Change is in the Air

FROST!

We had frost here on the hill the other morning.

It was a light, patchy frost.  It didn’t kill anything…it didn’t even put the tomatoes out of their (and my) misery. 

Yuck! that's all you can say about the last few tomatoes.

No, it was just enough to make us say…”Dang! It’s cold out here!”  and note the slight tinge of wood smoke drifting up from the village where some folks still heat their homes the old-fashioned way.

But, the frost served as a reminder that cooler, colder days are fast approaching.  If you look closely, you notice that the trees on the ridge behind the lamb paddock are beginning to show just a hint of color.

It’s time to wind down the outside jobs…change our focus just a little. The last batch of broiler chicks arrived the same day and made us think ahead to our job of processing them in November. (yeah, we’re praying for just one WARM-ish day for that job).

Mentally, we began listing the jobs that need to be done before the cold weather sets in for the winter season.  Somehow, the list keeps growing. But, in some ways…that’s a good thing.

The change in seasons is something we often take for granted….Summer blending into Autumn…melding into Winter… transforming into Spring…and then one day…BOOM!...it’s Summer again.  But, without those changes, the work we do, the lifestyle we enjoy, would cease to exist.  All the farm work in this area of the world is dependent upon our temperate climate.

I love the change of seasons and the remembered rhythm and work of each. Each change allows us an opportunity to look ahead to new opportunities and challenges. It’s the anticipation of the next new thing that keeps us inspired and enthused about life here on the hill.

the light is gorgeous this time of year
...in the morning

...and at sunset

So, today…I’m thankful for that frost. J

A Confession from a Former Ag Snob

I’ve got something on my mind…something I really need to share with you.

It’s a confession of sorts…something that makes me feel more than a little embarrassed. …and some of you aren’t going to like me anymore. . Some for what I was...and probably more what I have become.

You see…


I used to be an “Ag Snob”…or maybe it was a “Food Snob”.

 

The term doesn’t really matter…

I looked down on those who went about their work of feeding the world…just because they did it in ways I didn’t understand.  I honestly thought THE ENTIRE WORLD could be fed organically, with no other options. (and my understanding of farming methods was way off base) Small Ag. was definitely best! ..."the only way"! While I never said bad things (out loud) about the “conventional farmers” of Big Ag., I just knew that their way of doing things was wrong (because, of course…MY way was right).  And, yes, I was even heard to mutter against that “Archer-Daniels Midland, extruded, amalgamated blah, blah, blah…”.

                    Then, one day something changed.

It occurred to me that maybe things weren’t quite as black/white or good vs. evil as I thought. The whole debate over food production wasn’t quite as cut and dried as I had heard. No one type of farming was superior to the others.   They were just different.

Some years ago, I realized that…

This world needs all sorts of agriculture.

I don’t know exactly when it happened.

Maybe it was experiencing firsthand what is involved in getting crops to Market. Farmers (of any type) don’t work hand-in-hand with nature…it’s more like hand-to-hand combat sometimes. Pests do not stay away just because you have healthy crops. Crop rotation doesn't assure success. You can’t just ask insects and disease to get off your farm, not even if you do it nicely.

Maybe it was the feeling of helplessness when we had multiple lambs die one season long ago…because I thought that internal parasites weren’t a “real big deal” and could be addressed in a traditional, completely herbal way. I honestly thought that my shepherd friends were exaggerating when they said "the thing sheep do best is die." By the time we understood the problem, it was too late.

Maybe it was watching my husband struggle with an illness that I’m fairly certain came from under-cooked, never medicated, “natural” homegrown (somewhat undercooked) pork. Trichonellosis is very real and while not always deadly, it IS debilitating and recovery takes a LONG time! Modern farming methods keep it from being an issue for most folks.

Maybe it was the countless times the vet had to come to get us through another episode of milk fever with our “alternative ag” cows…  Once we changed feed rations and learned about calcium and nutrition, we finally beat the problem…and earned the “old school” vet’s respect. Oh, and had healthy, productive cows!

