Paddock mowing with my John Deere

I’d like to introduce you to Dominick Arena, who first started working at the farm as a security guard right after I purchased the property, and he actually has some family history associated with this place.  I bought the land and the buildings from the family of Mrs. Ruth Sharp.  Interestingly, Dominick’s mother had a laundry business and Mrs. Sharp was one of her clients.  Dominick’s father drove a milk truck and delivered milk to Mrs. Sharp.  And, Dominick’s uncle was Mrs. Sharp’s driver.  After I moved in and started accumulating some rather major pieces of farm equipment, Dominick’s mechanical skills were put to good use.  He now handles all of the equipment maintenance on the property and also mows the paddocks beautifully every week throughout the growing season.  In his time off, Dominick is a member of our local volunteer fire department and he also enjoys his 40 acres in the Adirondack Mountains in NY State.  Each spring, he taps the sugar maples on his land and makes delicious maple syrup.  Perhaps we’ll blog that next spring.

Here’s Dominick posing for the camera beside my John Deere 6410 tractor.

Dominick making a pass over the field.  He explained that he mows in a different direction each week so that the paddocks never become rutted.

This is a hammer knife mower, which does a great job of cutting and mulching.

A lengthy list of cautionary reminders.

A view from inside Dominick’s air conditioned cab.

heater and air conditioner controls

Many different controls and levers.  Caution #1 – Read Operator’s Manual before operating this tractor!

More pedals than most people are use to.

I really love the red key.

There’s even a satellite radio – I wonder if Dominick listens to The Martha Stewart Living Radio channel 112 on Sirius?  And what’s with the tape deck?  Is this tractor really that old?

Some engine parts looking good.

This is Lhakpa driving my John Deere 5410, hauling grass clippings he collected with the push mower to the compost heap.

   
My friend Susan's kitchen makeover
The seeds of spring lead to the weeds of summer
Harvesting garlic in my garden recently
Computer problems? Help desk to the rescue!
Let's hop on the MSLO shuttle bus!

Comments

[Rowena]

Yowza, that's some heavy equipment! One of the things I would never think of, when looking at a well maintained home, the silent heroes so to speak.

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Martha, What a fascinating, informative blog! I love the story about Dominick and his family's connection to your property. I wish more than ever that I could visit your property and see all of the fantastic things that go on there day after day. Have you ever driven that John Deere tractor? It really looks like a fun job to mow the paddocks! Where do I send my resume?!!! Where were all of the animals during these sessions? I imagine they were in the barns or in other pastures for safety reasons. The pastures look so empty without them. Thanks again for sharing such diversified subjects in your wonderful blog. Jan

[Joseph Brennan]

Martha:

I'm sure Mrs. Sharp never dreamed of her property looking so beautiful. She certainly made a wise choice in selling it to you. It's turning into quite a showplace.

Thanks, too, for showcasing yet another of your hardworking staff. It's always nice to commend people for a job well done.

By the way, is Mrs. Sharp still around and if so, has she ever visited the property since you made all the improvements?

Joseph

[Beth]

I love to read stories about the people that help you with your business. They each have a place & personality of their own!! As a side note, I also love to read about your Frenchies. They are cutie-pies!!

[Stacey meredith]

Hi Martha! I love reading your blog and seeing your "everyday" things. Can't wait for the new season to begin and find out what is going to be BIG.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Stacey

[A Farmer's Wife]

Martha,

GOOD GIRL! John Deere is the ONLY way to go! Our tractors are John Deere and I grew up driving John Deere tractors on my parents farm as well. Whenever I asked about the stereo system in the tractor (or the lack thereof) my Dad would tell me that they can't be fancy because all of the dust is very hard on them and causes them to break often...we farm in the desert though. I didn't see too much dust in your neck of the woods! I am so excited that run John Deere tractors. And no, the tractor he was mowing with is not that old...they just keep 'em simple...well kind of...many tractors now have GPS that really almost don't require a driver! Amazing what technology can do!

[Esther]

I look forward to Martha's blogs each day. How nice of her to share with us. She obviously has a commendable relationship with her employees. Even my husband enjoys her blogs. He lived in Nutley, NJ as a young boy so obviously he thinks Martha is "SUPER". THANK YOU Martha for sharing with us.

[Jon]

Hi Martha!
What a very interesting story. I especially enjoyed Mr. Arena's family connections to Mr. Sharp, how cool is that!
Today's blog sent me back to a times when I was a small child. A time when I use to ride on the back of my Grandfather's 1950 red and tan Ford tractor as he mowed the lush green fields on his ranch. The sweet, clean smell of the freshly cut grass filled the air, as we admired our hard work and he drank his Lone Star Beer, and I drank my Big Red soda pop.
Thank you for bring back such a great memory for me!

[Cathy]

Just passed a tractor in a field yesterday with the words "Corn Field Cadillac" stenciled on it, thought you might like it!

[Amy in Houston]

What? No closeups of Dominick?

Amy

[Rebekah, The City Farmgirl]

I don't know anything about tractors, but that one looks like it would be fun to take out for a spin. Do you ever get to do that, Martha? I think mowing with that John Deere could be "meditative" labor for me. (At least for a little while...)

[Sherey]

I love Dominick's story and it's obvious he takes much pride in the job he does of mowing the paddocks with the John Deere. Nice to have an employee that has a huge connection to your farm.

[SteveNYC]

Put some of that Adirondack Maple Syrup under the Martha Stewart title so we can lose that corn syrup they've been feeding us at the supermarket.

[Lisa]

Hi Martha,

Love the pictures with beautiful rustic fencing, I wonder if that was original to the property?

Your post this morning sure brought some wonderful childhood memories back of tapping the sugar maples on Deer Isle, Maine where we once lived. There is nothing like real maple syrup!

I love starting my day right here with you.
Lisa

[Nan Ashby]

Hi Martha, your paddocks look great. What a great thing to see such a beautiful job Dominick does for you. From the pictures the grass looks like Kentucky bluegrass. I had my paddock without a John Deere or a Dominick. I think you are very smart with keeping everything the way it should in tip-top shape. Nan

[Kate Rineer]

We also use all John Deere Equipment on our produce/beef farm. My husband wouldn't have it any other way! The best part is maintnence is relatively easy on the old model tractors!

[Paula]

HI Martha thanks for the post!!! I grew up around tractors and farms and im glad to see that you show "every angle" of farm life the fields dont maintain themselves there a lot of hard work behind the scenes !! Thanks, love pics of the farm!! Maybe a "barn tour" next!!

[Elliott]

Mowing Paddocks by tractor..good good.I have found an honest man in Dominick.Waiting for delicious maple syrup.

[pattyskypants]

Hi, Martha. I've been a bit out of touch and wasn't aware that Paw Paw had crossed the bridge. I'm really so sad! I'm very lonely for photos of your lovely himmies. I'm seriously jonesing for the SUPAH FLUFF! Can we see more of them and you?

[Margie]

Martha,
I think your 5410 might need new tires before this winter.
Red keys are good for finding in dirt, hay, snow. But John Deere also makes black ones that get lost in the empty pocket tray.

[CallieLin]

I love your Everyday Food, this is the first time I have visited your site, very impressive, but I digress, I am writing to ask if you would start using that sticky stuff that permits you to just pull off the item it is stuck to, such as the mailing lable on Everday Food that is always covering page # and item.
Thanks,
CallieLin

[lil]

Alexis' & Jennifer's new show described in the NY Times is sure to be a huge hit! How like you not to miss an opportunity to profit, even at your own expense, so to speak. You truly are a marketing genius. I expect the show will be hilarious and showcase your terrific sense of humor!