So, there has always been this flat rock behind our barn. Last summer we kicked back the grass a bit and found it was larger. We started digging and have discovered it is MUCH larger. Even more curious are some parallel grooves and one place with parallel and perpendicular grooves. Nothing else like this on our 80 acres. Clearly the ONLY explanation is that this was placed by the benevolent space aliens. We are pretty sure the markings say eat more pumpkin seed oil, which, by the way, is conveniently available right here, easy!

So great to be able to walk around the fields. Just a little bit of snow left although it is only March and that could change. Also grateful to have the body to do this, had a hip replacement 5 months ago and what a joy to be able to move and work with ease. Watch out season 2021!

Just completed our 2021 Organic Certification paperwork. Tend to put it off, it is dull, but then, some thing should be boring, like paperwork and good governance. Proud to be certified by @MOSAOrganicCertification since 2006, for 15 years!

Two amazing things arrived today. This magnificent Wisconsin cow cheese from our friends at St. Isadore’s Cheese and this stunning blue kombucha from GT Synergy. Cool to have naturally pigmented (and even healthful) blue food.

We are fortunate to have a magnificent White Oak tree in our woods, it is huge but we’ve never known how old. I snowshoed out to measure its diameter. 43.5″ and with the “growth factor” of 5, this tree is a healthy 217 year-old and was a seedling in 1803. White Oaks can live 300 years, there are documented trees at 450 years in the US. From the Oak’s perspective, we pass through quickly, good to consider.

Beautiful, wet, sticky snow today. Like much of the country, it had been wicked cold here but with moderating temps (40s this week!) we’re thinking about little green plants.

We are so fortunate to live and grow in pristine, NW Wisconsin. Our friend and neighbor, Drew French, @andrewrfrench is obsessed with maps and water and created this one for us. Hay River Pumpkin Seed Oil is on the lower left. What we do on our land, connects to everything. Connects to the Hay River, which connects to the Red Cedar which connects to the Mississippi which connects to the world. Proud to be certified organic!

Wet or dry, -31 is cold period! Look at that 102 degree temperature difference inside/outside. This capped off 10 days of low temps in the -20s. It is a big pain in the butt, however, there are benefits. Below -20 there is a certain sterilizing effect. For example, our insect nemesis, the cucumber beetle, has their overwintering larva killed off. Ok, done that, now we can resume normal, will be in the 30s (above) next weekend. Swimsuit weather in Northern Wisconsin. 🙂

So I was masked up, covered up (winter in Wisconsin) and encountered this nice picture in our own local coop while grocery shopping. Thanks for the love @Menomonie Market!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and our best New Year wishes to all!

Ken & Jay