Winter Care for your Backyard Flock

WINTER CARE FOR YOUR BACKYARD FLOCK
N. Hreha

First time flock owners have a lot of questions about navigating the winter months with their "girls".
Most folks have started their flock in the spring or summer months. By now they have "fallen in love" with these productive creatures and have enjoyed every moment of their antics, their behaviors and their chatter.


So of course when anticipating the cold weather that's sure to find us in Sussex County, owners want to know the do's and don'ts that will keep their girls healthy and happy through the winter months.
We've put together some of the most common mistakes and best practices that may surprise you. Working in consultation with animal health care providers and local farmers we've gleaned the top tips from their customers' most frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions or if a medical emergency arises seek professional advice from your local breeder/farmer or your veterinarian. (There are veterinary hospitals in the Sussex County area whose staff is experienced in treating poultry.)

Tip #1 People and Chickens are built differently and handle cold weather in different ways.
Sounds like common sense doesn't it? But we as humans have a tendency to project our own experience with our household pets onto livestock. Chickens are well equipped to handle cold weather temperatures. Those beautiful feathers provide wonderful insulation that maintains body heat. You'll often see the birds "fluff themselves" as a way to regulate their body temperature. This is normal in winter weather. Birds will also huddle close when roosting which also helps them to stay warm. (Who doesn't like a good cuddle on a cold winter night!)  When fully feathered layer hens do not need a supplemental heat source. NO HEAT LAMP or HEAT SOURCE is needed in the chicken coop. As a matter of fact adding a heat source presents a real danger of creating an environment where bacteria can prosper not to mention the potential for fire or damage to the birds should they come in contact with the heat lamp. DO NOT USE HEAT LAMPS in the coop.

Tip #2 Cold feet aren't fun!
Life is not fun when your feet are cold. When temps drop and the ground freezes your girls will be more inclined to enjoy the crisp winter air if there is a place to get off the cold ground. Inside the coop the girls will enjoy a bedding of wood shavings they can scratch through and a roosting perch where they can huddle together.
** A common mistake people make is thinking MORE IS MORE...in fact deep layers of shavings or adding straw or hay to the coop floor is an invitation to bacterial growth that can make the girls sick.** Only bedding material (low dust) should be used in the coop but you can scatter light layers of straw or hay on the ground in the outdoor run if you'd like.
Also adding a roosting perch in your outdoor run will give the girls an alternative to walking on the cold ground. A roosting perch doesn't need to be elaborate (or expensive). Using natural branch material at varying heights is a very cost effective, easy to replace addition to your outdoor run and can be left in place all year long.

Tip#3 Water
As you already know chickens like all livestock need a steady supply of clean water daily. Freezing temps can disrupt their food/water ratio and in the case of an animal with a high metabolism, this can create serious health problems. There are several varieties of water containers you can choose from and the heaters have come a long way! Some folks choose an enclosed metal watering container and use a heater base. Others choose a nipple watering system with the ability to add a drop in heating donut (similar to a bird bath heater). Both are efficient, however, I prefer the translucent nipple watering container with a drop in donut heater because of cleanliness and because of the ability to visibly see if the water needs to be refilled. The drop in donut is temperature sensitive and will turn on and off as needed to keep the water in a liquid state. (Poultry watering equipment and heaters are available at Brodhecker Farm in Newton). **Waterers should NOT be kept in the coop. Remember, MOISTURE promotes bacterial growth. **

Tip #4 Seeing the light 
A hen's ability to produce an egg per day relies on both sound nutrition and light. Though we may not notice subtle increases or decreases in daylight on a daily basis, our hens do! Adding the correct spectrum of consistent lighting to your coop benefits your hens in important ways.
Chickens detect light differently than humans because of the extra photoreceptors in their pineal and hypothalamus glands. 

Their response to light controls their circadian rhythm, the 24 hour cycle of the bird's hormonal cycle and behavior. But not all light is created equally! 
Red light stimulates egg production in poultry. Birds exposed to a red light spectrum vs a blue, green or white light have higher egg production because the red light is able to penetrate the skull to stimulate the extra photo receptors which then stimulate egg production. Red light at around 650 nm is able to penetrate the skull and brain with more efficiency than blue, green or yellow orange light and as stated, increases egg production. This doesn't mean adding red light alone to your coop is the right choice. And some researchers suggest that red light alone stimulates aggression in hens. 
LED lights are believed to deliver better results in laying hens than incandescent lighting and overall laying hens benefit from lighting with a red spectrum3 (2700K-3000K).

TIMING IS EVERYTHING: 
Layer hens benefit from a standard level of light for 16 hours per day year round especially when food is located in the coop and even in the peak of summer when days are at their longest length. Whether sunny summer days or Jersey Gray ones, having lighting partnered with the feeding station encourages the hens to receive the food nutrition they need to produce and stay healthy.

 Tip#5 Should I lock the girls in for the night?
The forecast is calling for snow and you're wondering if you should lock the girls in for the night...the short answer is "no".  With few extreme weather exceptions your girls will fare well if your coop is protected from wind chill and moisture. In addition, if you are keeping the watering station outdoors you will be limiting their access to water by locking them in. Remember, chickens generally become active earlier than people do -especially on a winter weekend morning! The coop does not need to be insulated-simply free of draft especially by the nesting boxes.

Tip #6 Egg Collection 
It's always wise to collect your eggs shortly after the girls are done laying. This practice keeps eggs clean, discourages shell picking and discourages other creatures from taking your breakfast. The freezing temperature of eggs is around 32degrees F. At that temperature uncollected eggs will begin freezing in about three to four hours. Once the egg freezes it is generally advised that it is discarded because of the potential for bacteria to enter the egg through hairline or significant cracks in the shell. Because of WHERE the egg is produced from the possibility of bacterial contamination exists. When the egg warms bacteria can enter the nutrient rich environment of the egg through cracks in the shell regardless of the size of the crack. Be mindful of this if your eggs have been out in the cold long enough to freeze.
Of course you can always add more bedding to the nest itself which will help insulate the egg and extend the window of opportunity for collection. Always be sure the nesting box material is clean and changed frequently. Another tip is to stack straw or hay bales OUTSIDE of the coop near the nesting boxes. This will provide a buffer from chilly winds and help in keeping the eggs insulated. If your hens don't use the nesting boxes but prefer to lay in a corner of the coop you can always add additional bedding material to that section but again, make sure you are cleaning up frequently.

