The Return to Maine: Scything 15+ Acres of Hayfield W/ Jim Kovaleski!

[@wudangmtn]

I ordered a scythe kit, which came with a long slender blade like the one used in the video. When I took it for a test run, it kept snagging in the heavy brush and clover. I did a bit of research and learned that the blade in the video is primarily for fields of slender grass and grains. I ordered what is sometimes called a ditch blade: it is shorter, thicker and heavier. It does a much better job on my mixed/brushy fields. Hope this helps.

[@katewizer2736]

That's the type of blade my scythe arrived with... I thought I was missing something without the slender blade. Since my property has so manybthick stemmed weeds, I am thankful to havr read your comment! You helped me ser the blessing already in my hand!

[@wudangmtn]

@@katewizer2736 Awesome!

[@jonathanellis8921]

Yeah I use the ditch blade exclusively, but I have a lot of ragweed and mugwort to cut

[@cris20955105233]

How do I order the ditch blade we're at

[@sandramcleod9619]

Where can you order one?

[@jeffreyplum5259]

My roots are still in Maine. My Grandmother's farm saved my sanity during youth. My family was very combative. It was made very clear the house where I was raised was in no way mine. I was at best an inmate and an expense. My mother and Father fought for decades over who should rule the House. I got PTSD over the dinner table. The Maine farm was wonderful. There I had a place where I was welcomed and accepted. Even then I could not roam the farm, as my mother did as a child. This was by my Mother's decree, I am sure my grandmother would have allowed more freedom.. My grandparents farms were far more my home than the house I officially lived in growing up. Thank you for helping me keep my connection to that life alive. I have not been up home in decades. The farms which saved my life are in other hands now. I often feel a stranger in a strange here is the Boston area. ?Thankfully channels like yours allow me to get my Farm and Country Fix. Hay season was always a treat, and I used a scythe a bit as a kid. I even saw my grandfather taking in loose hay. The Maine farm was a milk can dairying operation. My dad's fathers farm was a bulk tank dairy my dad had ran until after the Korean War. Good luck and God bless you

[@leonsteber]

So many words of wisdom Jim, you’re a great inspiration.

[@franciscoayala1062]

Omg. Jim is a great teacher, great explanation in everything he does. Thank you so much for all of your knowledge. We should start changing our way of doing things. And thank you Pete for sharing with all of us Jim’s way . Best regards from Germany

[@cocoalarsen]

Brought my Scythe in 2012. So relaxing , love the sound of the scythe, cant believe this is the first time seeing your videos

[@TWROC96]

Jim is an amazing guy- knowledgeable, passionate, humble. He and Charles Dowding are two of my very favorite farmers.

[@keithlindland1800]

That jim is one hard working guy. Back to the earth man. Great guy. Also vary intelligent.

[@maryanneanderson8902]

Thanks for bringing Jim Kovaleski’s knowledge to us. His connection [listening] to the earth and using hand tools brings quiet simplicity and non violence to farming and gardening. Watching Jim cutting a field with his scythe is pure poetry in motion. 🙏🏼 I learn so much. A scythe is on my need to acquire list and the waiting time will be an opportunity to learn more about scything.

[@wudangmtn]

I don’t know what your field/lawn looks like, but my field is full of a wide variety of different plants and grasses. I ordered a scythe kit on-line; and when I mowed my field, the blade kept catching in the clumps of clover. I did more research, and it turns out that the blade that came with my kit is primarily for fields of grasses or grains that are tall and slender. What I needed was what is sometimes called a ditch blade. It is a shorter, thicker and heavier blade; which makes it easier to slash through brush type plants. I hope this info helps - good luck!

[@andrewmcdonald7077]

Dont wait on buying that scythe and sharpening stone and plastic holster for the stone. I speak from experience. I mowed my suburban lawn with it a year before we found our farm. It helped keep all neighbors away!

[@ShiningLightFarm]

Dont wait on buying that scythe and sharpening stone and plastic holster for the stone. I speak from experience. I mowed my suburban lawn with it a year before we found our farm. It helped keep all neighbors away!

