Discovering a New World: September 2008

3rd Street Apple Farm, Penrose, Colorado

On Wednesday our home school group took a field trip to a local apple farm. The group was split in half, with half the children going out to the orchard and the other half making cider. Then we switched. It made it easier for everyone to have a hands on experience.

First we choose apples to be sorted. All the "scarred" or "bad apples" were picked out to use for cider.

Making Apple Cider

First we put apples into the chopper to chop them up. Next, a wooden lid was placed on top the "barrel" and it was placed under the press.

Each child had a chance to turn the crank and watch the cider stream into the container. This was a highlight!

Kelly and friend, Abby

Out into the Orchard

This is the only apple that grew in this orchard this year. A heavy frost killed all the blossoms on 550 trees except this one.

Colorado uses flood irrigation to irrigate. These are the pipes and they open the little latches and the water flows out. They irrigate about once a month.

Mr. Lance explains importance of bees on the farm and in the life of a pumpkin. Did you know that the squash bee is a native bee to America?

After a snack of apple cider and doughnuts, each child was to pick out 3-4 apples to take home. Kelly and Annebelle are all smiles about that!

A DAY ON THE FARM WITH TORI

Tori had a summer job at a local organic farm. She loved her work and would like you to see some of what she did this summer. She learned so many new things about veggies and preparing them to fill orders or to sell.
SO climb on board, as she drives as us around the farm!!

Weeding bean plants......

Onions and garlic are stored in the hay barn....

When Tori started at the farm she had a hard time carrying the bushel baskets of veggies. She said they hurt her back. So I made her a "veggie pouch" for her to fill and then empty into the basket. It works so well her boss asked Tori to make one for her!

Gathering Eggs......

After gathering the eggs, she wipes them off and packages them. Today she gathered 42 eggs!

Potato Field......

The farm grows 5 different kinds of potatoes. Unfortunately someone planted the rows to close for the potato digger and so shovels were used all year! Tori picked up a LOT of potatoes!! Her family loved all the "rejects" with cuts or whatever reason they couldn't be sold. Yummy!

After the potatoes are washed, they are bagged and weighed. Then they are ready for Farmers Market, restaurants, or for individuals that have shares of veggies from the farm.

Kelly with her friend Aubry

The farm is a fun place for little girls to pick flowers for their mothers. Tori took these two out to the field to pick flowers. Aren't they precious?

A Little "piece" of Morocco

We had a special visitor on Sunday... a friend, Brian Smith came to visit us. We learned to know Brian while working in Morocco. It was SO VERY GOOD to reconnect with Brian and Morocco! The children especially liked showing Uncle Brian all their favorite outside play areas. Thanks Brian for taking time to visit our family!