News and Blog
Now is the time for fall peas and beans. They are especially good this season of the year. We are harvesting chestnuts and persimmons now as well. Sweet potatoes, organic cooking pumpkins, organic peppers are coming in as well. Grape juice is available and we still have grapes for sale.
The bakery has just recently released their new pumpkin roll. It has created quite an interest and likely will be a featured item for October and November. The bakery is busy looking to create more new items.
The garden center has lots of fall plants, pumpkins, corn shocks, bales of straw, but don’t forget the mums! Please remember October 6 is Farm Heritage Day and October 20 is Pumpkin Day. Pick your own pumpkins are Saturday mornings. Check out the website www.indigofarmsmarket.com for details. Please tell your friends as well. If you use facebook or twitter please help pass the word. Thank you from the friends and neighbors at Indigo Farms.
A Day Worth Remembering?
October 6 is Farm Heritage Day at Indigo Farms. For 20 plus years we have had this event and for many, many people it has been a source of memories and remembering. If you are privileged enough to remember or if you have never known the rural roots of the area here is an opportunity to create your own memory. Reflecting on our lives and the lasting value of our lives is not often given justice in the course of weeks, months and even years. We lose so much when you realize that there actually was a time when people skillfully crafted their work to last not years but decades and in some cases centuries. If you enjoy fun, seeing others enjoy honest fun and learning while being able to take stock of your own life I believe you will find this to be a day worth remembering. Check out the website www.indigofarmsmarket.com for details. Please tell your friends as well. If you use facebook or twitter please help pass the word. For iniformation on Pumpkin Day and other activities see website or indigo farms market on facebook. Thank you from the friends and neighbors at Indigo Farms.
The first bin of pumpkin arrived last week, along with corn stalks, pansies and mums. We also have wheat straw and ornimental gourds for fall decorating.
All mums are budding, and most are showing good color.
The pumpkins are deep orange with nice strong stems.
Corn stalks are sold in bundles of six to eight stalks.
Pansies varieties are limited right now, but will increase in the next two weeks.
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Fall Tours 2012
What is a hinney? Well , come find out. Have you ever seen cotton that isn’t so white and fluffy ? How about cotton with color? Ever wondered what a turkey from a hundred years ago may have looked liked? Besides unusual farm animals and plants, you will have an opportunity to learn about many of the classic farm animals and plants.
We are offering tours with different emphasis depending on age or interest. This means we will spend more time where we think your class can get more out of the tour. If you are interested in a particular aspect let us know ahead when you book your tour and we can emphasize that for your tour.
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TAKE A HAY RIDE AROUND THE FIELDS AND THROUGH WOODED TRAILS.
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LEARN ABOUT AND EXAMINE DIFFERENT KINDS OF GRAINS. WHAT ANIMALS EAT AND PEOPLE EAT.
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VISIT FARM ANIMALS: PIGS, SHEEP, HORSES, GOATS, A HINNEY, ETC. AND VARIOUS FOWL. LEARN WHAT EACH ANIMAL WOULD EAT.
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TAKE A LOOK AT FALL CROPS: CORN, PUMPKINS, PEAS, INDIGO,
SUGAR CANE, COTTON.
LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY OF AGRICULTURE IN THIS AREA. SEE OLD FARM EQUIPMENT, PLOWS, WAGONS, ETC. this is optional depending on time..
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VISIT THE CIDER PRESS & DRINK APPLE CIDER ( pasteurized)
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SEE THE SCARECROWS, CORN STALK TEEPEE, AND HAY MAZE. PEOPLE LIKE TO MEET THE SCARECROW CHARACTERS ALL AROUND THE FARM!
YOU MAY WANT TO BRING A CAMERA OR A CAMCORDER
In addition to tasting apple cider, each child will take home a mini-jack pumpkin (in case we run out we may substitute a gourd or Indian corn) and an INDIGO FARMS 16 page coloring book designed to reinforce the learning experience. It has a $2.00 coupon inside.
Each class will receive a Teacher’s guide and a Teacher’s copy of the coloring book. You can use this to discuss the trip in the classroom. Each class gets a pumpkin for their classroom. (Homeschool groups & some very small groups may be considered as one class.
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Time:
The tour takes about 1-1.5 hours. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO BE ON TIME! We are trying to avoid having too many people on the farm at the same time. When you are late we have to take less time on your tour.
DATES:
The tours begin October 8 through November 16.
