doing with Bistro Farm later. What an addition to our community.
Kitchen Window
30 Seconds to WHEEE!
June 27, 2011
Our friends Michael and Melanie from New York visited the farm this weekend. We were able to persuade a reluctant Melanie to get on the tractor. Very much a city girl, it took her about 60 seconds to finally, tentatively release the clutch. 30 seconds later it was a full on "WHEEE, I'm driving a tractor!" with hands off the wheel.
Knew she'd love it.
Let the photosynthesis begin!
June 24, 2011
After what seemed like weeks of cool, rainy weather, the sun is out brilliantly. Boy is it gorgeous today. The pumpkin seedlings are now well established and will be taking off with all this sun. Later today will mow the hay strips then tomorrow run the tine weeder over the pumpkins to deal with the bejillion weed seeds now germinating. I weell keel them!
It was like a term paper I just couldn't make myself write.
June 19, 2011
Well, FINALLY...I did it. Jay Gilbertson had to practically duck tape me into the office chair for most of the day and I very tardily submitted all the paperwork to our organic certifier, MOSA
Hmmm...wonder if there is organic wine in the house...
Flat plants are depressing.
June 15, 2011
It has been so dry, and it was depressing seeing all our pumpkin seedlings looking so flat. Yesterday we spent the day watering the 17,000 plants in our field and it pretty much guaranteed that we'd get the inch of rain that fell last night. :)
On the bee front, things all safe from the bear. Chad Alberg with the USDA was here yesterday with some pointers for Jay. The electric line on the tree was taken down, another strand on the fence was added and key - it is now baited with peanut butter.
Jay goes all nuclear on the bear.
June 12, 2011
Saturday was spent repairing and prepping to prevent another bear assault. Jay says never again. Thinking the bear is climbing down a tree within the bee yard, that tree is now wrapped in metallic fencing testing at 7,000 volts. Nail boards are layed out. The huge tie down screws that kept the "wonder trailer" from last summer earth bound are now anchoring the hives with heavy duty ratchet straps.
Will it work?
In the first light of Sunday morning, we can see that the hives are fine. Jay will check later to see if there was an attempted break-in.
Yeah! & GRRHH!
June 11, 2011
Yeah! That we finished getting the pumpkin seedlings in. 17,000 at our place, 4,500 at Kate Stout's North Creek Community Farm, 4,000 at the Adam's/Tartakoffs and another 400 at the Lake Country Land School. To top it off, we had 1/4" of rain last night. Perfect for settling the seedlings into the earth. Off to a great start.
GRRHH! That Jay's nemesis from last year, the bear tearing into his beehives, is back. Jay's beyond frustrated. It seems like he is doing everything right, including 7,000 volt electric fencing. But still it is getting in. Today we'll spend the day rebuilding the hive and use the tie-downs that anchored the trailer we lived in during construction to anchor the hives to the earth. Jay's sending the picture and the sad story to Chad Alberg, the cool USDA expert that has been so helpful to us. Maybe he'll have an idea. We will win, we must have the bees for their early pollination services on the pumpkin blossoms.
We're part way there
June 10, 2011
Busy day yesterday, we got about 10,000 plants in the ground. Possibility of rain the next morning so we wanted to take advantage of nature's watering. Just came from an early morning field inspection and drat, it was not enough. We hit 101 degrees a couple of days ago, hottest day since the late 1980s and the soil is dry.
Today we hook up the 300 gallon waterer to the tractor and hand water the plants while 3 crews get the remaining 7,000 plants in the ground. We should be done today!
We've been busy
June 9, 2011
Last weekend, our soil consultants, Andy and Bonnie Glowdowsi of Evergreen Farm Consulting delivered our soil amendments. Here's Jay loading the 1,250 lbs of custom fertilizer into the spreader. This is a custom blend, made just for us based on our soil tests. The basic idea is to feed the soil all the nutrients needed for an active, healthy soil microbiological health. We also applied a half ton of calcium to correct our acid soil conditions.
