Farm Friday

My intentions to begin "Farm Friday" posts is coming to fruition...

Currently, strawberry harvest continues. Because the heat has been increasing, the berries are smaller. Despite their size we are still able to meet the sales demands of our 3 biggest customers most weeks. We eagerly await the arrival of a sea container from the States which contains materials to construct tunnels over our berries. The rainy season will be here in full force soon. Usually production comes to an end during the rains, but we are hoping to extend harvest by tunneling the berries.

Preparing a spot at the farm for the sea container to sit.

The ladies continue to harvest daily

Raspberries and blackberries are just beginning to produce. We are just now marketing these to customers. (Much to the disappointment of our children! They were enjoying buying the few that were ripe!) Gooseberries have just been planted. A gooseberry is a small yellow fruit housed within a green husk. The taste is very unique. I have nothing to compare it too. Guess you'll have to come visit and experience it yourself.

Moses, our farm manager, helps some boys from Lifesong School plant the gooseberries.

Preparations for rainy season is what is taking up most of our time. We have 200 peach trees and 200 orange trees that were planted in July. The dirt must be mounded around them to protect them from the rains. They are also receiving a nutrient packed snack of chicken manure.

Just down the road, we continue working on the new farm. We call it Plot 3. There is much to do before the land is ready to plant in April. Tilling has begun. This week we are having a reservoir dug so we will be able to irrigate. An absolute must for farming in Zambia. Much to our surprise, the reservoir has been filling with water on its own from underground springs. It is the end of the dry season and we are thrilled that we will not have to trench water in from the nearby creek.

Unbroken ground with so much potential

Erik has felt like a pioneer breaking the sod out west...only difference...he has a tractor instead of horses

School let out early for the Wiegand kids to watch the momentous occasion

WATER!!

Jumping off the piles. The kids hold on to their hopes that they will be able to swim in the reservoir.

We continue to enjoy getting to know our Zambian workers, networking with local people, farming, homeschooling, capturing critters, and sharing the love of Jesus with all we come in contact with. Blessings to you and yours.