Farm & Home 2018

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Trosly Farm gets its plants started in a smaller, heated greenhouse before transplanting them to their larger houses to mature. Photo by Carl Blankenship

Early planting grows business success

BY CARL BLANKENSHIP

ELK PARK — Kaci and Amos Nidiffer are not living the life you would expect for a couple who have art and humanities degrees.

For the past four years, the Nidiffers have been working their own farm full-time.

Their farming operation is on a homestead in Avery County’s Elk Park, which they have had for about a decade.

Amos said they have been farming there since they arrived. The Nidiffers were interested in food and the process of farming before stepping foot on the homestead.

The farm produces a variety of produce, kale, swiss chard, heirloom cherry tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, zucchini and

more. They also sell bread baked in the European style, something Amos picked up an affinity for after a stint in Europe, Kaci’s handmade chocolates, herbs and spices, and flower bouquets. They also sell some meats from livestock they raise, though Amos noted they have been focusing more on their produce operation.

The farm primarily generates their produce in greenhouses. They start their plants in a smaller, heated nursery greenhouse before transplanting them to a pair of larger, unheated greenhouses to mature.

This method allows them to start growing seasons early and extend them as well.

They planted a recent batch of tomatoes in February. The method also allows them to maximize their production in limited

The Nidiffers bake their own fresh bread for purchase at their Elk Park-area farm.

Photo courtesy Kaci and Amos Nidiffer

2 FARM & HOME | APRIL 25-26, 2018

A supplement to Ashe Post & Times, Avery Journal-Times, and Mountain Times

space. As soon as one crop is harvested they can transplant another.

The Nidiffers focus heavily on building quality soil content. They do not till soil, rather they use a tool that breaks the surface layer and moves the soil slightly. They also compose and rotate crops to optimize their soil health Amos mentioned that while they are not certified organic, they meet or exceed standards for that classification. Their website has a statement on the use of toxic chemicals in organic farming that can hurt pollinators and other insects as well as sustainability issues related to organic farming. They describe their practices as “Beyond Organic” or “Organic 2.0.”

If you want to get your hands on some of Trosly’s goods you have a couple of options. They run a store on their website that sells some of their products, but for those interested in a consistent supply of produce from their stock, the farm runs a produce club that you can subscribe to which will supply you with fresh

veggies each week. The program runs from April to November and each weekly supply includes seasonal produce that varies depending on the time of year, usually including herbs and fresh bread. The boxes can be picked up at the farm and a handful of pickup locations.

“More and more people find out about what we’re doing every year,” Amos said. “And they’re really enthusiastic and want to support us and also appreciate what we’re doing.”

Amos also said the success of the farm is proof that people in the area are interested in eating better and supporting small business.

The name Trosly is inspired by a small town in France inhabited by one of the Nidiffer’s personal heroes, Jean Vanier.

Vanier is a Canadian who founded L’Arche, a federation of communities that encourage living together with others with disabilities and creating networks for people with disabilities.

If you would like to learn more about Trosly Farm, visit their website at https://www.troslyfarm.com/.

Kaci Nidiffer makes popular custom chocolates sold at Trosly Farm.

Photo courtesy Kaci and Amos Nidiffer

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APRIL 25-26, 2018 | FARM & HOME 3

Maximizing a short growing season in cooler weather

BY KAYLA LASURE

Mountain farmers and at-home gardeners can take steps to maximize their growing season even if experiencing cooler weather and a shorter growing season.

On average, the last spring frost occurs in mid-May, and the first fall frost usually happens around mid-October to early November, said Richard Boylan, alternative agriculture agent for the Watauga and Ashe Cooperative Extension.

Half hardy, or cold weather crops such as salad greens, are what Boylan recommends for those who want to start gardening before the last frost.

“As early as March, people are planting fava beans, garden peas, and sugar snap peas,” Boylan said. “Moving on into April, you can start planting out broccoli, collards, spinach and kale.”

Half hardy crops won’t survive a hard freeze but can withstand some frost and temperatures that dip into the 20s, Boylan said. Crops such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplants are cold sensitive and will die once the temperature goes below 32 degrees and even will struggle in the 40-degree range.

