The Philosophy Family Farm

The Philosophy Family Farm Historic family farm
We grow family and farm stories
Healing land and people
Regeneration lab
Spencer, NY

Sometimes you must do something you have never done before; sometimes you must have the courage to take the chance that ...
07/18/2026

Sometimes you must do something you have never done before; sometimes you must have the courage to take the chance that your new effort might result in failure; sometimes it is essential that you proceed with a task knowing that you really don’t know what the result will be. But you also know, if you don’t try, you know what *that* result will be. So, two choices when confronted with a new task you have never done before: 1) don’t try and most certainly fail; or 2) give it a try and see if you can do your best to succeed. Today on the farm I tried something new: I removed and replaced a toilet. Now, I know this isn’t a particularly hard job to do, I am aware that it actually is quite simple. But that fact did not ease my concerns about my novice plumbing skills, especially concerning the water damage that could occur to the wooden bathroom floor if I mess up. Well, never fear, I actually did remove and replace the toilet today. No drama. No leaks. Watertight. All is good. So, my lesson learned is to proceed with best possible energy and skill when you have an important job to get done. Enjoy the weekend!

This week our neighbor to the north of our farm is cutting down dead White Ash and Green Ash trees in his forest that ha...
07/14/2026

This week our neighbor to the north of our farm is cutting down dead White Ash and Green Ash trees in his forest that have been affected by the Emerald Ash Borer disease. Our neighbor is using a novel approach to the removal of the tree logs which embraces the themes of sustainability and nature-based solutions. He has hired a local Amish family to use two teams of humongous draft horses to drag the massive logs from the forest to his yard, where they will be transported to a local sawmill to be turned into planks and lumber to be used for fine furniture. By using horse teams, no internal combustion engines or petroleum products are used, and no greenhouse gases are emitted. In addition, the horses’ hooves do not harm the surface soil as they walk; while tractors and trucks would destroy the fragile plants and soil beneath. This is a great example of using whole systems thinking to properly address a problem with a sustainable solution.

“Pathways to Purpose” here on the farm we work hard physically to take care of the fields, ponds and forests, and critte...
07/10/2026

“Pathways to Purpose” here on the farm we work hard physically to take care of the fields, ponds and forests, and critters that call them home. Today we maintained the existing pathways through the meadows, ever careful to follow our farm management plan and to not damage fragile ecosystems for our caterpillars, moths and butterflies. By following the pathways that we have established with clear purpose and intent, we can maintain our land for the benefit of both our family and nature.

All the corn has been planted… the cabbage, the kale, the tomatoes, the many herbs, sunflowers, etc! And now that everyt...
07/08/2026

All the corn has been planted… the cabbage, the kale, the tomatoes, the many herbs, sunflowers, etc! And now that everything is happily growing, we’ll let nature work its magic because it’s time for our annual mother-daughter trip to Cape May! And of course, stopping to see our old friend, Jon Bon Jovi! 😂 love you, Jon!

From the natural rights Enlightenment Principles of John Locke to the Declaration of our Founding Fathers, happy Indepen...
07/04/2026

From the natural rights Enlightenment Principles of John Locke to the Declaration of our Founding Fathers, happy Independence Day from The Philosophy Family Farm!

More than just a walk in the grass… grasses come in so many shapes, colors, heights. Many are host plants to a variety o...
06/24/2026

More than just a walk in the grass… grasses come in so many shapes, colors, heights. Many are host plants to a variety of beneficial insects and a vital food source and shelter come colder weather. Orchard Grass, Oat Grass, Reed grasses, Yorkshire Fog, Little Bluestem and so many more!

Photo dump of spring on the farm!!!! We’ve been planting herbs (lavender, basil, chamomile, thyme, dill, sage, oregano),...
06/05/2026

Photo dump of spring on the farm!!!!

We’ve been planting herbs (lavender, basil, chamomile, thyme, dill, sage, oregano), native wildflowers, ornamental corn and popcorn, sprinkling coffee grounds on blueberry bushes (after drinking gallons of coffee needed to actually do all this work!!), veggies for cooking and canning, tomatoes, pumpkins, cucumbers (cucumber + dill = pickle!!!), setting up regenerative sunflower areas with the help of our migratory and resident birds to plant sunflowers for the fall! Note: first male Scarlet Tanager showed up today! 👏

Also cutting trails, fixing brush hogs, setting up rain barrels, discovering rusted pulleys (farm artifacts!!!!), clearing out gardens, spreading really good dirt, combining compost and fireplace ash from a very long winter’s worth of fires, and much more! Buttercups are all growing among the Christmas trees! Tired fingers, and Zoë says “I even had to sacrifice my long nails! I found a nail on the back tire of the tractor! *not* used to short fingies!” Such a special place!

A Little Friday Farm Philosophy… sometimes you have to walk a different pathway in life 😊
05/29/2026

A Little Friday Farm Philosophy… sometimes you have to walk a different pathway in life 😊

Busy busy busy! 😂 teaser post for our upcoming spruce tip Laudato Sí program this Saturday!!! Dawn till dusk, collecting...
05/28/2026

Busy busy busy! 😂 teaser post for our upcoming spruce tip Laudato Sí program this Saturday!!! Dawn till dusk, collecting Norway and blue spruce tips, making hand embroidered sachets, planting the gardens and regenerating habitat with host plants for endangered Baltimore Checkerspot butterflies, cutting trails (plus tractor rescue!), also our happy stray cat family with grown kittens now happily hunting mice in the carriage house… spring has sprung on the farm! Plus a pregnant deer by our small pond eating nutritious water plants. Looks like we’ll have some fawns soon!

A Taste of Spruce… Collecting Spruce tips from our Christmas trees for our upcoming community program on May 30, celebra...
05/21/2026

A Taste of Spruce… Collecting Spruce tips from our Christmas trees for our upcoming community program on May 30, celebrating Laudato Sì week with tasty spruce recipes and concepts of connection with nature! 🌲

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Spencer, NY

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