New Things for a New Year

So, by now everybody knows about the the new babies.  But, that’s not all that’s new here for me and the farm.  I’m scheduled for the big food safety class that will allow me (gee thanks government officials) to actually sell and share food I cook here on the farm.  My state prohibits the sale of baked or cooked (even dried herbs) consumables without a food handlers certificate.  I’ve talked a little bit about the cottage exemption before and this is it.  Now I will be able to sell my home baked goodies from here and at the farmers markets alongside my fruits and veges.  It was actually harder than I expected to locate a class close to me and the cost is, IMO, pricey.  Thank you Richard for the help expanding my ability to continue improving the farm.

Next on the list is the yearly underground coal mining refresher.  Required by federal law and ya can’t go underground without it.  Scheduled for that too so check that off the list.

Backyard Chickens.com has a coop setup which I think is absolutely perfect for me.   I already have most of the materials so this will be a good project for me and will allow me to actually beat the stupid dog to the eggs for a change.  The easter egg hunt will be over and the fertilizer will be in one spot as soon as I get this completed.

The cheese making has commenced!  Yep, that’s right, everything appears in order with the cow and her calf and the milking has proceeded in an orderly fashion.  I have my first batch of cheese in the pot and it’s mozzarella.  I have been craving pizza for the last 6 months!  This will be the longest 6 hours of my life, LOL  The curd is formed and temperatures are correct for cooking of the curd.  Pizza for supper tonite! Yahoooooo!