The Newton Farm: 2020

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Outside Building Repair and Refresh

Major effort this summer to stabilize, repair and refresh the Little House and the Smokehouse used for storage of material, tools, supplies and equipment, Just in time for a family gathering in honor of Steve's birthday.

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The de-clutter efforts helped motivate Steve to dive in and make the exterior repairs. Next is the interior of the Little House to make it more useful.

Sunday, June 7, 2020

Late Winter Controlled Burn Strengthens Gamagrass Stand

Ben and Steve managed a mid February controlled burn in the gamagrass field. By early June the gamagrass had made a strong rebound despite an unplanned Spring grazing when cattle found a breach in the fence.

By the third week of June the grass was seeding out and cows were allowed in for a brief treat. They grazed enthusiastically for a few hours before being closed back out so that they can be let back in a couple of weeks. Being a warm season grass, this stockpiles the gamagrass for the hottest and dryest part of the summer. It is also important not to graze it down too low (6-8 inches or less ) as the grass will be unable to recover and will begin to die off. One of the good things about gamagrass is the deep root system that allows it to survive the summer heat and helps control erosion. The grass has a very high proportion of biomass and forage production per acre.

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Mission: Declutter

Kristi, Logan, Jennifer and Luke led the charge on a much needed de-clutter operation in the farm house. Luke brought his truck and hauled off two full loads while Big Red was filled up for Steve to haul off the following Thursday after the truck battery charged up. Logan hauled off a bunch of obsolete electronic stuff to take to dump after he got home.

Over the years stuff kept accumulating when people would bring it in and nothing was ever hauled away. De-cluttering will hopefully help us keep things cleaner and more manageable. Keeping the window blinds and curtains open makes the space much brighter and more inviting.

Cameron and Beth did a lot of work a year or so ago cleaning and pressure washing the porch and brought some cleaner for the siding.

This allowed Steve to paint the front porch and rails. The porch becomes a major outdoor space to sit and enjoy the peaceful view shaded and under cover, solo or as a group.

The two wardrobes were emptied of clothes and other things that haven't been worn or used in years, allowing better storage for some of the things that were kept. Beth has found a trundle bed that could possibly be swapped for day the bed if the mattresses would work interchangeably. A different comforter would be an improvement too! Since sleepovers are rare this is not a big priority at present.

The hall was re-arranged to conceal the storage area between the Living Room, Kitchen, and Bath Room.

There is more to be done but it is already proving to be more enjoyable for day visits as well as overnight stays.

Projects in the near future include re-coating the metal roof, repairing, stabilizing and re-furbishing the Little House, some configuration of storage/tractor sheds, burning wood piles, and regrading around Uncle Maynard's little pond.

Another work in progress is to determine the house electrical circuits and properly diagram and label the old fuse box. Right now we can't take as shower because we can't figure out where the second 30 amp fuse goes for the 220v water heater circuit. I guess we could shower but cold water would be no fun. I hate to call out an electrician but if necessary...desperate times call for desperate measures!

Instructions for preparing Eastern Gamagrass seed with Hydrogen Peroxide

This is info provided by Jimmy May at the request of Rusty Walker and Greg Brann of the USDA. We had purchased unstratified seed and followed these instructions with good results on our farm:
Research information collected by Josh Kline at University of Kentuckyin2006 indicated that soaking eastern gamagrass in 15 % hydrogen peroxide for18 hours will substitute for 6 weeks of cold stratification at 4 degreescentigrade. I am attaching a copy of Josh Klines paper. He publishedthis at an International Seed Meeting at San Antonio, Texas in early 2007.I would soak the seed for the prescribed time, take them from thesolutionand let them drip dry 3-4 hours and then plant them in soil that has good moisture and hope for another rain in a week. Two weeks of dry weatherandthe seed are likely to dry out and go back dormant. The hydrogenperoxidetreatment doesn't last if the seed are allowed to dry out. I have planted cold stratified seed treated with hydrogen peroxide next to a row that was just cold stratified and the cold stratified combined withhydrogen peroxide germinated quicker.I would not freeze the seed. Seed kept over should be stored in a cool, dry place. I don't know the specifics for holding seed. Seed allowed to heatup will loose germination. If seed go above 104 the germ can be killed. Seeds held as part of long term seed banks are held at a low humidityandaround 55 degrees Farenheit.Don't know the answer to how long seed be frozen without damaging them.Haven't seen it in print.I personally would recommend the hydrogen peroxide treatment. I have not personally field tested the hydrogen peroxide treatment by itself.(Note: We performed the treatment by itself and it worked at Newton farm) It worked in the germination test as Josh described in hispaper.I have confidence in it.. From: Jimmy May [mailto:nwsgmay@logantele.com]

Acknowledgements

Many have contributed to our success and have helped us in our difficulties. We wish to acknowledge at least some of those and, where appropriate, convey our gratitude:

Joe Newton: We've enjoyed connecting with Joe and Faye and sharing in planning and working on the place. Joe has a wealth of wisdom and farm experience and is a great asset to our family.

Lillian Newton Bass (Joe's Sister) Lillian is the oldest member of the extended family and has shared many amazing stories about growing up in Puncheon. Lillian has even gone the extra mile and sent a manuscript of her stories to various family members.

Hardin Caldwell and Sue Caldwell Richardson & Family: Thanks to Hardin for working through the transfer on his side of the family and to Sue Nell for following through the whole complexity of the process. Also we have come to appreciate the fact that the bathroom was already renovated when we acquired access to the place.

Bennie Sanderfer, Lewis Hardin and Mike Hardin: Bennie has become a partner and more importantly, a friend in restoring and maintaining the pastures. We appreciate the way he has joined with us in sharing in the vision for the potential of the pastures with proper restoration and management. As Bennie began to transition his operation, Mike and Lewis have become part of the family and a great resource to learn from and work together with.

Rusty Walker and the Giles County NRCS : An incredible resource for us as new farmers starting from scratch. They helped us develop a starting point and gain some traction towards a pasture management plan, approved a contract for improvements which is in progress, and have given guidance in many ways.

Tanner Barksdale and Heath Johns: Bringing on Tanner and subsequently Heath who lease hunting rights has opened up new awareness about enhancing wildlife management on the farm. They also have knowledge about farming and mechanical aptitude that has been most helpful.

Dan Melton & Family: Visits with food and fourwheelers and family, and of course the loaner '52 Ferguson Tractor. The Tractor has advanced our pasture improvements and the pond rehab, and has been fun for Jim, Logan, and Ben. Dan also flew Jim and Jennifer over the farm in his plane last February which provided some helpful pictures and a different perspective.

Puncheon Church of Christ: For welcoming us in their worship service when we are there on Sunday morning.

Sugar Creek neighbors: George Bailey, Robert Lee Townsend, and Willard Davis for keeping an eye on things and giving encouragement. Holly and John Smith for sharing similar experiences and for the improvements on the Noblit place.

David Thomack & Family: Hard work clearing fence rows and working around the barn

Matthew Smith: Help with new fencing & getting the seed drill

Norris Cook: Advice and practical wisdom from years of farming experience

Trey Archer: Help with floors

Dan and Marilyn Rachlin: providing second hand refrigerator

Also, none of this would have been possible without a vision from Logan and Maynard Newton to keep the farm in the family back in the 1930's, or without the loving care given to the place by Maynard and Lillie Newton for the latter half of the 20th century.