We have a lot of improvements to make on our farm as we strive to be as regenerative as possible, but thankfully each year is getting better.  After 7 inches of rain fell on our farm a week ago, some of the areas turned to quicksand-like muck. We were so thankful to be using a bale grazing program that we implemented a few years ago, because this helped our animals to have areas to lay or stand out of the mud. What may look like a waste to some, has actually allowed us to improve our soil and keep our animals more comfortable.

The last two years we have grown no till, beyond organic, open pollinated sweet corn and blue corn with very little work on these covered pieces. My husband uses our tractor and his dad’s planter to get the seed in the ground, and we leave it alone until harvest. No weeding, watering, or fertilizing. That’s easy! I have grown hybrid sweet corn fairly well, but in the past, I have really struggled to get open pollinated corn to grow and to stand up at the end. I almost gave up. I had asked organic farmers for advice as to why my corn was falling over each year and why my ears weren’t very healthy. I have always rotated the corn to new areas, added organic fertilizer, and kept it watered. Since starting our new system, none of the corn has fallen over and the ears are long, juicy, and delicious. Any ideas why this might be? I love open pollinated sweet corn because of the real corn flavor it offers along with the fact that it contains less natural sugar. Some of the hybrid varieties have more sugar than a snickers candy bar! Yikes! After a year of corn, we till the soil (which is compost-like) and plant potatoes. We have found that potatoes are a lot more work (I guess it’s keeps us from twiddling our thumbs!). Have you ever struggled with something (almost to the point of giving up) and finally found a solution? We would love to hear from you!