Category Archives: Farm

Maple Tapping!

April 5, 2014FarmMicahThe Derksens

Every year around this time, we get out our milk jugs, wash them thoroughly and put them up on some maple trees to collect maple sap. Here is the process of putting them up!

Step 1: Drill holes in the caps of the milk jugs, put the spiles through the holes, and tie a string around the handle of the milk jug.

Step 2: Drill a hole in the trunk of the tree.

Step 3: Gently tap the spile into the tree.

Step 4: Put the string around the spile to keep the jug up. And you’re done! Wait…

Of course you have to have some fun…and take a group picture! 🙂

All Done. Now we have to check them every day! 🙁

Quad- Amphibious all-terrain truck!

April 2, 2014Farm, VideoAndrew, Jesse, MicahThe Derksens

We are building an amphibious mini jeep. Our uncle gave us this quad because it wasn’t working. It is working now but still there are a few problems with it. It’s brakes don’t work, it has a bent frame making it hard to steer, and it is very hard to start. We are planning on putting the engine, transmission, and differential into the jeep.

The quad on the “lift”.

Chicken Barn Tour!

March 18, 2014FarmMicahThe Derksens

Yesterday we went to tour a chicken barn in the area. The owner said that if you lie down and clap your hands the baby chicks think that you are their mother, and will come to you.

Andrew with the chicks :). In just a few short months we’ll have chicks in our yard again, but not nearly this many!

The Carrot Washer

February 27, 2014Family, FarmMicahThe Derksens

I know this is quite out of season, but a few people have been asking us how the carrot washer works. So here is a list of steps.

Step 1- Plug in and start the engine and water hose.

Step 2- Dump the carrots in the chute. The carrot washer has an angled slope to the other end, so the carrots usually go there by themselves.

Step 3- Quality control sifts through the carrots at the other end, cutting spots off.

Step 4- Grab the tray of carrots that has filled and set it on the ground and quickly place a new tray for filling. Go through steps 2- 4 again if the carrots are not clean enough!

So, here is a short video. Usually we have three people on the carrot washer and go a lot faster than shown here. Sorry about the quality of the video.

“Back To Your Roots” Conference

February 5, 2014FarmJesseThe Derksens

Earlier this week Dad and I went to the “Back to Your Roots” producers conference. Levi came for one day as well. We got interested in this soil amendment program because they say it will raise brix (sugar content), get rid of insects, inhibit weeds, and loosen up the soil, all of which we have problems with. It does all this by balancing the minerals in the soil. Overall this was a very good and informative conference. For more information go to http://back-to-your-roots.com