Chicken Thistle Farm CoopCast
164 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 7 years ago - ★★★★★ - 900 ratingsSharing our small farm stories and skills along our farming, gardening and homesteading journey.
Visit the farm for an informative and sometimes irreverent tour through our garden, livestock pastures, chicken coop, beehive and greenhouse as we live - pasture to plate.
Farming topics free range around pastured heritage pigs, broiler chickens and pastured eggs, heritage breed turkeys, an heirloom vegetable CSA and garden, high tunnel / hoop house / green houses, organic and traditional gardening, farm infrastructure, tractors, sustainable energy, being self sufficient, permaculture, food preservation, bees, beekeeping and even fence mending.
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Episodes
New Episodes Coming... BUT...
March 06, 2020 19:01 - 2 minutes - 3.66 MBDon't you love it when people say something exciting, positive, motivational and then... add in the BUT! We just announced last week that new episodes are on the table - here's the BUT.
Episode X
February 29, 2020 11:42 - 7 minutes - 10.7 MBAll great stories need to come to their rightful conclusion... join us for the Alpha of the Omega with the hosts of the Chicken Thistle Farm Coopcast!
CoopCast 0163 - A reflection on the year & Auld Lang Syne
December 31, 2016 22:10 - 1 hour - 44.1 MBAs the year draws to a close, we share some thoughts about life that has transpired since our last episode on March 31st... Farming has been a lot of fun and a lot of hard work. We have shared some of our highest highs and lowest lows as a result of our farming endeavours. We hope we have cultivated some ideas and new farmers and look forward to the unknowns a offers!
0162 Bees in Maryland, Bacon Genetic Engineering and Batman v Superman
March 31, 2016 23:04 - 47 minutes - 43.2 MBThe fine legslative geniuses in MD keep the bees safe - Soon your bacon will be genetically engineered - And we review the piece of movie garbage known as Batman vs Superman
0161 Spring updates, beehives and a conversation about raw milk
March 17, 2016 23:14 - 53 minutes - 48.7 MBWant to get people fired up and yelling for no reason - mention raw milk... which we did and this episode dissects the fun that follows. But before we got to that conversation we talked about spring planting plans and the beehives!
0160 Hoophouse construction, winter bees and garden planning
February 18, 2016 22:35 - 41 minutes - 37.9 MBThis episode is mostly listener questions that we answer about our hoop house, construction methods, and gardening inside the hoop house. We also touch on garden planning and winter beekeeping. Hoop house hoop bender - http://www.lostcreek.net/ Hoophouse book -
0159 Farm meeting recap (plans for the 2016 farming season)
January 21, 2016 23:40 - 1 hour - 56 MBThis entire episode is dedicated to the 2016 Farm Meeting where we discuss the vegetable gardens, seeds, chickens, pigs, ducks and all things farm related. After deciding we were going to cut back on the farm in 2016 this meeting helped us put it all into perspective in terms of what we are and are not going to be doing. CHeck us out on social media to join in the conversation - facebook.com/chickenthistlefarm, @chickenthistle on Twitter...Or - follow Farmer Andy @farmerandyman on Twitter an...
0158 Vegetable seed order, country of origin of meat and Star Wars
January 07, 2016 22:55 - 52 minutes - 47.8 MBFrom the farm this week we share a few updates (but it's a slow season for a slower year). We also discuss our seed order, country of origin labeling of meats (WHO), beekeeping and review Star Wars Links that matter include : We ordered from Burpee Seed - no special link or promocode... but if you DO order from them - tell them you heard about them on our show - we put our name in the link to maybe get some attention from their web people!!! (at this time looks like new visits get 20% off!...
