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Healthy Gardening

how to's  & Tips for your garden

2018 Rural Farm Challenge - Cast Your Vote

12/29/2017

3 Comments

 
By Cindy Cloninger
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Being a business owner and entrepreneur in rural America holds unique challenges and opportunities. That being said, this diverse group of individuals are uniquely positioned to understand and solve some of the complex challenges facing the food and agriculture industry.  Additionally, having the means to market and produce these solutions to a large audience has the potential to provide sustainability to rural communities through much needed employment opportunities.
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It is difficult for the rural entrepreneur to find access and marketing to reach the same kind of audience that other industry professionals might have. They may also face obstacles with anything from limited broadband and the high cost of transporting goods to lack of capital, business training, and the business networking of some of their urban counterparts.
Enter the AFBF Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative (REI). The American Farm Bureau recognized a need. The non-profit Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative was created, with the main purpose of providing rural entrepreneurs with world class business training, networks and resources to help them succeed, according to their website. ​
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More than 1,000 businesses in 37 states have been helped through REI projects. (Map found on http://www.strongruralamerica.com/about)
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In 2015 the AFBF introduced The Farm Bureau Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge. This is the a competition solely for rural food and agriculture businesses. In its first year, the challenge had just 95 applicants and awarded $85,000 in start up funds to 4 rural entrepreneurs.  
To compete, currentFarm Bureau members submit their eligible businesses and products that utilize one or more local agriculture product, for food, or can be in the area of production, distribution, marketing, branding, or support services, for the agriculture category.
In this years 2018 competition, over $145,000 was given to recipients in 8 categories with $15,000 each, awarded to the top 4 finalists.
It is the hope of those organizers and affiliates associated with the competition, that small rural business can make a significant contribution to the economic development in the communities in which they live and create a thriving business centered on agriculture needs.
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Wild Valley Farms was honored as one the 4 finalist for the innovative gardening product wool pellets this past October in Washington, D.C. Wool pellets are made from the waste wool from the belly of the sheep, or tags taken from sheep in the shearing process.  When added to soil, wool pellets perform in a three function way.  Wool Pellets are highly absorbent, soaking up to 20 times their weight in water. This added benefit to garden soil reduces the need of frequent watering by up to 20%, a huge help in the hot summer months and in arid climates. Wool pellets help create an optimal place for oxygenation in soil and root growth. As the pellets break down, a nutritionally balanced all natural fertilizer of 9-0-2 NPK is released into the soil further aiding in the nutrition and growth of each plant. Additionally, wool pellets are a natural deterrent to slugs and snails do to their microscopic barbed composition. ​
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This years competition received 471 applications, up from 350 last year. The selection and application process began for Wild Valley Farms in early May, when acceptance for applications opened for a short one month time period. Applications were then reviewed in July and August with 10 ten applicants selected as award recipients.  The 4 best overall teams were named as finalists. The award announcements were made this past October in Washington D.C. where each of the 4 finalists and 6 ‘best in’ recipients received $15,000 respectively. ​
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In addition, participants have been given access to startup funding through opportunities to pitch to investors, feedback from national business experts, venture capital education, networking, and booth space at the American Farm Bureau Convention.
Of note, Wild Valley Farms is the only business to enter from Utah. Wild Valley Farms is dedicated to reducing waste in agriculture and making a difference in the economic sustainability of rural Morgan County. ​
As a finalist, Wild Valley Farms has a chance to take wool pellets and head to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual convention on January 7, 2018 in Nashville Tennessee to compete for an additional $15,000 of start up funds.

Don’t miss this chance to vote for Wild Valley Farms!

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What you can do? Vote of January 7th

Farm Bureau has given people nationwide the opportunity to help select the winners. All you have to do is log on to https://fbchallengechoiceaward.questionpro.com on January, 7 2018 and cast your vote in support of Wild Valley Farms. ​
Check out the other amazing entrants in the showcase gallery. ​ ​If you’re interested in attending you can find out details at convention events page.

Cindy Cloninger

Virtual Assistant, blog manager, email & social media marketing assistant, web development. I enjoy hiking, fresh fruits & veggies, planting flowers, cooking great meals. But I love being a wife and mother the most.  When I'm not doing all of those, I love to read and try new things.   No matter the forecast, live like it's spring.

3 Comments

Wild Valley Farms Keeps Busy Bringing Wool Pellets to the World -  2017  Year in Review

12/15/2017

3 Comments

 
By Cindy Cloninger
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With 2,800 sheep and 300 head of cows, spring on the ranch is a busy place. After bringing in the sheep from outer pastures, the shearing begins.  Experienced shearers make quick work of removing the thick wooly coats from each sheep individually. There's no easy 'all in - all out' industrialized component for shearing 2,800 sheep. Like so many things of worth in our lives, it is an individual, one-on-one process.   Once sheared, the marketable wool is sent off  to make clothing. The usually discarded belly wool is made into the new star of the gardening world, wool pellets.

