It’s Molly’s favorite time of the year – chicken manure time. It’s not the fragrant aroma of spring she’s been eager for, but it’s a necessary part of our long-term plan to regenerate our soil.

It’s really hard to describe the smell of being down wind of 100 tons of chicken manure.  It’s an acrid stench that assaults your senses, almost like sticking your tongue on a nine-volt battery. You may be too young to know this sensation but trust me when I say it’s shocking.

Those who joined us on our Farm Tour last year, you might remember the memorable scent that accompanied our hayride. Unfortunately, due to a breakdown in the spreader, we couldn’t distribute the manure before the event. This hiccup is just a glimpse into the realities of farming – real challenges, real smells, and real solutions as we address our soil restoration needs.

For almost a year, we have been offering milk from our partners at Sowers Sustainable Farms. Since I believe in the free association of consenting adults, we were doing this outside the bounds of permissible regulations. I was comfortable with the risk since everyone was a long time customers. But as the diary is growing,