0157 Farm updates, listener questions and a few of our favorite things
December 18, 2015 00:53 - 50 minutes - 45.9 MBThis episode is the last broadcast for 2015. So Merry Christmas everyone! We talk a bit about update around the farm and how it's a bit strange to not have so much "farm" to worry about. We also answer some Facebook listener questions about the trees we planted, the fields, the berry patch and other things left unsaid around the farm. Then we conclude with a mention of a few of our favorite things - things for the farm, things in our personal life and favorite wines and spirits. Farmer Kell...
0156 Pork cuts, a deer season story and a Farm U on E. coli O157:H7
December 04, 2015 00:23 - 43 minutes - 39.6 MBAfter the Thanksgiving turkey wore off we decided to get back to the farming podcast... and we talk about the most recent pork cuts we picked up. We then talk about some of the food we made for Thanksgiving and deer season and Farmer Andy shares the Thanksgiving morning story of his big buck! We wrap up the episode with Farm U on E. coli O157:H7, what it is, where it comes from and Dr. Farmer Kelli shares a resource (cdc.gov) to learn more about infectious diseases and foodborne diseases.
0155 Pigs to the processor, deer season updates and vegetable garden tomato roundup
November 20, 2015 02:24 - 45 minutes - 41.4 MBThis episode we talk about the taking of the pigs to the processor, some updates from around the farm and about deer season... and the highly anticipated tomato round up from the vegetable garden.
0154 Processing a pig and people's feelings, bow season, bees and honey
November 05, 2015 23:50 - 41 minutes - 38.2 MBAfter posting that we were taking a pig to the processor and hurting some folks feelings... we decided we didn't really care. Toughen up folks. So we make fun of them. Then we talk about the deer season to date and update people on the honey harvest from our first year of bees. In general - it's a bunch of farm updates.
0153 Farm updates, sugar addiction and bowhunting tips
September 23, 2015 22:45 - 49 minutes - 45.2 MBWe return with pig, chicken, bee and vegetable garden updates. We then talk a bit about a discovery about the stiffness of your arrow and the placement of a broadhead shot (yeah - giggle if you want) as it pertains to archery / bowhunting. And the nwe conclude with some listener emails and a discussion about a sugar free diet.
0152 Farming updates from pasture and vegetable garden
September 02, 2015 22:53 - 33 minutes - 31 MBIn this episode we just shae some udpates and clarification about the fate and future of the farm. We also talk a bit about some of the veggies we discovered still thriving in the gardens.
0151 A Return to the Farm and a discussion about the future
August 19, 2015 23:00 - 39 minutes - 36.4 MBIn this episode we return to the coopcast to discuss the future of our farm and all the different enterprises we have in play.
0150 The passing of Watson and the future of the farm
July 28, 2015 15:07 - 26 minutes - 24.5 MBIn the first ever solo recorded Coopcast Farmer Andy shares the events of the last month that have put our farm and future plans on hold. This is a candid and honest monologue about where we are and what decisions we have ahead about the farm.
0149 Pig castration and boar taint, pastured chickens and vegetable garden farm !updates
June 24, 2015 23:06 - 43 minutes - 39.6 MBSince we are in the busy time of year it's just another update show around the farm! We talk about the process and the reasons why we castrate our piglets. We also share the history of why we are so sure to do the castrations when we do them. Then we talk about the pastured chickens, the egg layers and the vegetable gardens. We wrap up with the latest beekeeping / bee swarm update.
0148 SPROUTCAST (short) On the road talking about pig farrowing
June 18, 2015 01:02 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBThis weeks episode is a short "SPROUTCAST" where we just tell the story of pig farrowing and the outcome of pigs on the farm this year. It's recorded in the truck - but even lor fidelity is better than nofidelity, right?
0147 Capturing a honeybee swarm, annoying broiler chickens and a pre-farrowing pig
June 10, 2015 23:04 - 48 minutes - 44.3 MBThis week we walk arounf the farm and update you on all the things going on. We captured a wild honeybee swarm and talk about what the process was and how we managed things. We discuss the Cornish Cross chickens that are not being liek regualr chickens of past years. Then we talk a bit about the pig we are expecting to farrow any day now. Then we finish up in the vegetable garden discussing some of what's been going on there! Busy time of year and a lot going on.
