Our Fresh Fork CSA had an event at Wholesome Valley Farm today.  It was the 1st Annual Threshing Day and was a family friendly event.  We left Mayfield Heights just after 8AM, stopped for gas,  and arrived at the farm right about 9:30AM.  The event was to start at 10AM sharp.

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Trevor was all set up when we arrived.  He had his sign out and cold water available as we checked in and received a schedule.

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First up was a tractor ride out to the fields.  We past bee hives, pastured Berkshire hogs, and soon arrived at the field of oats that was ready to be processed.

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Joel was uncovering the reaper-binder and starting telling us about the process.  Trevor was asking lots of questions on our behalf.  It was quite informative.

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Soon the equipment was up and running.  The reaping part of the machine is what cuts down the grain.  In this case, feed oats were being processed.  The binder uses twine to tie the cut stalks into sheaves.

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We had nice seats in the wagons while we watched the horses go by a few times.

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Once the sheaves are dropped out of the reaper-binder, they are stacked by hand into shocks to dry.

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I’ll be back tomorrow with what happens next.