tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71760418682016083412024-03-14T06:43:20.978-05:00McKenna Family FarmNews from the farm and some great recipes.E.J. McKennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08459181621697461575noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176041868201608341.post-86333221671567433912013-02-14T14:20:00.002-06:002013-02-14T14:20:51.071-06:00Trying something newI am trying to get ready for the spring season. The plan is to have recipes on this site. I hope to be able to organize them on the blog, then send people here from our facebook page and website. Just starting to try to figure it out, recipes coming soon.E.J. McKennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08459181621697461575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176041868201608341.post-33312849417894797882010-09-02T11:56:00.001-05:002010-09-02T11:56:37.864-05:002010Getting ready for another great year at the pumpkin patch. The produce this year has been great, hopefully that translates to a great year at the patch. Keep checking back for updates on the happenings at the pumpkin patch.E.J. McKennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08459181621697461575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176041868201608341.post-9195322409620569972009-09-09T17:43:00.002-05:002009-09-09T17:47:06.570-05:00Rain, Rain go away<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Today we started to deliver our flyers to the local schools and groups. Got a few done today, with a lot more to go to tomorrow. We are about one week behind this year, but Labor Day being late really messed up our schedule.<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Then it rained all day. A great day to hand out flyers for me, but nothing on the farm got done. We open in 10 days! We have a lot to do in those days, but it always seems to get done-somehow.</div>E.J. McKennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08459181621697461575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176041868201608341.post-51529295502896010402009-09-02T11:34:00.002-05:002009-09-02T11:38:59.565-05:00Pumpkins are looking great<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>All of our different types of pumpkins are doing great. We already have some getting close to mature. We have more varieties this year than we have ever had and they all look great. We have little pumpkins, blue pumpkins, cinderella, and red ones with warts. Our gourds are also looking great. <div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Should be a great year!</div>E.J. McKennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08459181621697461575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176041868201608341.post-13401021813570774562009-08-23T18:02:00.002-05:002009-08-23T18:04:59.540-05:001 month to go<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>We are almost here. It is time for the work to begin. We will start working on the hay ride, getting the hay maze started, and organizing all the little stuff together.<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Already getting groups to start booking, and we haven't started handing out information yet. That is a great sign of the coming season.</div>E.J. McKennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08459181621697461575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176041868201608341.post-60062666332164300922009-08-21T07:36:00.002-05:002009-08-21T07:40:27.525-05:00McKenna's Pumpkin Patch<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>We are just weeks away from the pumpkin patch opening. Getting excited about the fall, and with a pretty morning like this you would almost think is was fall. <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>We are opening this year on Sept. 19th. Admission will be $6.00 for everyone 3-65. Over 65 is $4.00, and everyone 1 or 2 is free. We have added a 2 acre corn maze for the kids, and everyone young at heart. The hay ride is also included in the admission price this year. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>We are looking forward to seeing everyone again this year.</div>E.J. McKennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08459181621697461575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176041868201608341.post-65760395812366886212009-05-26T15:25:00.002-05:002009-05-26T15:48:03.374-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZlfeJdnr1TQLB5N9stpmuFw8Ih3L5xqJvL3qTDR1vIdMrXCrnoQIiGiX5raITOyW9EjHLCpM96J-kFb7PqHgz6SoVvtNEA9ASKMr5AF0JdfXuzhuZTc8bABPYvWiLHv5yeCBRpSvFGo/s1600-h/100_0526.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZlfeJdnr1TQLB5N9stpmuFw8Ih3L5xqJvL3qTDR1vIdMrXCrnoQIiGiX5raITOyW9EjHLCpM96J-kFb7PqHgz6SoVvtNEA9ASKMr5AF0JdfXuzhuZTc8bABPYvWiLHv5yeCBRpSvFGo/s320/100_0526.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340236892686712162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqPCpqDSGE-f1pW8MJ4C8rLoUa72jxYItwaNwRS1lHW9ZwQwI0o06Mvwjg6x9Js1KuumUXNvMohhCdOHwQl7S1ai5DrIefGrcQb3GFTRXQn3h0JIBaZcvuZRr1g9BW0uFAFrSKhFCC4w/s1600-h/100_0527.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqPCpqDSGE-f1pW8MJ4C8rLoUa72jxYItwaNwRS1lHW9ZwQwI0o06Mvwjg6x9Js1KuumUXNvMohhCdOHwQl7S1ai5DrIefGrcQb3GFTRXQn3h0JIBaZcvuZRr1g9BW0uFAFrSKhFCC4w/s320/100_0527.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340232317395121154" /></a>This is our chicken tractor, and a couple of our girls. They are just a month or so from laying. We keep them in the tractor so that they always have fresh grass, we move it each day. When we open the market we will have fresh eggs every day.E.J. McKennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08459181621697461575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176041868201608341.post-61127882771191465772009-05-26T15:13:00.003-05:002009-05-26T15:20:12.111-05:00<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>It looks like we have finally decided on a opening date, June 9<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span>. We would have liked to open earlier, but the crops just are not cooperating. We are a couple of weeks away from starting to harvest most of our crops. Right now we have onions, leeks, and radishes. (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Everyones</span> favorites) We are hoping that in a few weeks we will see cucumbers, squash, and maybe peppers. Tomatoes are a last of June. Keep hanging in there, the good stuff is coming.<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>We are going to Ozark, Missouri, for their farmers market this Thursday. We will have chicken eggs, and onions, leeks, and radishes. If it works out up there in the coming weeks we will also start bringing Jean's famous huge cookies.<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Have a great day, hope that is rains a little less in June.<br /></div>E.J. McKennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08459181621697461575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176041868201608341.post-31087962659717757042009-03-31T08:43:00.002-05:002009-03-31T09:00:57.614-05:00Wind and Cold<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Isn't it suppose to be spring? Although most days have been nice lately, there have been quite a few cold ones. And if it is not cold it is windy. I mean windy, 30-40 mph wind gust. We do not have any wind damage, but I am getting tired of working in the wind. <div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cold has been a potential problem too. A couple of nights the weather people have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">forecasted</span> below freezing temps, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">luckily</span> they have been incorrect. The high tunnels that we constructed have been working great. They have kept the plants warm. One night we did cover everything to insure that they would be warm enough. I love that we "tucked" in our plants.