Price:
The price is $ 7.00/PERSON. 1 teacher / class is not charged. For public Primary schools one teacher’s assistant is not charged.
Special
needs classes and very young children who need parents please let us know when you call.
Rain:
Call before you come if you have concerns. We’ll try to reschedule if necessary.
Cancellations:
It is very important that you call and contact the office (843-399-6902 or 910-287-6794) to let them know you are not coming at least 24 hours in advance of a scheduled tour.
NO SHOWS:
Due to the time and cost of guides you will be billed $20.00.
Reservations:
Call 843 -399-6902 or 910-287-6794
Ask for Tour Reservations.
The address is
FALL TOURS , INDIGO FARMS,
1542 HICKMAN RD NW
CALABASH, NC 28467
Hwy 57 2000 N
Little River, SC 29566
Farm Heritage Day is October 1. That means the whole month of October is under way. I must say it begins with full momentum.
Please help spread the word by telling your neighbors, by face book or twittering your friends.
The schedule for Farm Heritage Day looks like this.
9am hay rides begin when enough people fill the wagon.The exhibits will be available during most of the day.
Exhibits include;
Indigo dyeing, Indigo dyeing and the history of indigo are particularly interesting for this area.
Meck Hartsfield, a true master black smith who loves to interact with people about his art is back this year. Here is an opportunity to ask questions and learn a lot!
Indigo Dyeing is sone this year by Cathy Sweatt & friends. WIth a background in schooling they are prepared to introduce you to colorful world of indigo and it's deep rooted history. If you have never seen indigo turn color before your own eyes it is something to witness.
Walter Hill and the Horry County Museum will be on hand to operate teh 1915 vertical engine & 1920's grst mill. The museum can introduce you to even more information on the region's past. Be sure to check this out.
Paper making, Barbara Fyre has been making paper for quite some time. Some of her work may interest you as stationary, cards, etc.
Weaving
Beth Miller , Barbara and Cathy have encouraged each other for many past event days. So even with Cathy Perry moving away we are thankful to have Barbara and Beth to help continue the quality the three of them have given in the past.
Becky Long will be sharing her families deep roots in the area and helping people see how profoundly our past heritage is woven into the character of the people in the area.
Old tools display by Mr. Horace Butler. Mr. Butler is a bit of a living legend. A man whose life is tied closely with the trees and woods of southeast NC. He and his dad were on the last of the logs to be sent down the Cape Fear river. His first hand knowledge of the history of timber, logging trams and the network of rails feeding virgin trees to large lumber mills is something to learn about. Such timber companies as the Jackson Brothers and the Hammer Lumber Mill in Little River neck.. After ninety years his experiences and his strong faith are quite worth hearing. We just learned that Mr.Butler wil not be able to be with us this year due to health reasons. We will certainly miss him.
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1920's grist mill being demonstrated by the Horry County Museum. This grist mill was owned by Mr. Otha Ploughton Bellamy who milled grain for the community.
The mill is turned by a 1915 Morse-Fairbanks hit & miss vertical "t" engine. Learn about the history of this engine from the Horry County Museum. Mr. Walter Hill is an incredible source of experience and knowledge for his age. Not only is he the director of the Museum but a first class blacksmith whose work graces many of the plantations such as Brookgreen Gardens and Weymouth plantation in Georgetown. But that is not all, his roots tie into some of the most interesting histories of the Horry and Georgetown Counties. From knowing people who ran barges of fertilizer up the Waccamaw River, to hunting wild hogs, to working tobacco, to local lore and interesting individuals that have given the area it’s flavor; there is much you can learn from him.The area is very fortunate to have a passionate museum director whose roots go hand in hand with the history of the area.
The Waccamaw Tractor club will be exhibiting some of their restored tractors. More important than their tractors are the stories they can tell that go with the tractors. Along with the time and energy to restore these tractors are the memories of using tractors like these. As a club they enjoy sharing their experiences with one another. But you will find new interesting things as you talk with them.
Wayne Skipper and his mother, Mrs. Skipper will be doing horse drawn demonstrations and making sugar cane syrup, respectively. He will be turning the sugar cane mill part of the time as well. Wayne’s experience with horses has taught him many life lessons. He shares a strong belief as Walter Hill does that young people miss out so much because they don’t have this kind of relationship with "real life" interactions. Learning the "how to" from a mentor and then learning to respect and learn from horse or mule to create a harmonious working relationship changes a person. Just ask Wayne Skipper or Sam Bellamy. Sam Bellamy hopes to be able to do some Horse demos as well, hopefully, enabling some youngsters to put their hands to the plow themselves.