[@greenghost6416]

@@wudangmtn Check out an american scythe instead of a european one.

[@maryanneanderson8902]

@@wudangmtn thank you this is helpful. Clearly I need to do more research. I do believe the ditch blade would be the way I go.🙏🏼

[@mikepurkey6070]

The fact he said i can show someone in a few hours what it took me to learn in a fer years......thats a special man there and appreciate his type of soul as i have the same. Lets make it better together.

[@katewizer2736]

This is the instruction I needed! I purchased a scythe in 2018, now that I am on my own land, I am so thankful!!

[@HaasBuzzHomestead9909]

Once again - thank you Pete! Jim’s harmony fills the souls of many who watch. Your videos are priceless and rare. It’s pure nutrition for our hearts and minds. Always so inspirational!

[@PeteKanarisGreenDreamsFL]

Thank you so much!!

[@shawnueda8909]

Thank you Pete for bringing Jim into our consciousness. It's bit depressing sometimes being the "lonely" permaculture farmer surrounded by corporate ag. Spray everything and anything, driving those huge John Deere combines #1, #2, #3... painted on the side. I know of several other small family farmers but none are holistic as Jim and that makes me really sad. Video like this cheers me up. Please keep bringing Jim onto youtube.

[@maryse8]

Always good to see Pete and Jim in a video!

[@Manifestcovarience]

It is great to get these videos of Jim in Maine with his knowledge of farming in harmony with the earth. Thank you for going to Maine and sharing this with us Pete.

[@janaeggleston235]

Remember my Dad teaching me how to use the scythe, love seeing this again. I was always so sore because I was a kid and didn't listen about the proper technique on the first day and by the second was sore enough I remembered! Lol! So tempted to see if his old scythe is still in the barn, ... would love to just use it on the yard at home.

[@David-uc4hc]

Was it in the barn?

[@buyerofsorts]

Thanks for yet another awesome video Pete! I can NEVER get enough of listening to Jim speak! I say again, Thank You! :)

[@tyrionlancaster5610]

There should be an 8 hour ASMR video of Jim cutting the grass

[@msjenjenp]

LOL. . . True!

[@tylerehrlich1471]

I have a half hour video of me doing just that. With a cameo from a cat! Everyone can join in with quiet hand tools.

[@jonathanellis8921]

I'm about to do some scythe mowing myself lol

[@toneyjohnson8910]

The key thing I get from you two is the fact you keep learning.

[@brianfreer2394]

I love this guy, great observations!

[@klauskarbaumer6302]

I have used the scythe ever since I was a teenager, for way over 50 years, but never cut such a large area at one time. Kudos to Jim Kovaleski!

[@PeteKanarisGreenDreamsFL]

Jim is a beast!

[@BillSikes.]

I really like Jim, he's got a great attitude

[@TheVigilantStewards]

SUPER demonstration about cut vs uncut right next to each other - WOW! And then the tidbit about the nutrient quality of being able to cut it at just the right time! And then talking about how it effects the microherd the same as macro ruminants. Jim, thank you for this! When I am earning more money than salty peanuts for my 12 hour a day job I am going to take your courses man! Looking forward to it in the future.... young man here starting out. Thank you for all the free content and from Pete as well the Green Dreams channel, planting those mental seeds of knowledge

[@bryangalen6340]

6, 7, or 8 Maine videos?! Awesome. I’m cutting down on the internet usage almost entirely with these Maine videos and the weather app as basically the only exceptions. Y’all are up to some great work as always!

[@msjenjenp]

I could listen to Jim forever. Thanks for your videos with him. I'm in Brooksville. I need to drive down to Jim's New Port Richey market when he returns to Flahrida. :)

[@dillonjames8367]

Mr. Kolvaleski, you are a superhero sir. I cannot thank you enough.

[@AmeliaRate]

After struggling with my lawn mower through wet grass all last night, I see his point so clearly.

