“ Farming is just something that feel right — there is no other style I can explain it , ” allege Nicole Palmer , who heads up thePalmz Family Farmettein Long Island , New York .

After start out with just a smallflock of hen , Palmer addedhoney bees , bunnies , ducks , geese , turkeys , Republic of Guinea fowlandquailover time , along with perpetually growing the garden . “ I truly love everything about this life style , ” says Palmer . “ This is what I am meant to do with my life . ”

Taking a moment off from the farmette , we verbalise to Palmer about growing cucamelons and becoming fascinate by quail . We also touched on how husbandry can change a person ’s life perspective .

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Farming Roots

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“ I guess you could say it is in my descent , ” articulate Palmer when reflecting on how her farming journey began . “ My family has been observe backyard chickens for over 15 years . For a bulk of that time , we kept a very small flock of three or four hens . Then , we stopped having a garden for a few years and were down to one hen . ”

Palmer impart , “ And just when you recall the story would be over , that is when my story began . I talked about getting a few ducks and a larger flock of wimp . My very supportive swain build me a gravid chicken coop . As time went on , I got into breeding chicken , and I was fascinated by the genetics behind egg color and feathering color .

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“ While I expanded my volaille , I create my garden . ”

This Year’s Star Produce

When it do to this twelvemonth ’s bounty from the garden , Palmer foot potatoes as a crop she ’s particularly proud of . “ Specifically the Adirondack Blue variety , but I also grew Yukon Gold and Red Norland , ” she details . “ It was my first year grow potatoes , and I receive a pretty comme il faut harvest . ”

Moving over to the kitchen , Palmer suggest roasting potato slices with European olive tree oil , pepper and rosemary salt as a pet planning .

Spotlight on Cucamelons!

The year 2023 was Palmer ’s first uprise adorably dinky cucamelons in the garden . “ I look them on a cum site and thought they were so cute , so figured I would give them a try , ” she come back .

“ They are much more dainty than typical cucumber plants , ” she keep . “ They are more vine - like . They should by all odds be grow on a trellis . I can not suppose them doing well on the land . ”

Getting into the gustatory modality of cucamelons , Palmer enounce she often comes across the misconception that they ’re sweet than cucumber vine . “ It is quite the opposite , ” she explicate . “ The cucamelons are really a little more sharp-worded or turned in comparing to a cuke , hence their other name Mexican Sour Gherkin . I in person really enjoy them . They are a staring size to crop up in your mouth for a snack . ”

Becoming Fascinated by Quail

Quail are a key part of Palmz Family Farmette . Palmer say that she had long been fascinated by them . “ They are the coolheaded and leisurely shuttle to care for , ” she says .

“ Their piddling crows are lovely . I remember they deserve more realisation . They are very skillful egg layers , their ball are very nourishing and they make a great option for the great unwashed who are limited on blank . ”

Farming for Perspective

Relaying the joys of running a family farm , Palmer say moments like consume a household - grown and home base - make repast with her family , taste a spoonful of honey from her bees , and witnessing babe chicks hatching make it all worth the study and effort .

“ I try out not to take any expression of this for granted , even the bad days , ” she continues . “ This farm has actually changed my position on lifespan . A showery sidereal day is no longer down in the mouth — it is just what the garden necessitate and a glorious day for duck . The chance to work severely while following my circumstances and dreams is beyond rewarding . ”