FALL SEASON WINDS UP AT STRATFORD

The extended drought this year has affected both the spring and fall planted crops at Stratford Ecological Center on Liberty Road. The farmhands started harvesting the sparse corn earlier than usual, on October 29, in the east end of field 5. A breakdown caused a delay, and the job was finished on November 5. Perennial rye grass was immediately planted, as well as in the north end of field 1 on top of the spelt.

An inch of rain was welcomed on November 10 and will help in the germination of white clover, which was planted all over the farm this week. White clover attracts pollinators, which increases production of our fruits, vegetables and crops, as well as the honey in our 19 hives.

Two of our five pigs went to the processors on November 5. They averaged 190 lbs. each. The remaining three continued on pasture and enjoyed handfuls of acorns thrown to them by enthusiastic children attending farm school. These pigs will leave on December 10. We do not plan to buy more weaners until next April.

The AmeriCorps interns have been rushing to plant the tree seedlings east of the Hush Trail before winter sets in. The “stick-like” trees were brought in during Earth Week last April, potted up, and tenderly cared for throughout the summer. Most survived, leafed out well, and averaged 18 inches tall. Every year we get new varieties of oaks; Shumard and Shingle were a first for us this year. As oaks attract the most insects, we have increased the number we plant. Also, this fall we once again planted white oak acorns in the handicap accessible boxes on the patio.

Hands-on activities are always a favorite of our visiting school children. As the black seeds are now mature on the sunflowers heads, they saw that one small seed can produce a tall sunflower; since a wide variety of wild birds love the seed, they were able to pry them out and fill the birdfeeder in the Memorial garden.

As fall is garlic planting time, the children also busied themselves planting one fat clove in a four-inch-deep hole, that they dug themselves, in the front section of field 3. The garden gang quickly learned they must be fully prepared for this activity, including a line of string to mark the rows and a small indentation to mark the planting spot. Despite their efforts, a number of cloves were later found dotting the surface of the plot. After all, we are an education farm and these things inevitably happen!

The farmhands have continued putting the farm to rest for the winter. This year it involved putting 2 new tires on the old, rusty chisel plow. It remains outside all year, due to a full house in the machine shed. Despite its appearance, it is still sound and does a great job in the fields.

This year’s report on bird breeding at Stratford was shared by Paula Ziebarth, the Delaware County Contact for the Ohio Bluebird Society. Volunteers continue to care for and monitor the Purple Martins, Tree Swallows, Bluebirds and Wrens, which is no small commitment. The Purple Martins began laying their eggs in our 60 gourds two weeks earlier than normal, due to unseasonably warm spring temperatures. Unfortunately, just like last year, there was a cold spell in mid-June, and it took all the effort of the adult Purple Martins to keep themselves fed, and some of the young birds and eggs perished. They still managed to fledge a total of 190 birds, more than last year. The 33 Tree Swallow and Bluebird nest boxes resulted in 38 Bluebirds, a little less than the last two years. The Tree Swallow count was well down due to incomplete data. The Wrens fledged 9.

A year has passed since our year-long AmeriCorps Interns arrived on the farm. Kiki and Alejandro leave us on November 26, and Mariah completed her internship on November 5 and joined us as a part-time staff member, until she finishes her schooling. All three have been exceptional assets to Stratford, they have become our friends, and we hope they will always think of Stratford as their home. Four new AmeriCorps interns will take their place; Bryce and Davina as Environmental Educators, and Brendan and Ethan as Land and Environmental Educators.

Farm School and Farm and Nature Tours will end by November 22. The Guides have been invited to enjoy a luncheon on November 21, when the staff will host a chili cookoff, and the guides sample and choose the winner! Please check the website for any open-to-the-public changes over the holidays and the month of January. We extend our very best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving.

Pauline Scott is a farm and nature guide at Stratford Ecological Center, 3083 Liberty Road, Delaware. She can be reached on 740-363-2548. Stratford’s web site is www.stratfordecologicalcenter.org