Jonathan Gates reports from Howmars Farm in Franklin, Vermont. Howmars is a certified organic dairy farm, one of many Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative farmer members who supply the milk that goes into making Stonyfield's yogurts and smoothies. The entire family pitches in on this third-generation farm. Jonathan and his father, Howard, converted the farm from conventional dairy farming to organic 9 years ago. Meet Jonathan. He farms with his wife Karen, sons Benjamin, Justin, and Noah, and Jonathan's parents, Howard and Mary.
And, of course, the cows.
April 10, 2006
"Moo-vie" News: Tapping the Maple Trees to Gather the Sap
Jonathan and his family began the "sugaring" season in early March with the help of his three sons and his father. He hung buckets on 400 trees back when the weather was unseasonably warm for northern Vermont. Now, however, the nightime temperatures have cooled, so the sap is not yet running! His dad is standing by, ready to operate the boiling machinery in the sugarhouse once the sap is gathered. We'll show you videos of the "boiling off" process--heating the sap to turn it into syrup--just as soon as the weather cooperates.
PRESS ON THE ARROW IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STILL PHOTO TO PLAY THE VIDEO!
Back in late January, Jonathan shot this video of a Bovine Brunch on a cold day. Here you can see how the heifers enjoy a meal gathering around the "bale rings" which hold the round bale hay fed to the heifers throughout the winter, when grazing is impossible.
The video may feature heifers, but you'll also see one "ham" show up at the end. Eleven-year-old Dena, who is also in Stonyfield's Have-A-Cow program, gets a little curious about what Jonathan is up to and meanders over to nudge his camera-holding arm. Get up close and personal with Dena and the other "ladies" here at the Bovine Brunch. Just press the arrow key in the middle of the still photograph below to run the video.
Moo-vie News: Tree chopping for maple sugaring in Vermont
In the homestate of Stonyfield Farm--New Hampshire--today marks the official start of "sugaring season"--the time of year when maple trees are tapped for their sap that will be turned into syrup. The sap starts "running" when days are warm, but nights are still cold--a process that varies considerably by location.
Vermont is also a big maple sugaring state and our farmer, Jonathan Gates, and his family spend a lot of March and April time boiling down the sap they've collected into wonderful sought-after syrup. Jonathan will be sending us news and videos from this year's seasonal activities soon. His labor already began back in January, when he spent some time clearing trees on his land. The trees will be chopped into firewood that will be used in the sap boiling process--next year. Here's Jonathan, with his trusty companion Yukon, taking advantage of a warmer-than-usual January day. Just press on the big arrow in the middle of the screen to play the moo-vie.
--Jonathan (left), Howmars Farm
Franklin, Vermont
ABOUT THE BOVINE BUGLE Tune in Monday when we'll have more "Moo-vie" news from Jonathan's farm.
If you wish to subscribe, send an email with "Bovine Bugle" in the subject heading to chalvorson@stonyfield.com
Got a question for farmer Jonathan? Click here and we'll try to make sure your question gets answered.
Moo-vie News: Tree chopping for maple sugaring in Vermont
In the homestate of Stonyfield Farm--New Hampshire--today marks the official start of "sugaring season"--the time of year when maple trees are tapped for their sap that will be turned into syrup. The sap starts "running" when days are warm, but nights are still cold--a process that varies considerably by location.
Vermont is also a big maple sugaring state and our farmer, Jonathan Gates, and his family spend a lot of March and April time boiling down the sap they've collected into wonderful sought-after syrup. Jonathan will be sending us news and videos from this year's seasonal activities soon. His labor already began back in January, when he spent some time clearing trees on his land. The trees will be chopped into firewood that will be used in the sap boiling process--next year. Here's Jonathan, with his trusty companion Yukon, taking advantage of a warmer-than-usual January day. Just press on the big arrow in the middle of the screen to play the moo-vie.
--Jonathan (left), Howmars Farm
Franklin, Vermont
ABOUT THE BOVINE BUGLE Tune in Monday when we'll have more "Moo-vie" news from Jonathan's farm.
If you wish to subscribe, send an email with "Bovine Bugle" in the subject heading to chalvorson@stonyfield.com
Got a question for farmer Jonathan? Click here and we'll try to make sure your question gets answered.