[@Cindyscrossstitch]

We are always learning. Jim is pretty amazing 🌻

[@username0623]

Thank you both for all your work and information.

[@pamelahelbig5022]

My husband would have really enjoyed this. He was trying to find a good scythe. He was brought up on a dairy farm so he was into trying to go back to working the farm with horses. He wanted to have a small plot of land to be self sufficient. Really enjoyed the vids, keep up the work!

[@johnholland723]

What do you mean would have Pamela? Did your husband leave some place? I tried to mow a 5 acre field in West Virginia when I was 26 years old. I'm going to tell you I don't care how easy he makes it look it's not that easy especially on uneven ground

[@pamelahelbig5022]

@@johnholland723 He pasted away from cancer.

[@pamelahelbig5022]

@Frater Ouros TY

[@JerryB507]

Anyone who is proficient at kayaking could pick up scything in half a day and Jim could pick up lake kayaking in half an hour. Thanks for the video Pete.

[@zgoat4127]

Find your flow by tuning into nature and you find your vibrations and before you know it you flow like water like this gentleman

[@rackets001]

I am descended from literally a dozen generations back to the earliest settlers of Maine in the mid 1600's. I imagine my ancestors may have worked the very same land the very same way 400 years ago! I've never been to Maine myself. It looks awesome!

[@milkweeddreams8828]

You guys are both such inspirations, I've learned so much...

[@PeteKanarisGreenDreamsFL]

Thank you 😊

[@candiwallace6605]

Morning cheers Pete ❤🥂☕🥰always a pleasure to watch Jim get it DONE!!🔥🔥🔥

[@dafyddlewis89]

4:20 intimacy with the land is an amazing feeling.

[@GaiaCarney]

Thanks for creating & sharing this!

[@tylerehrlich1471]

Jim convinced me to get a scythe two years ago. It has turned out to be one of my greatest pleasures! I know when covid first reared it’s head, I threw down on more scythe blades and anvils and hammers, not sure if I would get another chance for global shipping! I hope supplies get lined out for all the new mowers next season!

[@threeriversforge1997]

Don't forget there are plenty of blacksmiths around who would be happy to forge you some hammers and anvils. No need to worry about big companies and crazy regulations when you can just reach out to someone in the smithing community online who might happen to be an hour's drive away.

[@johnholland723]

I met a blacksmith in Portland a real nice guy and very qualified. Not sure of his name it was about a month ago he was trying to show people old school blacksmithing when this local not came in and drove us both away! I was busking. He had an apprentice with him and the guy really knew his stuff!

[@gcxred4kat9]

I'm American, wife's Canadian. We spend 6 in New Brunswick and 6 in St Pete, Florida. l can attest to what a mushroomy year it's been, chanterelles forever! Can't wait to meet you and Jim someday, you both are doing God's work.

[@tiffanyleighcrim4669]

You all make me so happy keep it up buttercups!!!!

[@threeriversforge1997]

