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A Quick Trip to Michigan, Home of the Blueberries!

This past weekend, we took a somewhat impromtu drive up to South Haven, Michigan and visited DeGrandchamp Farms, where we have bought most of our blueberry bushes. It was a great experience!

On Friday we toured the building where the blueberries are sorted several times and then packed into those tiny containers one sees in the grocery store. Workers were packing the last blueberries of the season. There were sorting machines to detect blueberries of the wrong color, weight, and firmness, but even after all that, the blueberries still passed on a conveyer belt through about six people who picked out bad quality berries. The berries were then dumped into containers and the containers were closed, all by machine. They went along another conveyer belt and the packages which were too light were "spit" out so a worker could weigh and adjust them separately. Finally they were put in boxes to go to the store! We found out that berries that look as though they came from Florida on the label--really may have come from DeGrandchamp Farms!

We also saw the nursery where the tiniest plants (who would have dreamed a blueberry plant could be SO small!) are taken care of until they grow into plants big enough to buy. Going into a different greenhouse, we even laid eyes on some plants which will probably be coming to our farm, come spring! :-)

Mr. Mike DeGrandchamp was so kind to take us on a very interesting tour of the blueberry and cranberry fields. We learned how to battle the fungus problem better, some tips on pruning, how cranberries are grown and harvested, and more! What a farm! Thousands upon thousands of blueberry plants, and each bush has to be pruned...by hand!! All the berries are hand picked, even the ones that are sent to grocery stores.

With the tour over, we went back to our campground. We enjoyed a swim in Lake Michigan (just two miles or so from DeGrandchamp farms) and a climb on the sand dunes before we camped out for the night in our trusty tent. Abriana and I are grateful to have air mattresses to sleep on like our parents, but Grant always has to rough it with a roll-out pad and a sleeping bag. :-)

The next day, we ventured into South Haven to do some serious shopping. :-) There were many quaint shops...and many adorable dogs wandering about with their owners. We even discovered a store devoted soley to the illustrious blueberry, selling everything blueberry imaginable! Of course we had to take a picture in front of it.

After our fill of wandering about downtown South Haven, we drove to a lovely park to have lunch, where we spread our picnic on a table overlooking the harbor. When we had eaten, some member of the family made the incredible discovery that blueberry plants were growing right there in the middle of the park! And they had BERRIES on them! (We then proceeded to act in such a manner that you would have thought we had never seen a blueberry growing fresh on a bush. It must be because of the unforseen termination of our crop by the obnoxious robins.)

It was fun to walk down to the lighthouse with the gorgeous lake on either side.

Returning again to our home base, we changed into clothes suitable for encoutering the water, and traipsed down to the beach, making sure to bring the camera along since we had not the day before. The water was very chilly, but Grant (who is never deterred by the temperature of water) went right in, and I followed with Abriana. The day before, Abriana had distinguished herself by being the first to immerse herself, and then even swam underwater several times.

The waves were bigger this day, and we had such fun riding them. The water is beautifully clear and clean. It's almost like an ocean without salt!

Climbing on the sand dunes was also a treat, and so was flying down them after reaching the heights. The view was amazing, as you can see. What a wonderful God who made all these things for us to enjoy!

A Green Project!

Here we have me, Karise, with an actual gardening project. Now, I am not much of a gardener, but with the help of my dear Mother, this medicinal front yard herb garden has come about. :-) And it being one of my pride and joys around the farm, I decided to put a picture of it (complete with an out-of-place tomato plant, which has since been uprooted) on here with the uses of the various herbs, which I hope to experiment with as time goes by.

First, (amazingly) I grew the following herbs from...seed!

• Salad Burnet, which thrilled me at first by growing very vigorously, but now is one of the smallest (for wounds, sunburn, and other skin troubles).
  
• Hyssop (for congestion, sore throat, cuts, and bruises).
  
• Marshmallow (for respiratory irritations, dry skin, cuts, and scrapes).
  
• Catnip, very large and healthy (for digestive ailments, cramps, fevers, and colds).
  

We also planted a Rosemary plant, which is an antiseptic, antioxidant, and antispasmodic, and Stevia, which is supposed to be a sweetener. If you chew on a raw leaf, it overwhelms you with a stiflingly sweet (and in my opinion slightly unpleasant) flavor.

Some kind customers brought us a couple of comfrey plants, in exchange for some blueberries, which have since grown very large and healthy and threaten to take over the herb garden in the future. Comfrey is good for bruises and burns. My sister and I have tried putting it on our skin in poultice form, and it really does have a cooling effect.

I tried to transplant a large Jewelweed, (good for poison ivy) but since then it died, so I guess I'll have to try it again sometime.

And I can't forget Plantain, the common yard weed, which is for bites, stings, cuts, wounds, etc.--planted at the risk of being thought crazy by people who don't know its illustrious herbal qualities!

As you can see, I have probably slightly overcrowded the small space I tilled up earlier this summer (see illustration below). We may have to move some of the plants that aren't doing so well anyway...or the extra large ones which would look rather odd in our front yard. We'll see which plants survive the coming cold for next year's use!

What People are Saying About Lost Branch Lodge...

