OK. We're coming down the home stretch and drying down the rice paddies (draining out the water that has kept the paddies flooded). Tropical Storm Lee last week left the Hayayuki (on the right) rather "lodged" or partially flattened from the wind and rain. This rice variety is more advanced with heavier heads susceptible to wind, so we need to harvest this ASAP, but we still see some green heads that haven't quite finished. Juggling the pros and cons...
We've pinned down our best harvest date and the Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security has generously offered to sponsor this event for the public. Here is the invitation being shared around. Please come and see how we manage this crop and meet other interested people. Let us know you plan to come (or register, if you receive an email invitation).
Hello! You are invited to NIKIAN Farm on October 14th for a Rice Harvest Field Day. We want to use this time to explore late season cultivation considerations for paddy rice, as well as introduce you to all the varieties we are growing, and demonstrate our rice harvester. We'll also look at drying techniques and get the rice polisher going. We are finding lots of people who are interested in cultivating this adaptable crop and want to be sure we are supporting the community with lots of information and opportunities to ask questions and learn from each other. We hope you'll join us! Sincerely, Niki and Ian
-- Steph Hughes (she/her)
Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security Atlantic Canada Program Manager Halifax, Nova Scotia | 902.453.4455 a program of SeedChange seedsecurity.ca SeedChange’s main office is located on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg people. We acknowledge the injustices of the past and present, and are committed to act in solidarity with Indigenous peoples with humility, respect and reciprocity. NOTE:
While the rice doesn't mind rain, equipment can get bogged down so, if it does rain hard, we may have to postpone harvest a week to October 21st.