Sk Archives - Small Prairie Farm

Farm Fam Jam 2022

Farm Fam Jam had a great turnout this year!

Dave, Brenda, Megan, Paul and the boys (Joe and Sam), Bruce, and Mira were the first brave souls out on Friday night. Just in time for Jeff to roll up with his 7/11 on wheels. Lime Slushies, cold iced tea, and water with a mini-ice machine. It wouldn’t be Farm Fam Jam without all the bells and whistles.

Saturday more family and friends started to trickle in as the day wore on and so did the food.

Egg salad sandwiches and different sides for lunch.

Drew was on the BBQ serving hamburgers and hotdogs for supper. Uncle Paul cooked a juicy, tender, smoked brisket.

Food started to pile up on the table, coming from everyone! Chicken wings, mashed potatoes, potato salad, Quinoa salad, baked beans, vegetable plates, dips and so much more. It was the battle of the crisps (apple and rhubarb) and cake for dessert.

The jam session started only to be cut short by a heavy downfall of rain with strong winds. We all huddled in the Quonset for cover while Drew continued to BBQ.

The blue skies returned when the rain let up, and so did the band. After it got dark enough the guys set off fireworks, only to be challenged by fireworks miles away to the northeast.

The night petered out with people sitting around the fire.

The following day the adults had first breakfast at the crack of dawn, while the younger crowd woke up later (10:30 am) for second breakfast. The kids had fun playing in the parachute, kiddie pool, and with the Foosball table. Throughout the day people left with hugs and handshakes.

ANOTHER GREAT YEAR! WE HOPE YOU ALL COME AGAIN NEXT YEAR!

Learn more about Malcolm’s whirlygigs and weathervanes.

Watch some of our videos

August 8, 2022

Farm Jam 2022

Farm jam is Saturday, July 30th this year. We will supply burgers and hotdogs for supper. Also outhouse and water. Power will be on a first-come-first service. Bring your tents or camper. Join us for the on-stage jam.

May 19, 2022

Farm Jam 2021- The Year After COVID

The year after COVID. We didn’t get many pictures. It’s like we wanted to see people with our eyes instead of through a camera lens for once!

It was a great FARM/ FAM Jam. WE HAD BABIES! You know we are close to the end of the COVID epidemic when babies can leave the house!

Adam & Jenna had their little one out along with Raje and Mike. Aunties and grand aunties we’re loving it!

The Boiler Room Boys & friends hosted by Malcolm Rice plays the main stage.

Drew cooked up a storm again. There was of course so much food and so many aunties to make sure you ate that food. Lots of people left with leftovers (goodie bags of food) or eggs.

It was a good group of people (Claudia and Bernie didn’t get that camper they were going to look at in the morning. the table bed was too small)

Most of the 35- 45-year-olds made it out of bed by 9 am. Their parents were still disgusted with them for sleeping in. Breakfast was already over.

Tents were set up and taken down. Every time it was funny and a family event.

What do you call 12 Rice’s setting up a tent?

Friday night entertainment. TAKING IT DOWN SUNDAY…EVEN FUNNIER. (Someone send the video please).

The pigs made their debut by being the smelliest of the evening.

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July 28, 2021

Wildlife on the Critter Camera

CRITTERS, CRITTERS, EVERYWHERE! WE HAVE THEM ON CAMERA.

We’ve had several Critters families stop in to try and figure out the cameras. We’ve also had a few who didn’t notice the cameras at all.

Birds, raccoons, deer, coyotes, fox, MOOSE, Owls, house cat, bald eagle, hawk, cougar, rabbit, white weasle, and more. We’ve had the pleasure of catching a few photos of some of Saskatchewan’s wildlife wandering through the yard. We just use our simple outdoor Nest Cam. These little Critters are always welcome until chickens start going missing then we’ll reevaluate.

FOX

COYOTE

GANGSTER DEER

DEER FIGHT CLUB

PHEASANTS

RYDER AND TROPHY GOPHER

We are itching for the season to start. The family has already started staying overnight at the farm with the camper furnaces in the campers on overnight. Until the snow of course.

