Big machines

This past weekend was the Monster Machine event. There were big tractors, back hoes and even a combine.

What a little frozen ice ball can do

My brother just sent me a snapshot of one of his corn fields back in Iowa. When you first look at it you immediate can tell something catastrophic has happened. In the course of a couple hours a hail storm came through and ruined what was looking to be a good crop. Early estimates claim that potentially 2 million acres of Iowa and Nebraska corn received hail damage from this single storm.

There is something heartbreaking about seeing a field that has taken such toil utterly destroyed. Luckily for David, and a lot of farmers, crop insurance will come in and assess the damage and pay at least something for the loss of the crop. In David's case it will likely be about 70% of the average yield over the past seven years. While this will keep the farm going it erases all hopes of doing better. It is easy to cuss a storm when it rolls through our suburban neighborhoods and we loose a weekend golf outing or even our electricity. For those who are making a living from the land the gamble they make year in, year out, is not just for a paycheck or the deed to the farm. They are also putting food on our table.

New Addition

Since the park district took over operations at Wagner Farm a lot of animals have come and gone. Over the years, visitors meet and get used to certain cows. Some people can even recount the family trees of some of our more famous cow clans. This week there was a new name added to the roll of the Reta family. Reta was a very special cow that came to the farm in 2006. She had a daughter named Boo. She got that name because of how close her birthday was to Halloween. A couple years later, Boo has a daughter who got the name Madison because all the 4-H kids were up at Badger Dairy Camp in Madison, Wisconsin when she was born. Now comes the next generation. Madison had a heifer calf that is being called Isabella. Not sure on how that name came about but both mother and daughter are doing fine.

75 years ago today

Over the course of the summer we have been working on the new farmshed that is located just south of the farmhouse. An interesting historic fact, the shed that we are building is replicating one that was on that every spot. Today, 75 years ago, the Wagner barn was struck by lightening at a little after 2:00 PM. By the time the Glenview Fire Department rolled out Engines #4 and #5 the barn and the attached farmsheds were totally engulfed by flames. As the official report stated, being "full of hay and grain it caught fire at once and was an almost total loss. Damage amounted to $4,500." During the course of the seven hours the GFD was at the farm "One member by the name of Bohn had his elbow on his left arm burned and was sent to the doctor at once for treatment." According to a later interview with Pete Wagner there were no livestock in the barn at the time of the fire. "Fortunately all the cows were out to pasture during the fire." At the time the Wagners had between 40-50 head. Pete also went on to say that their insurance policy with Aetna paid to have the barn replaced later that same year. However, for some reason, the attached shed were never rebuilt.

If you want to see visual signs of that fire go to the lower level of the barn and look at the foundation sill beams. Because most of the fire damage was above the sill, the beams only were lightly charred. When it came time to replace the barn the frugal carpenters just reused the burnt timbers. When we do tours, kids get a kick out of seeing the evidence of the barn fire all those years ago.

State Fair

This past weekend we found enough time to make a trip to the state fair. I forgot how much fun it is to see the state's best livestock and exhibits. We also had to try the infamous fried stick of butter.

Big Progress

The shingling crew is making great progress, especially when you consider how big that roof really is.

A hard mornings work

This week we got our annual shipment of straw bales from KED Farms in Wisconsin. Unlike hay, straw is only made once a year. Straw is the waste product of the harvesting of either oats or wheat. With Wagner going through over 700 bales a year when we get straw in comes to us by the semi truck load. While a straw bale is only about 60 pounds they tend to feel much heavier the more you have to move them. This year we had a great crew of helpers to empty the truck. It didn't hurt that the temperature was only in the low 80's.

In the last picture of the bales see if you can find Blackie the cat. A couple weeks ago Blackie gave us a scare. He was coming towards the farm from the parking lot (and yes he was using the cross walk) and got hit by a car. Jeff got him to the vet who said Blackie had a hairline fracture but otherwise was fine. Now days Blackie stays as far from the street as possible

Interesting plant

Next to the farmhouse we have a small garden plot with some things that are universally known. Beans, peppers, strawberries, the usual. Mixed amongst the regular fare we also have some surprises. This year Paul, our master gardener added a really neat plant called the Polish Garden Cherry. It is very leafy and low to the ground. Under the thick stems there are pods that change color when they mature. If you open the yellow pods, a marble sized cherry tomato appears. They are just now ripening so I tried my first one today. It was an interesting mix between tomato and a mild nutty flavor. When Paul was a kid in Wisconsin these bushes grew wild. While I must say it tasted good, it seemed to be a lot of work for something so small.