Greenhouses and hoop houses protect against frost and temperature damage to crops but can be quite expensive, Boylan said. To protect outdoor crops from cold temps, Boylan advised

4 FARM & HOME | APRIL 25-26, 2018

using a dark plastic or synthetic material — such as Agribon or Reemay — to stretch over the top of crops. Boylan said it could be as simple as wire stretched into half circles over the crop, with the non-woven fabric over the crops and weighted down on the edges. This will provide 10 to 15 degrees more heat for the plants.

“Some people are using what they call caterpillar tunnels, which are essentially an inch and a quarter PVC pipe every 10 or 12 feet with greenhouse plastic stretched over it,” Boylan said. “Those hoops are tall enough to walk under and you might have two or three planting beds inside of it.”

Other gardeners in the area choose to start growing plants inside on windowsills or in a seed starting structure with indoor lights, Boylan says. This allows the gardener to start the plants two or three weeks early and then transplant the crops outside when the weather warms up.

However, Carol Coulter, executive director of Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, said some crops don’t transfer well and grow better when directly seeded. This is the case with crops such as squash, cucumber and okra. Some local growers in the past have kept heaters in their greenhouses over the winter and were able to harvest tomatoes through the colder months, Coulter

said. However, she warned, this could get quite expensive.

Coulter said gardeners can get an early start on the season by planning ahead. For those just starting to garden, she recommends starting off simple with a small number of crops. Looking through a seed catalog can help a gardener decide what varieties of plant they want to grow and will indicate how many days the crop takes to mature.

“I would be looking for the short season ones: things that come in 50 to 72 days as opposed to things that take 120,” Coulter said. “Peppers take a really long time, tomatoes come in a little sooner and cucumbers and squash are pretty fast.”

Boylan and Coulter both urged gardeners to plan ahead for irrigation needs in case they run into a dry growing season.

“Whether it’s just a hose and hand watering, a sprinkler or drip irrigation,” Boylan said, “you can certainly push your garden along and accelerate the ripening of crops with good consistent water.”

Tending to a garden takes a lot of attention and effort, Coulter said. It requires weeding, watering, and being really involved with the growing process. However, she says, “Being able to eat what you’ve grown, to me, it’s very rewarding.”

A supplement to Ashe Post & Times, Avery Journal-Times, and Mountain Times

High Country Food Hub turns one year old

BY MARY GRAY

“Eat fresh, eat local” is a food trend that is promoted nationwide. In Watauga County, a small nonprofit has taken a step closer to providing locally grown, fresh food in the form of meats, chicken and duck eggs, baked goods, fresh vegetables and a variety of artisan goods.

It’s been one year since the High Country Food Hub opened its online doors to customers.

From the start, the High Country Food Hub has had active and financial support from elected officials in Boone and Shivonne Quintero, a regular High Country Food Hub customer, in the county and picks up her purchases at the High Country Food Hub. from the Watauga County Cooperative Extension. was able to begin setting up a home in what had The venture was started April 4, 2017, by Blue been a loading bay and storage area. The food Ridge Women in Agriculture, a nonprofit orgahub has two walk-in freezers, a large walk-in nization that formed in 2003. BRWIA started as refrigerator and plenty of shelving for items not a group of women who wanted to farm, but who needing to be refrigerated or frozen. They are had difficulty in obtaining financial help, in the also planning a root storage area in the adjoinform of loans, and the technical support they ing storage section of the Cooperative Extension needed. building.

BRWIA is working toward creating an equiIn its first year of operation, its producers table food system that protects the environment, have increased in number from eight at the start alleviates hunger and poverty and improves to around 42, while the number of customers community health. The women, along with one ordering has risen from two a week to an averman, presently on their staff have a number of age of 40 each week. Almost 250 individuals and skills, a breadth and depth of experience and a families have now placed one or more orders. deep commitment to sustainable development.

Shannon Carroll, the food hub coordinator, BRWIA works in Watauga, Ashe, Avery, Wilsaid that they look forward to an increase in kes, Caldwell, Alleghany, Mitchell and Yancey their customer base. counties and in Johnson County, Tenn.