In the fall over 200 bulbs, were planted. We are very impatiently waiting to see what comes up. Last year we also planted Virginia creeper along 1 side of the fence line, Hollyhocks, Delphinium, and more. We are excited to see what’s going to bloom.

We bought a used metal/fabric Gazebo just to test it in the violent Saskatchewan wind. Hopefully, it can withstand a year as an outdoor TV room. We are considering the heavy COSTCO one. We just need everyone to fall in love with the idea first.

This year our 20 chickens will mainly be providing eggs for Over the Hills Orchard and Winery (A local Lumsden company).

Seedlings are growing in windows waiting for the farm. This year we are eager to plant an extra-large garden to help supplement the 2 piglets we are raising (spring to fall). You will see pictures of the new pen soon!

We will be posting more updates about the beginning of the year as the weather changes.

We are excited about spring!

Spring 2020

Spring 2020 is in on a confusing roller coaster ride

With Covid19 we all started the season early. The more we could get out to the farm the better. Whether Malcolm’s fixing the truck, Tania’s family is out hiking or Kelly’s recluse to her camper the farm acted like a getaway for all of us.

The dugout is way down of course, the wind has been brutal, cold toilette seat, cuddling up to the heater at night, all totally worth it not to be in the city with CovIdiots.

This spring we’ve got a lot done (write ups to come):

Malcolm and Sebastian build a wind generated battery to power the front driveway camera.

Tent Alley Rejuvenation- Malcolm has filled in the spaces between the trees in Tent Alley to keep the garbage and the wind down. Malcolm always loves visitors and Tent Alley is one of his favorite places.

Malcolm got the old International truck running in order to get water from Pense.

The garden has shrunk but all is planted. Spinach, lettuce, kale, dill, cucumber, carrots, potatoes, beets, garlic, peas, 3 different kinds of onion, zucchini, squash, Radish’s, pumpkins. We have everything.

The Cherry, haskap (Honey berries) , apple, plumb, trees are budding leaves.

We have a new chicken coop this year made by Jeff. Kelly Decided to up the number of chickens. More chickens, means they needed more space. Jeff magically made the plans up in his head and built it from there. It turned out amazing!

Also new to the chicken fair grounds we’re trying in ground gardens with coop wire over top. This is so the chickens can at the greens but not destroy the plants. We planted different lettuces, spinach, chard, beets, cucumbers and a few more.

Kelly’s spice garden planted by the trailer. This year Kelly planted (experiment saved seeds) pea seeds. Onions, chocolate mint, dill, garlic chives, chives, snow onions, basil, parsley, lemon thyme catnip, saffron and there’s more to come.

We have finally picked out new strawberry patch location. We’ve been humming and hawing on a new place to put them. The old place was downing in grass and wasn’t producing garden. We are only on the first layer. If you know where there are some excellent rocks let us knowing. So after a few years we came up with something! A strawberry rock pile.

See our previous years in gardening

Some of the silly stuff we come up with

May 27, 2020

Farm Jam 2019

Hi there friends and family,

Farm Jam 2019 will be on Saturday July 20th this year.

Location to farm Jam 2019 can be found on our website, as always. Visit the website to see last year’s event. It was lots of fun. Thanks to neighbour Jeff for the drone videos.

We invite all to bring their singing and playing talents of all levels to give it a shot on stage in the quonset. From beginners to so called experts are welcome to participate.

Bring your campers or tents for the weekend. We will supply hot dogs and burgers on Saturday night. We also supply power, out house and a spot for your bottles if required. Cherries will probably be ripe by then and feel free to pick a few.

Hope to see you there,
Malcolm.

March 12, 2019

Farm Jam 2018

Farm Jam 2018 was smaller than usual but more fun than ever!

There was a small group at Farm Jam 2018 this year, but a lot of newcomers! We were happy to see Beth and Laurier(Sp?), Auntie Kate(from South Korea), Billie, Kendra, Cousin Danielle and family, cousin Gerry and family and of course all the regulars. There were a lot of kids which is always fun when the gocart is in action.

