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​​The Common-Tater

Happy Anniversary To Us!

4/23/2017

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Happy Anniversary to us! One year ago we launched our website and it has been successful beyond our expectations.  Over the past year we have had more than 14,000 unique visitors and an incredible 40,000 page views.
 
We have written 53 blogs in our “Common-Tater” section covering a wide variety of topics ranging from farming equipment, how we grow potatoes, new recipes, animal visitors and life on the farm.  The slide show above features the top ten blogs that got the biggest reaction from our audience.  Have a look to see what you may have missed!
 
We are thrilled to release our brand new “Production Gallery” today. You can see all new photos of our tractors, implements, equipment and the people who operate them.  The newly revamped “Spud Smarts – About Potatoes” is an interactive slide show full of fun and interesting  information about the potato.

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Our Anniversary Special continues with a brand new potato recipe called “Mashed Apps.” Mashed potatoes are mixed with peameal bacon and cheddar cheese and baked in mini muffin tins to create mouth-watering appetizers in the “Canadian Eh?” version.  Or if you prefer something slightly more exotic you can try the “Irresistibly Indian” adaption blending curry and sour cream into spicy bite sized appetizers.  You can click on the link below to download or print this recipe. 
mashed_potato_appetizer_recipe.pdf
File Size: 75 kb
File Type: pdf
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In the midst of all these changes and updates, we would like to assure you that the one thing that will never change is our commitment to growing a quality product that is delivered on time to our growing base of customers.  We hope you enjoy the new sections of our website. Thank you for a fantastic first year!
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Cooking Potatoes 101

3/8/2017

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cooking_potatoes_101_recipe.pdf
File Size: 93 kb
File Type: pdf
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In response to your suggestions and questions, I have prepared this blog that presents the three most common ways to cook potatoes:  mashed, baked and roasted wedges.  I have also included advice about which kind of potato to use. Although I have specified a certain variety of potato to use with each recipe, switching the type of potato will not hurt your dish. 
 
Each recipe starts with a basic recipe for the beginner cook, and then has an option to dress it up with a second simple step to enhance the dish. Finally the recipe is kicked up a notch for the more experienced or adventuresome cook.  Make your own Italian herbed butter, create a creamy broccoli and cheddar cheese sauce or turn potato wedges into a nacho delight.
 
Click on the link above to print or download the recipe. Other featured recipes can be found at “Spud Smarts – About Cooking Potatoes” and in previous installments of “The Common-Tater” in the recipes categories. Bon Appétit! 
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Journey From The Underground Part I

9/27/2016

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After months of tending our crop, we are finally ready for the harvest. It takes about six weeks of very long days full of labour intensive work to harvest the entire crop. You haven’t seen anything until you’ve lived through the harvest season on a farm!
 
The windrower is the first machine to pass over the potato crop and it is operated on our farm by John Thompson. It is a digging machine that piles up potatoes for the harvester. It digs up four rows of potatoes and leaves them into one single row.  As it digs the potatoes, any weeds, rocks and large clumps of soil are moved by a large belt behind the machine where they are not in the way of the harvester. The windrower also cleans some of the dirt off the potatoes
 
I became curious as to the origin of the name for this piece of farm equipment so I did a little research.  I learned that a “windrow” is “a long line of material heaped up by the wind or by a machine.” (online dictionary) So our potatoes are piled in a “windrow” by the “windrower.” Interestingly enough, although the name typically refers to rows of cut hay or grain crops, it also is the official name for the piles of snow left at the end of your driveway after the snow plow has cleared the road. Now you know!
 
If you would like to see a video of the windrower, you can visit the installment of The Common-Tater called “The Potato Windrower.”
 
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Rest In Peace Bill

9/19/2016

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March 3, 1933 - September 15, 2016
 
Bill Thompson had been around the farm for as long as I can remember.  He came to live here in 1982 till he retired in 2007.   I have very few photos as he wasn't really a selfie kind of guy, but if you met him you would remember him.  If he liked you, he would talk your ear off about current events learned by watching CFTO News.  If he didn't care for you, he would politely turn his back to you and walk away.
 
Born into the care of the Salvation Army in Orillia, he did not know his family.   He spent much of his early life in institutions until privatization closed many of them during the 1960's.  Considering his limited ability to read and do math, Bill was very proud of his independence.   A budget included groceries, pipe tobacco, and a case of Labatt Blue. He would clean his floors till you could see your reflection, then completely cover them with newspaper so he could leave his boots on.  He cooked enough food for a family of four each meal, yet never ate leftovers.  The most impressive quality was his work ethic.  He could carry product into restaurants that weighed slightly more than half of his own weight.
 
Soon we will bring Bill home to the farm for eternity.  His ashes will remain here, at the place he proudly called home and with us, who proudly called Bill family.  Rest in peace.

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A Combine In Action

8/2/2016

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We had two combines here last weekend harvesting our winter wheat.  They are impressive machines to watch. A combine is a time-saving and efficient piece of farming equipment since it performs several functions at once. And trust me when I say they are also somewhat noisy! To learn more about combines and why we grow winter wheat be sure to read the portion of The Common-Tater entitled “Farewell Winter Wheat.”
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