Farming, Fishing, and Digging a Hole

Trevor and I just got back from a weekend at Green Flamingo, where we finished digging the aquaponics pond we've had going for awhile. Aquaponics is like hydroponics, only it makes use of animals in the water for purposes of filtration, plant nourishment, and mosquito control. As you can see, it has not been filled yet, but we have lined it with carpet and pool liner so that the water won't seep through the ground.

Other duties included assisting intern Steve with an after-hours trash run...

...and assisting him again when he ran out of gas on the way back :(

Other than that, it was a very relaxing weekend. We visited Green Flamingo's booth at the farmers' market in New Smyrna Beach...

...fished...

...cooked a spicy skillet meal (visit The Chickenless Kitchen for the recipe!)...

...and lied around like the trailer trash we so desperately hope to be one day.

We still have not decided on an internship for this summer, but for now, Green Flamingo is a fantastic place to be and we are ecstatic to be volunteering our time there. It's hella-difficult to get back to civilization and see ridiculous stuff like this sign outside Cracker Barrel:

Will keep you updated on the internship story as it unfolds!

Pictures from Virginia

Hello again, finally. Trevor and I just returned from a too-brief stay at a farm in Virginia. Farmer Sandra (who grows Asian pears, artichokes, sunchokes, and asparagus just to name a few) and her animal companions were sweet enough to put us up for the weekend. Theirs is a stunning piece of property, so be prepared for lots of pictures!

An Amish buggy (there is a large Amish population in the neighborhood)

Sandra's cabin: a work in progress

Well house

Classically photogenic tractor

Sandra and Trevor walk down to the lake

Sunset at the lake

Finally making progress with the shy donkeys!

Tobacco barn... isn't this the perfect Halloween picture?! Oooooooooo...

Peeking in the window of the tobacco barn

Inside the tobacco barn

Outdoor kitchen

"Hmm, wonder if I can get away with sneaking into the pig pen?"

"Just a little push..."

"Score!!"

A warm thank you goes out to our wonderful hosts:

Tom the Turkey...

...Puppy-Puppy...

...The rabbits...

...The Malaysian fighting cocks...

...Girlie-Girl...

...the donkeys...

...Daisy the pig...

...the chickens...

...the horse...

...and Sandra!

Remembered the Camera

Here is the fabled Green Flamingo. I went yesterday while Trevor was at work. We planted broccoli rabe, kale, onions, beans, and four papaya trees; then did some watering, fertilizing, and weeding. Fun stuff!