We’re always happy to have people out, But nobody took home CHERRIES and/or SWISS CHARD lol. It was a good event. Thank you to everyone who came out. If you have pictures send them!

The Little Neighbour Boy Gets a Surprise Swarm

The surprise swarm that took Jeffs grainery by storm!

In just 2 days honey bees had created a swarm on Jeffs exterior wall of his grainery. This isn’t the first time bees have been around before but never a swarm like this. This time it was more of an adventure.

Wanting to get rid of the invasive swarm he got Shawn Maskwa a seasoned beekeeper to come out and asses the situation. The first day he came out the clouds were overcast.

*Fact- Bees are grouchy when the clouds are overcast

So, we waited until the next day. The goal was to find the queen and transfer the swarm. We suited up. We started out trying to use a vacuum bucket. The swarm was too big and thick and was clogging the vacuum hose. So Shawn scooped the bees with his hands and moved them into the beehive.

*Fact- The swarm would have come from anywhere in a 6-mile radius

I got to “bee” a beekeeper for an hour or so until I got so hungry I had to leave. Never been stung by a bee before I didn’t know if I was allergic. Good thing Shawn keeps an EpiPen on hand. Dad (Malcolm) was nowhere to be seen because of his irrational fear of bees and wasps. Mom (Diane), Jeff, and Drew were standing on the sidelines.

After a few hours of scooping, vacuuming and pulling boards off the side of buildings most of the bees were removed! The bees were surprisingly docile. Shawn was able to remove the main honeycomb. Although we didn’t get to see the queen he was pretty sure we got her because the bees were content in their new hive and all the ones not transferred were trying to get into it.

After a lot of work by Shawn and Jeff, the bees were contained and were transported to Shawn’s farm (after quarantine) where they can hang out with the rest of his bees. They will be well taken care of and producing honey, not so close to Jeffs tools.

**Update** The queen has been found. The beekeeper will leave them alone for 2 weeks to see how they settle

Cousin Weekend 2018

Cousins Weekend Was Filled Sunshine, Drama and Food!

We camped out at Uncle Malcolm’s for the cousins long weekend! Mathew and Emmy joined us from the East coast, along with Terra and the girls(this includes Andrew). The invitation was also extended to our parents this year! Everyone packed up their tents, campers, games, footballs, baseballs, kites, pets, food, booze, kids, sunscreen, swimming trunks, and brought their partners????! Tania set up a Scavenger Hunt! There were water balloons and water gun fights. We picked berries, roasted marshmallows and more.

Not one child went without a dirty face at least once during the weekend. Jennifer got an early morning (afternoon) wake up to Oh Canada and Andrew took the kids on quad rides. People took part in signing on stage at night.

And don’t forget about the farm Jam

See all the photos, posts and comments on the Facebook Cousins Weekend thread.

Prairie Fires Are Raging This Year- 2018

Prairie Fires in Kannata Valley are Rampant

It’s only May and the Prairie Fires have already started in Southern Saskatchewan. There are Fire bans in a lot of the RMs and most people are doing their due diligence to take care not to put their land at risk.

Wascana Trails Fire – April 23

About 12 hectares of land was burned, crews sprayed fire for hours

Two fire trucks were called to the fire near the Wascana Valley Trails at around 4 p.m. CST.

Dallas Valley Fire- April 26

Crews battled a grass fire in the Lumsden Valley on Thursday, but by late evening, Lumsden’s fire department said the flames were under control.
The fire traveled east of the town along the valley.

People driving along Highway 11 reported seeing smoke for kilometers.
Dallas Valley Ranch Camp had to move its horses and human members to safety.

Kannata Valley- May 7

RBFD was dispatched as mutual aid to help the Lumsden Fire department. Along with Craven Fire department and Regina fire department, the grass fire was contained. The use of Mutual aid is beneficial to all departments and helps with protecting our communities.

6:30pm Update: Please stay off main roads at Kannata Valley unless you’rewater truck

8:23 Update: We received confirmation 68, 70, 72 have burnt down on Lake Shore Drive in Kannata Valley

Find Out Where the Wildfires are in Saskatchewan Here

Read more about what we’re doing in the News

May 8, 2018

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