0146 Gardening, pig, chicken and beekeeping updates from the farm
June 03, 2015 23:15 - 53 minutes - 49 MBThis episode sorta wanders all over in terms of updates. Farmer Andy started a new way of eating and by cutting sugar out of his diet he's found a whole new way to live life. We discuss some of our favorite wines (from boxes) and other cocktails... then we move into the farm updates. We talk about the chickens (broilers and layers), a exciting night with a critter in the coop, the pig getting ready to farrow, the greenhouse, beekeeping and more. It's a lot of updates - but we have a log o...
0145 Early chickens, planting the garden and other updates
May 28, 2015 00:42 - 28 minutes - 26 MBI this episode we talk about where we have been the last 2 weeks and why we haven't coopcasted. We share the story of the chickens arriving early this year and their bad attitudes. We talk about the moved pig, planting the vegetable garden and what's going on in the greenhouse (like fresh strawberries).
0144 Beekeeping update, planting trees and vegetables for the garden
May 07, 2015 00:16 - 34 minutes - 31.4 MBAfter getting our new beehive we have checked in on their progress and the hive is growing quickly. We update everyone on the status and happening in the hive. We then talk about the trees we have been planting as well as the early spring gardening efforts. The potatoes are in, the peas and asparagus is up and the greenhouse is full. Tune in to hear all the latest updates!
0143 SPROUTCAST (short) On the road to pickup bees, gardening update, farms using out cutsheet
April 29, 2015 23:43 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MBThis is the first low qulaity audo episode we have produced as we were driving in the truck to pickup our beehive and still wanted to produce an episode. So we talk a little about bees, the seedlings for the vegetable garden and the animals. It's 15 minutes of free content recorded ina truck - it's gotta be great!
0142 Fire on the farm, tractor talk and pregnant pig updates
April 22, 2015 22:21 - 49 minutes - 44.9 MBThis weeks episode tells the story of the Great Hedgerow Fire of 2015... but it wasn't that great. We then just field a bunch of listener questions from a Periscope session! Questions range from pig updates to tractors to beekeeping... Ohh - and you can leave us a voicemail now too for the podcast! :)
0141 Fallout from the April Fools Episode, vegetable seed starting and the real farm meeting
April 08, 2015 23:03 - 1 hour - 56.5 MBWe start by setting the record straight after last weeks April Fools episode. After we clean up the misinformation we move on to talking about seed starting, soil blocks, plans for the vegetable garden and greenhouse and seeding the pasture behind the chickens. We also talk a bit about a chronic infection that may be plaguing our swine herd. Then we move to the Front Porch to discuss the "real" farm meeting for 2015 and what changes and plans we have in store for the farm. This leads into ...
0140 Organic Certification, Row Crops and Kickstarter
April 01, 2015 22:07 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBRecorded on April 1st 2015 - this episod of the CHicken Thistle Farm Coopcast focuses on some lofty farm plans for 2015 that have all come together today. Check out the episode all the way to the end to get all the details about the vegetable CSA and pig operations (and so much more) @ Chicken Thistle Farm.
0139 Farmers on vacation, spring time work list and a small farm in the news
March 25, 2015 23:26 - 56 minutes - 51.4 MBBack from vacation in Florida, Farmer And puts his pants back on and sits down to talk with Farmer Kelli about the long list of springtime tasks ahead. We refer to our community and how great almost all our listeners are... and how cool it is to watch them smack down the weeds that crop up! Still waiting for the snow to melt we talk a little about beekeeping and a local supplier we came up with for our frames, gear and starter hive (Nuc). In the Community we share our thoughts on a small fa...
