Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Harris Family Named Top Farmers (cont)

n software is used to keep up with everything.

This program, Harris said, enables the family to set up categories for each check, thereby giving them the flexibility to compile reports tracking expenditures and providing data necessary to budget and/or adjust expenditures accordingly.

Maintaining this system, he said, has helped the family stay within its budget. "Our son, Brad, now has a checking account, and we are working with him to record his checks on the computer and balance his account. We have worked with our daughter, Heather, teaching her to write checks and pay bills."

The Harris family also works to preserve the environment. The grazing system used is environment friendly, as the rotational system allows the pastures to be rested more than 90 percent of the grazing season.

This allows for faster regrowth and higher quality grass, while providing cover and habitat for many species of wildlife.

Intensive grazing reduces weed population in the pastures and almost eliminates the need for widespread weed control. The family does some spot spraying around places where hay is fed during the winter.

Waterlines and tanks, installed three years ago, reduced the number of cow trails, in turn cutting down on erosion of the soil.

Conservation of the natural assets on their land is an important factor to the daily operation of the farm.

The grazing system used is effective in promoting conservation, as it provides a thick cover of grass to help control erosion.

The ryegrass planed each fall also provides a good grass cover of the land for the winter to protect the soil and still allow for grazing.

A single electric wire fence system is also utilized on the farm. This type of fencing is inexpensive and provides good livestock control.

It allows the family to change the size of pastures as the forage production increases or decreases during the year.

By managing the cattle to harvest the forage in an intensive grazing system, the Harris's do little bush hogging. Excess forage is harvested as hay and is fed to the cattle when grazing isn't feasible.

This is normally because of the lack of forage production in the winter, or when it's too wet for the pastures to be grazed without being damaged by being trampled.

The intensive grazing method is also energy efficient.

The Harris's are a close-knit family, with the parents heavily involved in the activities of their children.

Ralph and Claudette follow Brad and Heather's school, sports and church activities, helping out when needed as volunteers for various projects.

Claudette and Heather handle kitchen duties, primarily, making sure the family has well balanced meals.

Weekly menus are prepared, with each day beginning with a good breakfast. When possible, evening meals are taken together, even if it's done in shifts.

Nutritious snacks are always on hand for the family, as the Harris's are on the run from one activity to another, especially during the school year.

The family plants a garden annually, freezing and canning vegetables and fruits for future meals.

In an effort to provide fresh vegetables during the winter, a greenhouse was built two years ago. It provides Claudette the chance to get a head start on transplants and annuals along with winter supplements of fresh lettuce, radishes, onions and other veggies.

Beef, venison and fish are stored in the freezer to help cut down on grocery costs, while providing the family with meat.

Annual health and dental checkups are regular around the Harris household, as each member visits their doctor, dentist and optometrist each year.

Ralph and Claudette have worked with Brad and Heather, preparing them for the real world once they leave home for college and the future.

Both children can cook, shop for groceries, do price comparative shopping and laundry. While they can do all these things, they'd still rather mom take care of them.

The entire family comparison shops for its needs, with sale papers checked and coupons used when possible.

The Harris's work the farm as a family, with no outside help being hired.

The hay is custom bailed to save money on equipment purchase and maintenance.

Seed, fertilizer and feed are bought in bulk to help cut expenses as well.

When the new house was built five years ago, the Harris's made sure it is totally electric, being heated and cooled by a comfort zone system.

This system divides the house into several zones with each capable of being set at a different comfort level (temperature).

A wood heating system was installed and provides 90 percent of the heat through the fireplace.

This method has proven effective as it has helped reduce the electric bill while keeping the family warm during the winter.

The house is also heavily insulated with nine-inch walls and vinyl encased double paned glass windows.

When new appliances are bought, the Harris's make sure they are energy efficient and have energy saving features.

During the summer, an outdoor clothesline is used to dry clothing, and cut down on the use of the dryer.

The family recycles aluminum cans, selling them to a local vendor. Paper is saved and donated to a school for disabled children and adults in the community.

A compost pile is fed with yard, garden and kitchen waste products, and, in turn, supplies organic matter supplements for the soil for the garden, flower beds and greenhouse.

An area of the yard has been set aside for wildlife, with the Harris's getting the Acres for Wildlife seeds annually and planting them in this area and other parts of the farm.

Fallen limbs are piled up to provide a habitat for animals as brush piles. Rabbits and birds have been observed where these limbs are.

Several bluebird houses are in the Harris yard, with a bat house being the most recent addition to the menagerie.

The family is also active in the community.

Ralph is a member of the Nevada County Cattlemen's Association, where he served as membership chairman. He is also a member of the Prescott Athletic Booster Club and past member of the Prescott Lions.

He umpires youth league baseball and softball, while refereeing pee wee basketball.

He's also coaches youth softball, baseball and flag football teams.

Ralph works the concession stand at basketball games and track meets occasionally, while also running the "dollar a shot" activity during basketball halftimes to help the booster club raise money.

Curley Wolf football sees Ralph as a member of the chain gang where he volunteers time, and gets to watch Brad perform on the field.

He is a member of the Prescott Church of Christ and works with the 4-H Club as a leader.