Down on the Farm
Now we have to wait about 50 weeks for the 2018 California Mid-Winter Fair & Fiesta. I say this because we had such a great time this year as we do most years. What makes it special for my wife and I are the show animals, and the children and parents that get the animals to the fair. Once there, the FFA and 4-H members need to care for their animals and show them in competition. We were fortunate to speak with a young man from Calexico about his Holstein. I was amazed at how friendly the cow was, allowing me to pet it.
I figure it would be difficult to part with the animal after the auction especially knowing it was bound for Burger King. Hey, and you thought your burger is made from textured soy protein? A friend thought the same for a smaller animal, that she just couldn’t give it up. And now there are two rabbits in the garage. On the plus side, their garage no longer smells of tires or oil. It has a pet shop odor to it.
We also had a great conversation with a dad who was on watch in the swine barn. Maybe pigs to you, but these are smart, friendly animals. Parents and their 4-H and FFA children take turns keeping the animals safe and fed. This was the first year his children entered animals in the fair. He asserted that the experience had been great. Caring for an animal teaches responsibility, and the kids learn about the animal’s life cycle, best source of feed, and breeding. I’ve heard that pigs make good pets. A friend had piglets living in his house in the country. Eventually they grew and started pushing the fridge around. Sadly, it was time to make pork chops. And you thought your pork chops are made from compacted corn meal?
We were very restrained in what we ate at the fair though we did indulge in our favorite fair food: corndogs. These are definitely made from mystery meat. I know since it takes me about 24 hours to entirely digest. Perhaps it’s just that I slathered on too much mustard. We go to the fair on Tuesday night, but once we made the mistake of going Monday night. Beware adults: this is high school madness night. It may not be a good idea if you are twenty or older. There’s a large security presence in case the cheerleaders get out of hand. We were sort of caught up in the dragnet and drama. The kids, however, were polite.
The photographic entries and quilts were exceptional. The Imperial Valley Gem and Mineral Society’s permanent exhibit impressed our friend from China. The phosphorescent rocks are unusual. A bag of interesting rocks goes for a dollar. Geodes are available at a small price. Perhaps the most fun was when my wife volunteered to walk the CHP, “are you under the influence?,” line wearing goggles that replicate a high alcohol-blood content. She did very well but was told she couldn’t assist her balance by extending her arms like a tight rope walker. Missing from the Preble Building for several years is the display of agricultural products grown here in Imperial Valley. Where’s the ag industry’s pride in showing off the bounty of local products?
Down on our farm things are looking good. Well, the gardens, anyway, are loving the springtime heat. Peppers in small numbers have been growing year round. Tomatoes are greening. Vince’s organic garlic is maturing. He and his sister are figuring on cornering the organic garlic market, a difficult crop to grow. Lettuce and arugula season is over. It was nice picking fresh greens for a sandwich or salad, but not everyone enjoys spicy arugula. I can’t get enough. For the first time I’m using a four by four above ground garden box. The plants are growing quickly since it’s easy to mix a rich soil with compost. You can now plant squash, peppers, okra, eggplant, and melons. Take advantage of mild temperatures to get some vegetables in. Happy planting.