When I Say “The Farm”…

…I mean what used to be the “North Mushroom Farm”. My Grandpa North was raised a farmer, my Grandma North a farmer’s daughter.

Somewhere down the line he became a mushroom farmer and did that in more than one location; but this is the one I grew up across the road from.

All of the land comes to around 40 acres or so. They used the field to grow alfalfa, and made some of that into compost to grow mushrooms in.

 

 

If I remember correctly, making compost was not an easy or pleasant job for the men. He’s even wearing goggles…

Note: Any relatives who might be reading feel free to add to or correct anything I’m saying.

They grew them in long,dimly lit buildings (called “mushroom houses) in large,wooden trays filled with compost. The trays were stacked in rows covering most of the length of the building.

The temperature of the buildings had to be right. The atmosphere was permeated with warmth, and moisture, and the unique, earthy smell(not a bad smell, mind you) of the compost.

 

Uncle John and Grandpa Roy

My grandpa died in ‘99; and they shut down the farm the same year. But all of the buildings they built to live and work in are still there.

Our field

Where my grandma Marion and Uncle Dan live

 

Uncle John and Aunt Cindy’s

Most of the apple orchard is behind these buildings in my Uncle Dave’s courtyard.

Glimpse of the orchard

So there you have it, a brief historical tour of our farm! :)