Celebrating June and All It Has to Offer

Hey folks, we are starting the month of June, and spring moves into summer on June 21. Planting flowers and vegetables in one’s garden is seldom one-and-done. Gardening requires nurturing with watering, weeding, and pampering the plants. If the white-tailed deer graze through your yard and feel that everything is a salad bar, here is a tip. To deter deer, you may want to put a radio on at night; the verbal conversation can keep deer out of your yard.

June is when kids are finishing up their school year and some are graduating, like Emily, a family member who is a senior at Knoch High School. The opportunities for seniors are endless for either starting a career or continuing their education. The summer break each year always gave family farms like ours an opportunity for family members, kids, and grandkids to share in the farm chores and learn some life skills. My dad and uncle were masters at making farm chores and field work into fun games, and it never seemed like work. I use the same farm games with our fifth and sixth generations on our farm each year.

June is National Dairy Month, established initially as a grocery/milk promotion in 1937. The National June Dairy Month now acts as a reminder of the health benefits that dairy products provide. When milk is as close to natural unrefined, it is the number two source of complete protein, right behind the incredible edible egg, which is number one. Local dairy farms like Pasture Maid Creamery in New Castle is a farm that supplies us with their products. We have partnered with them for over a decade, enjoying their fresh cream line, whole milk, and chocolate milk bottled in half-gallon glass bottles. They are delivered every Tuesday, along with four types of homemade cheeses.

Studies show that milk is superior to water and sports drinks after a workout. Whole milk is rich in sodium and potassium, which helps the body to retain fluids and cause your body to sweat less. In addition, milk contains protein to help your muscles recover quickly. Dairy cows are social animals; like people, they will make friends and bond with some while avoiding others.

If almond milk is your choice, Google: YouTube/almond milk farmer, then go to Nut Milking Exposed. It exposes what milking almonds are all about in about three minutes.

Flag Day is observed on June 14, and commemorates the adoption of our U.S. flag, which occurred on June 14, 1777, by a resolution adopted by the Second Continental Congress, and it is not an official federal holiday. Flags are to be flown at all government buildings. President Woodrow Wilson marked the anniversary of that decree by officially establishing June 14 as Flag Day.

June 21 is the first solstice of the year. In the northern hemisphere, June 21 is the day that has the most daylight, hence, that is why it is called the summer solstice. It is also the first day of summer. The meteorological seasons in the northern hemisphere for spring runs from March 1 to May 31. Summer goes from June 1 to August 31. Fall runs from September 1 to November 30, and winter goes from December 1 to February 28 or 29 during a leap year. I think the meteorological seasons rush the four seasons each year.

Father's Day is a holiday honoring one's father, fatherhood, or relevant father figures. The most common date among world countries for observing it is the third Sunday of June. This year Father's Day is June 18. Still, trying to figure out what to get dad this year? You're not alone. Reaching out to your dad in person or in spirit is showing respect. A great book to read is Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs.

If cooking on the grilling is part of your plans, our farm market has a meat case full of homemade pork products and four-pound roasting chickens. Natural casing wieners, bratwurst, and kielbasa are a grilling hit. Years ago, we partnered with Thoma Meat Market in Saxonburg, a family meat-processing business that processes local livestock that is so much better than the livestock finished in large feeding lots, which are found in most area grocery stores.

If flowers and vegetable plants are needed, our farm greenhouses have annual flowers, hanging baskets, herbs, and vegetable plants, peat moss, and potting soil.

Our farm family wants to wish dads and all the guys that support fatherhood a Happy, and Blessed Father’s Day! Feel free to stop by Eichner’s Whole Farm and Greenhouses at 285 Richard Road in Wexford, and get “the rest of the story.”

By Ron Eichner