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Is There a New Line of Defense Against Stinkbugs?

I’m sitting on my back porch watching three stinkbugs climb up my screen.  (Sigh)  This must mark the beginning of the fall pilgrimage when stinkbugs that have summered over in the grounds outdoors start moving into our comfortable homes to winter over with us, unwelcome guests.  But this year I have found a new line of defense against the stinkers:  SPIDEY! Spidey is a spider that moved into my screened porch last spring.  I noticed Spidey one day with a tight grasp on a stinkbug to that stinkbug’s demise.  I had understood stinkbugs to be an alien species with no natural predators in the area, which allows them to thrive (to our great annoyance). We watch, helpless beyond what our local pest control experts can advise. Stinkbugs are stowaways from Asia…

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Here’s to…

Here's to... Our heartfelt thanks go out to all of those who worked in the hot, dusty fields recently to mow, ted, bale and haul the hay to the barns for storage:  Deiter Haas, Bill Bohn, Angel Cyphert, Lynda Davis and Mike Friedman.  Those were the people I personally saw out in the fields.  If there were others that I missed, please note them in the comments section below so that we can thank them as well. If not for these folks who are willing to go out and do this dirty work on the farm, there would be no winter hay for the cows, no cows without winter hay and no income for the farm, since a tidy percentage of our income comes from our cow operation. So…

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HARVEST TIME FOR SQUASH

Squash is growing profusely in the garden now.  Help yourself to any squash you see on the produce stand or pick your own fresh from the bush.  Here are a couple of recipes to help you enjoy this summer delicacy.  If you have a favorite squash recipe, please share!   Also, I found one small red tomato in the tomato patch, a sign of things to come.  Keep your eyes open and you may spot the next one.   Sliced Zucchini and Yellow Squash Salad Use young squash for this recipe—larger squash have too many seeds and are more fibrous. 10 ounces small, tender yellow squash (about 3) 10 ounces small, tender zucchini (about 3) Salt and freshly ground pepper 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 lemons 1/2 ounce Parmesan…

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Call for Nominations

Call for Nominations Farmcolony seeking nominations for three elected positions on its Board of Directors. Have you ever considered seeking a leadership role within Farmcolony for yourself or someone you know?  Here is your chance!  The Nomination Committee is working to prepare a slate of candidates interested in serving on its board of directors for our 2018-2019 election year.  elections will take place at our Annual Meeting on Saturday, August 4.The Board of Directors is a “governing” board by law.  Farmcolony’s by-laws specify an seven-member Board each serving a 2-year term.  The Board of Directors meets every two months during the year, and on other occasions as needed.The Board of Directors should be members in good standing and should have the following qualifications: A thick skin A willingness to serve A commitment to…

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Update on the Emerald Ash Borer

Estimates are in on the cost of treating our ash trees against the emerald ash borer.  According to Deborah who received an estimate from Mike Henrietta, a landscaper, the cost for treating the two trees that shade the two recently-installed memorials are as follows:Colony Drive Bench Tree - $429; Pasturegate Road Gazebo Tree - $312.Sub-total:  $741.  Total: $370.50 (with funding through the the Virginia Forestry half-cost share program).Mike advises that the trees may need to be treated every 2-3 years for about ten years. The emerald ash borer comes through in a wave, killing all ash trees and then dying out for lack of a food source. At that point landowners may be able to stop treating the trees and monitor them only.  Also, less costly treatments are in development, hopefully…

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