Has It Really Been Five Years?

Five years ago today I sat down at the keyboard and started a blog.  

It was a sad little start.  You can read it  HERE. See? I was right. It was downright pathetic! And, no, I don't know how I had time to be at the computer in the middle of a Friday morning. It seems like I should have been harvesting something for Market.

I had no idea what I was doing…or how to do it.  I didn’t know how to include pictures or video, but I really wanted to learn. I really thought I had something to say.  Our life here on the hill is unique and gives us a different perspective. 

I had read a number of other farm blogs and thought it would be interesting to chronicle the happenings of Homestead Hill.  You know, for posterity.  For future generations.  Maybe somebody would even read it!

The farm - October 2009

There have been a lot of changes here on the hill in the past five years, although many of them might go undetected by the untrained eye. But even more things have changed in my approach to blogging and social media.

I have learned a whole lot of things about blogging (and writing, too).   I can actually post pictures withOUT re-writing code. (yeah, I really did it that way for a while)  I’ve chronicled a lot of stuff.  And, I’ve glossed over even more. Good things, bad things, the same things over and over and over.  Just a day in the life kind of stuff. If nothing else, it’s interesting to look back at what we’ve done and what I’ve thought and see just how we have evolved over the years.

back in '09
hoophouse #2 was finally getting finished

Five years…

You might think by now that I have a really big blog. I don’t.

With lots of followers. Nope. 

And, there are those who think that blogging pays. Well, wrong again.  Never made a dime.

Certainly I’d like to have an impact.  I’d really like to know that folks read the words I write. And, yes, I would like to make money…definitely.

Today, after countless battles with the groundhog
hoophouse #2 is very productive

But, for now, that’s not the way this is working out.  And, I’m okay with that (sort of).  Because, ultimately I write to chronicle the day in the life kind of stuff so that those who do read can see what life is like on the farm and begin to KNOW a FARMER and KNOW their FOOD.  By putting a face on a producer (even a small one) the distance between the farm and the plate is shortened. The mysteries of food production begin to be revealed and it would be my hope that food fears could be minimized. And, there are people who actually read what I write. woohoo!

In the past five years, I have learned a lot about Agriculture.  A whole lot. I have learned that there is a whole lot of misinformation out there, particularly about food production. And, I have learned to speak out and advocate for the things that are important. I’ve learned a lot about myself and others, too. I’ve met folks (real and cyber) that have helped me to learn and I’ve been able to teach others (real and cyber) as well. Those experiences keep me going.

In '09, "Trisha" was still a show-baby

Five years ago, we were finally getting hoophouse #2 into full year-round operation.  The Boss hadn't yet built his "ultra-modern" henhouse and he hadn't even thought of the reefer project. Did you read this this one?  And, even though winter was right around the corner, we weren't concerned about our income. We had completed one year of off-season sales and had customers clamoring for more. With one daughter married and the other engaged, we were suddenly faced with being empty-nesters and figuring out how to make the farm work with two people.

Today, "Trisha" is our most productive ewe
she even raised two sets of triplets with no human help!

Our farming skills have improved over the past five years as we endeavor to always "work smarter, not harder".  I think my overall communication skills have improved… and I know my tech skills have improved!

To all of you who have read my ramblings over the years…THANK YOU!  And an even bigger THANK YOU to those who have taken the time to comment.  You will never know how much your words have meant to me.  I learn something from the comments…(even the mean ones). And, I’ve met some really nice people.

the farm- October 2014
the changes are subtle

My plan is to continue writing, even if it is only in blogging obscurity. I hope your plan is to continue reading.  Be sure to comment, too. And, if there’s something you’d like to know, please ask! If I don’t have personal knowledge, I probably know someone who does.

Five years ago, we didn't have
Gus OR Ellie
Today, we can't imagine the farm without them!

  

There's no telling what changes might occur in the next five years...


So...don't go away, you might miss something good!