2007
Many areas in Southern Ontario got very
little rain in the later part of the summer. First cut hay was very
good and we were lucky enough to get good rain towards the end of the
growing season of the potatoes. Tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers did
also very well. Freddy and Elisabeth went to the New Hamburg Farmers
Market every Saturday morning with samples of what our farm has to offer.
Linda has put the horses up for sale as she does not find time to ride
and space in the barn is getting limited with the growing cattle herd.
Spring 07
For the first time we planted a tomato
batch of about 250 plants in the field along with some peppers, beans
and cucumbers in a corner of the potato field. A flock of chicks and
ducklings roam around the farm, keeping flies under control and customers
entertained. A total of 30 calves were born and do very well on the
lush pasture. Another section of barn floor was replaced with strong
beams and blanks to make it safe to drive on with heavy machinery.
Winter 06/07
Besides the usual car and machinery repair
that’s going on every winter in the heated work shop, Fritz decided
to build his own small wind turbine out of recycle materials. Before
mounting it on a tower he is testing it at different locations around
the farm, charging batteries. Linda continues to spend a considerable
amount of time to move the Renewable Energy Cooperative, L.I.F.E.
forward and has finished her educational children's book “The
Power Quest”, the book explaining where electricity comes from in Ontario.
2006
Last year, the Laepple family made a presence at the Kitchener Market.
Below is a snapshot of the stall which featured local food products,
including beef from Laepple Organic Farm:
2005
July: A week with much needed rain gave Fritz
and Florian the chance to but together the wood fired brick bake
oven. About 20 loafs fit in and the bread, baked with our own grains
and renewable energy, taste even better than before. In the barn
three chicken surprised us with baby chicks. Hiding a nest of eggs
outside the chicken barn and sitting for three weeks with just a
little run around each morning.
June: Another very welcome volunteer arrived. This time from
Iceland, just as the weather started to get hot and ideal for making
hay. Turning hay on the old Porsche tractor for hours in boiling
heat was her pleasure. A swim in the pond back at the bush after
unloading hay was a treat for every one.
May: The cold and wet weather made it very difficult to plant
the spring grains and potatoes. The cows had almost all calves
within 4 weeks and some of the 20 calves needed guidance to stay
with their mothers. Part of the herd has moved to our second farm
down the road where they also enjoy another lush pasture and large
barn for shelter and shade.
April: Fritz went on his annual trip to Germany and came back
with Linda's sister Johanna for her first visit to Canada and Alex a
Waldorf School student, for his 6 week farm work term. Together with
Martin a S.O.I.L. apprentice and Anne our Nanny we had such a great
team Linda could actually take a few days off and show her sister
the beauty of northern parts of Ontario.
March: The new stone grind flour mill was
fitted with the right motors and we are delighted with the quality
of the fine whole grain flour as well as the sifted white flour and
bran. Now we can custom grinned our organic grain fresh every day.
February: The motor of one tractor got rebuilt in a joint
effort by Fritz and his sons. Long due renovations in the house
where finally competed.
January: Keeping the house warm, the barn from freezing and
the shop just at the right temperature is an ongoing chore all
winter. Feeding the cattle and keeping all creatures happy keeps us
and the kids busy.
2004
December - As we winterize our barn, do more renovating
at the new property, we would like to send a big thank you to all
the volunteers and woofers form Canada, Germany, Japan and Korea who
helped us with the many little chores and big jobs in the past year.
A very special thank you to all our customers for your patronage.
With out you, we wouldn’t be able to that let us do the things the
way we do.
Worried about coming to the farm in Winter ? Call ahead for driving
conditions and we also deliver every Saturday around noon to the KW
area.
Send me your thoughts: about this web page in general, a
renewable energy co-op for the KW area and the Adopt An Acre
concept.
Coming soon: Wood fired brick bread baking oven and flour mill.
November - It was a good year for growing
apples. Every week we picked at an unsprayed orchard and had cider
and apple butter made to last till the next season.
There was a good demand for fire wood and Fritz and the boys took
down many dead trees in the bush next to the highway.
October - Our growing cattle herd, we had 20
calf born in the spring and summer, enjoyed the temporary pastures
on the different hay fields till the beginning of December. The 4
Highland calf ventured all around the property looking for the best
grasses till the snow came.
September - Potato harvest took three weeks under dry
weather conditions. Like every year our children along with
volunteers worked after school till dark every afternoon on the
harvester. In the morning the potatoes got graded and the wagons
reloaded with empty grates for the next round. The yield was average
and about one of the twenty acres was too wet to harvest. There was
no time to pick up the potatoes that have been falling from the
harvester, some customers took the opportunity to some free
potatoes, but we hope to have more people out next year. It is a
shame to see food going to waste that could feed many families. The
catch is, they should get picked up right away or they might get
under the wheels when the next rows are harvested. Also after 3 days
in the sunlight, potatoes turn green and are not eatable any more.
August - The Potatofest gave us the opportunity to
thank our customers, neighbors and friends for all the support we
received in getting started as an organic food producer in this
area. This year we offered an organic dinner with home grown beef
and potatoes, and a salad bar with products locally grown by
Pfennings in Baden. Pear Tree Catering from Mannheim did a excellent
job in preparation of salads and roast beef and serving.
Renovations at the former Hallmann farm got underway. There where
plenty of old spruce trees to supply the needed lumber, with the
help of a mobile saw, to put new boards on the front of the main
barn.
At home the wheat and rye was safely harvested between the rain.
July - The visit of a friend had the result that there is
a another farm property for us to look after with Fritz as a
shareholder. 1812 Bleams Rd. a landmark in need of renovation.
June - We finally have our solar hot water system up and
running. We like to share our experience with anyone interested.
May - Both a philly and highland calf were born on the
farm this month. They are both healthy and doing great.
For additional information and produce, please contact:
Laepple Organic Farm
Fritz & Linda Laepple
Phone (519) 634 1033 E-mail; laepple@golden.net
