Our first tour was hosted by Dave and Chantal Lewington of Dalew Farms in Lavigne, a mixed farm with a large CSA operation.
We started with a walking tour of the closer vegetable fields:
Then Dave showed us their Tomato Jungle in the greenhouse:
While in the greenhouses, we got to see a nifty innovation used for seeding, using a vaccuum and sheet of metal with different sized holes drilled into them.
Once the seeds are in place, the tray is placed over a prepared tray of soil, the vaccuum is turned off, and the seeds fall into place in each of the divided sections!! Genius!
Next we had lunch in the shade (it was quite a hot day!)
After lunch, we hopped on the tractor to see the fields where pigs and cattle were grazing:
Also on pasture are the chickens, who live in moveable homes that can be moved around to where Dave and Chantal would like the ground cultivated. AKA "Chicken Tractors"!
We also saw an tomato experiment where wide rows of grain were planted interspersed with rows of tomatoes in order to keep the heat where this heat-loving crop was growing. Those who were tasked with pruning these tomatoes could attest to the heat that built up there!!
At the end, Dave took a few minutes to talk about running a successful CSA program. Below is a sample box from that week.
Not so educational, but darn good! Mapleton's organic ice cream at the farm stand on the property before we headed home....
THANKS DAVE AND CHANTAL!
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