0138 Firing a farm customer, beekeeping, treated seeds in the vegetable garden
March 11, 2015 22:23 - 51 minutes - 46.9 MBThis week spring appears to have made an appearance and the snows are slowly receeding! Still things are slow on the farm and in the vegetable gardens so we talk a little about the tough decisions of a small business when it comes to firing a customer. We also celebrated the fact that our AI was successful and our gilt is with pigs! Then in the community we talk about the farms newset adventure - raising bees. Beekeeping was somethign we had thought about but the kind gift from a listener ...
0137 Favorite garden seeds, tractor implements and swine AI
March 04, 2015 22:37 - 48 minutes - 44.7 MBIn this episode we discuss the crazy weather around the world and give our hopefull update on the AI situation with our gilt. In the Coopcast Community we discuss a new tractor and what implemnts we reccomend for that tractor. Frontend loader, tiller and rotarty mower come to the top of the list... but that's not it. In the Veggie Patch we circle back around to the Rowboat of Goodness from our listeners and list off some of the explicit varites we have selected.
0136 Gilt AI, vegetable garden seed selection and a rifle part
February 18, 2015 23:30 - 53 minutes - 48.8 MBThis weeks episode shares our issues with a trio of cottontail rabbits that have been terrorizing our landscape and what we did to solve the issue. We also complain about the snow and the cold on the farm.... because... it feels good to complain. We quickly throw in a mention of wood shavings and the chicken coop as well. Then in the Veggie Patch we talk about some of the notable varieties of seeds that we purchased this year and where we got them from. Finally in a the prototype hunting /...
0135 Cold weather on the farm, boxed wine and vaccines
February 12, 2015 01:47 - 1 hour - 56.2 MBThe updates this week are short as the cold weather has mostly kept the farming inside. It's also hard to do much with over 3 feet (that's a meter for our international listeners) of snow on the ground. We do take some time ot tell the story of Farmer Andy and his boxed wine tho! In this episodes Farm U we talk about the hard and factual science behind vaccines and the debate about vaccination. We look at the mechanisms of the immune system and the research behind the methodology. Farmer ...
0134 Hog AI issues, cold weather farming, selecting vegetable garden seeds
February 04, 2015 23:53 - 50 minutes - 46 MBThis weeks updates include our struggles with a new gilt and artificial insemination this winter. We also talk about the other challenges of the deep snow and our chickens. We then look forward to warmer days in the Veggie Patch segment where we talk about the process we go through ordering seeds for the vegetable garden. Who we have ordered seeds from before and what we look for in a seed company.
0133 The loss of a beloved sow and honest farming on the web
January 28, 2015 23:16 - 1 hour - 66.4 MB** There's one bad word - so for the kids ears this is marked "EXPLICIT" ** This weeks episode was a tough one as we talked about the loss of one of our first pigs ever - our favorite sow Hermione. We talk about the stuff that led up to her passing and then how we managed things after she was gone. That includes how our one lone pig Snow White is doing this winter. Then we have some Ruminations about the farms online that don't share the lows of farming and only seem to like to share the po...
0132 New Year Updates, Missed Pig AI, A Hunting Story
January 15, 2015 00:36 - 46 minutes - 49.6 MBIn this episode we review the happenings on the farm (and gardens) over the last few weeks. We talk about the chickens finally starting to lay eggs again (and the impact of extending their days with lights). We talk about some of the food we ate and made of the holidays and we discuss the missed opportunity with artificial insemination and our pigs. Andy complains about the cold weather and then warms up while telling a hunting store from last deer season.
0131 The Christmas Coopcast Community Cluster Episode
December 18, 2014 01:04 - 57 minutes - 47.5 MBOur final episode of 2014 is dedicated to our listeners and fans around the globe this holiday season. It's our huge thank you for making us the #1 farming podcast on the planet! We talk about emails, tweets, Face book comments and posts as well as personal interactions and phone calls we haven't gotten to but have most deffinately read! Thanks to everyone in the community for listening and be a part of the CoopCast in 2014. For those of you who know how to use search engines we do talk abo...
