[Green] Birthin' Them Babies and Plantin' Them Trees - the News from Blue Rock Station (January 2020)

Tue Feb 4 05:21:46 CST 2020

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The News from Blue Rock Station - Jan 2020

   Kidding Season at Blue Rock Station  

Life at Blue Rock Station has been dramatic lately. The month of January is once again “kidding season” - and it is literally a matter of life and death. Assisting with the birth of 11 goat kids (each entering the world when they are good and ready, regardless of whether or not I am good and ready), dealing with doe pregnancy toxemia, struggling against mastitis or congested udders, and bottle feeding a rejected kid – I am ready for a break.

It was 10 days of stress beyond description – getting up at 5 am to go to the barn, and only leaving long enough to eat something, or try to catch a little sleep. Eleven babies all screaming for attention. Thank goodness there are no diapers to change.

Those 10 days taught me a lot about trusting my instincts and observing closely how each animal reacts to the stress they experience in their struggles.  A little cayenne pepper and charcoal can work miracles. During his visit he gave one struggling doe only a 30% chance of making it through the night. But she is now back in full form – arguing with me at every turn and bossing the rest of the herd.  The veterinarian thinks Ipractice voodoo.      
Spring is almost here (really, if you close your eyes and squint)...

The Forest Garden Club is a dream about to come true. There is little we can do as individuals to turn back the tide of climate change – but we can plant a tree. The world needs a trillion trees to fight climate change. Since we can't plant that many by ourselves, we thought it might be a good idea to share the Blue Rock Station resources and invite people to join together, sharing information about forest gardening, and opportunities to plant your own tree or shrub.

We've revamped some common areas of the farm to accommodate the new Forest Garden. This is the start. Club members can either plant trees and shrubs in the new areas at Blue Rock Station, or send pictures to us of their own tree plantings. We will then create a “virtual forest” online, and watch the planet change in small but positive ways.

There will be no cost to join. Simply send us a picture of your tree (or trees, or hundreds of trees) and you are in. Our first official event will be on April 19th at Blue Rock Station. If you register before April 19th you will be eligible to receive two cuttings (starts) of either elderberry bush, pussy willow, and false indigo (can be picked up April 19th or shipped for a small fee). On April 19th, Chad Culley from the Cincinnati Zoo will be here to lead a forest walk – explaining how to ID trees and showing how to easily propagate trees. We'll have high tea, lots of fun and get to talk about trees (much better than talking politics). Register for the April 19th event at [ www.bluerockstation.com ]( http://4hy93.r.ah.d.sendibm4.com/mk/cl/f/3UofUgyzPjwCYeacFFt7ETkSRLuJfia8LfPfmEr9lKBHwgtZug375Ku9yDqTJd8iBoxhfLBT0DZBd6jWTVAzZyacgoaHk3qm2eSo607nUIaN4m4G6Mu0XtbTIvxnILprr-c9aghmzeWNT_RvPmepsviIITNOy9KnN1ar7YyR ).

If you can't attend, you can still participate by either ordering tree starts from us while supplies last or by sending a photo of your tree/shrub planting and location to [ annie at bluerockstation.com ]( mailto:annie at bluerockstation.com?subject=Forest%20Garden%20Club ).     

When the BioMass Hits the Wind Turbine  

You can follow our 30-minute weekly online sustainability podcast - When the Biomass Hits the Wind Turbine (syndicated on the Pacifica Radio Network), click the link to follow or find past shows at [ https://bluerockstation.podbean.com/ ]( http://4hy93.r.ah.d.sendibm4.com/mk/cl/f/sSS69z3Ko8nfyCfpL7hwljpG8548x_mXlReSYbn1TgknuGZ0hDCFb9ak5Did38qWWDZjp_AFO1AiKaEYFcnpjB8n4tNw3fTEdAb94e6NxwWvZQfa-g0eRnGqRg7kXSTTBzOkN_dwBOInVfKEkcWDaoulX25EKezSD5XxnEIs )
Upcoming Workshops at Blue Rock Station

