The above picture is of See No’s offspring.  See No the turkey was killed by African bees several weeks ago.

It all began four years ago. I had a small flock of ten baby turkeys and the only turkeys to live through their first year of tribulation was Hear No and See No. As the years have passed I’ve watched them battle many a time, spurring each other with powerful leg kicks, wing beating and pecking until both were exhausted.  It seems as if Hear No is B.T.O.F. (Big Turkey On Farm).  Not only did the big turk stand a head taller than See No, he also had the biggest and most beautiful fancy tail.  From the right tail tip to the left, all his stripes and bars aligned perfectly. He is a kaleidoscope of color, metallic green, copper and bronze dons his every feather. And he knows how to position himself into the sun to reflect every color of a BP oil slick.

It was two very sad days when Hear No and See No and the other turkey’s were attacked by bees several weeks ago killing See No. Weeks prior to the attack on one beautiful, nearly chilly morning, all of the toms were stomping and strutting their foot dance, fanning their tales in the direction of the lady hens trying to handsomely persuade their attention.  Hear No knew he was the most powerful Double Breasted Bronzed Turkey on the farm.  No rooster nor tom could over power him….and the ladies loved him.  The smaller brownish plain looking females worshipped his strut, followed him everywhere and would submissively bow down in front of his huge scaly looking feet.

Pictured is Momma Hen and two of her baby chicks.

The other boys didn’t like that Hear No received all of the females attention.  Romeo and Big Red somehow thought challenging Hear No was good idea.  Even Little Tom, joined in the sparring games.  As all of the male turks became more and more involved in the battle, showing off their clout, See No stood back. He was not interested in “their” fight.  See No was an opportunist.  He was a lover not a fighter.  As the rumble continued to move away from the females, good ol’ See No found an opportunity to mate with the females and that he did.  By the time he was done stepping on the hens, the fight ended and all of the toms lost interest.  I think they were just too tired to carry out their manly duties.

Shown in this picture are all four baby turkey chicks that hatched the Friday before Mother’s Day.

Several weeks passed and the female hens began disappearing from the scene.  One by one they would inconspicuously vanish into the tall weeds and vegetable plots and that worried me. Even though my farm is fenced in I still have coyote problems.  In fact, three of the hens have been killed by the canine bandits.  I was concerned that more would fall victim while sitting on their eggs, except for this one experienced hen.  She was really smart choosing her divot.  She found a spot on the farm where an inside fence paralleled with the boundary fence and both funneled down to a very small opening, big enough for a turkey yet small enough to prevent a full grown desert dog from entering her nest site. There was less than a foot spacing between the two wire fences with a straight ahead escape route.  It was the most perfect nesting site.

I kept an eye on her while she was sitting on her clutch of fourteen speckled white and brown eggs.  Every morning I would walk out to her nest to see if she was still alive.  I hoped the coyotes couldn’t get to her or her nest.  Five days before Mother’s Day I decide to begin lifting her by her tail to see if any eggs hatched. On the Friday before Mother’s Day I noticed Momma Hen looked different, all puffy and very alert. When I picked up her tail four baby chicks tumbled out from her fluffed feathers looking dazed and confused.  Three blackish, yellowish, and whitish cotton balls on sticks all scrambling for cover.  The forth chick looked like brown camouflage and it just stood there in the nest pondering if it should run or play dead.

It was an awesome experience to see baby turkeys for the first time EVER on the farm.  After the excitement calmed down, I remembered it was See No who fathered these babies.  Remembering the bee attack a few weeks ago that killed their father and to now see See No’s offspring was a happy tearful moment.  It’s a comforting feeling to see See No’s legacy continue on the farm, it makes his death a little easier to accept….and the babies, they are so cute….they look just like their daddy.

Don’t forget about the Westbrook Farmers Market this Sunday from 7 a.m. to noon.  Click onto the above tab directions to the market  and scroll down to a market location nearest you.  Below is the veggie list:

• Potatoes
• Swiss Chard
• Kale
• Broccoli
• Beets
• Onions
• Carrots
• Red and Green Cabbage
• Frozen whole chickens-farm stand only
• maybe a surprise or two at the farm stand
• Come on out and see the baby turkeys, they are really cool!
• And don’t forget, Andrea owner of Frugally Sustainable will be at The Farm in Tonopah on Saturday and Sunday at the Stock Shop Market in Glendale.  She has so many good things for people to use in their daily routine.  I use her laundry soap, deodorant, lip balm and more.  She has great products, all hand made by Andrea.

Sunflower blossom growing in the sunflower forest.  Can you see the small beneficial bee on the flower?

