A load of manure is a pretty exciting thing on a homestead. Seriously, I would never B.S. you. It means a healthy garden, abundant vegetables, and the most bang for your buck as far as fertilizers go. It all comes back to the nutrient cycle. Garden nutrients can be added with composting and chicken coop cleanings, but when your garden is large, and you have no livestock of your own, you need a little something extra. I had been out to a local dairy a few years ago to get aged steer manure for my old farm in Elmira, and it produced some impressive results. After enjoying a couple fruitful growing seasons from this garden, I figured it was time to give something back. Since the dairy was also near my favorite local brewery, Agrarian Ales, we decided to make a field trip of it with some friends and Corey’s parents who were visiting from the Midwest. Let me tell you, we really know how to show folks a good time here in Oregon.
With the help of utility trailer Corey re-furbished this summer, we were able to leave the truck at come and save it a cleaning. Our utility trailer proved itself useful again, as we drove right up, handed the farmer our $10, and received a bulldozer load of premium cow patties.
Manure, like most things in life, goes farther when you share the load with friends, so we distributed it out between our trailer and our friend’s pickup truck. We knew we were in good company, because a true friend in life is one who will shovel the shit together.
With our rich treasure in tow, we headed through the farmland north of Coburg to pay a visit to Agrarian Ales. Located on Crossroads Farm, a small family farm specializing in chili peppers, hop farmers and brewers Nathan Tilley and Tobias Schock craft their beers from farm to glass. They grow many of their own ingredients on site, and get the rest from other local farms.
Of all the delicious ales I sampled, Poblamo! (an amber ale brewed with the same fire roasted poblano chilies they sell at our local farmer’s market) remains my favorite. It tastes like the garden, with a balanced pepper flavor and smoky finish.
The manure adventure did not stop there. We drove our steaming trailer into town to grab a bite of dinner with Corey’s folks. For some reason, nobody would park by us in the parking lot. I think they were just jealous.
Once we got home with our prize, we hauled it by wheelbarrow loads to the garden. Let me tell you, it was smelling pungent out in our yard, but I kept telling the kids that was the smell of garden success. They didn’t seem quite as thrilled as I did, but I think they got the picture.
This load of manure is going to go a long way towards building soil nutrients and a productive growing season. In addition, we have the fun memories of our manure field trip that none of us will soon forget. I’m sure Corey’s parents will be telling the story to their friends back home for a long time to come.
And that’s no load of B.S.
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