STOCKPIG Racing, The Stockpig racing series at the STOCKYARD 600 will be getting the season off to the 2012 start. Look for updates on the series and learn a little about the inside life of a STOCKpig racer and how the point system works. The races are scheduled throughout the day. Most likely 10:00, 12:00, 1:30, 3:00, 4:00 .
Hay rides, pony rides, Pick Your Own Pumpkins, Hay maze will be on going throughout the day.Many thanks go out to these folks and many others who have volunteered to help. Special recognition to the Horry County Museum, the N C Forestry Museum, The NC Cooperative Extension. We encourage you to visit and be involved in helping bring out the history of the area by discovering the ways local museums are seeking to do this.
If you are interested in peaches this may be the last week to get them before the quality begins to turn more on the mealy side. Take advantage of the peach pound cake while it is still available. The weather has been difficult on many crops. The squash are becoming more plentiful. Hopefully the cucumbers will follow right behind. Okra is picking up and more beans and peas are on the way.
Grape juice is now being made. It is available in the store now. We will be making more soon.
Later this month persimmons and chestnuts will start being harvested.
Meanwhile I recommend that you try two salad dressings if you have not already. The Carolina peach salad dressing and the Raspberry Vinaigrette. These dressings really stand out. People are telling us that they use them on grilled meat as well. We have a good supply of honey and different types of molasses, cane syrup and sorghum syrup.
It is time actually to think about Fall. We have some nice organic striped great neck squash., butternut and a good looking crop of heirloom pumpkins. Some of these are available now. The striped great neck is a winter type of squash.
We are getting ready for the fall season and the fall events. We have planted lots of pumpkins and even though it has been a tough August for growing them I believe you will find the pumpkin patch very interesting this year.
We switch in emphasis this year is in StockPig racing. To help ease the feelings of NASCAR we are using the StockPig identity. We believe it important to not create unnecessary stress on anyone and do not want the fine folks at NASCAR to have any fears. But StockPig Racing at Indigo Farms has a bright new season. This years little fellows are from the same stock of two years ago. Those pigs still have captured a memory that stands out as the model you want all pig races to have. The mental knack of racing was prominent. The intensity with which they lined up to race was at times a little hard to believe. Noses on the gate, eyes wide open scanning for that little clue, for a second the look would truly captivating.
It is watermelon time! Our seedless watermelons are coming in with two surprises. First they have a wonderful flavor , the best flavor of any watermelons we have had all year. Secondly, they have some seeds. These are usually small and few but we believe you should be aware that you may have seeds. We don’t really know why.But if you love watermelon this is your time. Also we have a different new type of cantaloupe that has been well received. The flavor of this melon is rated very high as well. Our tomatoes are coming in well. The bean and pea crop is waiting on the next crop which should be in August. Peaches are finished on the farm but we are bringing in some very good quality peaches which can be purchased by the basket.
If anyone is interested in learning to dye with indigo we may be able to teach you. Please contact us very soon.
Blueberry PYO may not be open again this season. There is only enough left for the market and bakery. I realize that this season is much shorter than we normally have. Meanwhile figs are coming in now and peaches are at their peak. The bakery is in it’s element with so much to work with; Peach pound cakes, peach milkshakes, creamy pies in blueberry, blackberry and peach. Watermelons are coming in strong as well. We have some really nice large tomatoes and more organic tomatoes and eggplant than before.
The Blueberry field is open Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday this week. This will be an excellent way to work some blue into your 4th of July. The Winblo peaches are quickly disappearing but Georgia Belle and Sun Prince are up next. We are bringing in some good peaches as well. We will be in a time when peaches can be purchased by the basket , box or pound. The peaches are full of sunburst yellow and red blush. Have a colorful and joyful holiday, be safe, be grateful, value one another and give freedom some serious thought.
Blueberry field is open Monday, 8 am to 12. Also on Thursday and Saturday. Strawberry field is now closed for the season. The dark small Garden Blue variety of blueberry is coming in at this time. If you are familar with this blueberry and know it’s rich sweet flavor you will be glad for this tip. Peaches and blackberries are not available for PYO. Yet we have them in the market. We will be picking Norman and Winblo peaches.
