Long, cold and deep
Morning on the farm is as peaceful as it is beautiful
Weather or Not
We did it again! We worked really hard in early January to be ready for the early season sap runs, which we did, only to sit and wait through this historically normal but contemporary abnormal cold spell. And it was quite cold. You would think three women from Alaska can handle a little below zero action. Turns out we can handle it but not without complaining about how cold it was. I think we had two weeks of below zero temperatures I have not experienced since leaving Alaska (sorry Alaska friends, we have all gotten soft). In the midst of that cold, it snowed; it snowed a lot! Because of the cold, the snow was light, fluffy, and delightfully easy to shovel. All that snow brought a beauty that only winter can manifest – bright sun and sparkling landscapes. All but one of our sugarbushes were tapped and so we waited. Last week we tapped our last bush, which is on a steep incline very deep in snow. Snowshoes are required but very awkward when navigating lines and downed trees. I was grateful to be working off by myself every time I tripped over something and disappeared into the knee-deep snow. Will this be the week that we start to get sap and the sugaring season begins? Most of the long-time maple farmers think it will take a while yet before the sap starts to flow in earnest.
Tapping is boring and a good time for a nap according to Kodi
Ready and Waiting
This year seems similar to last year – a later start compared to many of the previous years. We felt we did nearly everything right last year. At least we did not repeat any mistakes from our previous season. We have learned and tried new things and are using technology to help us keep track of our vacuum and pinpoint any leaks in the system. It is less work than the bucket days of sugaring, but it is not easier as there is a lot more things that can and do go wrong. Only so much can go awry when your operation consists of a tap, a bucket, a sled and horse. This year we feel even more prepared as we have had time to check and recheck much of our system, but still things will go wrong, and equipment will break and we will fix things as they happen. But no matter how prepared we are, we cannot predict or fix the length of the season. Most people are ready to be done with winter; we’d like six more weeks please!
Sometimes we literally have to shovel Kodi out of the way!
Can you feel it?
Despite our plea for more winter, I can feel and see spring coming. The daylight, thank you for the ever-increasing daylight. Do you think we would mind winter so much if it was actually light out for most of it? Many of us that feed the birds have been running to keep up as the birds ate their way through the cold temperatures. Now though, they are feeling good as evidenced by the chickadees starting to sing their “phoebe” call. We have seen snow buntings, hordes of goldfinches and flocks of evening grossbeaks. All signs of spring. Yesterday, I noticed all the snow fleas out and about gathering in my footsteps. I had to look up snow fleas, which are springtails, to see what they were all about. Turns out they hatch in spring, mature through several molts during summer in soil, and emerge on snow in late winter to feed on fungi, algae, and organic matter. They produce a glycine-rich protein that prevents ice crystal formation, allowing them to remain active in temperatures as low as -60°C. Clearly, I am missing that glycine-rich protein, but I think Kodi has it!
Feeling just fine in the cold and the snow
Thank you for continuing to support our small maple business. As with all farms, are dealing with increasing costs and increasing uncertainty with weather and funding opportunities. Your continued support is crucial to small farms across the country.
Get outside, it is glorious.
Come See Us
We will be at the Berkshire Grown Winter Market in Housatonic on February 21st and every third Saturday of the month through April.
April 26th at the Northaven CT Fairgrounds