Having so many livestock to manage is why we started making compost. To be able to manage animal waste and make a value-added product for consumers for their gardening.
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When we found that wool was so high in nitrogen that we started working towards trying to make the wool a useable product for an end consumer. So we pelletized it, and we’ve been selling the wool pellets to nurseries and greenhouses and for commercial use. They take the wool pellets and mix it in with their hanging baskets or potted plants that they’re selling to consumers. And then we also bag up the wool pellets and sell directly to consumers and through distribution channels.
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Since Wild Valley Farms created wool pellets in 2016, we have been crisscrossing the country trying to get the word out about these gardening superheroes.  Life on the road to success has taken owner, Albert Wilde far from the headquarters of Wild Valley Farms in the rural town of Croydon, Utah.

Albert has represented Wild Valley Farms and educated 1000’s of investors, fellow entrepreneurs, and retail owners about the powerhouse punch that comes packaged in an unlikely source, wool pellets.
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The year kicked off with attendance at an investment summit in Phoenix, Arizona. This ‘shark tank’-like event was sponsored by the Farm Bureau and was specifically designed as a launching point for agriculture enterprises where participants were given the opportunity to pitch to investors in the lawn and garden agriculture industry.

From there, wool pellets took their story to the Lone Star state to a packed audience. Speaking to investors in Dallas in June at the Gro Group Albert explained,
We've developed a product that is a natural organic fertilizer that will fertilize for a whole season, and it’ll retain water, reducing the amount of watering by about 25%, and it’s made from waste wool from sheep.
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Gro Group is a  unique organization that seeks to match manufacturers and distributors in the lawn and garden industry in partnerships that will help to introduce and promote new products.
This event served as a preliminary entry into the annual Arett Home & Garden Trade Show.  In September, Albert gathered with 400 other vendors in Atlantic City for the 3 day event.  The Arett trade show is the largest independent garden distribution show on the east coast. This show has proved valuable to getting wool pellets into garden centers in that region. Look for more information to come soon.
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Arett Trade Show in Atlantic City ,September
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Albert in Washington, D.C. for the 2018 Farm Bureau Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge
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Wool Pellets showed well in British Columbia this past October
Albert furthered the expansion of this wooly growth all the way to British Columbia this past October. Where he told distributors there,
Wool pellets expand not only holding necessary water for your plants, but increasing soil porosity for optimal root growth. They are all organic, sustainable, and renewable, and will naturally release a slow fertilizer with a value of 9-0-2 NPK.
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As Albert has taken wool pellets to pastures unknown, like you, new listeners have been intrigued and wowed with the innovation and complex benefits that this new and exciting gardening breakthrough offers. The excitement has been palpable as the buzz generated traveled across the nation. Garden centers across the United States and Western Canada have picked up wool pellets in their search for new products to offer in wide distribution to their customers. See a list of retailers carrying wool pellets on our Retailers page on the Wild Valley Farms website.
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It has been hard not to take notice of the acclaim and honor wool pellets and Wild Valley Farms is garnering. This past October saw Albert and his wife, Karen, busy on the award scene as organizations reviewed and wrapped up their assessment of noteworthy 2017 businesses and products. 

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​Albert received the Utah Green Business Award for Innovation on behalf of Wild Valley Farms.   A program that honors companies, communities and individuals who are making strides in environmental sustainability.  Albert was honored with a luncheon at the Grand American Hotel and Wild Valley Farms and wool pellets were featured in the October issue of Utah Business magazine.

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Albert Wilde receives the Utah Green Business Award for Innovation
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Wild Valley Farms was honored as one the 4 finalists for the innovative gardening product, wool pellets, this past October in Washington D.C. in the 2018 Farm Bureau Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge.  Over $145,000 was given to recipients in 8 categories. Wild Valley Farms is honored to be the recipient of $15,000 of start up funds and hopes to earn and an additional $15,000 as they move on to compete at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual convention on January 7, 2018 in Nashville Tennessee.
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​Individuals have the unique opportunity to cast their vote online at https://fbchallengechoiceaward.questionpro.com on January, 7th only.  Wild Valley Farms hopes to continue the growth and expansion of wool pellets with these funds to offer further availability and saturation in the retail marketplace.