Tip #7 Fattening up for Winter
Many folks have asked if their birds should be "fattened up" for winter weather. The short answer is NO. Steady caloric and nutritional intake makes for healthy and productive birds. Over feeding your hens causes significant health issues as is the case with any of our pets. Stay consistent in your feeding habits, choose a well balanced feed that provides the nutrients, calcium, micro nutrients she needs. REMEMBER: Snacks are fun but if they take the place of a well balanced feed feather quality, egg quality and production and overall health will suffer. 

BREEDS THAT DO GREAT IN COLD WEATHER AND ARE AVAILABLE LOCALLY
While there are many breeds of hen not all are equipped to do well in cold weather climates. However in general chickens do much better with winter chill than extreme heat. Below are a few of the breeds known for their adaptability, generally great disposition and high level of production. **Not all breeds are represented here but the following are a few favorites of those we've polled**
**The following breeds are considered "dual breeds" meaning they are strong egg layers and can be raised as meat birds. The males finish off in the six to eight pound range**

RHODE ISLAND RED and Red Sex Links: The breed was developed in the late 1800's and became the state bird of Rhode Island. The reddish brown feathers, docile disposition and excellent production of brown eggs make this one of the favorite "hearty girls" in our poll. 

BARRED ROCK: This is another New England original and is also a favorite because of the striking feather pattern, great egg production and overall disposition.

WELSOMMER: This layer of brown speckled eggs originated in the Netherlands and first came to the US in the 1920's. Though it is a bit slower to mature, this breed is hearty and adapts well to winter weather.

WYANDOTTE: These birds have beautiful feather patterns and are generally considered to be very equipped for extreme cold weather with minimal problems with frostbite due to the size and shape of their comb. They are brown egg layers though slightly less productive than the breeds mentioned above. They have a docile and calm disposition but some keepers report that these birds are more aloof with humans than other breeds.

Backyard Birding in Sussex County NJ

We shot this very short video as a treat for those who wonder if setting up a backyard birding station is as rewarding as "they" say.  In the few hours we spent collecting footage, more than 12 species of birds stopped by the feeding platform! We spotted ground feeders like the mourning dove, woodpeckers, finches, blue jays, nuthatches, chicadees, cow birds and more-and we were surprised by some of their behaviors!
Hope you enjoy the video and the reminder to "Enjoy the Bounty" every day!

"The Scoop Behind the Coop" Helps folks new to raising poultry master the basics

Destination Sussex-a visitors guide to discovering the Bounty of Sussex County

You don't have to live here to call Sussex County...My HomeTown.
For generations, Sussex County NJ has been the place where great family memories were made. Family vacations, camping, skiing, reeling in the first "big catch", hiking, pumpkin picking, biking, the County Fair or maybe a visit to a local farm at Christmas time...Sussex County has a "hometown" place in the hearts of folks far outside Susssex County's boarders.

MY HOMETOWN, a NaturallySussex exclusive feature,  hopes to share the bounty of Sussex County and spread that feeling of "coming home" with all our county's visitors.

Beginning in  January 2012, the NaturallySussex crew has been heading out to all corners of Sussex County New Jersey in search of the unique history, heritage, agriculture, recreation and local businesses that make this community one terrific place to live AND visit. We post our photos to our NaturallySussex Facebook page along with some fun questions and hints before we reveal the location of our photos. You'll learn more about the our weekly discoveries at NaturallySussex.com (See My HomeTown). Throughout 2012 we'll be exploring the Bounty of Sussex County and are inviting you, our visitors and residents, to do the same by entering our monthly photo contests.
A new destination assignment will be posted each month along with the entry deadline. One winning entry will be selected and the winner will receive a prize package presented by NaturallySussex and local sponsors. The winning photo will become part of the My HomeTown feature and will be published with photo credits. 

As our discovery of the Bounty of Sussex County continues, we'll continue to add new locations and businesses to our DESTINATION SUSSEX online visitors guide. This online tool will guide you to to some our county's great places to eat, shop and explore. What a great way to get acquainted with our  local businesses-the folks who are the backbone of our community. 

We hope you'll use the guide to check out some new places and old favorites
and when they ask you how you heard about them...
please tell them NATURALLYSUSSEX sent you!

Don't forget to "like" NaturallySussex on Facebook. Get a "sneak preview" peak of MY HOMETOWN destinations and updates on all the NaturallySussex news.

We can't wait to see where the country roads of Sussex County will take us next! Glad you're coming along for the fun!

If you've been to a local farmer's market lately...

You've probably met Sussex County farmer Lou Tommaso of L.L. Pittenger farm. A growing presence in the local agricultural community, Tommaso didn't start to farm until much later in his career but his earlier business experience is helping him grow a successful farm business that is reaching a diverse customer base in the region. Here's his story:

The Sussex County agricultural lifestyle which Lou Tommaso and his family now find second nature was not the norm for this native New Yorker and businessman. Brought up in the family funeral business, Lou later established several businesses of his own. Core to his business success has been a family philospohy he learned early on- always provide great customer service and be ready to respond to market trends. L.L. Pittenger Farm, established nearly a dozen years ago, incorporates that philosophy of adaptability into everything they do. This keeps their farm a constant "work in progress"  as they expand and refine their livestock breed selections and management practices as well as their product lines and find new ways to bring their products to new markets. 

Through the years L.L. Pittenger Farm has enjoyed a growing customer base throughout the region. Today, L.L.Pittenger Farm beef, chicken, pork and lamb can be found at six regional Farmers' Markets; Blairstown, Sparta, Old Lafayette Village, Ramsey, Morristown and the winter market in Newton.  

To keep up with the demand for his product, Lou  continues to refine and evaluate farm operations always looking to improve the process and products from his livestock farm. "You never stop learning in this business." Tomasso said. "I like to gather all the information I can and then see what fits or doesn't for my operation. There are a lot of factors to consider; choosing the right breed, management practices, customer demand for the finished product. All these go into the mix before we come up what we feel is the best possible choice for L.L. Pittenger Farm. I like to do my research but in the end, I believe producing great quality meat products is a result of 25% feed, 25% water and 50% genetics."