Love watching this video! At the 8-minute mark Jim makes a comment about things being tied up in the supply chain b/c the blades are made in Italy or Austria. I wanted to touch on this because I think it illustrates a very big issue. As a practicing blacksmith, I've always had an interest in old technology and the history of the various trades. One thing people don't think about is how a seemingly innocent decision can ripple out in a huge way. When people were convinced that modern weed whackers and push mowers were the better option, it necessarily meant the demise of the blacksmiths in a lot of ways and we lost the knowledge and tooling to make scythe blades. This is what I call "Tending Your Garden". When you listen to Jim, he's talking about thinking things through not just over a week or month, but years and years. He's doing things now, but with an eye fixed a decade ahead. Like so many millions of others, I had no idea that a scythe was still a good tool to use. I was raised to see them as antiquated. Yeah, they were the best tool available in their day, but then mass-production and mechanization made them obsolete. Right? Wrong. When you watch Rob Stephens' youtube channel, you can see quite clearly that they are the better tool for tending small lawns and gardens. Rob has a suburban lot, a postage stamp of a yard, and keeps it maintained all year long with naught but a scythe and sickle. Aside from all the gas and oil we've burned up to power our screeching machines, think about the jobs lost because there's nobody around me wanting a forged scythe blade anymore. I'm here with forge and anvil at the ready, but no customers. And since that knowledge was lost in our land, we have to now rely on people halfway around the world to supply us with what we need. Better than using a string trimmer still, but how much better would it have been if we Tended Our Garden properly from the start? Now that we're seeing a Renaissance in the use of the Scythe, can we also hope to see a resurgence in the manufacturing of scythes and snaths here locally? Will "We, The People" support craftsmen who make this equipment at the local or state level? One of the reasons I point to Rob Stephens' channel so often is because he demonstrates that the scythe isn't just for mowing huge fields. That's a critical distinction we need to make if we're to help bring the scythe back to popular use. Thousands of people might need to make hay in some gigantic pasture, but Millions of people have tiny little yards that they have to tend weekly. That's where the Renaissance really needs to take place if we're to make a dent in the damage we've done. If we can get people interested in using a scythe on their urban lot, that will be seen by the neighbors and the people walking by. That will spread the idea, get people to ask questions, and everyone can become an ambassador who helps return not only the scythe, but the local manufacturing that comes with it. Small Bricks Build Big Walls.

[@downbntout]

Mob grazing means having the animals densely bunched as well as moving them so often. Swing on, Jim!

[@jhost0311]

Listening to Jim reminds me of reading the Grapes of Wrath. Talking about mans connection to the land.

[@chrissignal8857]

You promised us the trip, thanks Pete and Jim🤙

[@848meme]

another great one Pete

[@DeliaLee8]

"Intimacy with the land. A feedback loop. I know the land. The land hears the noise [of the machines]." TRUTH This is why I always hit play the second I see a new Jim Kovaleski video pop up. We would be in a different place with climate change if every Gardner - large or small - had intimacy was intimate with the land.

[@fabieneldridge3414]

That’s one tuff man ! 15 acres, by hand you’d have to be in Great shape. I’m impressed living in Tennessee and my pasture over grown. Had a Heart Attack and no help for several years. Now it’s going to be a Big job !

[@conradhomestead4518]

Excellent information in this video! Thanks for sharing Pete!

[@rgb5031]

Absolutely Perfectly Beautiful!

[@brockpagnello8144]

Newbie golfers and kayakers make the same mistake of using their arms for power. Your arms are just along for the ride. Your torso does everything. Took me years to figure that out with those sports. Still haven't dialed the scything motion yet, but I have a good teacher in Jim Kovaleski.

[@janhemmer8181]

At last somebody who does'nt hack with the blade. Here in the Netherlands we have an extra item on the Austrian scythe to gather the grass at the end of the stick where the blade is also attached. Kind of a half circle of 5 mm steel of radius 120 mm pointing up perpendicular to the movement. That really helps.

[@PeteKanarisGreenDreamsFL]

That's really neat!

[@fightmoneytarism]

Jim is great ✊

[@4philipp]

Pete, I hate to tell you, I only watch the videos about Jim. Eastport, Maine? Is that like the most eastern tip of the US? This video is very timely, I just left NYC as hurricane Henri is 18 hours from making landfall. On my way to north eastern Maine. My 10 acres out here are almost all goldenrod. Need to get my hands on one of those scythe

[@msjenjenp]

And I am trying to grow Goldenrod for the pollinators. LOL And they LOVE it bigly.

[@4philipp]

@@msjenjenp that’s funny. I guess we all take something that’s not ideal for our purposes and try to change it. Might be better for us to swap locations. You wanna move to NE Maine?

[@msjenjenp]

@@4philipp Nope.

[@farmyourbackyard2023]

Jim is my favorite gardener of all time

[@TioDave]

I think what Jim talks about ties back to relegating solutions to money. Nature provides a lot of examples of easier ways to make nature work for you. Jim illustrates this method through the use of the scythe.

[@maroosk]

Aaaand mushrooms!!!! Awesome!!! Great to see! Great work you guys🎉🎉🎉

[@PeteKanarisGreenDreamsFL]

Thank you!!

