Be as a bird perched on a frail branch that she feels bending beneath her, still she sings away all the same, knowing she has wings.

So much is happening on the farm that I get tired just thinking about it. Thankfully, the younger people who still have energy are the ones doing the work.

The sheep are on pasture. The laying hens and broilers are enjoying a smorgasbord of bugs and greens. The beef cows with their new calves have verdant pasture to enjoy.

The gardens for the tender greens, beans, peas, etc. have been worked nicely and some things planted. We're looking forward to the warmer days of spring to overcome these cool ones.

The dead canes in the raspberries have been removed and the suckers of our favorite heritage variety transplanted to where they will be productive. The grape vines that have sprawled over the rocks for the last few years are finally trellised. It'll be interesting to see what they produce.

Clean up around the farm continues, with some of the spruce trees that have looked shabby being removed. Fresh and clean.

The meadowlark's song makes the grass grow!

I think instinctively we all like the idea of this being true, but with disappointment we put the idea away as silly. We're told that our whimsical imaginations are at enmity with science and that we need to dismiss such foolish notions. I say it's time we start dismissing science and its arrogant know-it-all attitude. The intellectual will only believe what he can understand, but the inner child believes all things are possible. That child still has the virgin, innate perception of the invisible reality.

Now, I'm not suggesting we live in dreamland, believing everything the mind can conceive. However, there is so much we don't know about this elaborately orchestrated world. We really don't have a clue what is going on. Our greatest scientific discoveries and theories are about equal to a two-year old's estimation of how a car works.

In the 70's and 80's, Dan Carlson, a U.S. army veteran and plant biologist, discovered that the chirping of birds stimulated plants to open their stomata earlier in the morning. Stomata are the small openings for gaseous exchange located primarily on the leaves and stems of plants. They allow for the entrance of water and carbon dioxide and the respiration of oxygen.

Let that change how you understand the morning robins singing their heart out. They have a solemn duty to make sure all the plants wake up and open their pores at the exact time of day that is most likely to be rich in mist and dew. Especially in dry country, there are precious few moist moments to suck free moisture out of the air when a good rain is so unlikely. Have you ever noticed that the birds chirp louder on a calm wet morning? They are faithful to their calling.

Now consider the economic and agricultural impact of wiping out whole species of birds with chemical farming and massive scale tillage. Fine to plow up some land to plant wheat, but are you conscious to leave some pasture for the meadowlarks? Do you respect the value of the hedgerows and tall grasses? Or is section after section only corn and canola because scientists say so?

Organic farming isn't just about "not using those bad chemicals." It's humility. It's a solemn and circumspect belief that we know precious little about how things work. When you realize you know next to nothing, you find yourself increasingly in favour of replicating the natural template laid before us.
You ought to ask, "How or why does this function in nature, but not on my farm? What am I doing wrong?"

It's like watching how your dad fixes something and then trying to figure out which tools he needs and when, so you can pass him a wrench just when he needs it. It's not about presuming you know better than Dad because you've watched him for a few minutes and now you think you can fix things yourself. We all know how that ends.

The meadowlark's song makes the grass grow! Fertilizer, fungicide, and pesticides will also make the grass grow. I'll let you decide which world you want to live in.

Having sold out of whole chickens, we're taking orders now. Fresh chicken will be ready Friday, June 12th.

Order yours today to be sure to get what you need. Email solutions@harvesthaven.com or call 403-329-9157.

We're excited to be able to have locally grown organic dried beans for sale. Most organic beans are sourced from China, but we have reservations about Chinese organic standards and prefer locally grown organic.

We have three popular varieties: Pinto beans, Black beans, and Kidney beans.

Beans are good for you! Here are some of the reasons you should eat more of them:
- They contain both soluble and insoluble fiber to keep your digestive system running smoothly.
- The fiber and protein in beans slow the rate of absorption of the carbs, which helps keep your blood sugar steady.
- Being high in iron and a good source of B vitamins make beans a heart healthy choice.
- Natural substances in beans can play a part in fighting cancer.