As Lou recalled the early days of his operation he is quick to credit his farm's growth and success first, to the mentoring he received from local farmers as he began his operation, and also to the lessons he learned throughout his business career. "Never sacrifice quality and always satisfy the customer".
Now, almost a dozen years later, Lou likes to network with other farm operations who may not have the diversity or quantity of products to participate at a weekly Farmers' Market. Lou often adds some of their offerings to his market space- which helps out the farmer AND offers the consumer the opportunity to try additional locally produced items like honey, soaps and cheese. Being open and adaptable is a cornerstone of Lou's thinking-it's is also an essential component of successful farming in New Jersey especially when dealing directly with consumers.

Consumer interest and trending toward locally grown foods continues to rise supported by efforts from Buy Fresh/Buy Local and state and local agencies that are invested in connecting farms and communities. As a result, farmers have seen an increase in demand for their products and are adding value added products to their consumer offerings. But along with the growth in consumer interest and willingness to purchase locally come some new challenges.

 

"Early on we realized that our customers wanted to know where and how their food is raised, but they didn't necessarily want to see production. We opened a shop on the farm, but found better opportunity through participation in Farmers' Markets. In the past 3 plus years the number of Farmers' Markets has more than tripled." said Tommaso. "The additional markets mean more opportunities for farmers, but it also means customers have more opportunities to purchase the locally raised products they want, closer to their own homes. And as demand continues to grow, farmers will face new challenges in how to efficiently produce and sell their products."
Bringing product to the consumer, rather than having the consumer come to the farm, is a change for farmers who have been selling farm raised meat products. Beef and pork purchased directly from the farm are often sold by the whole, quarter or side. Customers purchase their share of the animal. The sections are cut to order, packaged and frozen, then picked up in bulk at the farm. Tommaso saw an opportunity (and a consumer preference) for offering individual cuts that would satisfy the changing preferences of consumer tastes and culinary trends. After months of researching the regulations and guidelines for labeling and selling individually packaged products Tommasso embarked on the task of locating a processing and packaging facility that met the standards set for Pittenger products.
 Lou blazed a trail that many other farmers are now following-offering customers the best quality, best tasting locally produced meat products available in small packaged quantities. The market response has been exceptional-perhaps because purchasing meat in individual cuts is something consumers are already in the habit of doing, or perhaps because a lack of freezer space, dietary trends (and the overall economy) may make it more challenging to purchase larger quantities at one time. Individually packaged cuts of meat offer an additional benefit-allowing customers who are rediscovering culinary joy to "step out of their comfort zone" and try new recipes (and some traditionally favorites) that incorporate wholesome locally grown ingredients.
To help those navigating their way to culinary bliss, Lou also shares some of his own favorite recipes, cooking tips and tricks with his customers. Being an active member of several Farmers' Markets gives L.L.Pittenger Farm the added bonus of creating a personal connection with their customers which benefits everyone.

Birders take advantage of the mild weather and Head to Sussex County

When you head to Sussex County- You head home happy!

January has brought many days of exceptionally mild weather to Sussex County and has encouraged a migration to the great outdoors for hikers, bikers and birders who don't usually get to enjoy their favorite hobbies in January!

With miles and miles of trails and acres of state parks, Sussex County is a haven for outdoor recreation and year round enjoyment-but typically during the winter months, it's cross country skiers and ice skaters who are braving the elements to enjoy their favorite pass times. Not so this year.

Hiking, biking and riding trails throughout Sussex County have been dotted with visitors and birdwatchers who are usually spotted during the spring and fall bird migrations, have grabbed their binoculars and are headed to Northwest New Jersey. The beauty of the County's winterscape  has offered an added the bonus for birders- increased visibility. This is  making it easier to spot some feathered visitors who generally make a migration to the Jersey Shore, where food is more abundant this time of year.

Amazing photos are turning up on birding sites and even in the press and backyard birders are enjoying the activity around their birdfeeders.

Robert Sciarrino/The Star-Ledger captured this image. A Snowy Owl that has made the Merrill Creek Reservoir in Warren County her home for the past 7 weeks perches on a rocky slope by the reservoirs southern dam. Naturalist at the site say that the young female bird seems to be healthy and is feeding on what she catches in the area.

If you're a birding enthusiast or a backyard birder AND would like to share your birding photos, NaturallySussex.com invites you to email them to shopkeeper@naturallysussex.com. Include "Publish my bird photo" in the subject line of the email. If you photos is approved it will be added to our beautiful Sussex County photo gallery- a permanent feature on our website.
The photo must belong to you and have been taken in Sussex County.
We encourage young photographers to add their work BUT if you're under 18, we'll need a release form signed by your parent * see photo release section of our website
By submitting your photo, you are granting NaturallySussex the right to publish and use your photo on our site and in promotion. We'll always add photo credits to entries we use so be sure to include your name when sending us your favorite photos.

Gardening Trends 2012

The economy is influencing our thoughts, choices and trends across the board. From fashion to home decor and even gardening. That isn't necessarily bad news though. While the economic climate has been challenging, it seems the collective influence is inspiring a new awareness of conservation, nature, heritage and sustainability.
How will these trends influence the design and use of our outdoor space?
Color:
Pantone, the colour industry giant has pronounced ORANGE as the hue of the year in 2012. Shades of orange/red will be seen in many aspects of design including the garden where orange flowers and foliage will ignite the landscape with a blaze of color. Complimenting this hue will be are shades of blue found in perennial blooms. Plant breeders continue to develop new variations of blue blooms-the latest breakthrough being introduced to the cut-flower industry in November 2011-a rose cultivar "Applause". The "blue gene" found in pansies is inserted into a Cardinal de Richelieu rose producing a deep purplish-blue hue. This new rose may soon be available in plant nurseries and will be a stunning addition to the rose garden.
Exotics like Hibiscus, succulents and elephant's ear will make their way out to the garden-though they should be considered as annuals and inserted seasonally. New tropicals will be taking their place in retail garden shops too and the prediction is that there will be a continued interest in ornamental grasses. Ornamental grasses offer four season interest, are easy to maintain and give the landscape a natural look.

