Greetings and Happy Mother’s Day! This month's Rancho Roundup presents the latest news and happenings at our biodynamic farm. Since the last edition of the newsletter, Rancho Almasomos has been bustling with a plethora of activities, including our first ever public celebration of Earth Day. A BIG thank you to all who attended!
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Our Flock is Growing
Exciting news from Rancho Almasomos! A dozen new baby chicks have joined our animal family. These little balls of fluff have brought a lot of joy, and we can't wait to see them grow up into healthy and productive members of our laying flock.
The new chicks came from a local chicken breeder who specializes in rare and specialty birds. Our new dozen are a mix of Olive Eggers, chickens that lay green-colored eggs, and Black Copper Marans. The Black Copper Marans, named for the tint of their feathers, lay medium-large eggs that range in color from caramel to chocolate.
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As Rancho Almasomos strives to be Arizona's first biodynamic farm, we plan to use biodiversity to create a reliable and healthy farm organism. Diversity and redundancy build resiliency. Diversification of plants, animals, and all farm systems is a positive and effective way to create agricultural stability. If one system or crop fails, there are a myriad of other crops and sources to fall back on.
In addition to our new feathered friends, we are also fully underway with the 2023 growing season. We have been busy planting our indoor starters in our test garden. We are excited to document our progress and share our findings after this year's growing season.
As we focus on getting things planted and building up the health of the soil, we have decided to move Rancho Roundup from a monthly newsletter to a quarterly newsletter.
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Planting by the Moon
One of the key principles of biodynamic agriculture is the use of a lunar planting calendar, called a biodynamic almanac. The almanac is based on biodynamic principles that emphasize the interconnectedness of all living things and the importance of working in harmony with the natural rhythms of the Earth. Paying attention to, and following, the natural cosmic patterns of our world open the door to understanding the influence of the planets on plant growth and development.
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Maria Thun's Biodynamic Almanac is our primary information source on the ever-changing position of the planets and their influence on plant growth at any given time of the year. This calendar is based on the phases of the moon and the position of the planets in the zodiac. These planting guidelines are very similar to a traditional farmer’s almanac, but they also include the effects of cosmic forces on the Earth and breaks down the months into four different types of days: fruit days, root days, flower days, and leaf days.
Following this lunar calendar, fruit days offer the best conditions for planting crops that produce fruit, such as tomatoes and strawberries. Root days are best for planting root vegetables like carrots and beets. Flower days are ideal for planting flowers and ornamental plants. And leaf days are the best days for planting leafy vegetables like lettuce and spinach.
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Following the almanac’s recommendations, we gain another layer of unity and awareness in our farming practices. But there is nothing new here. These kinds of practices were a part of the agricultural traditions of many ancient and indigenous peoples who grew and harvested food in harmony with the land.
At Rancho Almasomos, we believe that going back to our roots and to a more natural connection to our food systems should include lessons learned from the wisdom of the old ways that emphasized harmony with the land, plants, and animals and all other natural rhythms of the Earth and the cosmos beyond.
If you're interested in biodynamics, Maria Thun's Biodynamic Almanac should be in your library. It’s not only a comprehensive guide with a wealth of information on planting in accordance with the principles of biodynamic agriculture, but also the book includes detailed information on lunar cycles, planetary alignments, and other astrological phenomena that influence plant health, growth, development, harvesting, and more.
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The almanac includes information on the different zodiac signs and their relationship to each specific type of plant. For example, months influenced by certain zodiac signs are considered ideal for planting specific types of crops. The book recommends planting root vegetables in the earth signs of Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn, but says fruiting crops are better planted during the air signs of Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius.
In addition to information about the timing of planting and harvesting, Biodynamic Almanac spells out when it is best to compost, weed, and engage in other agricultural practices. In short, it’s truly a comprehensive guide to all aspects of biodynamic agriculture, making it an invaluable resource for anyone interested in this method of farming.
If Rudolf Steiner is the father of biodynamics, then Maria Thun could well be considered its mother.
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Help Us Name Patches' Baby!
We are happy to announce that our beloved cow Patches is expecting a baby! And in celebration of Mother’s Day, we invite your help to find a perfect name for the little one.
We are looking for names that begin with the letter "P.” The name could be cute and quirky or classic and traditional. So, let your creativity flow, and please respond to this email with your favorite name for our new bundle of joy. Your suggestion might just be the one that sticks!
We can't wait to see what you come up with, and we thank you in advance for participating in this naming competition. Let's make sure that the new calf gets the perfect name it deserves.
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“Feelings are for the soul what food is for the body.” |
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After our awesome Earth Day celebration, Rancho Almasomos will be concentrating on improvements to the ranch and the soil and the planting of crops.
As we mentioned earlier, we will be changing the timing of our newsletter to publish quarterly. To keep up with all our latest news and ongoing offerings, don't forget to follow us on social media at Rancho Almasomos.
In celebration of Mother’s Day, we send all mothers our best wishes and gratitude. May your special day be serene and filled with joy.
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