0130 Farming and health care, sick pig and Christmas lists
December 11, 2014 01:34 - 54 minutes - 45 MBThis episode brings us back from a few weeks off and updates about the events we had around here on the farm that kept us from coopcasting last week. We talk a little bit about farming and health care in proximity to the farm (given the recent events). We also discuss our sick pig and the course of treatment we underwent to get her back to being a healthy girl again! In the Farmers Choice segment we share a few simple gift ideas for the holidays that might make your shopping easier!
0129 Easy farm recipes, bad jokes and favorite vegetable garden greens
November 20, 2014 00:20 - 44 minutes - 36.8 MBWe are calling this the "We eat good episode" since we are talking about simple, fast and delicious farm recipes including: Pressure cooker chicken Frozen veggies in chili Pre-made frozen cookie rounds Easy ways to help you can / freeze more food. In the Veggie Patch we climb on board the Rowboat of Goodness and discuss a few winter squash varieties and some of our favorite non-lettuce greens in the garden.
0128 Pork pickup episode, hunting season updates and a CSA review
November 13, 2014 01:55 - 48 minutes - 40.6 MBThis weeks updates are around the pick up of the smoked pork (and we have customers coming as we are recording). Farmer Andy shares a bit of a bow season update and we talk a little about the status of the hoop house. We close with a review of the local fruit CSA we were enrolled in and all the goodness and a little of the stuff they could have improved.
0127 Pork from the butcher, hunting update and a trip down memory lane
November 05, 2014 23:55 - 45 minutes - 38.2 MBThis weeks updates include a hunting season short session. We talk about bo season so far and the only arrow this season to miss its mark thus far. We also talk about the pork that's back from the butcher and the impact of the seasonal reduction in eggs. In Farmer Kelli's Choice, we take a trip down memory lane. Visit our Facebookpage (login not needed) and scroll back through the pictures to our first post in 2010... we walk through 2010 and 2011 remembering several of the highlights in ...
0126 A discussion about moving pastured pigs to the processor
October 22, 2014 22:59 - 48 minutes - 40.3 MBThis week's update is really an episode discussion around the end of the pork season for us - the moving of the pigs to the USDA processor. We talk through what we did to get the pigs comfortable wit hthe trailer, how we use sorting borads to move the pigs on pasture into the trailer, our holding pen strategy, fencing and dropoff. It's really a retelling of the stories and some of hte skills we used to get this little piggie to market!
0125 Prepping pastured pigs for processing and vegetable garden tomato favorites
October 16, 2014 00:57 - 34 minutes - 28.2 MBIn this episode the Updates include Farmer Andy's pants free romp becasue of the warm weather, Hermione moving back to pasture with the piglets and preparations for taking the pigs for processing. Then in the Veggie Patch we discuss an overview of our tomato varieties for 2014- what will stay on the rowboat of goodness and what gets tossed overboard! Varieties discussed: Juliet BHN624 cherry Sungold cherry Piriform Valencia Pink Beauty Cherokee Green New Girl Brandywine Cherokee Purple Defian...
0124 Vegetable garden put to bed, starting a CSA and passionate listeners
October 08, 2014 23:27 - 52 minutes - 42.1 MBThis week's updates include our prep work in getting ready to move the pigs to the processor this year. We also put the vegetable garden to bed for the season and talk about the process and some of the suprise veggiesthis year. And of course, we have to talk about hunting season. In the Coopcast Community we respond to questions about black fly farming (maggots!), starting a CSA and the callenges involved and how some of our listeners have used our content at some very emotional and powerful ...
0123 A tour of the farms greenhouse and its vegetables
September 25, 2014 00:24 - 39 minutes - 32.4 MBThis week the CoopCast becomes a HoopCast! We spend the episode looking at photos of our greenhouse / hoophouse / high tunnel and talk through the design and the how nad the why. We both share our thoughts and opinions on the evolution of our enclosed vegetable garden area and what we like about gardening inside a controlled structure. If you are following along all the images can be found on our Flickr page in the album Also an indepth discussion when we built it is on our as well.
