Welcome to Painted Hand Farm

Painted Hand Farm is a 20 acre Civil War era farm located in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. We raise meat goats, veal calves, turkeys and organic vegetables using humane and sustainable agricultural practices.

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Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Fall one day, winter the next.....

 Everyone was enjoying the casual slide into fall weather as the leaves began to gradually change. Green grass still abundant.
 Megs on the look-out for any unwelcome rodents in the barnyard.
 Looking down the E/W alleyway, fall colors abound creekside.
A gold & ruby browse paddock.



 Snow clouds on the horizon.
 October 29th and the snow storm is just beginning.
 Going out Britton Road on a quick trip to town before the brunt of the storm hits.
 The trees on Jumper Road bowing under the weight of a heavy, wet snow. Glad to have all-wheel-drive.

 Six inches and still coming down....
 Nine inches and still snowing....
Enjoying the lovely aubergine iris bloom I cut before the snow arrived.

Monday, October 03, 2011

A Fall Day Walk About Painted Hand Farm

It was time to open the gates to the wild browsing areas down by the apple tree and along the creek today. I want to take advantage of the last flush of woodsy brush before winter arrives, although, judging from today's temperatures in the 40's & 50's, it feel as if it will be here sooner than expected.
 The goats continue to clear the hillside for the proposed cabin site.


 Bango contemplated walking out into the marshland for the lush grass but turned back when she began to sink in the thick mud.
 Being lighter in weight than the horse, the goats easily moved out into the riparian area for tender grasses and shrubs.
 I took the opportunity to take a walk in the parts of the farm not regularly visited.
 This is the area where I planted a bushel of wild ramps last spring in hopes of establishing my own patch of the tasty treat, Allium tricoccum.

 I was saddened to see this old snag break. It's where the Bald Eagles hung out during their visit.

 Oyster mushroom soggy from the rain. Hoping for another flush.

 Decided to take a walk along the creek's path to see what wonders of fall have begun to appear.


 The creek is actually the hard stop for this particular browsing area.
 Crossing the creek, I headed up into the hardwoods on the hillside.
  
LOTS of interesting fungi. If anyone can identify any, please comment. 






 Unfortunately, my conventional farming neighbors don't mind dumping their plastic mulch & used irrigation garbage on my property. Guess I'll have to pay them a visit.





 


 Wonder who lives in this big burrow?




 This is at the top of one of the waterways, not on my property. Every time I see it, I wonder if anyone was driving when it went into the ditch.


 The headway of the marsh on the farm.

 Buttercup browsing in the barnyard paddock. Pax heads over to investigate. Her only reaction to the dog was to fluff up her tail.