Check out some of our other upcoming classes. Please register early because all of our events have limited space. Links available at [ www.bluerockstation.com ]( http://4hy93.r.ah.d.sendibm4.com/mk/cl/f/pcHdJ2GSfT45hLmHXqsqk9O1aDTafB43eM2pBiauu-CGA8cQiJMtnMyRoI6VRbQFTnJR5DUAyV9i4ry0fnfXPeSGgeM9sltP0SyysMAy57Y2jp6NkDzkLGrwBsl11pS1Pfl9OUpkh_9ENJXZT1bjZJS6MHGeEbEHL5keCvDf )

February:
February 8th: [ How to Build a Solar Generator ]( http://4hy93.r.ah.d.sendibm4.com/mk/cl/f/a_xLKXjMPSmbgphfIiVNexXUXvm80jPYMHX9Lkmyp3ppk5HGkVbB93t3-EW6OACNMfMR1A-LhrVTm74nzXz81bWfbzhRAuaORJUUUfQc-_-eBMk_QV6dDgV6KPpDVdwiCOQT7GNVuXYoM5Fjnby2a_3S5OGfDpB0z6Aj86k35RSjj1Nzybvf4J_qOffWp1LdDRJ3382__Rh_zeHBdVE54_sDfGW4c8aKcfk2DGeyMGpG9w ), First English Lutheran Church, Columbus OH,
February 20th – 23rd: [ Solar Installation and Design Certification Level II Class ]( http://4hy93.r.ah.d.sendibm4.com/mk/cl/f/GHJwCf3U0HeddqBNmYPiNmQWDLyugPDGX3-xYfnKzjv_kYTnlQ1pNaoPmE-22SFQE5dio6pD9yowXfQPvd5tygaWWqL6dX_w2tirNA1rLEI5b5q7rHPEU7ssXbB7ZDfkuGm339wnwUZUU2Z-im-99i9qdkI6CouFwYtG8As9q6C6Ci0_98rXD6yV4JS1Wap3TqMBZkBDmAmS_L84B4LXolo_QRxFsntmtTeCJEXpUVwRAXQ36Lujk52lGm9TJJmP84Gl2ZeAZHk0C02YrqIuC5fBIIBxna5gILnzorBs8U3FOAl1oQ ) - ETA World Headquarters, Green Castle IN,

March:
March 9th- 14th: [ Small Wind Turbine Certification Class ]( http://4hy93.r.ah.d.sendibm4.com/mk/cl/f/zWLWiXPn5MvCg4FangdkJ0Q-mG2k07B0kXW2s8KZ71n-s3MGKUBpytRJzUDgoUFmkTMJUYSx-fRWJ0d6EQxPazaMJQQ9u_A1dsj5xsYrPKZDkY3Ze0sPtsMfil9FVxSj0nMQXPd2XZ1lEtnXndeFN4lT0hlCGWnWjiurAVzk39TswKst0ihlR04t5BKWIgKYjCTN7I77Rvf7yF5edAckEgXtDPsflel6-g__tXRTzCA ), at Zane State College (8 am to 5 pm daily).
March 28th: [ Cheese making ]( http://4hy93.r.ah.d.sendibm4.com/mk/cl/f/mNhnVKEtKkdUUHZk1FGzMdvtmZg5QKu8-Uof-xT0BQEPv5VqI1ys9YMr0xdcgo9E1omDaarSq86Gi1ZiDT5mZeaQ0DhdBW1YMnlE9Iecdk-bDZEZg45PCb035YsTrWQk3nRPNpE_El9L6WLB18FzkopnthJUljfSgzWoWGcSqjQljXvBpj3bB7MQvwunCC5tTZuP-Dw ) at 1 pm to 4 pm