Though winter temperatures at Howmars Farm up near the Canadian border haven't been too bad, there was a really cold spell for about a week back in early January. In this video from the farm, Jonathan demonstrates the milking routine he does every morning and every afternoon. On this particular morning, the outside temperature was 15 below zero. The somewhat roaring sound you hear in the background is the kerosene heater used to heat the milking parlor when temperatures dip. The cows never seem to mind. They munch happily as the milking machines and Jonathan do the work. Cows are milked three at a time and while they're milking, another three come in to the other side of the milking parlor and Jonathan swings all the equipment to the opposite side.
To play the video, press the arrow in the center of the screen.
--Jonathan (left), Howmars Farm
Franklin, Vermont
ABOUT THE BOVINE BUGLE Look for more "Moo-vie" news here on the Bovine Bugle next Monday.
If you wish to subscribe, send an email with "Bovine Bugle" in the subject heading to chalvorson@stonyfield.com
Got a question for farmer Jonathan? Click here and Jonathan will try to answer it soon.
Moo-vie News: Turkeys gobbling happily in Franklin, Vermont
A few weeks back--before snow came and Daylight Savings Time ended--Jonathan captured his flock of turkeys on camera while they nibbled and gobbled away. The turkeys love being out on fresh green grass and clover. Jonathan's family raises organic turkeys for sale each year. Watch the video by pressing the big arrow in the middle of the screen. (Quality and speed will vary depending upon your computer.)
"Moo"-vie News: Myrtle's new calf meets the herdmates
Myrtle's new calf, her first, was born a few weeks ago now. Farmer Jonathan captured the moment when Myrtle's herdmates decided to come check out the new arrival. Myrtle's doing a lot of bellowing in this video, simply because she's got new-mom jitters--she's just not too sure what she's supposed to be doing with this new little girl. Just press on the big arrow in the center to play the video.
ABOUT THE BOVINE BUGLE Got a question for Jonathan?
Send it in using the comment feature below.
"Moo"-vie News: Myrtle's new calf meets the herdmates
Myrtle's new calf, her first, was born a few weeks ago now. Farmer Jonathan captured the moment when Myrtle's herdmates decided to come check out the new arrival. Myrtle's doing a lot of bellowing in this video, simply because she's got new-mom jitters--she's just not too sure what she's supposed to be doing with this new little girl. Just press on the big arrow in the center to play the video.
ABOUT THE BOVINE BUGLE Got a question for Jonathan?
Send it in using the comment feature below.
Jonathan has sent us another movie of his cows--this time featuring Hooter, the latest newborn on the farm. Hooter (brother to Scooter) was born at the end of August and has been frolicking on the Vermont grass ever since. Press on the little arrow just above the blue arrow to see Hooter and hear Jonathan's narration. (We discover that some of these cows are really big hams on camera.)
--Jonathan, Howmars Farm
Franklin, Vermont
ABOUT THE BOVINE BUGLE Subscribe by using the box at the upper left. To unsubscribe, send a note to chalvorson@stonyfield.com
Today we're pleased to announce that The Bovine Bugle is moving...literally. Jonathan Gates up at Howmars Farm has taken up his video camera and sent us these wonderful shots of his organic herd contentedly grazing in the fields last week. [That's Jonathan's voice you hear, along with the munching of the grass.]
Those of you who have been faithful readers of The Bovine Bugle will now really get to see the action on the farm. We hope to have new "moo-vies" here about once a week, in addition to Jonathan's usual written notes and photos, so please come back and visit often. Also, we'd love it if you used the comment feature below or made a note on the video to tell us what you think of this moo-vie, and what you might like to see in "moo-ving color" in the future.
Click on the play button below--that's the arrow pointing to the right--and wait a minute. The video may be choppy. Play it once, then play it again for a smoother picture.
ABOUT THE BOVINE BUGLE **Got a question about organic dairy farming? Use the comment box below and we'll make sure Jonathan answers soon! Subscribe by using the box at the upper left.
Jonathan Gates reports from Howmars Farm in Franklin, Vermont.