0122 Fall plantings in the greenhouse, cheese making, business ideas
September 17, 2014 23:23 - 52 minutes - 42.3 MBThis week our farm updates are simple as the season is slowing down to just the basics. We talk about the plantings in the gardens in the greenhouse since frost is now in our area. We are hoping to extend the season and keep harvesting vegetables and herbs for several more months. There's also updates about pigs in pasture as well. In the Ruminations discussion this week we talk about businesses and how so many let opportunity slip through their fingers. We share the details of a cheese m...
0121 Farm updates, tractor project, listener reviews
September 10, 2014 23:55 - 49 minutes - 39.8 MBBack from a break we talk aboutthe pigs in the pasture and how well they are growing, the late blight that got the tomatoes, the success we had with straw based potatoes and a whole lot more. We also go over the 500th iTunes review and answer some listener feedback on topics ranging from keeping stock tanks fresh to predators to game cameras.
0120 Happy pigs on pasture, canning and freezing garden fresh food, Farm U : Containment
August 20, 2014 23:24 - 50 minutes - 40.1 MBThis weeks updates start with the pigs scheduled for butcher, their pasture and their rapid weight gains after worming. We moved the chicken netting fencing for the layers and have been busy in the vegetable gardens and kitchen. Farmer Kelli has been canning and freezing all sorts of fresh veggies as well as baked, roasted, blanched and parboiled treats! The vegetable garden is producing and we are expecting be offer an end of summer share full of goodness - including a pasture raised chick...
0119 Weaning pig meningitis, bountiful vegetable garden, the perfect BLT
August 13, 2014 22:15 - 55 minutes - 44.2 MBAfter taking a week off for a trip to Empire Farm Days, we return with an update from the farm show. We also share the story of a sick pig on the farm who contracted weaning swine meningitis and what we did to get Mr Green Beans back to health. We tour the Veggie Patch to talk about all the harvested and put up foods Kelli has been making / freezing / canning as she's enjoying a greate vegetable garden season this year. The homestead is certainly going to be prepared for the polar vortex th...
0118 The future of farming pigs, garden fresh vegetable recipes and sleepy farmers
July 30, 2014 22:14 - 43 minutes - 35 MBThis episode won't go down as one of the most exciting or passionate - but we do talk about the status of things mid-summer around the farm. We continue to prep the pasture for the piglet weaning, the layers are laying and the vegetable garden and green house is producing LOTS of fresh produce this time of year. In the We Eat Good segment Farmer Kelli talks about some of her favorite recipes for the fresh veggies that are piled on the counters this time of year. They are all paper printed r...
0117 Piglets moved, the vegetable garden goodies, listener questions
July 23, 2014 23:18 - 1 hour - 49.6 MBThis weeks farming updatesinclude our experience this week processing chickens on anotehr farm as helpers. We also moved the pigs to fresh pasture and are getting ready for weaning. Finally the vegetable garden and the greenhouse are producing all sorts of fresh veggies... so Farmer Kelli takes us through what they are and what she has been doing with them. In the Coopcast Community segment we catch up on the listener backlog of emails, posts, tweets and all sorts of other forms of questio...
0116 Chicken Processing Preps, Processing Review, Cornish Cross Chickens (again)
July 16, 2014 23:02 - 59 minutes - 48.5 MBThis episode discusses the setup and work that goes into chicken processng BEFORE the actual chicken processing event. There's a lot more than just catching and plucking involved on a well run chicken processing event and we thought it might be worth while sharing those stories and preps as well. We then share a bit of a retrospective on the actual events of the chicken rocessing day and how we run the event. Finally we have a Farmers Choice segment that answers so many of the continual ques...