Hi there!  I’m a chunk of land in Arizona.  Before Arizona became a state, (by the way, happy birthday Arizona), before anybody stepped on me and before any fence line built, I was here.  I was here in the beginning when all was formed; rock, salt, iron, and everything else it took to make me was whipped together by something of a super spirit. It molded me and named me soil.  Then, the rains came and all of a sudden vegetation began to sprout on me.  Things I’ve never seen before.  More plants grew, some taller than others.  Some things had legs, eyes and ears.

My imagination began working over time.  Looking at all of those things from ground level I started giving everything a name.  Creosote, Mesquite, Palo Verde, squirrel, deer and grass.  I named everything that lived, grew, or walked on me. For some reason, I always had thoughts of everything that surrounded me, grew on my top soil or drank from the pools of water that collected in low spots on my surface after a rain were needed to live together in harmony.

The above picture was taken while standing on the water tower ladder that overlooks the northwest corner of Tonopah Rob’s farm.  Up front by the lemon tree is the compost fence, behind the fence is a plot of Brussel’s Sprouts and carrots.

As the years continued into centuries, life changed.  One day I saw something walking on two legs.  It was a human and he had several others with him.  They began measuring my distance and pounding stakes into my crust.  Next thing I knew, fences were built, dividing me into big parcels.  Big parcels were then divided into smaller ones.  Structures were built to provide shelter for these two legged animals.  I could hear them talk about the plans they had for me.  One young man wanted to turn me into a RV park for his friends and family, luckily that didn’t happen.  Another couple made trails on me, bringing in small sized gravel and desert rocks creating wavy paths throughout a portion of me. I was sold several more times until one day a middle aged man appeared.  I knew he was different than those that went before him. I could feel his love and compassion for all life and he began using me to grow beautiful, natural vegetables and fruit trees.  He is a very respectful human and for that I have a deep regard for him.

I am so thankful for my owner.  I have all the faith in the world he will protect me and make the most perfect decisions for me.  If you think about it, I have many, many critters that depend on my riches; some need me to make burrows for protection from the cold and heat.  All life depends on me to be healthy, pure and natural.  Plants need me to grow strong deep roots, so strong that when the spirit blows its breeze over me they can hold on tight.

The problem with me, I cannot protect myself.  I need outside help to feed and till me, protect me from pollution.  I can’t breathe well if those two legged animals dump toxic crap onto me, leave trash on me and cultivate bad compost into me. My owner and I both share the same ideas about how to continually sustain each others values…..and by the way, I have pure well water just below the surface of my top soil and I can’t protect it without my owner. I don’t work well with those that disrespect me by tainting me with unnatural things.  I am so blessed to know my owner loves and admires me and in return I show my gratitude by growing beautiful flowers, trees and food for all to enjoy.  You too can help protect me by supporting my owner.  Buy a membership to me or come see me on a regular basis.  Show us you care by contributing to my owner.  We need your ongoing support, it helps me and him and you.

Well, I could go on and on about my owner and I will….he is so knowledgeable about plants and animals, I swear he has some sixth or seventh sense about him.  For reasons I don’t quite understand, he knows how to make everything abide by the golden rule.   My owner gave me a name; Tonopah Rob’s All Natural Fruit and Vegetable Farm.  Over the years, because time is money and burning daylight is what we do, I’ve been given a nick name.  I’m better known as Tonopah Rob’s and again since time is money, “The Farm”.

You should come on out and see me, take a free tour.  The grapevines are looking magnificent, potato plants are luscious and the tomatoes and peppers are growing like crazy.  My owner gives tours on Saturday’s from 8 to noon.  I’m a great place to visit!  You can email or call my owner for a tour or just show up, please!  We love everyone!!  I look forward to each Saturday morning.  I love to feel your footsteps and hear your laughter…..and remember without you, there would be no me. From the carrot tops to my ground water, thank you for your support.

Below is the veggie list:

• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Red and Green Cabbage
• Red Potatoes
• Assorted Onions
• TR’s Raw Honey
• Fresh Eggs
• Apricots
• Strawberries
• Beautiful Beets
• Carrots
• Spinach
• Mother’s Day Flower Bouquets
• Fresh frozen Soup and Stew whole chicken-limit 5 per house hold
• maybe Brussel’s Sprouts
• Remember this weekend is the last offering of the 1/4 share CSA membership program.  If you want more information scroll down to last week’s story.

There are NO Sunday markets this weekend, it’s Mother’s Day.  All markets reopen next weekend.  Hi Mom!  Happy Mother’s Day! Love you lots, Tonopah Robby

The above picture shows a new crop of dates growing on the farm.  Dates begin to ripen mid to late summer and these will be available on the CSA program.

It’s the first of May!  Where does the time go?  There is about ten weeks left in the 2011/12 growing season and the best is yet to come.  Melons, potatoes, beans, okra, tomatoes, cucumbers and sweet potatoes are some of the many things still growing on the farm.  That said, I have a deal for you!