[@charitysmith5245]

Love this! I'm super excited that we are gonna get more Maine videos especially mushrooms I hope!

[@buyerofsorts]

Maine/Mushrooms/Jim Kovaleski??? YES PLEASE!! :) :)

[@PeteKanarisGreenDreamsFL]

Stay tuned 🍄

[@buyerofsorts]

@@PeteKanarisGreenDreamsFL Oh you don't have to tell me to stay tuned because I am TUNED my friend! Seriously though, thanks for these extra special videos. They really make my day! :)

[@CleaveMountaineering]

very nice. I just got an old American scythe to restore and try out on our rocky desert homestead.

[@onegreenev]

I noticed a change in they types of grasses once I started scything our property. It totally changed from what it was and we have way more grasses and far less weedy junk. Good for leaving out on the ground to act a mulch to help rebuild our soil. We don't have goats yet.

[@rodjendrysik3444]

Thanks for sharing. I learned a lot.

[@justinfromgod941]

Thanks 🙏 You guys are amazing Warriors 💕❤️👏💃👍👍👊🏽

[@johnparr5879]

Great... Life..... Great..... Information *. Many thanks*

[@uncommoncents2152]

This is what I've been waiting for!!!

[@DamsLifestyle]

Amazing video thanks for sharing

[@timsim83]

Take notes! This trade is cutting edge in the future!

[@greenghost6416]

Soon enough they'll be robots that do all this.

[@wes4192]

Lol no

[@meandillar69]

Two legends!

[@Limogi]

Community sufficiency.

[@tammymurphy1268]

Wow..i worked for farmers all my life and never dawned om me how yhe machi ery does effect the land till this vid.....THANK. YOU!!!!!

[@chongseitmooi2593]

Great grass cutting passion

[@samferguson9171]

There’s a scene in Anna Karenina where Levin mows with the peasants, and Tolstoy’s descriptions of the work are so beautiful that I had to find footage of scythe-mowing. Lol. Cool video.

[@francescasuarez9619]

I am amazed! Probably my next garden tool!

[@rubene4403]

I almost skipped this one. I fast forward to the middle and realized it has tons of valuable info. I watched another video about permaculture and they said the grass in the mid-size like what was regrown after the first cut was like someone in their teens, full of energy. The grass he didn’t cut was like an old person without much pep. They also rotated their goats and said the animals laid down and pushed the grass into the dirt without compacting the soil which helped to increase fertility. Your right it’s rediscovering what was once common knowledge. Unfortunately I don’t remember what video or who it was but they were in Ireland.

[@iowa887]

hes so right I've cut for about three years now and there definitely is a big learning curve. I know there a people better than me picking up tricks every year though.

[@user-yw2xx8jv3o]

Jim can really use that scythe well. When I was a kid I used to top the weeds of the grazing fields with a scythe, cheaper that the tractor.

[@luclaflamme4712]

We live just a few hours away around Montreal, and we had no rain. A very very dry summer. I wish we could drive in Maine just now ! The border is still close!

[@rosaliesemrau1293]

My dad showed me how to use a scythe to cut grass for my horses. It is very relaxing and good exercise we always pronounced it "sigh".

[@mrdntgetshot2759]

Why is it that I want a whole day video of just this man cutting grass

[@yannikin]

Sound game is 💯!

[@anti-popfpv4638]

I've been periodically watching him cut for a few years. This is the year for me. I got the land and good knowledge to start working it. I'm probably going to start with a European with a ditch blade.

[@PeteKanarisGreenDreamsFL]

Scythe on! 😊

[@SavageWhiteBread]

I would love to live in a town full of productive people like this

[@ifyouloveChristyouwillobeyhim]

Be one.

[@sarahflanagan9345]

You are far downeast in Maine Pete! I am always amazed at how rural that part of Maine is but you cross the international border with Canada and the landscape is so different! Hope you get a chance to check it out.