April:
April 6th – 10th: [ Solar Installation Certification Level I Class ]( http://4hy93.r.ah.d.sendibm4.com/mk/cl/f/gd3lNzGUQOaLA6kNSkPJzPGkFy23K1FWQAHqKrot9lHX7E3HI978HtHsqbvqZ7Jo38nQsQVqTkqLSfIVbWzaqHDu1Hvu2G6A3211Pj69YdLOY_KnWE9INc-8wJJGoEIc8I2CopEI5lHt8dgCea1zH9fpGBbXAxNJibgsImq-U82ZW8j7O6bCP0SKFwvstFXTvwSgUPS72LUyZxMsPnWP8bGJLBdwbTY12xl-6ofZWA ) at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Marietta OH.
April 11th: [ Open House tour ]( http://4hy93.r.ah.d.sendibm4.com/mk/cl/f/6ctFvBkCm4tRtUdQXLUqsRj1o2HeA3MLljhVp5y1QgKCDqUnMDGWT0mmRsEBAYlNC3VoVXbS4vtfQ5yxaUffdNIe2PcnAgTk44_sNliFt0IxjUp3U-SBVJKp30Kk57Gf-4raDFXI5j3I47QJCpg6d1rgvsKQ_Bfb81nknVExZN7KJhoUMhvkQ3SeUWjH-L9qVcBf ) of Blue Rock Station 1 pm to 4 pm.
April 12th: [ Goat College ]( http://4hy93.r.ah.d.sendibm4.com/mk/cl/f/ZqKLievQofQSxDFHepoRgy0XWP88ttx4q2lOtubZ-1nuIFNq-W0TMqAMB0AFMRiIoDhVRiRn5H442ivhd4yOB6NqWYjrsXDfWcMGq9YBhYUIbHuPXO1GJwNBIQmUHxevDO4ouOBQ_tBHGrz1-PDv0ZN04Gv978FxRvQNdhiiG6LhvmTCqwj8xhSf_edYUS0N2zfcGZU ) 1 pm to 4 pm. A fun way to celebrate spring with baby goats.
April 18th: BRS Pasture Walk with Annie, sponsored by NCRS Muskingum County. Learn how pasture rotation and natural parasite control works. Contact [ annie at bluerockstation.com ]( mailto:annie at bluerockstation.com ) to register.
April 19th: Forest Garden Club Tree Planting. Contact [ annie at bluerockstation.com ]( mailto:annie at bluerockstation.com ) to register.
April 25th – 26: [ Earthship 101 weekend ]( http://4hy93.r.ah.d.sendibm4.com/mk/cl/f/rBStuRraRsTJh8P2HFnTjmGquXOSOmZeXdTux5_xMpxZXc_1Sz10rmYXo0nmeONNxevsrMJimOw1IwVIPDD6fF2Av_xfxQURFs9srcjaAOCwPNJMIZ9E5gHPQARkL9fbt3S_n56DSwp4P417z483aH0H0B2oAAKbQTJhQOkZyoMgt7Suy8KFifvrOyPZb0jKAX1XrGpyClF6ya1SSj3FOKv7YLyJ8AtD4Ws4JPqYWa_IH9dxhSuxUymJyReWZVjtAgWjOSPdz8KR3TgYzqEuR1l08ViYP0qMrJ4UjcuaR5-4DNXW3f9fULh- ). One space available.     
The Critters

This year I just couldn't stand the idea of plugging in those dangerous heat lamps to keep the baby goats warm at night - so I took the two dog air flight kennels into the main stall and introduced the babies to the idea of cuddling in them. They took to it right away, and now I can move the kennels to other areas of the barn and they will take their naps wherever I want them to rest. No more fear of burning down the barn, or sleeping babies getting stepped on by the adults.     
Food, the Heart of Sustainability

Butternut squash soup is as easy as 1-2-3. I use a potato peeler to take off the squash skin, and then steam the squash until it's tender. Then I add coconut milk, salt, pepper, garlic, curry and cayenne. Into the blender for a quick spin and then re-heat for a filling meal.

The next day I make potato soup, and the day after that I mix the two – the squash soup (reserving some for the following day) and potato soup, for a new delicious taste. Then, on day four, I add some stir fry leftovers, blending them into the tangy squash soup. Four meals from one basic recipe.     
Words that Guided

Just for today, I will take time to rest for 15 minutes around 3 pm.     

Blue Rock Station LLC
1190 Virginia Ridge Road
Philo, OH  43771 USA
[ jay at bluerockstation.com ]( # )
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