Several customers have asked about joining the CSA so late in the year and this is my reply………sure I’ll take your money.  I’ve got a quarter share available for 150.00 dollars.  If you sign up, I will bonus you 10% which will give you a beginning balance of 165.00 dollars.  Such a deal.  You can use your quarter share membership at any location Tonopah Rob sells his wares.  Keep in mind if you don’t use your up your balance by the last selling weekend, you lose your money.  It does not roll over the following season.  If you decide to renew you can only upgrade your share.  Next available share size is the half share at 250.00 dollars.

If you were thinking about a CSA, now is a good time to try my “come when you want and shop what want” membership program.  I have the best home grown produce in the valley.  No one can top my all natural fruit, raw honey, vegetables and eggs.  You get what you pay for.  All, I mean ALL produce, honey, eggs, fresh cut flowers, turkey and chicken on my tables are grown on my farm.  I don’t bring anything in from California Organic suppliers, or Mexico or sell something from another farmer who by the way might not grow all naturally and who thinks Miracle Grow is an ok fertilizer, not!!  I sell what I grow!!

So, get out your pen and checkbook, make a copy of the CSA contract by clicking onto the above tab, fill out the contract and write down a 1/4 share and send it in with your check or come see me at the farm or at a market location.  You better hurry, the quarter share CSA membership sale expires May 13th, 2012.  For Mother’s Day purchase mom or grandma a CSA of veggies, she’ll love it.  Buy your gal, girlfriend, wife or neighbor a special CSA membership or just do it because you want to support my farm and get great veggies and eggs.  Call or email me at 623 386 3033 or tonopahrob@gmail.com .   Below is the veggie list:

• Assorted Purple and White Cauliflower
• Broccoli
• Red and Green Cabbage
• Fresh Raw Honey
• Fresh Eggs
• Strawberries-farm stand only
• Potatoes
• Onions
• Spinach
• Kale
• Chard
• Fresh Cut Flowers
• Carrots
• Baby Beets
• maybe a surprise or two
• And Andrea, owner of Frugally Sustainable will be at the farm stand selling her awesome all natural wares.

The above picture is of Saddle Mountain.  I see this majestic mountain every Saturday morning at the farm stand.  Isn’t she beautiful!

The bold and bright sunrise shining its brilliant light rays on Saddle Mountain as I stage the farm stand for the Saturday morning market is a breathtaking event.  A very peaceful place to be at in life.  Right there in the pre-dawn minutes just before the dark part of the night gives up its hold. Watching the sun rise and shine onto Saddle Mountain is a head shaking, verbalizing many a “wow’s” experience.   I love to set up the vegetable tables and take momentary glances at her and her range of sisters; thinking about the healthy population of Big Horn Sheep calling Saddle Mountain home is mind boggling to me…..In Arizona?!! Big …Horn… Sheep!  WOW!!!

As the sun climbs higher over the eastern horizon, it gives Saddle Mountain a real light show.  Midnight Purple, More Midnight Blue and Strawberry Jam Red are a few of the colors that illuminate the horn of the saddle.  The tender hues portray the mountain as a kind and peaceful landmark, but to those whom have been to the monument know its terrain is rugged and treacherous.  It was perfectly built for Big Horn Sheep.

Relishing a moment, anticipating excitement for the day, visualizing hundreds of friendly smiles I will see at the farm in another hour or so and listening to all of the different birds chirping with enthusiasm as the new day begins is an emotional high, when!  All of a sudden…..silence!  Complete and utter silence!!

Right after the break of dawn a hawk appears, soaring tiny circles at a low level altitude over the south part of the farm catches the turkeys attention and as their heads alarmingly tilt toward the sky they loudly gobble a warning call.  Almost simultaneously the roosters bellow out their ”run for cover call”. The turkeys and chickens scramble for shelter, bumping into one another and for those that were late adhering to the call because they needed a few more bites from the morning feeding, they just stop and freeze, then the farm goes motionless.  Five seconds later, a dark feathered yellow legged hawk flies into the yard at nearly the speed of sound.  The raptor maneuvers with perfect precision in between the branches of the blooming red and pink oleanders. While holding my breath I hear three, no four high pitched squeaky mouse like chirps echoing throughout the muffled farm…a sparrow was captured!  Seconds later, the yellow legged hawk flies out from the bushes with a successful catch in its talons……..I just witnessed another National Geographic moment.  The things I see on the farm…..wildlife at its best!  What a really cool start to a Saturday morning market…..it’s gonna be a great day!!