[@ShiningLightFarm]

Please ask Jim to speak on storage of his cut hay, that is drying it, collecting it, and then storing it and using it over a long winter. Id love to have his take on this art of setting and storage of hay to animals through a rough winter.

[@JerryB507]

Pete said at the end that the next video is on baling.

[@patrickspooner3029]

What a good man.

[@crochetgottaloveit]

I'm working on getting my blade a little sharper. I have an Austrian grass blade and I bought a peening jig for it. I also have an American blade which is a harder steel. I'm still learning how to use them.

[@FairyRosee_]

I'm definitely this type of plant person lol. I love getting into the earth and connecting to it and noticing all the little hidden features. I don't see the purpose of any electronics out there. Putting in some elbow grease is an amazing workout and my body looks amazing during the summer. I also hate the cold! Can't wait for spring.

[@PeteKanarisGreenDreamsFL]

So awesome!

[@buyerofsorts]

More videos coming of Jim?! Oh man! Way better than the movies! Thanks Broseph! :)

[@PeteKanarisGreenDreamsFL]

Thanks!! 👊 More coming, stay tuned!

[@3_up_moon]

That chicken is REALLY proud of the egg she just laid.

[@kabuti2839]

I've been mowing my pasture with an American scythe [have 5 of them, bought 1 for 20.oo, given the rest] they're Never worn out, LOL. Have different blades for conditions. The weeds are tough, not like hay or grass rt now. I may build one of the balers you use. It is very interesting & good work out. Have to get all components adjusted properly, & razor sharp, etc, or it won't work. Thanks!

[@gloriagodfrey3899]

GREAT! THANK YOU. PLEASE TELL PETE HELLO FROM SOMEONE IN NORTH FLORIIDA.

[@GO-lu2yg]

This guy is awesome

[@Feniantimmy]

Looks like great golf swing.

[@PeteKanarisGreenDreamsFL]

You’re not the first person to say that!

[@Reddylion]

Intresting

[@pksvkpk4801]

Jim is AWESOME i live in the city i now want to go buy a scythe for mowing my lawn

[@PeteKanarisGreenDreamsFL]

Nice!!

[@kylemiller2013km]

Looking good Jim, your inspiring just saying. Between you and Pete, so far my little gardens growing larger. I'm working towards getting a farm grant currently. I just got one grant from the USDA. So my second high tunnel arrived. It's 20ft x 40ft. I'm pumped up, I hope to continue growing like you guys some day. Just invested in some rabbits and chickens.

[@Zachary_333]

How did you do that?

[@kylemiller2013km]

@@Zachary_333 went to my local water and conservation office and asked about the agriculture grant program. They I applied and filled out some paperwork. Then they will either email or call. It's like a 6-8 month process pending on how fast your approved.

[@liannannette359]

Here to learn from jim

[@Floreypottery]

Jim’s got so many ideas that make so much sense but that a a lot of hand cutting

[@jucaperez9727]

Awesomeness

[@katherineb6102]

I love this idea. If you've ever opened a bale a hay and found a desiccated snake or fawn you'll understand just how destructive machine baling is.

[@amandalong1749]

I remember seeing so many animals baled up in hay as a kid. Possum, fawn, cats, snakes, if it's in the grass, it goes in the hay. Really upsetting.

[@oppenheim11238]

two thumbs up.............................................

[@dcvariousvids8082]

I don’t know about the field hearing but scything is nearly quiet. You can hear the birds, the breeze and more. You can mow when the stems are wet, it’s good exercise, you can take a break when you need and you can be selective in what is cut. So if you come across a rare species, you can let it be. Plus wildlife has a chance to get out of the way. It’s cheaper and less impactful all round. I have a long blade for open mowing and a shorter blade for cutting paths in woodland, mowing in a teaching apiary and in a small orchard, where the trees are closer than in a commercial orchard. With a line-trimmer, I can get within 20ft. of an active hive. With a scythe, I can within a foot of an active hive.

[@mr.phearumkh9923]

Hello every one how are you today? I come from Cambodia 🇰🇭 have a nice day