To join this online local shopping, visit highIn 2016, an opportunity arose to use some countryfoodhub.localfoodmarketplace.com/Prodspace on the lower level of the Cooperative Exucts. Product pickup is normally on Wednesday tension building. The High Country Food Hub from 11:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

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Not applicable on factory-installed attachments/packages and cannot be combined with any other attachment offers. Offer excludes material-collection systems for commercial Z900 Series, Quik-Trak™ and commercial front mowers. Offer is valid at participating John Deere dealers in the U.S. 3Offers valid from March 1, 2018, through April 30, 2018. Get $300 off a new Gator XUV590M Utility Vehicle. Get $200 off a new X350 Select Series Lawn Tractor. Offer, prices and savings are in U.S. dollars and available in the U.S. only. Ask your dealer for details. *The engine horsepower and torque information are provided by the engine manufacturer to be used for comparison purposes only. Actual operating horsepower and torque will be less. Refer to the engine manufacturer’s website for additional information. **Term limited to years or hours used, whichever comes first, and varies by model. See the LIMITED WARRANTY FOR NEW JOHN DEERE TURF AND UTILITY EQUIPMENT at JOHNDEERE.COM. John Deere, the leaping deer symbol, and green and yellow trade dress are trademarks of Deere & Company.

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APRIL 25-26, 2018 | FARM & HOME 7

Lawnmower, tractor injuries a growing concern Tips to stay safe this mowing season

BY BRIAN MILLER

As is the case when operating any heavy machinery — safety is a priority.

When it comes to lawnmowers and tractors, whether you are a professional landscaper or farmer, or simply a homeowner who takes pride in maintaining a nice yard, safety is particularly important.

Each year, thousands of people suffer deep cuts, loss of fingers and toes, broken bones and burns due to improper or careless use of lawnmowers.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the energy transferred by a typical lawn mower blade is equivalent to being shot in the hand with a .357 magnum pistol. The speed of the blade can send dirt and bacteria deep into a wound, creating high risk for severe infection. In addition, a lawn mower can eject a piece of metal or wood as fast as 100 miles per hour.

As stated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2015, more than 274,000 people were treated for lawnmower-related injuries, and children younger than the age of 19 accounted for nearly 13,000 of those injuries.

In the High Country, risk for injury is even higher.

“Being in the mountains, one should always be cautious of running lawnmowers,” said Connor Hart, spokesperson for Hart Power Equipment in West Jefferson. “Always go by the owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s limitations on the unit. Extra caution should be advised for lawnmowers, as most are not designed to work on steep or unstable terrain.”

Most importantly, however, is the safety of children around tractors and lawnmowers. It is recommended that children be at least 12 years of age to operate a push mower, and 16 years of age to operate a riding mower, and a child should never ride on the back of mower their parent is operating.

The AAOS offers the following lawnmower safety tips:

MAINTAIN YOUR LAWNMOWER • Keep lawnmowers in good working order. When using a lawnmower for the first time in a season, have it serviced to ensure that it is working correctly.

• Be sure the motor is off before inspecting or repairing lawnmower equipment.

• Use a stick or broom handle (not your hands or feet) to remove debris in lawnmowers.

OPERATE YOUR LAWNMOWER PROPERLY • Read the instruction manual before using a lawnmower.

• Do not remove safety devices, shields or guards on switches.

• Add fuel before starting the engine, not when it is running or hot.

8 FARM & HOME | APRIL 25-26, 2018

Lawnmower safety is especially important in the uneven terrain of the High Country.

• Do not leave a lawnmower unattended when it is running. If you must walk away from the machine, shut off the engine.

• Stay away from the engine cowling, as it can become very hot and burn unprotected flesh.

USE CAUTION • Wear protective gloves, goggles, sturdy shoes and long pants when you use lawnmowers. Never mow barefoot, or in sandals or flip flops.

• Do not drink alcoholic beverages before operating a lawnmower.

• Avoid distractions. Do not talk on your cell phone, text or listen to music while mowing.

• Hands and feet should never be used to touch the lawnmower blade under any circumstances, even if the engine is off. If there is debris obstructing the blade, once you clear it, the blade can quickly swing around and cause serious injury.

CONSIDER THE TERRAIN • Remove stones, toys and debris from the lawn before mowing to prevent injuries from flying objects.

