[Jay]

I have bought a 2 horse treadmill from Athens this summer and have used it for powering a threshing machine threshing oats. I am very pleased with the way it worked. It is a small wooded thresher – drum about 20 inches wide. We couldn’t put big lumps of oats in, but it handled powering the process quite well. I plan to build a small “power-house” for it and be able to run an air compressor for my shop, back-up generator, hydraulic pump and more with the treadmill. We have a gear box to increase the speed to small electric motor speed which makes it very adaptable. I am very well impressed with the quality and ruggedness of the construction. I keep you posted as we do more with it. Jay

[Jay]

Another thing that often helps, on most any soil is using leaves for mulch. We use them on lots of plants, cuts down on weeding, holds moisture, adds fertility…. helps with water holding capacity in sand or porousness with clay. Good Luck. Jay

[Jay]

We have put up our hay loose with a loader for 30 years- a New Idea. Looks basically like the one in the photo. The IH is very similar – IH also made one with 9 bars for green chop or 2nd cut, rather than the usual 6 which work better for 1st cut. An old timer told me they were ” a labor saving device for everyone except the person on the wagon,” We often use 2 people loading/packing on a 16 foot wagon, one in front and one in back packing and distributing. ” Take care of the edges and the middle will take care of it’s self” It’s a great way to put up excellent hay – if you plan to feed it right near where it is stored in the barn. Jay

[Jay]

Hope all are well and not too washed out. David and Anna, thinking of you and anyone else who was washed out. Let us know if there is something we can help with.
We are well here and busy getting ready for the coming weekend. Finally drying out some. A couple of notices, due to other circumstances, a couple of the teams we were expecting for the gathering wont be able to make it, leaving a couple of spaces. If anyone has or knows of a quiet team or 2 that might be interested in coming, please let us know- call or email. jay@fairwindsfarm.org , also, please consider at least calling and saying you are thinking of coming, even if you don’t get the form sent in. We keep hearing that many people will be here which is the whole idea, but we don’t yet have any real idea on numbers. Again, please call or email jay@fairwindsfarm.org or 802-254-9067. Thanks, Jay and Janet and all.

[Jay]

Brad, How long is the plot? If it’s longer than wide with reasonable room to turn at the ends, I would consider a sulky plow, though a walking plow with a good point and bottom can be a pleasure to use. We have a Pioneer Left handed walking plow you could borrow if that would help. If you can find an old furrow to walk them up and down a time or two before trying the plow that sometimes helps. Jay

[Jay]

Here is a address to our page with the week-end’s schedule. Copy and paste. http://www.fairwindsfarm.org/horseEvents.html#FWFGathering

Friday is arrival and finishing set-up, chores, potluck supper, visiting and music. Saturday morning is people and animals working on projects around the farm, with weather playing a big role is determining which ones we tackle. In the afternoon there will be activities around the barn, ring, and buildings. Saturday evening the gates open at 5:00pm free of charge for those wishing to attend the DAPNet annual meeting, starting at 7:00pm. Sunday plans include hitching 3 abreast, with the event closing with lunch at noon.
Jay

[Jay]

Bill, thanks for the offer. The white horse plow or any type of logging arch… or your team if you like. At this point, I don’t have anything mobile that uses PTO. Thanks, Jay

[Jay]

We are all well and safe as is the farm, though others not so far away are not so lucky. Many roads washed out or sections gone completely. I’m glad we’ve had the nice, sunny weather for the clean-up rather than some of the other possibilities. Looking forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks. Thanks for the good thoughts. Jay and Janet

[Jay]

Hello all, we are all fine and so is the farm. We are luckily on higher land that is sandy and well drained.
We are very much looking forward to the gathering and seeing you all. We have plenty of room and plenty to do if people want.
Friday eve pot luck and probably some music afterwards.
We were up north Tues visiting Neal and Bekah and saw some of the washouts on the way. Thinking of all of you who have that to deal with. Best to all, Jay and Janet

[Jay]

Jenn, that would be great. We’ll be looking for you. We have a paddock they can be turned out in for the night if that would be useful. Erika, sounds very good. Yes bring the cultipacker (and your steers) What else would you want to bring? We’ll put you right to work. Sure was wet today. Should dry out a bit tomorrow though. Best, Jay

[Jay]

Russel, does the eucalyptus check if seasoned while submerged in (forgive me) water? Some of the best wood here has been submerged for years and brought up (out of the lake), well seasoned and without checking… Or what about some iron bands at the ends and along the length- 2 or 3? Just a couple of thoughts. Jay

[Jay]

I would be a little careful with apples – particularly several productive trees worth. A few (10-20 apples) would not be a concern to me, but… too many can kill them, though I don’t have a number for what too many is. When I was a kid, a farmer lost his team pasturing them in the orchard in the fall. Once horses acquire a taste for apples…. I would probably fence them out. Good luck, Jay

[Jay]

I sometimes will separate for a shorter time to start with on a regular basis With mares and foals, I start with about 2 minutes,making it longer each day. With 2 adults like this 5 or 10 minutes to start and then longer as they get used to the idea, but as said above, keep the one who is away busy- best is working or at least taking a walk with you, not left alone unless you know they are in a really secure place. I also give the one left behind some hay to eat if they will, so that becomes something for them to look forward to.

Jay

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