The Barefoot Farmer (Jeff Poppen) uses his farm (Long Hungry Creek Farm) as an example in demonstrating good farming principles. The landscape and atmosphere of the 21st century is leaning away from a small farm economy, bucolic scenery, sustainable agriculture and homegrown meals. The health of ourselves and our environment can only be enhanced by a reliance on local small farms for our needs. To learn more about these principle join Jeff Poppen with his weekly column - Barefoot Farmer.To e-Mail Jeff - Click Here

Everything seems to be ripening quickly this summer. Apples are weeks ahead, along with sweet corn and peppers. But, best of all, we don’t have to wait til mid-August for everyone’s favorite treat. Yes, the watermelons are in. “No way” I said when asked if they were ripe yet. For the better, I was wrong…

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000182 EndHTML:0000002712 StartFragment:0000002363 EndFragment:0000002676 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obiits/barefootfarmer.doc Until 500 years ago the old world relied on small grains for their sustenance. Tiny seeds that had to be threshed out of the plants to provide something they could store and eat later. Then along came two plants which were far easier to harvest because they were big:…

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000181 EndHTML:0000002649 StartFragment:0000002362 EndFragment:0000002613 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/barefootfarmer.doc Successively sowing summer squash seeds surely secures a supply of squash and a successful season. We start in May and two months later planted the last three rows. Little ones are sprouting up as the old ones bite the dust.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000181 EndHTML:0000003294 StartFragment:0000002363 EndFragment:0000003258 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/barefootfarmer.doc Pole bean need to be staked. We’re growing two varieties this year, Kentucky Wonder and the Purple Variety that Ed and Margaret gave us many years ago. I like picking pole beans because I don’t like the bending over that bush beans require. Along the garden’s deer fence is…

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000181 EndHTML:0000002930 StartFragment:0000002362 EndFragment:0000002894 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/barefootfarmer.doc Summertime in Tennessee brings forth the favorite fruits of the earth. Tomatoes and swee corn quickly follow on the heels of beans, squash and cucumbers, and the melons are swelling. So what am I doing out in the garden with lettuce and cabbage seed? We are planting the fall…

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000181 EndHTML:0000003137 StartFragment:0000002362 EndFragment:0000003101 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/barefootfarmer.doc A great crop of garlic graces the garden shed. Tied in bunches and hung from nails in the rafters, it creates quit a sensation. Although the sight is on to behold, especially for garlic lovers, the aroma really stands out. Each clove of garlic, sown in the fall, makes…

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000181 EndHTML:0000002655 StartFragment:0000002362 EndFragment:0000002619 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/BearfootFarmer.doc By July, we try to hang up the hoes and make much use of mulch. The benefits of mulching are similar to hoeing; it controls weeds and conserves moisture. But mulch has the added asset of bringing carbon into the garden.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000181 EndHTML:0000003134 StartFragment:0000002362 EndFragment:0000003098 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/barefootfarmer.doc Farms are for people. Soils, plants and animals all play their role in agriculture, but the human social aspect is at the heart of it. The farm offers a safe place to live in freedom, experience nature and develop responsibility. The welfare system which takes care of some people’s…

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000181 EndHTML:0000002882 StartFragment:0000002362 EndFragment:0000002846 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/barefootfarmer.doc The subsoiler breaks up the hard packed soil that lies beneath the surface. It’s shaft is two feet long and the shoe is two inches wide. When I decided to try to reclaim the flood damage fields, subsoiling seemed appropriate. First of all I had to remove rocks, fill…

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000181 EndHTML:0000002922 StartFragment:0000002362 EndFragment:0000002886 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/barefootfarmer.doc There has been a lot of hoeing going on around here. Miles of rows have been planted, and the inevitable weeds are sprouting along with the crops. It is important to loosen up the earth next to the emerging seedlings so they can breathe. Short chipping motions cut the…