• Use caution when mowing hills and slopes. Mow across slopes with a push mower to avoid pulling the mower over your feet if you happen to slip. Mow up and down slopes with a riding mower to prevent the mower from tipping over. Do not cut wet grass.

A supplement to Ashe Post & Times, Avery Journal-Times, and Mountain Times

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APRIL 25-26, 2018 | FARM & HOME 9

A trend toward the past growing at Miller’s Farm Supply gy-conscious growers among us.

“You would be surprised how much nonGMO organic animal feed we sell,” said LesJust 12 miles north of Boone at the corner lie Tankersley. “People want it because they of U.S. 421 and Slabtown Road in Zionville, care about what they feed their chickens. you will find the large and busy grounds They eat the eggs, so they want their animals that make up the Miller’s Farm Supply store. on an organic diet. They also want organic Located at the base of Snake Mountain, one sprays — and we have a whole section of orof the highest peaks in Watauga County, the ganic fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides. establishment offers a wide range of prodWe sell both the conventional products and ucts for farmers, home owners and casual the organic. We get a lot of younger gardengardeners alike. ers in here and it is an awesome trend. It is Some of the diverse items offered for sale a great thing because they are passionate at Miller’s Farm Supply include seeds and about growing their own food, and knowstarter plants, tools of all kinds, hardware, Miller’s Supply offers a diversity of farming and gardening needs. ing where their food came from. Within five animal feed, plumbing, electrical, camping Photo by Derek Halsey miles of us are some big growers at various gear, lighting, signs, pet supplies, painting farms.

They even want scythes so they can weed supplies, rope and twine, nuts and bolts, fencing, border and only featured fertilizer and grass their fields and plots by hand. They want to go knives, salves, fittings, chains, gardening utenfeed at that time. For the past 40 years, Earl and back to how our grandparents did things. We try sils, corn brooms, rooster shells, canning equip- Lucille’s son David Miller has run the business ment, glues and sealers, cast iron cookware, with his wife, Terri, and daughters Leslie Tanker- to carry what people want, no matter how they kitchen goods, propane fryers, chimney sweepsley and Jennifer Miller. It was David who began do it.”

At the end of April around May 1, Miller’s ing gear, septic tanks and supplies, pipes from to add the hardware items and the wide array Farm Supply will be featuring a whole section of 4-inches to 60-inches and much more. of diverse products that are now found on the starter plants ready for planting, and on either The store was created in the 1950s by Earl store’s shelves.

May 3 or 4, the baby chicks will arrive. and Lucille Miller, although it was originally Miller’s Farm Supply has also kept up with For more information call (828) 297-4488. located along the Tennessee-North Carolina the times offering goods that cater to the ecoloBY DEREK HALSEY

Farmer’s markets One of the easiest ways to support the High Country’s farmers, growers, producers and artisans is to visit a local farmers market.

Watauga County Farmers’ Market • Saturdays May through November, 8 a.m. to noon • 591 Horn in the West Drive • Boone, NC 28607 • (828) 355-4918 • www.wataugacountyfarmersmarket.org King Street Market • Tuesdays May 15 through Oct. 30, 4-7 p.m.

• Social Services building grassy area • Poplar Grove Connector, Boone • www.brwia.org

The High Country is home to an active local farmer’s market open May through November.

Blowing Rock Farmers’ Market • Thursdays, May 24 to Oct. 11, 4-6 p.m.

• Park Avenue, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 • (828) 295-7851

Ashe County Farmers’ Market • Saturdays April 14 through Oct. 27, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Holiday markets TBA • Backstreet, West Jefferson, NC 28694 • (336) 877-5052 • ashe.county.farmers.market@gmail.com Avery County Farmers’ Market • Thursdays May 3 through September, 4-6:30 p.m.

• Old Banner Elk Elementary School, Banner Elk • info@averycountyfarmersmarket.org • facebook.com/averycountyfarmersmarket Johnson County Farmers’ Market • Saturdays May 5 through Oct. 27, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• 345 N. Shady St. • Mountain City, TN 37683 • johnsoncountyfm.org • facebook.com/pages/Johnson-County-FarmersMarket/353262790131 Compiled by Anna Oakes

10 FARM & HOME | APRIL 25-26, 2018

A supplement to Ashe Post & Times, Avery Journal-Times, and Mountain Times

Easy home renovations Spring cleaning is done, the weather is warm and people are returning to the outdoors — often discovering their houses need a little TLC. For anyone comfortable with a ladder, paint rollers and a hammer, there are a number of do-it-yourself home renovations to spruce up your house and not break the bank.