There are so many ways to enjoy beans and they are amazingly easy to cook. No excuses.

Pinto Beans – This is a staple in our home, especially when made into refried beans. Jeannie makes the best!

Go Bio Organic Beef Bouillon Cubes – When you need a quick cup of broth for a recipe, these are perfect. Made with the best organic ingredients including real organic beef, these bouillon cubes add that dash of flavor you want.

Organic Artichokes – Fun fact: globe artichokes are the buds of a thistle flower before it blooms. Although it takes a bit of work to prepare, it is well worth it because it is so nutritious and has many health benefits.

Maison Orphee Organic Dijon Mustard – A pure Dijon mustard with a lovely creamy texture and inimitable sharpness. Use in dressings and mayonnaise, brush on lamb chops before cooking, spread in sandwiches with cold cuts, or mix into stuffed eggs or potato salad.

Cocoa Camino Organic Baking Chocolate – Cocoa Camino is a Canadian company that produces excellent chocolate products. This organic baking chocolate is real chocolaty with premium quality and pure chocolate taste. Perfect for unforgettable homemade treats.

Let's Do Organic Sprinkelz – Have fun with these! Decorate naturally with organic Sprinkelz dyed with natural colors derived from curcumin, red cabbage, beet, and turmeric (no artificial colors). Perfect for cupcakes, cookies, ice cream, and desserts.

Please note, all ingredients in our recipes are organic.

Creative Country Kids

"Mommy, do you know a cure for loneliness?" Marseilles asked her mom because as we all know, mothers are miracle workers and can fix any problem.

Marseilles has her chickens to look after, but they are out on pasture now, so there's not much she can do with them, except gather eggs once a day. She's an accomplished pianist, avid reader, and imaginative cartoonist. But there are times when she wants some companionship.

Konstantijn, the strange girl who keeps asking for more work, has lots of chores, which she does by herself or with others. She has her flower business and makes jewelry which you've seen in the store. And readily engages in interesting conversations with the adults who take time with her.

Mathijs, Marseilles' twin brother, is on the go from early morning until he falls into bed in the evening. There's always one of the men doing something that he can quiz them about. If there is some alone time, he's perfecting his guitar playing using an app he found. You'll hear Greensleeves picked out quite nicely in the background.

Six o'clock in the morning, Mathijs is up and exercising with whoever shows up in the Farm Fit Facility. Then, there are chores, trips to the fields on the ATV, and various projects in the workshop. He even has his own cordless drill for woodworking.

Martin told Mathijs he would share the cost of a new drill if Mathijs would do the research to find the best one. And he did. When the drill arrived, Mathijs excitedly put it together only to find the battery was dead. But he knew exactly what to do about that. While doing his research, one small bit of information was how to recharge the battery if it was dead when received.

There's a typed list of projects that need doing around the farm and the names of those best able to do the jobs is beside each item. One item, repairing the manure spreader, had Mathijs's name pencilled beside it.

"I put my name in there," he confidently declares. "But I'll need someone to work with. I can't do that job by myself." No kidding!

The old black truck needed repairs to make it run again. Martin's and Mathijs's names were next to that. However, Jeannie's dad, a do-it-yourself kind of guy started on it with Mathijs's help. There are so many opportunities for this young man. No time for loneliness.

Mom to the rescue for Marseilles.

"Konstantijn, I know it's hard for you to spend time with your little sister, but could you do something with her?"

Here come the plans. Sisters day!

Konstantijn and Marseilles made a list of all they wanted to do the next day:
- Wake up
- Clean and refresh
- Do eggs
- Feed animals
- Pick up sticks around the yard
- Bake cookies
- Do Adventure Academy after school
- Draw stuff.

They did it all!

"How was your day, Marseilles?"

"It was lots of fun. I'm going to help Konstantijn feed the animals everyday and then we're going to draw together," Marseilles excitedly exclaimed.

Mom worked another miracle. Getting to work with your sister is a fine cure for loneliness.