We also continued to rotovate the strips on our hillside were the pumpkins will be planted and mow the hay in between. Almost ready.
Oh shut up, its pretty!
June 2, 2011
While the pumpkins are germinating, I've been working to catch up on the prep for the contour strips where they will be planted. As always, I tend to feel poorly prepared growing up in LA for my role as a farmer. Took 1 1/2 hours of fiddling, kicking and expletives to get the rotovator properly attached to the tractor and running. Finally got it working right and got to the field. It did make a big difference in the strips and we will be ready to plant in about a week.
In my mind I kept blathering on about being a rank amateur then came to the top of the ridge and this view. Stopped me in my tracks. It is just so very beautiful here and we are grateful.
Well, HELLOOO there!
May 30, 2011
Seven days after planting the first seedlings starting to emerge. Sometimes it happens even faster but the weather has been cool and cloudy all week. Mr. Jay is in the background watering.
Ken's goal for the day is to complete the paperwork for this year's organic certification, it has become like a term paper I've postponed to the very last minute. Get'R Done!
Everybody Germinate!
May 23, 2011
Ok, so guess. How long does it take to plant 20,800 pumpkin seeds? Two days? A day? Seven hours? Nah, not even close. Our crack team got these planted in trays in a little over two hours. Remarkable! In the shot is our friend Karolyn Larson, with the girls that helped the other day planting the 5,000 seeds, Liana Dodge, Alecia Shaw & Telea Dodge. Jay is in the background with a new friend & neighbor, Jordan who was helping out.
It is always a pleasure to work with such fun people, we really appreciate their hard work and great attitudes. With a start like this, these should be some happy pumpkins.
We Begin!
May 20, 2011
Here we go, the same great team that got last season off to such a terrific start are at it again. Here's a shot of Telea Dodge, Alecia Shaw and Liana Dodge after planting 5,000 pumpkin seeds in Kate Stout's greenhouse. A partial view of the seed trays is on the left. Another 20,000 plants will get started on Sunday. We always enjoy this part, the girls are smart, sweet and make the work fun. They are fast too, we race to keep up with them.
Over in our pumpkin field, on the cultivating front, I'm doing ok. We've had a spell of warm, sunny days where I can do a cultivation, it brings weeds & roots to the surface and they dry out. Still more to go and now it looks like a patch of wet days but there will be time to finish before the plants go in. The hillside with contour strips is looking beautiful, will post a shot after I mow.
Woulda, Shoulda, Coulda.
May 17, 2011
We are so far behind on our field work but finally, finally we have begun. Here I am cultivating the first row for this year's pumpkins. It looks pretty rough but will get whipped into shape quickly. Being organic certified, we can only use smart cultivation to control weeks. This is the fist pass on last year's crop.
It was a gorgeous day after what has been a wet cold spring. So good to be outside. It smelled and looked great.
Harvesting Honey
May 5, 2011
Here's Jay starting to harvest honey, or rather attempting to harvest. Last fall, we were just too busy with the pumpkin seed harvest and dealing with the house construction so we let the bees keep all their own food. An ideal situation - so we thought.
Nope.
Unfortunately, as posted previously, like many beekeepers in our area, we experienced CCD or colony collapse disorder. Our thriving hive decided to just up and leave in the middle of winter. As Jay used the heated knife to cut the wax caps off the combs of honey, he discovered that it had crystallized over the winter. We can't harvest the honey, it needs to be in a liquid state.
Sigh.
We will end up with a few jars, some of the frames were in poor repair so he took the wax and crystallized honey. It will all be melted and the honey separated.
The other frames will go into the two new hives. Those new girls are going to get a head start on the season.
Rain, rain, go away...
April 28, 2011
The extendo winter of 2011 continues. Cold, windy, rainy and way too wet to start plowing to prep the fields for this year's crop. If we cultivated now it would ruin the soil structure, so, we wait.
Spring WILL come (won't it?)