"What an awesome place for a family get together. The Prebe family reunion was held here with almost 100 people for the weekend. It was wonderful. Great rooms with accomodations for about 20 people."

--Dave

Go here for more information and pictures.

Any Takers?

We have a few things that were lost at our farm this season, so if you recognize any of them as yours, please give us a call at 660-665-4771. (Leave a message with your number if you don't get us). They include three plastic buckets, a "Hello Kitty" cap, and a mint green pacifier with dragonflies on it.

Closed for the season

Do you remember the 1963 thriller "The Birds"? If you do, you're too old...not really. But we have felt a little like we've been attacked. Don't get me wrong, they are just doing what comes naturally, just like turning a child free in a candy shop. But you can count on the fact that I am already planning to "deal" with them next year (legally, that is). I told you on a previous blog that I plan on trying a "concord grape extract" that is supposed to repel them after they eat one berry that has this on it. It is a food grade product (that means the FDA has approved it to be used in some of the foods you eat). It is not supposed to flavor the blueberries. So anyway, I've got some ordered and am going to try it on what little berries we have left. Hopefully it will work so that my family won't have to buy blueberries (LOL) I will let you all know. It is also supposed to be good for other small fruits like cherries etc...
We have had an outpouring of advice from well-wishers. We are very appreciative and humbled by your care and concern. As a matter of fact, we have the best customers a business could hope for. We are not down trodden by any means. We are just looking forward to seeing you all next year.
I want to say a special thanks to Jerry and Michelle (and Oliver, their handsome son) of the Covert Cupboard. They were very gracious and enthusiastic customers (and good marketers too). I hear their blueberry scones are deeelicious! Please see their web page to see about their healthy, baked delights, http://www.covertcupboard.com/ They also get the prize for being our very first U-pickers this year.
Also, thank you, Darin. Your pruners helped me tremendously this year. Your care and concern have been such a boon for my family over the years. You were also instrumental in bringing the most awesome crew from Truman Library to the farm. Well, there are so many that come to my mind and I know I will leave off without mentioning many of my favorite customers, many of which endured 95 deg. heat to pick. Thank you Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce for your help in getting the word out and for the nice tour that you brought our way. Thank you all for your prayers too.
God willing, we will do it better next year!

God bless and keep you,

Robert and Family

P.S. Check in with our blog now and then as we do updates about the farm. We are also going to be working on our ".com" web site which has been lying "dormant" because I am so inept with that stuff at this point.

Special Thanks...

To Darla Smith for the beautiful picture of our blueberries at the top of our blog! Go here to see Darla's website. Her e-mail is: darla@anewdayphotography

No Picking Today or Saturday

Such beautiful weather we're having. It would have been nice to pick during this weather rather than 3 weeks ago.
Well, we are doing all that the Dept. of Conservation has instructed us to do. It is having some effect but we still are not going to have enough berries in time for Saturday. We turn the noise cannon off at night and when I went to turn it on at 6:30am this morning, the Robins were already heavily into their breakfast with blueberries. I did speak with a man yesterday from Cape Girardeau MO who has been in the blueberry business for 25 years. He gave me some good advice that I will be instituting more next year as I need to get the supplies. One of the ideas is utilizing a completely natural red grape extract that I can spray on the berries. For some reason Robins don't like it. They like white grapes but not red. Also, I will be hopefully investing in an electronic noise maker. He said that he found these most effective.
We may announce a "special" picking day here soon if we get some ripe berries, so....stay tuned....

BB

Update for picking this weekend - No picking Friday - maybe Saturday

We are still having severe Robin problems. We can't seem to stay the tide. However, the calvary has been called (The Dept of Conservation). They have really taken an interest in helping me for which I'm very thankful! However, we are too late for at least this Friday. I don't have even one bucket of ripe berries at this point. The Dept. is literally bringing in their big guns today (a propane canon that shoots loud, blank shots) Also, they have given me several rounds of pyrotechniques that go "wizzz bang" across the plantation. Plus, we are bringing out the old plastic snakes again and putting them in the bushes. I still estimate that there are 300 lbs of unripe berries out there but not sure how many we will save. However, after all is said and done, I'm still thankful for what God has given us and all you who supported us this year. We have been overwhelmed and greatly encouraged by your kind words and enthusiasm. I would like to share a song that I read this morning:

God Moves in a Mysterious Way - William Cowper

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,
he treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take!
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy; and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
he hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain;
God is His won interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

BB

Lost Branch Lodge

• RELAXATION IN A COUNTRY SETTING



• SWIM IN THE LAKE OR FLOAT IN THE OVERSIZED RUBBER TUBE



• FISH FROM THE DOCK IN THE STOCKED LAKE



• TAKE THE PADDLE BOAT FOR A SPIN



• STROLL AROUND THE 40 ACRES--HAVE A PICNIC



• WATCH THE SUN SET AS THE SKY TURNS SHADES OF RED AND ORANGE



• JUST SIT ON THE COVERED PORCH AND ROCK

Rent a room for the night starting at $55 per room or rent the entire lodge (8 rooms with ensuite baths) with full kitchen, living room, satellite tv. Perfect for family reunions, weddings, church retreats. Call for special pricing. 660-627-2500.