NATURALLY SUSSEX encourages you to select NATIVE PLANTS AND GRASSES for your landscape. Installation of plants and grasses native to your region improve your garden success rate (meaning less fuss and money) AND benefit the environment-offering natural habitat/food sources and shelter for the creatures that inhabit our garden spaces. Your best source for information and guidance when choosing your garden plants is your LOCAL nurseryman, farmer and growers. Sussex County growers and horticulturalists and Rutgers Extension  are great resources for NJ homeowners who are looking to achieve gardening success. Consult before you buy.
Flowering shrubs fill larger spaces and provide additional color to the perennial garden. Longer blooming-low maintenance varieties of some traditional favorites (azalea, hydrangea, forsythia and others will begin showing up in late 2012.
Sussex County's own Farmside Gardens adds an additional twist to the perennial garden-edible landscaping- integrating food producing plants to your shrub and perennial beds. Expert on growing just about anything in Northwest New Jersey, Farmside Garden can guide gardeners to the most successful pairings of food bearing plants to your existing or new landscaping. Adding a stand of green beans along the walk way adds a touch of creative interest and fun-especially for the kids as they grab a little snack fresh from the garden!

On the practical side: GROWING YOUR OWN FOOD
2012 will find a renewed interest in supplementing the family table with locally produced foods and foods grown and preserved at home. Beginning gardeners will trend toward adding veggies, fruits, grapes to their gardens. Throughout the region there has been an active interest in layer hens and bee hives as well. Community gardens, CSA's and hydroponic gardening will also see in increase in interest as people seek to reconnect to the earth and food production.

NATURALLYSUSSEX introduced its AT HOME HYDROPONICS unit to the market in 2011. The 18 plant unit is suitable for growing greens, flowers, herbs and veggies-is LOW maint. and EASY to operate. Visit our MARKET to learn more or place your order. Fresh, home-grown produce for busy people-NaturallySussex At Home Hydroponics!


Urban gardening-gardening in small spaces and alternative gardening will be hot topics in 2012. One solution will be "growing up"-vertical hydroponic units which take little floor space but produce a great crop of edibles. Some units are self contained while others are easy to install (though admittedly not so attractive) in the garden. *See the Alternative Gardening feature in Plant A Row for the Hungry at www.sussexcountyboardofagriculture.org

Container gardens, earthboxes, strawbale gardens and repurposed/recycled containers add function, production and interest to the homeowner landscape-whether that be patio, deck or stoop. Offsetting the rising cost of food and experiencing the pleasure of growing fresh foods at home without the expense and time investment of a traditional garden will inspire and empower consumers to hands-on food production-the key will be low maintenance gardening.  No one wants to be a slave to their garden!

2012 will also bring a return to the art of food preservation-canning, freezing, preserving home grown foods to sustain the family throughout the year will be a lost art revisited. With the abundance of food information available to the computer savy consumer, experts predict that home preserved will become part of the family dinner throughout the year in many households. *For information of canning, freezing and preserving see the Sussex County Board of Agriculture-Plant a Row-Alternative Gardening feature on http://www.sussexcountyboardofagriculture.org.

Finally, experts predict  a return to natural and sustainable gardening will be the trend in 2012. Installation of Rain Barrels, composting and other measures that conserve soil and water or reduce the amount of chemical fertilizers is on the upswing.
NaturallySussex reminds you that the best insurance for a healthy garden comes from testing the soil. Pick up a soil testing kit from your County Extension Service (Rutgers Extension in Newton for Sussex County residents). Extract individual soil samples from each area of your landscape and garden. Complete the requested information that comes with the kit, including what plants you would like to grow in each area. Forward the samples to Rutgers Soil Lab for analysis. In return you'll receive a report that identifies the type of soil, and recommendations for soil amendments that will help insure success. Soil analysis is affordable AND saves you a great deal of money, time and disappointment that comes from applying too much (or not enough) of the wrong amendments to your garden. Get the scoop on your garden before you dig in!














Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/Gardening+trends+2012/5956755/story.html#ixzz1isC4RXUw

NaturallySussex announces a new feature for facebook fans and friends

January 2012
Welcome to a new year in Sussex County!

NaturallySussex.com is happy to announce a new photo feature that will introduce you to the businesses, sites and locations that make Sussex County New Jersey Naturally Great!

Each week we'll be posting a series of photos to our "My Home Town" facebook album.
We're inviting our fans to guess the location, business or "special find" and post their answers in the comments section. Look for more information about the photos here on the NaturallySussex blog-then head out and explore a new location, discover a new shop or business or simply enjoy the Bounty of Sussex County for yourself!

Watch for special announcements, prizes and contests exclusive to NaturallySussex.com and come join us in celebrating the unique community that is Naturally Sussex!

Sussex County's Sunshine™ begins its 2012 tour

Step out of the cold and into the warmth of Sussex County's Sunshine™ as the sunflower photo exhibit makes its first scheduled stop at the Sussex County Homestead-the county's senior residential facility located in Newton.

The 102 bed facility is home to life long Sussex County residents, many of whom are now unable to enjoy the farmlands and open space they enjoyed for years...So we're bringing a little bit of Sussex County's Sunshine™ to them!

The exhibit will be open to the public and will open with a public reception on January 10th 4:30 to 5:30pm. The exhibit will remain on display and open to the public through Jan 31st. Student and community groups are welcome to visit-simply call ahead to arrange the date and time. Individuals are welcome to stop by without prior arrangement.

The Sussex County's Sunshine™ sunflower photo exhibit is a spectacular community driven celebration of art and agriculture in our community. More than 75 beautiful framed photos and 230 digital images will be on display. Don't miss the opportunity to bask in the warmth-it will leave you glowing!

This exhibit is made possible through the generous support of our agricultural community, Dandelion Creative, LLC and proceeds from the sale of the keepsake publication. Books are available for purchase online at NaturallSussex.com and exhibit sponsorship opportunities are available  Contact shopkeeper@naturallysussex.com for more details.

Sussex County's Sunshine® sunflower photo contest update

If a picture's worth a thousand words-then the first annual Sussex County's Sunshine® sunflower photo contest is speaking volumes about Sussex County-its farmland, beauty and community spirit! The Virtual Gallery hosted by NaturallySussex.com is bursting with beautiful entries from professionals, amateurs. Digitally Altered photos bring new dimension to the photos taken of 2010/2011 sunflower fields. More than 100 beautiful and creative entries can be viewed and shared on the site, delivering on the promise to "brighten someone's day".

