Holzworth Farm - Cattle & Corn

On Thursday, September 6, the LEAF program went to the Holzworth Sweet Corn Farm just outside of Palmerston. When we got to the farm Mike showed us their cows. There were red angus/simmental cross. The meat is very tender and has a high level of marbling. Mike also mentioned that he has a donkey on the farm. It was given to him as his neighbours had no use for it.  Mike now uses it to protect his cows from animals such as coyotes. We next took a wagon over to look at the different crops and to talk about soil. We learned about nitrogen fixing crops like beans, clover, peas and alfalfa. He mentioned he has some organic crops which is the fastest growing sector in agriculture. He said that he has been farming some of his land organically for 8 years. He explains how organic crops yield less, but can be more valuable. We took another wagon ride across the farm to talk to Luke, one of the neighbouring farmers, to talk about the soil. He started by taking a nitrogen fixing plant from the ground and showing us the group the nodules found on the roots and explained how they are used to lock in nitrogen. He then talked about how soil testing. He starts by handing us a sheet which documents two types of soils. He told us how soil testing should be done every three years and how important it is now that phosphorus levels are being strictly monitored in Ontario due to algae blooms in Lake Erie. He emphasizes how organic matter is very good for the soil - 3% at least. Finally, we ride the wagon over to the sweet corn crops. There is over 7 acres of sweet corn at Mike’s farm. He tells us how this corn is distributed to three local grocery stores and is sold at his own farm. He explains that sweet corn takes 65-81 days to fully mature, which can vary based on the weather and how he likes to plant each week rather than planting everything at once. Finally, we split off into two groups to pick corn to place in giant baskets given to Mike by Reapers Of Hope which sends food to poor countries. We ended our trip with a bag of corn given to us by the farm which we cooked the next day. Thank Mike. Luca & Brooklyn