from Ned

I think they like the grain. What do you think? https://www.instagram.com/p/B_lMco5h7Zl/?igshid=1idfibad9puvj

Somebody was really not happy to be on a leash. Trying to train this guy to be more social. I wonder if I'm taking the pup out of the dog, or making a companion out of a pup. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_lKSS2hWNI/?igshid=1nirc9jtqrh6z

Makin' beer. First batch was definitely a success. Second batch, adding the additional dextrose before yeast. Seems it's the more stable approach. Initial SG: 1.022. Now the wait. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_fbsQPhveu/?igshid=15bqibebgkfml

I made a structure yesterday by welding. Pretty stoked about it. Seems to be holding up well. I might add a few stiffening collars to the frame, as it does carry a wobble if you give it a push. Or perhaps you have some advice? I made it to use as a trellis type structure that plants will crawl up. The feet will be in the ground by a foot, so you'll be able to walk right through the tunnel! Mom and Cyril want me to make it double wide. Mom woke up this morning and said: "I dont even want to move that! We could use it everywhere. Out front to grow roses up, along the side of the house, over here and there even!" (at Poplar Hill) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_fCLjbhl4s/?igshid=1ppyqkxqff72v

I know they both want treats, but Pogo still is timid and doesnt want to be touched. I'll win him over, I'll show him how good it is to be rubbed down. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_dgGd8Bst6/?igshid=1caxfxe1bpoih

A friendly neighbour's byproduct is our tree stakes! Bart said the other day, I wonder if we can find some of those 1x1 stakes Uncle Paul used to have. When we drove into our neighbours mill to get some sawdust, guess what we found??? https://www.instagram.com/p/B_azt7vBZet/?igshid=103a9eqywgg3s

"Listen, man, I dont really care that you just built me a new pen. I think Pogo is getting into something good over there." or feel free to re-caption. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_WFCrUBPc3/?igshid=cqc5ntupg19n

One of the three or so dirt piles we have on the farm from our projects. One digs holes, one must stack the dirt somewhere. This one here is one that we've started using as our compost pile, on the backside. It's actually working pretty good for that, as it has a back and the tractor doesn't end up just pushing the compost all over the yard. It's kind of hard to see, but about ½ way up the hill on the right side there's kind of a lookout - if you will - that one particular chicken has decided to make its little dirt bath in. She's almost made the hole so deep she dissappears into it! Very charming, I think she smiles to herself and sits up there all smug and proud. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_QxjtYBxRw/?igshid=17imd6tb8w7y1

Spent the day tossing around boulders to begin building our retaining wall. Kind of makes me feel sentimental. . . . ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ . . . . Forgotten  Forgotten Like rotten apples waiting for mouse Misunderstood by weather patterns Shaken and jostled And tossed aside To be Forgotten . . . ∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆ . . To get my poems in your inbox, find more poems, and order this or your own custom poem - head to http://poems.nedtobin.com - or DM me. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_OH2QwhV4L/?igshid=1oep5503yy6d7

Year 2. Learned a lot year one through failure. Hopefully year 2 isn't the same. This is a rootstock bed. They're planted rediculously close because by the end of the year they'll have a few inches (if they're particularly vigorous) of root growth. If they take and grow, we'll graft onto them and transplant in a few years. Feels like spring. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_GG4Lzh2CU/?igshid=f3tsg45typkk

New year, new batch of scions to match with rootstock. We decided upon Bud118 roots because of their hardiness, but also their size. Many orchardists are shifting towards dwarf sized trees that more resemble a vineyard than an old historic orchard. My theory that I share with more permaculture oriented growers, is that with such high density plantings promotes high disease occurances and high nutrient consumption of the soil in the orchard. This in turn requires a plethora of inputs for the orchard health, from fertilizer to pesticides. This year we have 550 scions to graft. Bart and I work by him doing the graft cuts with the machine you see there, and I make sure the alignment is good and wrap it tight with Parafilm. Keep in mind I have not inherited this farm or process, which means I have no wisdom in this process. All I have is a few books and great friends who are guiding me with theirs. Spring. What an exciting time. What are you up to there? (at Poplar Hill) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-5X__wBFpX/?igshid=7bqzahjl7tr0

Seeing the light. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-0nhQShgZR/?igshid=1s1y6hnsgjt4u

And that is a 20ft long solarium for the growing of good things! He was pretty damn excited to have those windows in place today. Couple more beautiful days like today and it'll be all done! Love building things. Pretty soon it's on to fences. Many many fences. (at Poplar Hill) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-solCsBsrH/?igshid=knjyorwd8yim

This is just out the kitchen sliding door, singing me songs this morning. What a bunch of jokers! (at Poplar Hill) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-rdqBBB0-p/?igshid=14k7fugbgpomx

Yesterday's dreams are still real, man. They're just a little fragile. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-nhSnlBz9R/?igshid=zjdhc2k455nl

Occupado con mi mama. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-YHwTpBV_v/?igshid=13rwx5lagmfzz

He's the shy one. Usually keeps about a five to ten foot perimeter, but he's getting more and more confortable with us. Pogo is his name. I'm starting to really notice their faces maturing. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-UTsO-htZt/?igshid=rlgwbbip0ktx