Then, it’s show time.  The gate is opened and the crowd thickens.   By nine o’clock  in the morning people are waiting in line to pay for their wares. It’s a serene place to come and get beautiful all natural veggies.  Customers joyfully sharing recipes as they admire the purple cauliflower and white cauliflower.  Broccoli crowns nearly the size of a volleyball!  The sweetest strawberries……and the people! They are so excited to be at the farm.  Compliments, lots of compliments were given for the amazing and most beautiful produce ever seen grown on the farm.

It’s been a perfect year, (so far) for a wonderful growing season.  So many things have come together at the right time this season; the right amount of freeze, perfect soil conditions, and it helps a lot when Mother Nature has been in the Bahamas all winter long.  Now if she would only vacation in Idaho for the summer…..

That was how I spent my early Saturday morning………..it was a great day in the neighborhood.  Come on out for a peaceful hour on the farm, buy some veggies and eggs, and have a sit on the picnic tables and watch the farm in action.  You might even see a Praying Mantis egg case hatch….now that’s a sight to see.

It’s strawberry season on the farm and they are so sweet!!!  Below is the veggie list.

Please remember the land deal deadline for you is April 30th, 2012.  Have your contribution along with your contract to me on or before April 30th, thank you.

• Raw Honey-farm stand only
• Yellow Sweet Green Onions
• Baby Red Cabbage
• Green Cabbage
• Assorted Colorful Cauliflower
• Broccoli and Broccoli Florets
• Strawberries
• Swiss Chard
• Sweet Kale
• Heirloom Spinach
• Sweet Carrots
• Fresh Eggs
• maybe potatoes; red creamers
• maybe a surprise or two
• Don’t forget that Andrea, owner of Frugally Sustainable will be at the farm stand selling her fantastic all natural products. 

The above picture is of the second half of the new farm land deal Tonopah Rob wants to purchase and farm all naturally.  A future citrus grove, date trees and maybe some type of stone fruit grove will soon be planted to help provide the east side a wind break. Also, a small group of  bee hives to help the crops and harvest raw honey will be added as well.  This is a great way to help protect honey bees, expand an all natural fruit and vegetable farm and it’s JUST the right thing to do for many a healthy reason.

Okay folks, I need more help.  Part two of the land deal is ready to begin.  I just found out May 2, 2012 is the closing date.  With this in mind, I once again want to offer my super duper CSA program.

Now is the time for those that contemplated last time and for those new to my endeavor give to the farm.  I’m buying more land and need financial help.  For those that contribute 1000.00 dollars will receive a super duper CSA membership and a five hundred dollar bonus credit towards your revolving, no expiration date account.

Another 10 to 15 super duper shares are needed to help fund my land expansion deal.  You can click onto the above tab CSA Information and CSA Contract for more details.  So please, do it for the farm and hurry, May 2 isn’t too far away.

This picture is of Tonopah Rob’s Italian Honey Bee hives. 

If you have seen the movie Food Inc., Knives Over Forks or have read the Omnivores Dilemma then you know how important it is to support local farmers.  If you have not heard of these movies or book then I encourage you to investigate these sources.  So, please give to the farm.

There are many ways to help the farm.  You can come over to the farm and buy veggies, now!  You can go to any of the Tonopah Rob’s market locations and buy veggies, now!  And then, you can come back again and buy more veggies.  You can purchase a full super duper share or split it up to four ways and all of you will receive a one hundred and twenty five dollar bonus.  Your two hundred and fifty original dollars expands to 375.00 dollars.  Your 500.00 dollar contribution buys you 750.00 smack-oles and your 1000.00 dollars buys you a whopping 1500.00 buckaroos of fruit and vegetables at any location you want to shop.  If you don’t want to join a CSA, send in a one time or more donation.  Every dollar counts! Remember, now is the time for all good men and women, teenagers, kids, young adults, middle aged hippies, yuppies, vegans and vegetarians, smart alecks and know-it-alls, and everyone I didn’t mention to come to the aid of the farm.  Help preserve, protect and grow the farm.  Become an agricultural specialist!  Participate in the expansion of the farm………..and really, it’s a no brainer, this is a great deal.  You are receiving a fantastic gift and a lot of it for your donation.  You can spend your account dollars on raw honey, fresh (seasonal) cut flowers, fruit and vegetables. Come join or visit the seasonal flavors of the farm and know where and how your food is grown in the wild desert of Arizona.

If you are interested please email me or call me at 623 386 3033.  Thank you.

Below is the veggie list:

• Broccoli
• Kaleidoscope Carrots
• Purple and White Cauliflower
• Yellow Sweet Green Onions
• Sweet Kale
• Swiss Chard
• Heirloom Spinach Mix
• Fresh Eggs
• Green Cabbage
• Assorted Beets
• Strawberries-farm stand only
• Artichokes
• and if all goes as planned, the first pull of honey will be available.

