Farm Reality Check

Reality check for the farm. We've got 5 ram lambs. Ram lambs produce one product; MEAT. Raising these cute little lambs for slaughter is a hard concept to own. The reality is that meat has to come from somewhere. The best I can do is commit to treating my stock right. I've applied for certification with Animal Welfare Approved. I want to be set straight if I'm not treating my stock to the highest standards. They'll send someone out to visit the farm and make sure I'm doing it right.

Expanding the Farm

We expanded the farm this year! A flock of ploy pay sheep now graces the farm. The flock started with 4 ewes. Lambing season has blessed us with 6 lambs so far. Here is a quick peak of the flock.

Locker lambs will be available in the fall.

Promotion

Chitwood Family Farm is pleased to announce that Reece has accepted the position of smoker operator for the 2011 season. Reece spent the 2010 season observing dad's technique. He is exteamly excited to take on the new responsiblity. Reece will continue to report directly to dad. Please join us in congratulating Reece on his new position.

Winter Feeding of Bee Candy

I'm trying something new this winter for feeding bee candy. I'm using half sheet pans to hold my candy and a 1 1/2' spacer rim. The sheet holds around 8 pounds of sugar instead of 25 pounds for a traditional candy lid.

I'm hoping this new process works out. Its nice to be able to use spacers for more than just mite treatments. And I really like not having to build candy lids.

Funny Hunny?!?

Honey is a commodity product which is produced and shipped all over the world in bulk. This can make the honey you buy cheap. There is one problem though. You don't know if you are getting honey or funny hunny. Funny hunny is honey that has been adulterated with corn syrup or other sweeteners.

The easiest way to make sure you get pure honey is to know your beekeeper. That's me! My family is proud to bring you 100% pure honey made by Kansas bees.

You can read more about funny hunny in this article http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_food_and_farm_bogus_honey

Honey Extracting

Fall is here and the harvest begins. Below is an quick look at my 18 frame radial extractor at work.

A view of the apiary