Ken's on the Wisconsin Organic Advisory Council
April 21, 2011
Click here for the full size PDF
I am so excited, I applied for and got a position on the State of Wisconsin's Organic Advisory Council. We moved into our new house last weekend, life is settling down and it will be great to participate and make a contribution. Later I will be presenting some of the issues the council is working on and soliciting your views and feedback.
Ready for duty!
Zen Bev for sleep, made with Hay River Pumpkin Seed Meal
April 14, 2011
This product works. Zen Bev taken 30 minutes before bed helps you fall and stay asleep. This clinically proven and patented formula was developed by Dr. Craig Hudson and its #1 ingredient is partially defatted pumpkin seed meal.
When our oil is cold-pressed, you end up with the oil and the defatted meal from the pumpkin seeds. For the last three years we've sold this meal to Dr. Hudson and his company, Biosential Inc who use it in this product.
Personally, Ken has been a chronic poor sleeper his entire life. This is the first product I've used that helps me to get to and stay asleep. As it works with your body's natural systems, you also experience the deep sleep stages that I do not achieve with prescription products.
Zen Bev is available on the web at www.zenbev.com
Our Namesake
April 5, 2011
Flowing about a mile from our farm is our namesake, the beautiful Hay River. We're going to start taking pictures of it in the different seasons. We missed winter but this shot is from yesterday, very early spring here in Northwest Wisconsin.
Merci! Bon Appétit
March 30, 2011
Many thanks to Bon Appétit Magazine for their kindly mentions on page 19 of the April edition and in this piece on Beyond EVOO on their blog.
One year ago today
March 27, 2010 to March 27, 2011
A personal post today. One year ago today our lives took a dramatic change. We awoke in the middle of the night to find our home on fire. With our remote, rural location we knew immediately all was lost and then watched our house burn to the ground. Now, one year later, we are weeks away from moving into our beautiful new home, had the best year ever for pumpkins and pumpkin seed oil and, well, there just ain't no stopping us now. Onward!
Spring is in the air! NOT.
March 26, 2011
Winter WILL be over sometime, won't it? Just when you thought it couldn't last any longer, 8" of heavy wet snow this week and night temps in the single digits. Ah, springtime in NW Wisconsin! It is beautiful though ...
CCD, Colony Collapse Disorder, Bees all gone
March 20, 2011
So sad. Jay went to remove the winter insulation on our beehive and do his spring check and they are all gone. It is still not entirely understood why CCD happens. In the fall the hive was perfect. Jay left them with almost all their own honey. Lots of food, everything looked great but sometime during the winter the entire hive left. With the cold temps, they would have died quickly. Pictured are a small number of the male drone bees that hatched and died in the cold hive.
Bees are an important part of our system for growing pumpkins. The hives are adjacent to the pumpkin fields and provide early pollination services. We have a brief but intense summer and need to have pollination and fruit set occur early to insure ripening.
Jay is Mr. Never-Say-Never and has ordered new bees for two more hives.
This is Really Good and Really Easy
March 5, 2011
Pasta with pumpkin seed oil and cheese. Had it last night and it was way yummy. When we were at our friend Sharon Hannigan's place, "The Produce Exchange", a couple of weeks ago for a tasting, a nearby vendor suggested a sheep's milk Romano cheese to taste with our oil. It was great. One thing lead to another and then this tasty dish.
Here's what you have to do:
- Cook 8 oz pasta
- Toss with 1 tablespoon, or more, of Hay River Pumpkin Seed Oil
- Toss with 1/4 cup, or more of parmesan or another pungent cheese
- Serve and sprinkle with salt and pepper and more cheese if desired
Bon Appétit! (Speaking of which, looks like we are going to have some very exciting news pretty soon)
Hay River goes with The Purple Cow
Photo courtesy Katherine Plowman
Nettle Wood Organics
Nettle Wood Organics
The soil mix we use to start our pumpkin seedlings is important. Not only for the seedling but for the adult plants as well. A high quality soil mix rich in compost can help to inoculate the planting field with beneficial microorganisms.