• Broccoli Crowns
• Purple Cauliflower
• White Cauliflower
• Green Cabbage
• Russian Kale
• Kaleidoscope Carrot Bunches
• Green Super Sweet Onions
• Heirloom Spinach Mix
• Fresh Eggs-maybe Turkey Eggs
• Swiss Chard
• Rosemary Sprigs
• Red and Green Leaf Lettuce
• Strawberries-farm stand only
• maybe a surprise or two

This is a picture of Hear No the Turkey two weeks after the bee attack.

Hi folks!  It’s me, Hear No the turkey. I live on Tonopah Rob’s farm.  Tonopah Rob told me about all of the nice emails and letters that were sent to me. For those of you who don’t know me, I am the turkey that was bombarded by the bees two weeks ago.  It was a very frightful and very unexpected event that happened to me.  I can say I have lived through what could have been a horrible fatal attack by bees.  I only wish my best friend See No could say the same.

First of all, I want to say to Tonopah Rob……it’s okay and I don’t blame you for the bee attack. I live around the same bees and never ever before have they attacked any of us birds. It wasn’t anybody’s fault and with that being said, I want to thank you for saving my life.  I feel very, very fortunate that you rescued me from the bees. I know you need the bees to help the farm and I wish I could speak bee talk and tell them to leave us alone when Tonopah Rob pulls honey or tries to help, but I can’t talk their talk.  Anyway………

I was minding my own business as was See No and the others, when all of a sudden a bee landed on my head next to my left eye and stung me.  I tried to shake it off and tried rubbing my head on my left wing but the darn bee wouldn’t let go.  Next thing I knew I had five or six more bees buzzing around and they too landed on my head and stung me.  I was beginning to get scared and as I was trying to escape is when I saw See No under attack by hundreds if not thousands of bees.  I ran over to try and help him but he was in a panic.  He was running all crazy like and bumping into things.  Next thing I knew my whole head was covered with bees as was See No’s.  We both ran and ran around shaking our heads, flapping our wings and trying to scratch the bees off with our feet but nothing was working.

We both began to gobble, and gobbled loudly, trying to get TR’s attention. I turned around and  saw Tonopah Rob running towards me and I was so scared I ran from TR.  See No, he’s a slow poke.  As long as I have known him, he’s always had a trick knee,  he from the get go has never been able to run very good or very fast and the way he runs is sort of funny to watch. (I would never tell See No that he ran funny). His big ol’ double breast and fat thighs along with that trick knee of his takes a lot of everything to move it all in the same direction…. Anyhoo.  Tonopah Rob was calling out our names and See No stopped and turned around and Rob caught my buddy and began wiping bees from his head, thank goodness he was wearing his thick white leather bee gloves.  Next thing I knew, I saw Rob pick up See No and run for the garage.  After a few quick sprints and stopping to wipe off  bees from See No’s head, Rob made it to the garage.  (All fifty five and a half pounds of See No Turkey in Tonopah Rob’s big strong arms running in his bee suit was a very scary thing to witness. I could see bees chasing Rob and trying to buzz at See No. I couldn’t believe how angry those bees were……and Rob, he just knew what to do……he was amazing!!).

It wasn’t more than a second or two later when Rob came running back for me.  I was petrified and it didn’t help matters much to see Tonopah Rob in his bee suit looking like a marshmallow monster running for me.  I continued to hear TR calling my name but I didn’t know what to do, I’m a turkey so I kept running.  By the time TR caught up to me my head was covered in bees.  Exhausted from running, I finally collapsed to the ground in front of the chicken coop and Rob picked me up and ran like the wind.  He sat me down a few times trying to wipe the stinging bees from my head and neck, it helped but more kept coming.  Finally, both Rob and I made it to the safety of the garage.  I was barely inside the garage and the door was slammed shut.  Rob took off after the other guys.  While I was in the garage with See No, I tried to help him out but he was in real bad shape. He was shaking so bad and the fright I saw in his eyes……scared me even more.

What seemed like hours was only seconds and Rob returned again with Little Tom.  LT was stung and really shaken up.  I think his immaturity got the best of him.  He sort of freaked out but after a few minutes he realized he was no longer in danger and began to calm down. He didn’t like the garage at all.  After I attended to See No, I hobbled over to LT.  I assured him the shop is a safe place and he could settle down and relax. (Me and See No, we went everywhere with Tonopah Rob. The garage was not scary to us. We’ve wandered in there before when Rob was assembling new bee hive boxes, figure that one out, eh?)

I turned and looked at See No and he began to go into convulsions, luckily Rob was there to help my friend when all of a sudden Rob looked like he had an idea, he ran out of the shop and was back in less than a minute.  He had some sort of pills or something in his hand and he gave all of us some nasty tasting liquid stuff.  I just swallowed what he gave me but See No was not taking his portion and began convulsing again.  Finally, Rob was able to get some medicine down See No’s throat.  It seemed to instantly help him and See No began to calm down.  I don’t remember me hitting the floor and shaking uncontrollably but that’s what TR said. He had to lift my head up because my neck muscles were numb. He laid my head on a stack of folded towels. The bee venom was just too much for me.  My neck and head was throbbing with pain.  Rob gave me more icky stuff and after a few more minutes he left us alone to regain our composure and rest.

