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Featured Article When in the dead of this winter no snow has fallen at all, we look around us and meet deep winter colors, brown frosty dry earth, naked trees and a frozen pond, mirror smooth. Yet Pleroma Farm has over the years become a magical place, not of this earth, but somewhere in between. The experience of those that stay here is just that. Magic, breathtaking and joyful it restores the weary soul and harmonizes the layers of struggles within us. Pleroma is the Greek word for the fullness of the divine and we the guardians have been able not only to sustain this energy but also to enhance it so that other people can share this paradise. About The Cows Herd lease shares for the sale of raw milk have been sold to the community since 2003. The herd is leased to the customer. The size of the share corresponds to the amount of milk the family wants to receive. The customer can ask the farmer to process milk to cream, butter, yogurt, or low fat milk during the milking season. This year our breeding effort dominates over production, resulting in the reduction of the size of our herd. The Dutch Belted cow is a striking ornamental black cow with an evenly formed white belt or sheet over her back. Our cows are 100% grass-fed animals and produce lots of sweet milk. For the farmer they are ideal, because of ease in breeding and calving. They are smaller in size, fun to work with and also make a good family cow. The milk quality is outstanding for human consumption because of the very fine curd it produces. The animal gives a 60% meat yield. The marketability is excellent. For all of these reasons and also the fact that this cow originally came from Holland, we stand behind the conservation of this beautiful breed. The breeding up program for our Dutch Belted herd has been an ongoing goal on Pleroma Farm. We hope that in 2008 we can register our first 100% calf! Imagine a family cow with papers! Our bull calves are raised on milk and produce superior milk raised veal. About the Chickens Our chickens live on bio-dynamic pastures, get organic feed and are replaced every year. The Farm has a year round egg delivery contact with two cooperatives for approx. 75 dozen eggs a week. The raising of broilers is a task for when the temperature is milder. From the little chick to the broiler state takes not more than eight weeks. The cages in which the chicks are pulled over the pastures allow for an even spread of the very fertile manure. The chickens are happy with the green grass and the abundant insects and the farm is happy with the enriched soil. The farm could deliver up to 1200 broilers a year. We have a set-up with 2 cages for chicks and 8 cages for chickens. About the Pigs Pig raising started with six piglets in the 2006 summer season. It was fun to watch these very satisfied animals slobber in the mud and do nothing else but grow and grow. Their main diet consisted of organic corn and sour skim milk, the leftover products of our cream and butter production. With the pigs being here we do not waste a thing. They become literally the trashcan for the farm. The sale of their meat and bacon was very successful and we hope to continue for 2007. About the Horse Awesome is getting older but still enjoys life every day. This handsome animal continues to give our patients and students a chore and meaningful meeting with a horse-being. Could we ride him again in the spring? About the Vegetable Garden For this coming year the ¼ acre vegetable garden needs another push towards productivity for roots, leaf and seed/flower vegetables. Our own kitchen will use these vegetables. Within a month the seeds will be ordered and the greenhouse will be the hub of activity when the new root cellar and kitchen for food preparation will be completed. Our goal is to learn food preparation canning, freezing, fermenting and root cellaring on Pleroma Farm. This will be a challenge but absolutely necessary to create the wholesomeness that attracts the guests from far and wide. Fruit trees and berry bushes also need to be planted About the Herb and Ornamental Garden Around the buildings young people have build stunning stone walls with the intention to develop herb and ornamental gardens for the guests. In these gardens they can relax or develop skills in gardening and meet nature in the beauty of flowers, birds and insects. About the Future On Pleroma Farm we strive towards self-sustainability. In the last seven years we have worked to create completeness in our food supply. The farm was created for a therapeutic impulse, an impulse where the human can meet nature, nature can meet human and in this meeting an healing can flow from one to the other. We have shared the work with guests since the year 2000, and many persons have been able to open their heart for Pleroma Farm. This is what has made the place enchanting and special. There contributions continue to be here. With the lead farmer taking a sabbatical, Pleroma Farm is creating a position for a farmer who can continue to enhance the biodynamic work on the land, work with the animals, manage the marketing of the products and can oversee the vegetable production. For further information please visit our Website, www.pleromafarm.com or contact Ana Lups, MD 518-828-1966. |