We have a huge potential for growth, and we have some very large companies that are looking to license our product that’ll put it out to a wide distribution for consumers.
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As natives of Morgan county Utah, Albert and his family have deep roots and love for growing this community.  Albert participates in Utah and Morgan County chapters of the Farm Bureau.
He is an active member of the Morgan Area Chamber of Commerce where he hears and aids in finding solutions that are unique to this little growing town.  This past summer, Albert took a key part in planning, organizing, and funding events surrounding the annual Morgan 4th of July celebration.  One of the fun events that came from this venture and was sponsored by Wild Valley Farms was the cardboard boat Regatta down the Weber River. 

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In this fun and good natured competition, teams were directed to make boats from cardboard and other materials that would then race down the river from the high school to the Riverside park a short distance of approximately a quarter mile. A precarious journey on forged cardboard to be sure. Participants and winners first showed off their nautical worthy designs in a parade through town that morning. Local businesses, Travers Tours & Travel, Bridget Larsen’s Outside the Lines interior design company, along with others,  joined in the fun creating teams, then floating and sometimes sinking their way to the finish line. In addition to bragging rights, cash prizes were won by contestants with $200 going to the winning team.
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Wild Valley farms is rooted in their community and grounded by the goodness and character fostered by it’s residents.  We strive for excellence in our products and our business mindset.  This detailed care and notice of every aspect within our sphere of impact, is what led to the innovation of wool pellets being derived from what is most commonly waste wool. We care about our community, we care about our sheep, we care about our products and our customers.
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NutriWool PotsNutriWool Pots: The ideal water, nutrient, and environmental solution
Solving gardening and agriculture problems has driven Albert in the creation of wool pellets and the development of some new and exciting products to be released in early 2018.

NutriWool Pots - these unique containers are made from recycled wool felt and are able to insulate the root zone from hot and cold temperatures as well as allow the root zones to “breathe”.  The tight wool felt will absorb and hold water in the root zone but will not let the water pass through, keeping the outside of the pot dry. Plant directly in them. Look for these to be available in January.

Benefits of NutriWool Pots:
  • 100% Bio-degradable
  •  Stronger, healthier plants and starts
  • Light weight 
  • Improved overall root structure (more root tips)
  • Decreased risk of transplant shock
  • Better use of water and nutrients
  • Promotes beneficial biology
  • Elimination of root wrapping (circling) in pots
  • Fewer transplants required​ ​​

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Intelli-Soil -  Premium premixed potting soil. This nutrient rich soil will be available in February,  just in time for all your spring and summer potting needs.

Wool Strips - wool with seeds pre-measured, spaced and ready to be added directly to your soil. Gardening has never been easier!  Look for these little garden helpers full of carrots, and herbs in March
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Want to be the first to know when these new products are available?  Sign up by clicking on the picture below or HERE

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Check our Healthy Gardening Blog for other stories and more in the series Meet Wild Valley Farms - Who Are We? Other blog series coming this year include topics on planning your garden, planting & pruning, along with all the important things you need to know to prepare your soil for the best blooms and harvest.

Read other related articles

  • Wild Valley Farms & Wool Pellets Honored in Washington D.C.
  • Wool Pellets - Fox 13 Now Story
  • 6 Reasons You Should Be Using Wool Pellets in Your Garden Soil
  • Made in Utah: Sheep's Wool Fertilizer Pellets
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Cindy Cloninger

Virtual Assistant, blog manager, email & social media marketing assistant, web development. I enjoy hiking, fresh fruits & veggies, planting flowers, cooking great meals. But I love being a wife and mother the most.  When I'm not doing all of those, I love to read and try new things.   No matter the forecast, live like it's spring.

3 Comments

How to Force Bulbs Like a Pro & Care for Your Holiday Poinsettia

12/1/2017

1 Comment

 
By Cindy Cloninger
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Photo by Annie Spratt
After stomping off the clumps of snow from your boots, removing the layers of outerwear, and  still feeling cold, there isn’t a more beautiful sight than seeing a little bit of warm weather in the blooms of summer and spring.  I’m talking about those vibrant colors and rich fragrances that come from forcing bulbs.
Forcing bulbs that normally bloom in spring and summer months into an early bloom has been done for years.  Forcing might not be the right word for the kind of imagery that we are trying to invoke here.  It’s more like tricking the bulbs into thinking they’ve had a nice cold winter.