Contest host Brodhecker Farm is accepting all print entries until October 15th. The entries will be used to create a traveling exhibit. The framed art will be premiered in an exhibit opening at the sponsor location on November 12th. The public is invited to attend or visit the display which will remain at the farm until December 31, 2011. Applications will soon be available for organizations and businesses who would like to host the exhibit in 2012. Contact: Shopkeeper@naturallysussex.com for more details.

A Guest Book on the site welcomes comments from Virtually Gallery visitors. The contest creators hope to spread some "sunshine" around the globe. Adding a geographic location to the Guest Book entry helps to measure the reach of the contest and brings it closer to meeting that goal.

The public response to the photo contest has wonderful. Entries will be accepted for both the Virtual and Print exhibit until October 15, 2011. There is no charge to enter. 2010/2011 photos are being accepted in three classes-Pro/Amateur and Digitally Altered. See naturallysussex.com for entry forms and prize information. *photos -not photographers- must be from Sussex Co NJ.

Sunflower photos spread a little sunshine in wake of Irene

We're all painfully aware of the wide spread damage caused by Irene. Power outages, flooding and traffic snarls are adding to the intensity of stress post storm. Photos by the thousands remind us of Nature's might and fury. But there is another side of nature that is equally powerful and can be uplifting to the spirit and calming to the soul. Those are the images we hope to share with a weary world through the collection of Sussex County's Sunshine® sunflower photos being added to the virtual gallery at naturallysussex.com.

Viewing platform offers a panoramic view of the field.

The timing of this free to enter photo contest couldn't be better. Adding your photos to the virtual gallery or print exhibit couldn't be easier. Visit naturallysussex.com for the details.

Contest sponsor, Brodhecker Farm, reports that although there is damage throughout the 24 acres of sunflower crop (about 30% across the three fields) the "late bloomers" seem to be standing in defiance of  Irene's fury. Strong winds and heavy rains uprooted some of the stalks but with a resilience that reflects the spirit of the Sussex County agricultural community, many of the young plants have weathered this storm.

Digitally Altered photo shows "visitor" drinking in the beauty.

Photos from across Sussex County's farmland (2010 and 2011) are welcome.  Enter as many photos as you wish electronically and in print.
Digitally Altered-Professional and Amateur classes are available.



Photos-not photographers-must be from Sussex County.


The virtual gallery is open for your viewing pleasure. Fields of sunflowers are in still in bloom for your enjoyment (see brodheckerfarm.com for locations).

photo courtesy of N Hreha

Sussex Naturally invites you to take a break and bask in some Sussex County Sunshine.


NaturallySussex welcomes BBC Printing  Branchville, NJ as the photo print sponsor of Sussex County's Sunshine®. Quality printing and friendly service. BBC Printing has a lot of great ideas for turning your favorite sunflower photos into unique and personalized gifts...helping you spread a little Sussex County Sunshine!

Spread a little of Sussex County's Sunshine™ around the world! Sunflower photo contest 2011

naturallysussex.com

 Announcing the FIRST ANNUAL
 Sussex County's Sunshine™
Sunflower Photo Contest

sponsored by Brodhecker Farm
hosted by naturallysussex.com

 Sunflower fields are bursting into bloom all around Sussex County-delighting visitors and residents with amazing color and fantastic photo opportunities.
NaturallySussex.com wants to spread a little of that "Sussex County Sunshine™" across the world, and is inviting you to enter your favorite Sussex County New Jersey sunflower photos in this first annual Sunflower Photo Contest. Spread the beauty captured through your lens -enter your photos for FREE in the Online AND Print photo contest. Deadline for entries is October 15th-giving you lots of time to get out there! Prizes will be awarded for first place entries in the DIGITAL ONLINE and PRINT categories-Professionals and Amateurs are invited to participate. There's even a DIGITALLY ALTERED category for all those creative types! We can't wait to see what you come up with! Photos taken in 2010 or 2011 will be accepted- Sussex County locations only.

Here are more of the details:
ONLINE Gallery: The NaturallySussex.com Sunflower Photo Gallery will feature digital entries that depict Sussex County NJ sunflowers. Professional, Amateur AND Digitally Altered classes are open to Sussex County visitors and residents. 
Photos will be featured online in the NaturallySussex.com virtual gallery until December 31, 2011. Photos will be judged by an independent panel of judges.
Photo credits will be given for entries in the online gallery.

First place prizes (valued at more than $100.00) will be awarded for:
Digital Amateur-Digital Professional and Digitally Altered classes.
Email JPEG files and completed entry forms to shopkeeper@naturallysussex.com by October 15th. *see contest guidelines on the naturallysussex.com site.
This contest is open to the public-photos must have been taken in Sussex County 2010/2011.

 IT GETS EVEN BETTER!

NaturallySussex.com and sponsor Brodhecker Farm 
want to share your great print photos in a county-wide traveling exhibit thru 2012!

Prints up to 11"x14" will be accepted at Brodhecker Farm until Oct 15th.
Photos must be framed/ready-to-hang*wire hanger please

First place prizes will be awarded in the Print Professional, Print Amatuer and Print Digitally Altered classes. (First place prize valued at more than $100.00 )
A GRAND PRIZE (valued at more than $250.00) will be awarded for the best overall PRINT photo.
An exhibit of all print entries will be on display at Brodhecker Farm through December 31, 2011.
Opening date: November 12, 2011  An artist's reception will mark the opening of the exhibit.
The exhibit will travel throughout the county in 2012 beginning in January at the Homestead Nursing Home in Newton, NJ.

There's no limit to the number of photos you can enter and no fee to enter!
Photos can be submitted to the to both the Digital and Print Classes!
This give you lots of opportunities to share your great pictures.

Photos must  have been taken in Sussex County NJ - 2010 or 2011 photos are welcome
For more on the contest, rules, entry forms and prize details visit naturallysussex.com 's Community page and links.

The online Sunflower Photo Gallery is already OPEN for viewing- visit naturallysussex.com and check out some of the first entries received.

