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

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000183 EndHTML:0000003368 StartFragment:0000002365 EndFragment:0000003332 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/barefoot%20famer.doc The International Harvester Farmall 140 tractor is a gardener’s dream come true. It can’t be beat for single row truck farming. I use a bigger tractor for primary tillage, and then the Farmall lays off the rows and keeps the middles loose and weed-free. I grew up with a…

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000181 EndHTML:0000003035 StartFragment:0000002362 EndFragment:0000002999 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/barefootfarmer.doc Thomas Jefferson loved gardening. I got a copy of his Garden Book 20 years ago, which details the work at the 2 acre garden plantings and 8 acre orchard at Monticello. Know that democracy could only survive in a nation of small farms and small businesses. Last week I…

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000181 EndHTML:0000002837 StartFragment:0000002362 EndFragment:0000002801 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/barefootfarmer.doc I am often asked to recommend books for learning about organic agriculture. I appreciate the many good books put out by Rodale Press, Acres, USA and others over the last few decades, they are not my favorites. Farming is not about double-digging, plastic hoop houses and amendments to buy,…

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000181 EndHTML:0000002785 StartFragment:0000002362 EndFragment:0000002749 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/computer/Desktop/obits/barefootfarmer.doc A definition of intelligence is the ability to respond successfully to a new situation. This type of intelligence resides in a humus-rich soil which is permeated with beneficial micro organisms. The new situation would be a new crop, and a response is the colonization of the new roots with…

In the fall of 1999, my friend Dan asked me why I didn’t use the community supported agriculture model to distribute our produce, I explained that we tried in the late 1980’s, but the folks didn’t want to drive out to the farm. His immediate response was “I’ll drive it to them,” and our present…

Snowed in and snuggled up, I’m studying several summertime snapshots, searching and selecting sufficient seed for sowing this soon-to-come spring. I must be on every seeds company’s list of who to send a catalog to. so, while winter weather wrecks her havoc, I’m safe and sound by a warm fire, envisioning rows and rows of…

The policies of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have had a tremendous affect on farming in our country. Their funding go to further the research at land grant colleges (like UT), and the advice is disseminated through the county extension programs. The way most farms are run is a direct result of this…

I’m on a No. Ca. diet. That’s short for Northern California, which is where I visited my family last week. Brother Mark took me on a trip up to Medicino County, complete with   giant redwood trees, ocean cliffs, hot springs, vineyards, and biodynamic farms. I spent several days with my cousin, Sue, and enjoyed a…

Dandelions are one of the first flowers we see blooming on the farm in the springtime, and we’re still finding bright yellow blossoms in late December. Early April is when masses cover the lawn, and that’s when we harvest them.

It’s time for me, once again, to sing the praises of kale.  My favorite way to cook it is lightly sautéed with garlic.  I get some olive oil warm in a skillet and add sliced garlic.  Freshly washed kale gets chopped horizontally and fills up the pan.  A few flips with the spatula, a pinch…