Joes Farm Fans

I would like to take this time and valuable web page real estate to spend some time answering a user submitted question. The question is from Larson & Sons Farm in Baltimore Maryland. Larson & Sons Farm asked about the different varieties of wood that was used in the construction of Joes Farm. Larson & Sons Farm has been a supporter of Joes Farm from Joes Farms inception. While Larson & Sons Farm is thousands if not millions of miles away from Joes Farm they have been there every step of the way.

For those who have been following Joes Farm from the early days know, we (Joes Farm) built our first field out of cinder blocks. We chose cinder block because it was inexpensive and easy to use. After the first season of farming, Joes Farm knew that cinder block was not going to cut it. The reasons for that are the lack of soil depth and the overwhelming heat that the cinder blocks absorbed. Joes Farm then scoured the world looking for alternatives. We found that there are some affordable options available for field construction. Pressure treated lumber was recommended by the Home Depot but the fact that it is laden with chemicals it was crossed off the list.

Through Joes farm research we were able to decide on Premium Douglas Fir. It comes in a variety of sizes and did not have the pressure treated chemical after taste. It is more affordable that the finer woods like cedar and redwood. I would also recommend a pine or a maple. They come in untreated planks like the premium Doug fir and are in the same price range. There are options available in composites but Joes Farm wanted to stay one with nature. What we give up by choosing untreated wood and non-composite wood is longevity. Joes Farm is starting to see some deterioration on the older fields after one year. That is the trade off that has to be made.

Just thinking out loud right now, I think another option would be to head on over to Patterson Park and chop down a Horse Chestnut or a Babylon Weeping Willow. That might present some logistical issues and I don't imagine you have access to a saw mill. Good brain storm. Any how, my suggestion to you would be to look into some Premium Douglas Fir, Pine, or Maple from the local hardware store.

Happy farming to Larson & Sons Farm and all of the other Joes Farm Fans.

Spring 2011 Outlook

Joes Farm is once again going full steam ahead and plowing through spring 2011. Warm weather has returned and we have big bold plans for Joes Farm again. Due to the incredible performance of Joes Farm over the past several seasons we have recently received approval from our land trustee to more than double the size of Joes Farm. Needless to say we (Joes Farm) are delighted.

The construction of the additional fields is nearly complete. Our last and most important step is the creation of the world famous Joes Farm soil. This is no easy task. We are awaiting the delivery of the aggregate to complete this mixture.The aggregate is only a small part of Joes Farm world famous soil mixture. The most important portion of this mixture comes from the i care organics composting/vermicomposting facility that is operated by Joes Farm. Joes Farm i care oragnics compost and vermicompost is proudly made by Americans for Americans. Upon completion of the soil creation Joes Farm is going to begin planting crops in the new fields. We (Joes Farm) already have crops growing in the older more established fields. Winter crops are nearing harvest, spring time crops are growing by leaps and bounds, and Summer Crops are in the Joes Farm incubator.

Here are the new fields as they are being built. Please Enjoy.