Sussex Naturally is  looking forward to seeing Sussex County Farmland through your lens.

NOT SURE WHERE TO FIND SUSSEX COUNTY SUNFLOWERS?
Here's a partial list of locations:
Route 565 N near the Skyland's Ball Field and across from Roseline's Bakery (30 acres + maze)
2 Branchville-Lawson Road Hampton Township (7 acres and viewing platform for panoramic view)
Route 94 across from Crystal Springs (Roadside view)

About to bloom:
Rt 15 Sparta (7 acres and viewing platform)
Rt 519 and Branchville- Lawson Road (10 acres)
*visit www.brodheckerfarm.com for a google map of Brodhecker fields

Why so much attention to Sunflowers?

The NJ Grown Black Oil Sunflowers are a cash crop for farmers and a recent addition to JERSEY GROWN.  After the spectacular bloom period, the sunflower heads "go to seed".
When fully matured, the seed heads are harvested, cleaned-dried and packaged and are available to consumers for use as wild birdseed.(check out the NJ Black Oil Sunflower Harvest video on YouTube).
Black Oil Sunflower seed is a favorite for wild birds and a number one choice product for bird enthusiasts. JERSEY GROWN Black Oil Sunflower seed was introduced across the state by NJ Audubon as part of their S.A.V.E. initiative. This is the second season Sussex County farmers are growing this crop for direct to the consumer sale.

This year, NJA introduced another S.A.V.E. brand product to the JERSEY GROWN-handcrafted bird feeders and bird houses made from White Cedar grown in the Garden State. NJA Birdfeeders and Birdhouses are available in the naturallysussex.com marketplace and at various retail and farm locations throughout the state.

NJ Audubon continues to build bridges between conservation and agriculture for the benefit of all NJ residents. Those who appreciate JERSEY GROWN products will be glad to know S.A.V.E. products are produced here in the Garden State. 
NJ Audubon has brought leadership, vision and innovation to the goal of preserving our natural resources and working in compliment with NJ Farmers to bring new products to the market.

Now that you know more about sunflowers-Grab your camera and get out there!
Sunflowers mature in several stages. Watch the fields as they come to full color and then mature to seed. Capture the beauty with your camera and be part of this fun-FREE- contest.
Sussex County's Sunshine Sunflower Photo Contest ® 2011 Dandelion Creative,LLC
Hosted by: naturallysussex.com
Sponsored by: Brodhecker Farm Newton 

naturallysussex.com reserves the right to make changes or cancel without notice
prizes packs may be subject to change
no cash substitutes for prozes

Sunflower Alert! Brodhecker Farm reports the first of three fields in bloom

They're finally here!
Brodhecker Farm
2 Branchville-Lawson Road
Newton, New Jersey

Last year, thousands of people stopped along the Route 15 roadside to drink in the nature's beauty as seven acres of sunflowers burst into color. Hundreds more visited the seven acre farm field.  Brodhecker Farm welcomes visitors to enjoy the beauty of nature's colorful display at the farm location again this year as the first of the 2011 sunflower crop has come into full bloom. Ample parking has been made available right at the farm. A short stroll along the edge of the field brings visitors to the best viewing/photo vantage point. A viewing platform is in place for your convenience. The farm is open seven days a week. See the website for farm hours and location.

Brodhecker Farm plants and harvests the sunflower crop for their wild bird birdseed product. Sold in conjunction with NJ Audubon and under the Brodhecker Birdseed label, the sunflower seed is available to customers at the farm store location throughout the year. 


Seven acres of sunflowers were planted at the Hampton Township farm earlier this season. An additional 17 acres were planted at the same time in two additional locations, however, a devastating crop failure necessitated a complete replanting of those  fields. This pushed back the time line on bloom and harvest for this important cash crop. 

Farmers face many challenges. Even the best thought out plans can be impacted by unanticipated events which could devastate harvest and a  farmer's bottom line. Field crop failure in New Jersey -where the growing season is quite specific- can cause tremendous economic loss.

In an attempt to recover the initial 17 acre loss, Brodhecker Farm replanted  fields in both locations and hoped their additional efforts would prove successful. It seems they have. Acres of sunflower heads appear just about ready to open. Within a few weeks, Sussex County will be treated to an encore performance of Mother Nature's best! Later this fall-barring any significant weather or wildlife damage-Brodhecker's will harvest an abundance of seed for their bird seed line.


Sussex Naturally will keep you posted on the progress and the location of the two upcoming bloom events. For now, enjoy the spectacular "show" right at the farm. Please remember that the flowers are intended as a cash crop. Enjoy the beauty, but don't pick the flowers!.

Year Round Produce-grown at home NATURALLY HOME At Home Hydroponics

How many times have you wished you could grow your own veggies at home, but when you started calculating the expense and man hour investment found yourself at the local grocer instead? Even at the check out line, you wish you could include locally grown/home grown into your family diet but just don't have the time, patience or experience, right?

How many times have you looked at "how to build your own hydroponics system" with a fired up-can do attitude-but somehow never got around to doing it? Too complicated, too expensive, too much time...sound familiar? 

Naturally Sussex-our sister group- has taken out all those complexities and has introduced a compact-easy to assemble and use- home hydroponics unit that will produce fresh greens and produce for your family table without the time commitment, weeding, digging and risk of little return for all that investment!

NATURALLY HOME-At Home Hydroponics is a three flow tube system with an 18 plant capacity. Customizable to adapt to the size pump and nutrient container you choose, the unit is a dream to assemble (hand fitted-pre measured, cut and drilled assembly) and easy to maintain. Made from lightweight PVC piping throughout, there's little worry about algae growth. The unit is compact and easy to set up, clean and move from back deck in the warm weather to indoor use (a grow light will supplement the light plants need to thrive during the winter months).

Naturally Sussex has tested the design and function of the unit using a variety of plants including lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower and beans-and we're getting great results. You'll get even better productivity by substituting the aqua culture nutrient supply we're using, with an organic or commercially available, water soluble nutrient supplement added ONCE A WEEK!

The NATURALLY HOME At Home Hydroponic Unit is available through the Naturally Sussex Marketplace for under $150.00. Shipped to your door, you can be set up and running in under an hour and enjoying garden fresh produce in no time.

