Today marks the 200th day since I first dropped off my application with the USDA’s Farm Service Agency back on September 28th. 200 days slogging my way through the red tape associated with the government-financing process in hopes of one day owning my own forever-farm. Everyone wants to know what’s going on─have we Closed yet?…
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Runamuk at Maine School Garden Day
Runamuk has been invited to participate in Maine School Garden Day to talk about bees! It’s been a while since I was able to get out in the community to talk bees, so I’m pretty stoked to have been invited. On Saturday, April 28th teachers from across Maine will gather at the Maine Academy of…
What are the Essential Tools Needed to Get Started in Beekeeping?
Potential new beekeepers often ask me what are the essential tools needed to get started in beekeeping? What do I really need? Beekeeping is a big expense up front, and it can be 2 years sometimes before you see a return on that investment. People usually want to know which tools they absolutely have to…
Introducing GreenStalk Vertical Gardens! Our New Affiliate Partner!
I’m excited to introduce Runamuk’s new affiliate partner: GreenStalk Vertical Gardens and you should be too because they’ve given Runamuk a coupon code worth $10 off their stackable garden planters. Check out the new button in my sidebar on the left-hand side of the Runamuk website─pretty sharp right? Honestly, I don’t make much money off…
FSA Loan Request Approved!
Yesterday I received word from my FSA agent that my loan request has been approved. It shouldn’t have been in question, but until I had that Approval letter in my hand I just couldn’t breathe easy. I was approved the first time around─when I applied for financing to purchase the Swinging Bridge Farm; but what…
Farmer Talent Show to Benefit the Madison Farmers’ Market
I’m donning my hat as Director of the Madison Farmers’ Market for this post, to unabashedly promote the market and our upcoming “Farmer Talent Show”. It was a selfish endeavor, really─when I undertook to organize a farmers’ market in my rural hometown of Madison, Maine. I was a beginning farmer looking for a market close-to-home…
Parting Ways
After 2 years working together, Paul and I are parting ways. It’s always difficult when you care about someone to admit that you’re on different paths in life, but we’ve both come to terms with it and this will be an amicable parting of ways. Upon closing, Runamuk and I will move to the Hive…
#WinterGrowingChallenge #4: Wrapping It Up
We’ve reached the end of my #WinterGrowingChallenge for the 2017-2018 winter season and I already know I’m going to do it again next year. I’m determined to provide as much of my own food for my family as I can, and growing shoots and sprouts in a kitchen window is an easy and inexpensive way…
Year-Round Indoor Salad Gardening – Book Review
Peter Burke’s book: Year-Round Indoor Salad Gardening has served as a bible of sorts throughout my #WinterGrowingChallenge. I found it amongst the reference books in the library at Johnny’s Selected Seeds and borrowed it for my project. Note: In case you missed it, you can check out the #WinterGrowingChallenge to learn more about what it…
Feeding bees pollen-patties in early spring
Each winter, as we work to grow our apiary to the goal of 100 hives, I closely monitor the condition of our hives throughout the course of the long winter. After each big snow, I make this trek out across pastures to ensure the entrances are clear for my girls. I take advantage of the…