There are two kinds of bulbs that can be forced

The first type don’t have to be ‘wintered’ at all as they naturally come from warmer tropical climates. These are specifically the Amaryllis and Paperwhites. That means you can have flowers in as little as 3-5 weeks! Which is a major plus if, like me, your life is too hectic to often think months ahead.
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The second group need to experience a ‘winter’ so to speak.  This variety of bulbs will need to be chilled at around 40 degrees. The time frame varies depending on the individual flower type

Warm weather Non-chilling Bulbs

  • Soak the roots of the bulbs in warm water for a few hours
  • Place in container with potting soil or our terra zest for amaryllis, paperwhites can be planted in glass marbles, or stones leaving the top ⅔ exposed. 
  • Water lightly (soil should be damp but not wet) & place in a warm sunny spot. Mix in wool pellets to soak keep soil moist, but not wet.
  • ​Expect to see blooms in about 3-5 weeks for Paperwhites & 6-8 weeks for the Amaryllis

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Photo by Ross Domke
While individual times vary, a general rule to follow is:
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Easy Peasy! That’s why these make such great holiday gifts!  Use a bag of our terra zest and mix in some wool pellets and you’ll have thriving plants that will do well in an arid house using a heater.
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Easytogrowbulbs.com has this great how-to video on Paperwhites.  Check out their great online store for a large variety of bulbs.

Cold weather bulbs

As in life, Chill for best results

  • Choose a pot that will be deep enough to allow a couple of inches below the bulb for root growth and tall enough to cover with soil up to the neck of the bulb, try our terra zest for impressive results. Mix in  wool pellets for a natural release fertilizer and less frequent watering.
  • Place the bulbs in the container, it’s okay to crowd and pack those bulbs in there
  • Time to chill. Check chilling times on the chart below. Some of the best places around your home might be chilling drawer in the refrigerator, garage, or basement. Water occasionally so the soil stays damp but not wet. This is the rooting time, where deep roots will grow.​
  • After the chilling period or winter. Start to warm up the bulbs by moving them to slightly warmer temperatures and allow for some indirect sunlight. This will help the leaves to green up. Watering will be infrequent at this point but will increase as it blooms
  • ​Once the bulbs have growth and are a couple of inches tall, give them more sunlight and a warmer spot. Most bulbs bloom within 2-5 weeks of being chilled​.

​When it comes to forcing bulbs we often think of the larger varieties like tulips and amaryllis, but crocuses and grape hyanciths are able to be forced as well.  Try layering the larger bulbs underneath some of the smaller ones for an indoor planter bursting with blooms.
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Photo by Taisiia Shestopal
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Photo by Cody Fitzgerald
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Check out this great little video for a step by step look at how this processes goes.
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Caring for your holiday poinsettias

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Photo by Jessica Fadel
Aside from bulbs, winter holidays give us a few other plants to care for.  The most common of these is the Poinsettia. The plant is native to Central America and was introduced to the United States in 1825 by Joel Roberts Poinsett. Poinsett was the first US minister to Mexico.

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Because it is a tropical plant, protect if from cold temperatures and chilling winds. Poinsettias like 65-70 degrees, ideally, with about 6 hours of indirect light daily. Over watering is a common cause of death for these plants. Take note that while not overly poisonous, if eaten by humans or pets they will cause vomiting and can cause rashes is some people. So keep away from pets, children, and dare-taking teenage boys.
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​Light and darkness are both equally important to the Poinsettia, who’s scientific name is Euphorbia pulcherrima. It is actually the this contrast in light and dark, beginning in October for about 15 hours of darkness nightly, that turns the normally white leaves red. Once buds develop, it needs less darkness.

The colored “flowers” are actually specialized leaves called brachts, while the true flowers are inconspicuous beads found in the center of the brachts.
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You can move your plants outdoors once nighttime temperatures stay above 50 degrees.  Prune and shape to keep it ‘bushy’ until next fall.

Cindy Cloninger

Virtual Assistant, blog manager, email & social media marketing assistant, web development. I enjoy hiking, fresh fruits & veggies, planting flowers, cooking great meals. But I love being a wife and mother the most.  When I'm not doing all of those, I love to read and try new things.   No matter the forecast, live like it's spring.

1 Comment

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 6000 E. Croydon Rd.   Croydon, UT 84018
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  • Home
  • WHY WOOL?
  • Products
    • Home Garden Products >
      • Wool Pellets
      • Intelli-Soil
      • Super Compost Tea
      • Intelli-Mulch
      • Nurtiwool Pots
      • Woolly's Frost Guards
      • Scented Soap
    • Bulk Landscape Products >
      • Soils
      • Manures
      • Terra Zest
      • Colored Mulches
    • Commercial Products >
      • Processing Wool Pellets
      • Bulk Wool Pellets
      • Spore Block
  • Dealer
    • Become a Dealer
  • Store
  • Healthy Gardening Blog
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • In The News
  • Contact Us
  • Partners
  • Return Policy/Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy