FLAX-- a sea of blue!

(click photos to enlarge)

More farming photos for you! A few weeks ago our flax was blooming. Our kids have learned that when the flax is blooming be prepared to traipse out to the fields so that Mom can take a ton of pictures! I love taking pictures of our kids in our fields. You probably noticed that I don't post a lot of pictures of actual people on my blog....I do on occasion though. I don't really feel comfortable posting family pictures so I save those shots for my family ect...

I love flax when it is blooming. When you look across the country side enjoy a sea of blue. A flax field from far away looks much like a lake. It's beautiful.

A little information about flax--FYI!!

Flax production goes back to ancient history. Flax remnants were found in Stone Age dwellings in Switzerland, and ancient Egyptians made fine linens from flax fiber. Flax production moved west across the northern United States and Canada during the 1800s. As settlers moved west, flax was one of the crops produced. North Dakota farmers have grown flax since sod first was broken.

Producers grow two types of flax: seed flax for the oil in its seed and fiber flax for the fiber in its stem. Today producers in the upper Midwest and the Prairie Provinces of Canada grow seed flax. North Dakota is the leading producer of flax for oil and food use in the United States. Flax seed is crushed to produce linseed oil and linseed meal. Linseed oil has many industrial uses; linseed meal is used for livestock feed.

Human consumption of flax seed is increasing rapidly for its high dietary fiber, its omega-3 oils and anti-carcinogenic lignans. Flax seed oil is used as a vegetable oil by some consumers and processors say its use is doubling annually. Whole, (preferably) ground flax seed is consumed mostly in bakery products. Hens fed flax seed produce "omega eggs," which are sold in the U.S. and Canada for their high omega-3 oil content. Much flax seed meal also is fed to pets and other animals. Research is being conducted to determine the health benefits of human consumption of flax seed products.

So, there you have it--fresh from the farm! ;) We have been busy here preparing for harvest. It was finally HOT here today...when I drove our utility vehicle through a corn field I think I could actually hear the corn growing! We also have been moving things into our new shop that is FINALLY done. I am trying not to think about school starting soon...if I don't think about school it won't start right?? If you stopped in for a visit drop me a line and tell me what you have been up too!

Farmchick