We've been testing various products the last few years and are very impressed with Purple Cow Organics. We've decided to use them exclusively and we sealed the deal at the Organic Conference Trade Show.
Plus they are a Wisconsin company, plus they are super nice guys. Here's a shot of us with Sandy Syburg. Shot taken from below, Sandy's a tall dude but not 7 feet +.
Organic Farming Conference
February 28, 2011
Well, it was great. Educational, inspirational and fun. Our organic certifier, MOSA (Midwest Organic Services Organization) exhibited at the tradeshow and it was wonderful to meet in-person the people that we work with throughout the year. Here we are with certification specialist Holly Born.
22nd Annual Organic Farming Conference
February 21, 2011
We are so excited to be attending the Organic Farming Conference this coming weekend in La Crosse, WI. We had a blast last year and it was so inspiring to see the young, even hip, future of organic farming. This is not your grandfather's farm.
Go Farming, Go Wisconsin!
Our trip to the big city
February 21, 2011
We had a blast in The Cities. Things were sorta slow at both Whole Foods and The Produce Exchange but we had so much fun seeing our friends that visited. Especially nice for us was to spend time and connect with long-time friend Sharon Hannigan.
We forgot to post, doing two taste tests tomorrow...
February 17, 2011
Sorry, this slipped by. Friday, February 18th we are doing two tastes tests in Minneapolis and would love to see some of our Twin Cities Friends.
Noon to 3:30 PM at Whole Foods Market Lake Calhoun.
Then 4:30 to 6:30 at The Produce Exchange in the Midtown Global Market on Lake Street.
'Yall come!
We won!
February 4, 2011
Or rather, our label printer won. HP, Hewlett-Packard, holds a contest every year for companies that print using their equipment. Our printer, Dion Label, won first place in the food category for producing our beautiful label. Read their press release about the award here.
We've always known that our premium product would need to look as special as it is. It was a pleasure to work with the best design and branding company in the natural products industry to turn our vision into reality. Thank you Pure Branding!
From the bottom of January, a look to the season
January 31, 2011
Even though this is the deepest part of the winter and we are far away from growing plants, we're making preparations. Here's a pallet of the potting soil we will use to start our seedlings in May. 35,000 or bust this year!
Best Taste Ever
January 19, 2011
Today we picked up our first bottles of the 2010 Vintage from Botanic Oil Innovations in Spooner, WI. This is the best tasting oil we've ever produced. For those who have had previous vintages, the flavor is deeper and more nutty. Some very subtle changes in the light toasting of the seeds before pressing can make a big difference. Another factor in our favor was the superb growing season of 2010. We set a record for percentage of oil yielded from the seeds. One other difference is that the color is darker so you are not going to be seeing the garnet-red of previous years. With the great taste, we don't think anyone is going to mind at all.
Let the shopping begin!
January 17, 2011
We are very happy to announce the availability of our 2010 Vintage Hay River Pumpkin Seed Oil. Shipping will begin on Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Good news!
January 15, 2011
The 2010 Vintage goes on sale Thursday, January 20th. We'll be putting up the Google Checkout shopping cart in the next few days.
Speaking to the "Garden Buds" on Monday
January 8, 2011
A very nice garden club in Somerset, WI asked us last summer to come and speak with them on Monday. Looking forward to it. Here's an article in a local paper.
http://www.newrichmond-news.com/event/article/id/31356/group/News/
Happy New Year Friends!
January 2, 2011
Of course we are now in the dead of winter so there's less farm news happening but we've been saving up a few bits for this quiet time. First off, an article in the LA Times about pumpkin seed oil for prostate health. We think what is missed is what will become known as some of its most important benefits in the future: lipid-based antioxidants, xeazanthin, excellent EFAs and most important of all, as we've always said, great taste!
http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-nutrition-lab-pumpkin-20101025,0,4474954.story
Hat tip to Hay River Pumpkin Seed Oil friend Bill Thedinga for the tip!