Just before nightfall, Rob came into the shop and I sensed things had subsided so we were all taken back to our homes.  The first night, it was awful.  The pain was immense.  See No he just moaned and groaned all night.  His breathing was sporadic and at times he began shaking and fell over onto his side.  I knew I had to prop him up or he would die so I sat next to him all night keeping him front and centered.  I tried all night to help him from going into shock and by day break I knew he wasn’t going to make it.  I think it was at that point I began tearing up and thinking of the “way back when’s”. We were best friends, have been since the day we hatched.  It was so sad to watch my friend die.  I tried to cry but my eyes were swollen and my throat hurt so bad from the stings, so just moaned and moaned for him.  All the while, I kept reminiscing over and over all of the good times we had together. It’s really weird how one minute we were stomping and strutting for the ladies and the next minute we were running for our lives.

Every day on the farm was a good day for the both of us. We really had a good life.  We ate all naturally, drank the finest well water, lounged around and took many a siesta.  Feeling the morning sun on the nape of our necks, smelling the wonderful bouquet of the blooming citrus trees and just living  a good life day in and day out was all that any tom could ask for; and then reality sat in and it was at that point, I realized I had to be strong for See No and myself. I didn’t want See No’s death to be a waste. I wasn’t going to let those bees get me too. I had to fight!  Day after day I could feel myself getting better.  Tonopah Rob made many a visit to my home trying to help me eat and drink.  My throat was so swollen, I couldn’t eat but he didn’t know that.  He would carry me to the water bowl and help me drink but that was all that I could do.  Five days with no food and just barely a little water was all that I could handle.  By the sixth day, although very weak, I stood up and walked a few steps to the water bowl.  I made it to the feed tray and took a few bites, then I had to lay down and rest.  By the seventh, maybe eighth day I felt a little better and ate more.  By the tenth day I was up eating , drinking and walking farther, I was getting stronger.

Now, two weeks later I’m finally feeling better.  Saturday I walked down to the farm stand to say hi to everyone and thank them for their kind words and prayers.  It was great to see all of my friends and onlookers. I so much have appreciated the kindness and love from everyone and I’m so thankful for that.  I’m also thankful for Rob.  If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be here today.  So, from all of us which includes See No and the others thank you for caring.  I know we are only turkey’s but we sure are grateful for the farm and you, Rob!

What a beautiful sight.  Italia Violetta Purple Artichokes grown on the farm and will be available this Easter Saturday at the Farm Stand.

• All Sunday market locations will be closed in observance for the Easter Holiday.  The Farm Stand in Tonopah will be open for business on Saturday from 8 to noon.
• Tonopah Rob’s Easter Egg Sale is this week only.  5.00/doz. or 3/13.00 or 5/20.00
• BELOW IS THE VEGGIE LIST:

• Broccoli
• White Cauliflower
• Carrots
• Onions
• Fresh Eggs, maybe Turkey eggs too!
• Green Garlic
• Green Cabbage
• Spinach
• Assorted Head Lettuce
• Purple Cauliflower
• Strawberries
• Asparagus
• Artichokes
• Swiss Chard
• Sweet Kale
• maybe a few surprises
• Frugally Sustainable, Andrea Muse will be at the farm stand selling her awesome home products, teas and other great products.

Isn’t she a beaut!!?  Red Iceberg Lettuce.  One of over 80 different types of lettuce grown on the farm. 

Spring has sprung and now is the time for all good and not so good animals to come out of hibernation. It’s also the time to plant a garden too.  Every year the possibility of eating a favorite squash or those heirloom tomatoes that keep the gardener motivated throughout the growing season until something happens that devastates the gardeners morale.  That’s right!  It only takes one critter to eat a hole through that one and only tomato hanging so perfectly on the vine.  Waiting 80 days for the Black Russian Prince to ripen and all of a sudden the day before it’s decided to pick the mouthwatering beauty, the trip to the garden finds the tomato missing.  What the…….?  It’s gone! It was just there 8 hours ago and now it’s nowhere to be found.

Dark Red Lollo Rossa Leaf Lettuce.  It’s this week’s must try item.  It’s great on sandwiches.

