A new kind of ferment: Water Kefir

January 28, 2019 / phillipsfarmbatavia / Leave a comment

Introducing the Xavier middle schoolers to fermentation reinvigorated my own interest in it. I got a great book from the library: Home Fermentation by Katherine Green. I've been trying all kinds of new things from this including fermented chia seed jam, sprouting seeds and water kefir. I wanted to share this last one with you. … Continue reading A new kind of ferment: Water Kefir

So much for a lazy weekend…

January 25, 2019 / phillipsfarmbatavia / 2 Comments

I wanted desperately to be lazy for a couple days while my hubby was out of town for a guys trip. I dreamt of days spent watching tv and crocheting warm and toasty while it was frigid outside. Unfortunately having animals means you don’t get to take time off whenever you like and the temps … Continue reading So much for a lazy weekend…

Duck skating

January 16, 2019January 16, 2019 / phillipsfarmbatavia / 4 Comments

I spent most of the morning yesterday working out in the coop but didn't see the ducks come up to eat at all, which is unusual. When I walked down by the pond I found them quacking loudly in the cattails, the one part of the pond that hasn't frozen solid yet. When they saw … Continue reading Duck skating

Tree Tapping & Fermentation Fun

January 15, 2019 / phillipsfarmbatavia / 1 Comment

This school year, I have found a new way to connect my two areas of expertise: education and farming. Because of my connection to the Montessori department at Xavier, I was asked if we might serve as the farm for the middle schoolers at the lab school to visit each month. Maria Montessori thought that … Continue reading Tree Tapping & Fermentation Fun