<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Everything else is going fine. Normal farm stuff. Preparing ground for planting, watching our fields for run off, and Mom is doing a great job getting the seeds going. We are still a couple weeks away from full scale planting. We are planting a few plants, taking a chance that we will beat the frost. But until all chances for frost are diminished, we will wait. This being my first year to do this I wonder if this waiting will ever get better. It is like waiting for christmas, just doing other things to prepare for that day in April when we can let go and start planting.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>We still have a lot to do, but I am looking forward to doing it.<br /></div>E.J. McKennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08459181621697461575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176041868201608341.post-11992597008216689462009-03-23T08:32:00.002-05:002009-03-23T08:35:40.999-05:00TomatoesFinally got the first tomatoes in the ground. So the count down begins. We are 2 months away from having fresh produce to sell out of the barn. This last week we also planted onions, garlic, and potatoes. We have other vegi's started, ready to be planted in about 4 weeks. As soon as the frost chance is gone.E.J. McKennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08459181621697461575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176041868201608341.post-52805002829579869352009-03-12T15:49:00.004-05:002009-03-12T16:01:19.748-05:00Chickens, Weather, and Onions.Happy Thursday! We have more chickens today. Puts us at a few over 70 for eggs and around 10 for meat. We will be adding more chickens for eggs, depending on demand. By summer we will be getting 6 dozen eggs a day. Not a lot if they sell, a ton if nobody buys them.<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>We are also raising a few chickens for meat. Will process them when they reach 10 pounds or so. We are going to see if there is any demand for fresh, pasture raised, chickens in Taney county. The price would be around $2.50 a pound. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Wal</span>-mart will beat us on price, but not on taste.<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Yesterday we also <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">received</span> the remainder of our seeds, and onion starts, for the year. The onions, and leeks, will go into the ground next week. Also, next week we will plant potatoes, garlic, and a few other cold crops. Spring is right around the corner. </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> I am getting a little tired of these cold spells. I am also tired of the weather <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">forecasters</span> who are not even close on their <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">forecast</span>. It use to not bother me too much, it I even cared. But now that I do pay attention, and plan activities around rain and snow, it is starting to be a huge problem. Even if they were close. If is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">suppose</span> to snow 1-3 inches, and nothing shows, nothing, that gets me. Oh well, if that is my worse complaint, everything must be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ok</span>.<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Thanks, have a great weekend.<br /></div>E.J. McKennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08459181621697461575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176041868201608341.post-82035154931740581322009-03-11T09:20:00.003-05:002009-03-11T09:30:39.995-05:00Weather Change<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Yesterday it reached 74, today the high is going to be around 41. You have to love the weather in the ozarks. Yesterday the trees were starting to bloom, hopefully today they still have their blooms. Constant change, but change can be good also. <div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>We are getting ready to plant onions in the next two or three days. Should start planting in the high tunnel next week. In a few weeks we will have plants growing and spring will soon be here. Can't wait.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> Also working on other projects on the farm. We have a pond, if you can call it that, that does not hold water. We are going to try one more thing, pigs. We are going to fence in the pond and release the pigs into it. Everyone thinks that with their routing around in it for a while they will seal the bottom. Nothing else has worked, so we will try this approach. We also need to work on the entrance to the produce barn, also the entrance to the wedding chapel. It needs to be landscaped and just cleaned up. </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Better get to work, have a great day.<br /></div>E.J. McKennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08459181621697461575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176041868201608341.post-76515597373895758462009-03-09T10:14:00.002-05:002009-03-09T10:19:11.597-05:00It's Monday in the Ozarks. It is incredible outside right now, rain possible tonight. While it is still nice outside we are going to finally finish the high tunnel today. Next week we will be able to plant inside of it, providing vegetables in about 6 weeks. Hopefully some great tasting tomato's. We have tomato's already started and ready to plant. A couple of different varieties. We also have started a couple of other veggies. Hopefully they will be ready in May. Time will tell.E.J. McKennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08459181621697461575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176041868201608341.post-3891512296650317842009-03-02T09:54:00.002-06:002009-03-02T10:04:52.305-06:00High Tunnel<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>We started our high tunnel last Friday, it snowed on Saturday. God has a great sense of humor. The high tunnel will allow us to plant several weeks before we could normally get plants in the ground. This will give us fresh vegetables earlier than if we wait until the last frost to plant. It will also allow us to plant later this year and have our cold weather crops last late into the season. <div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>This is a fairly new concept in farming. The tunnel looks like a plastic greenhouse, the difference is that it is directly over the ground. You do not plant in containers, as in a traditional greenhouse, you plant in the ground. You gain valuable time by planting this way.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>We have started with a small tunnel this year. If it is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">successful</span> then next year we will expand with more, and larger, tunnels.<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The other fun news is we will add 60 new chickens to the farm this week. So by summer, we will be ready for the great masses of people that desire fresh farm eggs.<br /></div>E.J. McKennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08459181621697461575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176041868201608341.post-61382389845945698202009-02-18T17:20:00.000-06:002009-02-18T17:22:17.329-06:00Just StartingWe will keep everyone updated on what we are growing and harvesting. So keep looking for our opening date. It should be around mid May. Depends on the weather of course.E.J. McKennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08459181621697461575noreply@blogger.com0