A quick and desperate look around the yard spots something moving, it’s a ground squirrel.  It’s perched on its hind legs, holding in its front paws the one and only tomato that has been so proudly hanging and ripening on the vine for months and now has become food for that cute, little, adorable rat!!  I know the words you want to say by heart……..believe me, I have been there!  I have watched over and over again those adorable little rodents ruin my tomato plot.  “How do you get rid of them asked one customer? I’ve tried everything and nothing seems to work so this time I thought of using some D-Con poison.”  My eyes rolled back into my skull and I just cringed with disbelief.  I asked the guy if he understood using poison to kill a rat will also kill other animals.

“What do you mean, he asked?”  I said, you will kill the rat but you will kill innocent animals too.  Once the poison is used, there is no control over what will happen after that.  The sick squirrel that is barely alive searching for water catches the eye of an owl.  The owl swoops down and picks up the squirrel, takes it back to feed all of its babies has now infected all of them, the mom and even the male if he eats from the carcass will all die from the poison, it’s  a needless and senseless death.  If the infected rodent is caught by your favorite kitty of thirteen years and eats the rat, the cat will die.  Poison is not just for one animal.  There is a food chain of beautiful animals that does not deserve the poison. The poison infected rat is eaten by the cat, the cat dies and then a vulture eats the toxic cat and the vulture dies.  The coyote eats the vulture and the coyote dies. The food chain becomes a death chain.   In fact, poison of all kinds should be outlawed. It should be outlawed for ranchers and farmers to use any type of poison.  They are killing a multitude of animals from hawks and owls to coyotes and cats.

Here’s my solution.  Don’t use poisons of any kind.  Some of the lawn and garden centers have live traps.  My farm has invested in a number of “Have-a-Heart” live traps.  Last year I trapped over 1000 ground squirrels.  I used to relocate the squirrels and that turned out to be a mistake.  More entered the farm and the others came back.  It was a nightmare.  Live trapping is the safest way to trap.   It’s the most effective way to rid the farm of a devastating pest and there are no chemical poisons to worry about.  Peanut butter, a saltine cracker and a Have-a-Heart trap works wonders.

Please be responsible for your actions.  Think twice before using a poison.

Below is the veggie list:

• Beautiful Broccoli Crowns
• Cauliflower
• Onions
• Assorted Beets
• Purple Top Turnips
• Green Romaine
• Dark Red Lolla Rossa Leaf Lettuce
• Heirloom Spinach
• Sweet Kale
• Swiss Chard
• Fresh Chicken and Turkey Eggs
• Green Cabbage
• Strawberries-farm stand only
• Green Garlic
• Kaleidoscope Sweet Carrot Mix
• maybe a surprise or two

The above picture shows See No in front and Hear No in the middle.

Last week I had time to tend to my bee hives.  I knew the desert would soon be in bloom and the citrus trees too. To prevent the bees from swarming early due to lack of space in their hive, I added more boxes to each colony and by taking out a few brood frames and replacing them with new ones would give them more room to grow. When I purchased the hives late last year I was told they were the non aggressive European Honey Bees and with that in mind, I wasn’t too worried about their aggression.

I was ready to take off my bee suit when I noticed the male turkeys were acting strange.  They were running all over the front yard shaking their heads and stumbling into things.  I went over to see what was going on and the closer I got I saw the toms were trying to fight off bees.  Still in my bee suit, I ran after the toms awkwardly trying to catch one by one.  The bees had swarmed the heads of the toms.  Hundreds if not thousands of bees were attacking all of the male turkeys.  There were so many stinging bees I couldn’t see the coloring on their heads.  Hear No and See No were being attacked the most. The three younger males had a few stings but not like the two higher ranking toms.

Another picture of See No and Hear No.  They were always together protecting the farm. 

My heart was beating so fast and I was becoming scared for the birds.  Thoughts were racing through my head……what should I do? How can I help save these iconic members of my farm from dying?  I caught one by one and tried to wipe the bees off with my thick white leather gloves.  It seemed to have helped but more kept coming in for the kill. I decided to pick up each tom and run like you know what.   After a quick sprint, I sat See No down and wiped his head again and again.  I picked him up and ran another quick sprint.  Sat him down and wiped its head again. I wasn’t going to put the toms in my house so I ran for the garage.  After twenty minutes of quick sprints and running with 50 pounds of turkey in my arms I finally (so I thought) had all of them safely protected.  A quick count came up missing one tom-Romeo.  He somehow was able to get away from the bees by hiding in the oleanders, so I left him there.

A few minutes later I went into the garage to check on Hear No and See No.  They are the oldest, most majestic and most beautiful toms on the farm.  The three year old toms were beginning to go into a shock type convulsion.  See No’s head and neck were so severely bitten and bloodied by the stings; he got it the worst.  It took me thirty minutes or so to pull him out of shock.  I had to support his head and neck.  His nervous system was severely attacked by the bee venom.  Hear No just collapsed and began squirming on the floor.  I remembered I had some Benadryl so I ran into the house grabbed the medicine and ran back and gave each tom a squirt….it seemed to  have helped.