Hydroponic growing allows the plants to be feed at the root- no potting soil, no growing medium needed for seedlings- the nutrient rich solution continually flows past the plants roots, creating a stress free environment for their productivity. And they do produce! Faster growing, healthy produce that you grew at home using tomorrow's food production technology!

A bonus to hard working folks, apartment dwellers and those who gave up traditional gardening-the NATURALLY HOME At Home Hydroponics unit is minimal work with great benefits AND it's a fun way for kids to learn about food production!

Stop wishing and waiting...start living healthier with produce you grow AT Home!
Order your unit today and enjoy the benefits of home grown...just about anywhere.

Naturally Sussex Marketplace-First to offer NJAS Jersey Grown Bird Feeders online!

Naturally Sussex  is excited to announce the opening of the online market with some fantastic locally produced and "made especially for Naturally Sussex" products including our newest product line in cooperation with New Jersey Audubon Society- just in time for one of the key birding seasons in Sussex County NJ!
Sussex County is a key area for migratory birds and home to an amazing variety of winged species.
The timing of this special product just couldn't be better for novice or experienced birders to enjoy the wonder of nature without wandering far from home!


NJAS has a long reputation for innovative solutions to bridging the needs of environment, farmers and consumers. The most recent addition to the S.A.V.E. product line is one we're proud to offer on line to our customers- Jersey Grown, White Cedar handcrafted wild bird feeders and bluebird houses-designed by the people who know wild birds!

White Cedar is one of New Jersey's best woods. Harvested under careful forest stewardship practices, the white cedar is milled and then hand crafted into these great products enjoyed by back yard birders and wild birds alike.  We love that the raw materials and construction talent is totally New Jersey- Naturally Sussex appreciates the innovative solutions and dedication to natural resource management and stewardship which are part and parcel of NJAS-best of all we love that we're able to offer you the opportunity to be part of the solution in protecting, enjoying and preserving our Garden State treasures-the diverse wildlife, natural resources and habitats which are key to the quality of life in New Jersey.

Congratulations to New Jersey Audubon on another great contribution to the S.A.V.E. product line.

Visit the Marketplace for more products, details and shopping where the bounty of Sussex County is delivered to your door~

Naturally Sussex Marketplace set to launch

We're dotting the"i's" and crossing the "t's" and just about ready to reveal the NaturallySussex Marketplace. Naturally Sussex fans have been patiently waiting for our staff to source a variety of Sussex County produced and regionally available products-making it easy to stay in touch with the "Bounty of Sussex County" shipped directly to your door.

Product offerings include select items from the northwest NJ  region and are representative of Naturally Sussex. Our market launches with sweet seasonal offerings like honey and maple syrup. Personal care products made or used at the farm like honey based lip balms and wool wax cream along with uniquely Sussex products like 100% washable lamb hides add to the variety.

The Marketplace continues to add diversity in the products we'll offer online which will include hand crafted items from local artists and crafters.  The Naturally Sussex Market will not be offering fresh produce or meats at this time -but we are constantly searching out seasonal, unique and special items that support the entrepreneurial spirit that is Sussex...Naturally!

We think you'll agree that when you're looking for the best northwest New Jersey has to offer-you'll find it in Sussex...Naturally!

Interest in locally raised poultry had folks "flocking" to Brodhecker Farm's Poultry Workshop

In response to the increased inquiries about the "how-to's" of raising layer hens for egg production, Brodhecker Farm, Newton NJ hosted a free two hour Poultry Management workshop on April 1. Pre-registration was requested and the response was much larger than anticipated. Actual attendance exceeded sixty participants who came from all over the northernwest NJ region.The workshop covered topics related to poultry management and care. Starting off the afternoon with a focus on the specialized shelter, nutrition and care needed to get  those cute, fuzzy chicks off to a healthy start and continuing on through to the basics for keeping a healthy, productive flock of layers, the workshop focused on nutrition, housing, general sanitation and health and basic care of layers hens in egg production.

Phil Brodhecker of Brodhecker Farm, conducted the two hourinteractive workshop. An attentive audience represented a broad cross section of families and individuals who currently care for- or are planning to raise their own flock of two or more chickens.

Local interest in food production and locally raised products has increased significantly in recent years. Due in part to increasing consumer awareness of the benefits of buying local and in part to the rising cost of food, people are taking a hard second look at were their food comes from and how they can add home-grown foods to the family table. Workshop attendees expressed some other reasons for their interest in backyard poultry including the opportunity to give their children a first hand  agricultural experience and a knowledge of food production.


Some simply want to add another dimension of home-raised to their gardening efforts and for many...raising chickens promises to be rewarding and fun.

Brodhecker Farm is one of Sussex County's largest family owned, fully operational farms-raising field and forage crop, livestock and poultry. Phil Brodhecker has a degree in animal husbandry and had at one point in his career managed a large poultry production operation in the mid west. His expertise, resources and credential gave participants a well rounded perspective as he spoke to the shelter, nutrition and health needs of layer poultry. Brodhecker offered pragmatic management options and shared with the group some of the most common questions he fields from his customers but underscored that "...the best management systems are the ones that work for your lifestyle and objectives. There's a lot of information and opinion on what's the best- once you meet the basic nutrition and shelter requirements, and gain a little insight into the biology of your layer hens, the management style you choose is a matter of what fits best into your routine and lifestyle."
Brodhecker emphasized the importance of a good nutritional plan and explained how altering the chicken's diet with too many "chicken snacks" can quickly impact the health and production of the birds who have a high metabolic rate. "A chicken's heart beats over 200 times a minute," he said, "their bodies produce an egg per day-an egg with three separate components (shell, white and yolk). Meeting the nutritional demands of that kind of output takes with consistency and moderation on the snack side, will help your birds stay healthy and productive."

The interactive workshop concluded with an opportunity for participants to discuss their individual questions with Brodhecker Farm staff who were on hand throughout the afternoon. A coop and run display was available for closer inspection-as were feeders and watering equipment of varying sizes. Brodhecker Farm just recently introduced a chicken run- designed and built by farm staff-to their coop and poultry offerings. The run is designed with an entrance access customizable to fit the layout of existing shelters.  The ability to customize caretaker access to the shelter makes it easier to integrate the coop and run into the backyard or landscape. Constructed for durability and with protection against preditors in mind, Brodhecker's chicken run gives the birds access to forage. exercise and fresh air while still protecting them from the elements and keeping   them safely contained.