This Old House Magazine offered a number of suggestions.

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PLANT A TREE Planting an oak or elm for shade, a fruit tree for food, or an evergreen or two to act as a windblocker and a fence can spruce up the yard and block winds. This is long-term investment, but if you want reasonably quick results; research types of trees and find one that grows quickly.

TOH said an Arborvitae Green Giant, an evergreen, can grow three feet in a year. Your local nursery can point you to the right tree for your space and climate.

INSTALL A CEILING FAN OR A CHANDELIER Keep your heating and cooling costs down with a vintage-looking ceiling fan, or class up a room with fancy-looking overhead lights. You can change the look and feel of a room by dressing up the ceiling some. You can also add a ceiling medallion around a hanging light fixture. Visit a local lighting store for a wide selection of either.

PAINT YOUR FRONT DOOR Painting always takes longer than you plan, and usually ends up with

more paint in places it’s not supposed to be than you would like, so painting a room or an outdoor wall is a big undertaking. But your front door is smaller and more doable and is the first thing people see when they come in, so why not give it a facelift? Go with something vibrant and fun — red or green, perhaps — or a more traditional but warm wood color.

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FIX UP THE FLOOR New carpets and hardwood are expensive. You can, however, refinish your vinyl floor so it looks like stone tile. TOH suggested using two colors to create the stones and white paint to create lines between the stones. Finish it with coats of polyurethane to seal the surface.

BUILD A PLANTER Add a garden to your home, regardless of space. You can build an outdoor planter from wood planks, frame it, attach the sides and the bottom and line the box with plastic. These can be larger, for a backyard, or small enough to fit on windowsills. Then hit the garden store for plants to fill it.

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APRIL 25-26, 2018 | FARM & HOME 11

Square foot gardening Interested in growing vegetables, but don’t have a lot of space? Square foot gardening may be your solution. According to the Square Foot Gardening Foundation, this method, which separates a gardening box into 12-inch by 12-inch squares, with a different crop in each square, saves time, tools, water, and of course, space.

The popularity of square foot gardening is growing throughout the world, particularly in Third World countries where residents rely on home-grown food to eat but rarely have much space to plant a garden.

This inventive form of gardening was started by Mel Bartholomew, gardened as a hobby after he retired from his work as a civil engineer. It can be done on rooftops, yards and plots of all sizes, such as community gardens.

While there is some strategy to square foot gardening, it isn’t harder to grow successful square foot garden, and there are many ways in which it’s easier — little weeding, no rototilling and no heavy tools. It starts with a box, good dirt and an irrigation system.

THE BOX Square foot gardening boxes are available to buy, but you can also build your own. Use untreated wood, or only treat the outside of the box, to avoid the chemicals having contact with the soil. Brick, cement, vinyl and even recycled plastic can be used to build the box.

Put weed mat on ground beneath

the box to ensure you don’t get weeds in your garden.

THE SOIL It’s just dirt, right? Not really.

While you can garden in many types of soil, the foundation recommended equal parts coarse grade vermiculite, sphagnum peat moss and organic compost. For a 4-foot by 4-foot box, you need about one cubic yard of soil. Squash may need a little extra space as well. Tomatoes and peas will need some structure to climb up.

THE GRID Add the grid using old window blinds or wood, showing the gardener exactly how much space is available for each crop. This could also be done using twine. The most important factor is to be able to easily delineate each square.

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THE PLANTS Most backyard garden crops can also be grown in a square foot garden. If you want to grow tubers (potatoes, yams), carrots or other root vegetables, ensure your garden is deep enough that they can grow underneath the soil.

FUTURE YEARS For best success in your garden year to year, plant different crops in each square so the nutrients in the soil are spread out and not repeatedly used by the same plant.

12 FARM & HOME | APRIL 25-26, 2018

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