I left them alone to calm down.  About one hour passed so I decided to check on the guys.  See No was really in bad shape.  His head was swollen twice the size and his beautiful blueish and red head was so pale.  His eyes were nearly swollen shut.  Hear No’s left eye was swollen shut and his head was blackened by the stings.  The pain they were going through was gut wrenching.  A few hours before they were prancing around the farm impressing the hens with gobbles and fancy foot stomps and now they were nearly dead.  As evening approached the bees calmed down and retreated to their hives so I let the toms out and put them back into their pens.

The next morning See No was nearly dead. I knew I couldn’t do anything more for him so I decided to put him down.  Hear No was showing signs of success.  Four days later he began to stand up and drink water and on the sixth day he decided to eat a little food.  His recovery is going quite well but I can tell it’s going to take several weeks before he is back to normal, if he ever can get back to normal.  It looks like he has had some motor skill damage but his once blackened and bruised head is now showing a little more color.  His will for survival is his strength.  He has lost is rank amongst the young toms and now sits quietly away from the flock.  I’m sure he is also missing his best friend See No.  It was an awful experience.  I wouldn’t wish a bee attack on my worst enemy, not that I have any enemies.

As for the younger males, they’re fine.  As for me, I will miss See No.  He was a gentle giant and so handsome to all of the lady hens. Every Saturday when the farm was open the regal tom and his entourage came down to the farm stand to greet the customers, pose for pictures and loved to be petted. They followed me all around the farm, especially when I gave a farm tour.  Sometimes it made a few of the visitors a little nervous, I think it was their size but they never ever caused any harm.  They just wanted to be apart of everything the farm offered. I’m so sorry this happened. Next time I will take the appropriate precautions before I enter any hive.

• On another note.  I’m not going to publish a veggie list this weekend.  The wild weather and rain has kept me out of the plots……it’s too muddy so the daily farm inspection has been put on hold.  Just know the farm is full of veggies.  If you want an idea of what we will have scroll down to last week’s entry.  All market locations will be open this weekend so come on over and indulge in the farm’s bounty.  You can click on the above tab directions to the markets and find a location nearest you.

The above picture is of a Snow Ball Cauliflower, one of several heirloom varieties grown on the farm.

Over the past few weeks the farm has been producing several types of heirloom cauliflower.  The heads are huge and full of flavor.  Customers have been blown away over the size, beauty and flavor of the brassica.  “It’s truly something to see, said Donna.  And the flavor is so good.  Last week I made mashed cauliflower and topped it with white cheese and gravy sauce, my kids just loved it and begged for more!”  Several others have written me emails and posted on face book about how the cauliflower is the best they have ever had.  Two of my teenage helpers said it was waaaay better than any cauliflower they have eaten from the store and it was so good they didn’t have to eat it with Ranch Dressing.  When I hear testimony from kids, believe me, I believe them!!!

Last weekend the farm allowed me and the gang to harvest 522 pounds of Cauliflower and we nearly sold it all.  People were asking questions about the size, the pink blush and the way it was cracked.  They have never seen cauliflower that way and was curious to know why it grew so funky.

This picture is of an almost ripe cauliflower, it’s just about ready to crack.

Cauliflower seen at some farmers’ markets and in box stores is not ripe.  It’s prematurely picked so it will ship better and last longer from the field to the table.  It has a bitter taste mostly because it was sprayed with a wax or gassed with a nitroneonnitrateoxideitious gaseous substance.  It’s as gross as pink slime is in meat.  Yuck!

The farm’s cauliflower is picked at the peak of ripeness.  Cauliflower should be left alone on the plant until it shows signs of cracking.  Cracking is the stage just before flowering occurs or better known to some as bolting.  The blushing pigments occur when night time temperatures freeze the sugar level, prohibiting the brix from escaping thus turns the florets a beautiful purple-pinkish color…..and the flavor is so good.

When you come to the farm, don’t leave without a few heads of cauliflower in your goody bag.  It’s a delicious addition to any meal.  With that being said, here’s the veggie list:

• Onions
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Green Cabbage
• Tangerines
• Green Garlic
• Carrots
• Assorted Turnips
• Fresh Turkey and Chicken Eggs
• Beets
• Cilantro
• Spinach
• Salad Mix
• Swiss Chard
• Sweet Kale
• a few bundles of Asparagus-farm stand only
• a few boxes of strawberries-farm stand only
• maybe a surprise or two

This Saturday my crew will be split up.  Jerry and his guys will be at the Momma’s Organic Market in Peoria and Tonopah Rob will be at the farm stand selling and giving farm tours.  Go to the above tab Directions to the Markets and scroll down to a location nearest you.  Happy St. Patrick’s Day.