Orchard Hill - Horse-powered Organic Farm Part 2 - Horse Drawn Farming Implements

Joe visits Ken and Martha Laing on their Organic farm in St Thomas, Ontario. This 93 acre farm has been in Martha's family since the 1820's and they took over in 1979. They operated a pick-your-own fruit farm for 17 years. Once they decided to go organic they were not able to make it profitable. In 1997 they converted to a CSA, headed up by Martha and their daughter Ellen. It turned out to be the most profitable business they have. It is particularly well suited to the use of draft horse power. They eventually offered education in CSA farming and draft horse power in exchange for labor during the growing season.

In the second of our three-part series on the Laings, Ken shows us his large fleet of horse drawn implements while discussing the many modifications he makes to each one to better suit his Suffolk horses, land and the crops he grows. Ken clearly explains each modification and the reason for making them ! This farmer knows what he's doing!

Here is a list of the implements he discusses:
Culltimulcher - spring tooth harrow with very good depth control made by Shipshe Farm Supply. Modified with an aluminum tongue to hitch three horses and a custom wooden evener. He added 2 feet to the lever for easier operation.

Crop Roller-Crimper - collaboration with I&J and Rodale Institute. Added hydraulic lift to adjust depth. Uses on buckwheat, spring rye.

Plow - modified Pioneer plow with a rigid tongue to prevent lateral movement. Added spring to wheel.

No-Til Grain Drill - custom made. double disc openers and a modified liquid fertilizer attachment to deliver a fish emulsion.molasses mis directly to seed. ed in early spring. Also has a rear drive wheel.

Root Lifter - custom made for carrots and parsnips. Goes up to a depth of 22 inches and takes four horses to pull.

Manure Spreader - modified to be able to spread low tares of compost. Lime spreader attachment.

Plug Transplanter Unit (2 seater) - modified for horse power with a tank to apply liquid (usually water) during transplanting. Strap wench for lifting thransplanting unit. Trah holder on the back to hold plugs

Side delivery hay rake
Hay Tedder
Pioneer Forecart with aluminum tongue (light weight)
Disc - (throws in) with lever to change the angle
I&J Ground Drive Mower - no modifications because it works wonderfully
Finger Weeder.

Watch the other episodes of this series on Orchard Hill:
Orchard Hill - Horse-powered Organic Farm Part 1 - Rotational Grazing, Potatoes, No-Til Vegetables
Orchard Hill - Horse-powered Organic Farm Part 3