Farm Glance: Owen Bridge’s Hand-made Hay Rake
Hello modest-sized readership. Three months in, and I’m still waiting for an unsolicited submission of a cool farming innovation. Don’t be shy! I’d love to feature something you’re doing on your farm. Now then:
Last July, Vanessa and I paid a visit to Annapolis Seeds and eighteen-year-old Owen Bridge in Middleton, Nova Scotia. Owen is a precocious and talented seed producer, having honed his skills as a teenager on Vancouver Island before moving with his family to Nova Scotia and starting his own seed business.
Owen is also really into human-powered hay production, and during our visit he showed us his hand-made hay rake:
From left to right: scythe, Owen Bridge, rake
The rake is made completely of Ash--no nails or screws. Owen used wedges to anchor each tooth, and the shaft to the head. It takes Owen about a day's work to make the rake from unharvested ash to final product.
Another advantage of this rake is that it can be easily set alight during late night castle-stormings. Owen is personally responsible for chasing three ogres out of Middleton. Though in the third case, the ogre turned out to be Annapolis Valley Baker and Bike Mechanic Doug Brown, and Owen later apologized for the mix-up.
No, that is not an industrial mowing machine. It's Owen getting the job done.
Ever heard of the Maritime Hand Mowing Championships? Owen has. He had to miss this year’s competition to teach a seed-saving workshop, but you better believe he’ll be out for glory next year. Thanks to Owen, and to Vanessa for the great photos.