Shed update

The Wagner Farm construction crew is making good progress on the shed. The exterior sheathing is all on and the roof decking is in place. The next step is to start putting the cedar shingles on. We all agree, it is hard to get motivated for that job. The sub grade has been added to the inside of the shed and we have also been given period light fixtures from Steve at the Grove. Rob is splitting his time between the roof and the foundation stone work.

Forever grateful

At the end of this years county fair Julie Tracy, one of the Glenview Clovers 4-H leaders announced her plans to step down from the club. Julie first came to the farm as just a mom of a potential 4-H'er. She and John were one of only a few families that came to that first informational meeting. After a few years, Julie stepped up to help out with the club in a more official role as co-leader. Over the years we have gotten to benefit from Julie's many talents and kind heart. She is a consummate teacher. When she didn't know an answer she would go and figure it out and then find the perfect way to present it so the kids could understand. One of the absolute highlights for the club would have to have been when she cold-called Temple Grandin and invited her to come check out Wagner Farm and talk with the club about proper livestock handling. To have a legend like Dr. Grandin visit the farm speaks to Julie's commitment and excitement for that next learning opportunity. Thank you Julie for a job well done even through the blood, sweat and tears... and yes mud.

Crop report

The last 30 days has been a roller coaster in weather. At the middle part of July we were so dry there were cracks in the field almost an inch wide. Then at the end of the month we had the wettest July in Chicago history. Nine inches of rain in one week. Now we have leveled off a bit and we are getting some really nice days with a couple rains intermixed. Some of our crops are doing well with the summer and others aren't. In the garden the tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers are looking like they will not live long enough to produce a harvest. Corn on the other hand is going crazy. The rains hit with perfect timing in the corn growing cycle. The other crop that is looking great is the fruit trees. The apples and peaches are plentiful. In fact, the apple tree has set on so many apples that Jeff had to prop up the branches to keep them from breaking under the weight of all the fruit. We are hoping that they wildlife will leave the trees alone long enough we actually get to harvest the fruit.

Losing some stars

Teachers go through this every year but you don't think about it when you start a 4-H club with a bunch of 8 year olds- they have to move on. This year we are saying good bye to some great young people. Haley, Olivia, Stephanie, John and Carolyn will be taking new steps in their lives and leaving the Glenview Clovers. Thank you for being leaders and role models for our younger kids and being such a help to everyone. You all will be so missed. Take care and please come back and see us at Wagner Farm

Dollar Drop In Activities for the Week of August 15

DAILY ACTIVITIES FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 15
Monday, August 15 10-11 am: Meet the Team: Grooming and Basic Care
3:30-4:30 pm: Design a Cow and a Chicken

Tuesday August 16 10-11 am: Farm Animal Face Painting
4 pm: Storytime

Wednesday August 17 10-11 am: Make a Corn Husk Doll
3:30-4:30 pm: Play Animal Tic Tac Toe

Thursday August 18 10-11 am: Meet a Chicken
4 pm: LAST Storytime

LAST Dollar Drop IN
Friday August 19 10-11 am: Ice Cream Making Demonstration

The end of the fair

The last event of the 4-H year is to have a "welcome back home" get together for the club at the Farm. There are awards, dessert and traditions to take part in. One of the neat things that the kids do to mark the year is they sign the barn with their names and that of the animal that they showed that year. It is our dream that one day there will not be any room left in the old barn for them to sign. It is a great way to commemorate a busy, yet fun filled summer.

Enjoying the fair 2

Enjoying the fair

Crazy cow

Another fun event at the county fair is the Crazy Cow relay. This year 12 teams participated in the timed race. The object is to chug a small milk and then run to the next station where your teammate does the same. Instead of a baton like a normal relay would have, this race you lead a heifer from one stop to the next.