Sussex County has a rich agricultural heritage and a growing population of small farm operations and backyard producers. New Jersey's agricultural picture has changed over the decades and is continually making room for small acreage farms who add to the beautiful mosaic of agriculture in the Garden State.

Learn more about Sussex County Agriculture and locally grown/locally produced foods by visiting the Sussex County Board of Agriculture .

How Sweet it is! Maple Sugaring event at Lusscroft Farm!

Sussex Naturally staff LOVE to eat! Lucky for all, we live in one of NJ's greatest counties for buying locally produced foods- Sussex County of course.

The March 12th Maple Sugaring Demo at Lusscroft Farm in Wantage- spurred a debate among the coleagues-what goes best with Sussex County's own MAPLE SYRUP-French Toast-Waffles -Pancakes? There's seems only one way to settle this argument-

We'll be grabbing up some Lusscroft Maple Syrup and heading to the kitchen for a friendly breakfast cook off.

Probability is... adding Sussex Co syrup to whatever you're cooking up will make it a winner! 




MAPLE SUGARING EVENT March 12th 10-3pm Lusscroft Farm Wantage NJ


March 12th from 10 to 3pm, Lusscroft Farm will host a day long program showing how Maple trees are tapped, the sap extracted and the process of reducing the sap to the sweet-sticky syrup that has the folks at Sussex Naturally drooling in anticipation!


The demo is free and open to the public. Syrup will be available for purchase.

ABOUT LUSSCROFT FARM

Lusscroft Farm is one of Sussex County's treasures. State park land, horse trail rides and a rich agricultural history are just part of the attraction.


The farm was built by James Turner-a wealthy businessman who dedicated his efforts and resources into agricultural sciences. Lusscroft Farm research is credited for advancing the AI process in dairy cows-making it easier to answer YES to the "got milk?" question.

Rather unique architectural elements and beautiful artistry are featured in the manor house and Outlook Lodge. It is the dedicated passion of the Sussex County Heritage and Ag members to raise the significant revenue needed to restore (and stabilize) the buildings so they can be enjoyed by all for generations to come. The HAA hosts several events throughout the year and continues to invest their volunteer hours and manpower in holding back the effects of time and lack of maintenance on the buildings in the hopes of ultimately preserving and utilizing the buildings as envisioned.

Sussex Naturally supports that effort and invites you to join in the pleasure, pride and heritage that is Lusscroft Farm.

Folks are buzzin about SPRINGFEST 2011

It's a little early to claim that Spring is in the air-but SPRING is definately on the minds of Sussex County residents eagerly anticipating SPRINGFEST 2011.

March 17 thru 20, Sussex County's antidote to the winter blahs, SpringFest is a showcase for area landscapers and gardeners and a delight to folks yearning for an early preview of the colors and fragrances of Spring.

SpringFest delivers more than eye candy and landscape design ideas. Symposiums, lectures and educational opportunities arm experienced and novice gardeners alike with green thumb "know how".

Urban gardening trends continues to grow-so does the need for information to make these gardening ventures a success.  SpringFest 2011 has invited agricultural experts to exhibit at this years event and to share  the do's and don'ts on Backyard Poultry and other topics. Sharing their expertise in large scale food production guides backyard producers to the success and sustainability they're seeking.

Don't miss a day of this four day event at the Sussex County Fairgrounds Conservatory!
March 17th to the 20th.

Sussex County Drops their Jeans-all for a great cause!

Brodhecker Farm Staff "Drop their Jeans" for campaign kickoff

Generosity and support for our troops is in the DNA of Sussex County residents and they're proving it   by contributing clean, worn denim jeans in this local effort to support  OPERATION QUIET COMFORT. The denim donations will be collected at centralized sites throughout Sussex County. Brodhecker Farm-2 Branchville-Lawson Road Hampton Township kicked off the campaign early in February and invites area residents join in their "JEAN POOL"  by bringing their denim donations to the farm until March 15th.

Precut squares are signed with messages of hope

The donated jeans are repurposed by OQC volunteers into 6 " squares which are then signed with messages of hope, comfort and thanks for our boys and girls overseas. All are welcome to add their message-no donation of jeans is required.

The Sussex County signed squares will then integrated with squares collected by volunteers from all across the US before being returned to OPERATION QUIET COMFORT volunteers who will carefully craft the squares and cotton batting into quilts. The finished quilts are sent to US field hospitals and distributed to our wounded soldiers.
A uniquely American icon, these cotton denim quilts, covered with messages from home are a valued reminder of back-home for our troops.

Finished quilts are sent to US field hospitals

Sussex County "Drop Your Jeans" is receiving support from area businesses and community groups who are volunteering to collect denim-sign squares and ensure that our soldiers receive a thank you from all. The Drop Your Jeans collection site will be moving to Newton in March-as the NJ Herald makes plans to house the collection barrel and to make unsigned, pre-cut squares available to anyone interested in participating.

Garden Of Life Massage Center in Wantage and Franklin Sussex Auto Mall will also take a turn at hosting collection sites in the coming months. Other donation sites and square signing events will be held at area schools and will be made available by the Sussex Shepherd's 4H club during the 2011 NJ State Fair/Sussex County Farm and Horse Show in August.

To date, Brodhecker Farm reports an amazing outpouring of denim donations and square signing. "The response from the farming community, residents and fellow businesses has been awesome," said Janice Elsishans, coordinator of the DROP YOUR JEANS campaign. "When my colleagues in Somerset invited me to spearhead this Sussex County opportunity, I never expected such an amazing outpouring of interest and support. It's been just wonderful!"

The volunteers are thankful for the great response and hope that one day they will "retire" from quilt making-as there won't be a need-but for now-they're efforts have already produced over 40 quilts.


If your business would  like to participate as a DROP YOUR JEANS host site-or if want to learn more how your organization can participate in the Sussex County DROP YOUR JEANS campaign contact Janice at: gldg@nji.com
Learn more at Operation Quiet Comfort          operationquietcomfort.com