Maybe it was talking with other growers about handling issues in different manners.  We have learned an enormous amount over the years…most of it the hard way, too.

Maybe it was visiting a “conventional” dairy…and seeing the care and concern the dairyman had for his “girls”.  While he would never admit it, those cows had names, yes…they did!

Maybe it was seeing “behind the veil” of alternative ag.  Honestly, there are some bad farmers out there no matter what their practice.

Maybe it was finally putting a FACE on those folks I’d only heard about.  Farmers, of all sorts, are REAL people that are doing the best job they can with the resources at their disposal.

Maybe it was actually researching things for myself that I had only heard others’ opinions about in the past. Over the years, we have learned a great deal from all sorts of farmers.  For that matter, all sorts of people.

There are so many issues that affect our food supply that completely escape the average consumer.

I stand in awe of those large growers that provide a safe, secure and AFFORDABLE source for all the rest of us. But, at the same time, I am proud of the work we do and the products we provide from our little homestead here on the hill. We also work hard and provide an excellent product line. Know what?  There is room for everyone.  ...and absolutely NO need for fear-mongering and bashing.

Many of the things that work on a small operation cannot be applied to a large farm.  That doesn’t make the large farms wrong in their practices.  Large farms have the benefit of specialized equipment and programs that are not available to the “little guys”.  This should NOT negate the efforts of the small farm and farmer. There is a place for each and every person who feels that urge to coax food from the land.  While it’s not the same place…that’s okay.  Variety is the spice of life.

So while the rhetoric from the “food police” gets a little more shrill with each passing day…and the debate and discussion grows heated between foodies and farmers, I’d like to interject something.

Let’s all just take a deep breath and try to be civil here.  Let’s listen with an open-mind and respond with a caring heart.  There are far too many folks in this world (many of whom do not have a reliable food source) for a few of us to make broad and sweeping assumptions and demand “food justice” by our own definitions. (particularly when we have food in our bellies and a comfortable home)

Personally, I am thankful for each and every person who is involved with getting food to my table. Far beyond the farmers/ranchers and their employees…you have truck drivers and warehouse dudes and the cashiers at the grocery stores…and lots of folks in between.

An old proverb says: 

"When there is food, there are many problems; when there is no food, there is only one problem."

As long as food seems plentiful, the various factions can debate and discuss various options and defame one another.  The fact remains that every single person on this planet needs to eat…on a regular basis…and we should never take that privilege for granted. Nor should we attempt to dictate anyone else's food choices or production practices.

I know I don’t!

…not anymore!

Here’s a THANK YOU to all those folks involved in some aspect of AGRICULTURE...

 ... that make it possible for me to put food on our table every single day…

...from the folks who raise the seed that other farmers use to grow the grain that feeds our animals, to those workers who process the poultry litter into the organic fertilizer that makes our crops grow so well.  The seed farmers, the hay farmers, the truck drivers, stockboys (and girls) the people who fill our orders, answer our questions, mill our grain, and provide us with the products we need to do our work---

I could never include everyone who makes it possible for us to eat well, have clothing, and make our living doing something we love.


I truly appreciate the effort each of you puts forth on a daily basis.

‘Cause we’re all connected here…all a part of a very complicated whole…

…and I apologize for ever looking down on and/or questioning any practices that I just didn’t understand.

If you want to know more about food production and handling, I would like to help you answer your questions.  If I don't have personal experience or know the exact answer...I know people who do. I’ll be glad to help you find the information you need.

Sunday Walkabout 9-15

Everyone was talking about the weather this week.  It was up in the eighties with humidity and sunshine for days.

…but, when Saturday dawned, it was with clear, cool temperatures in the forties.  Wow!  What a change. That sense that fall is just around the corner can no longer be denied.

The change in the weather signals that it is time to get serious about cleaning up the garden.  

With the incredible weed growth this year, it is a relief to have the Boss put the bush hog on the tractor and take the first step.  Weeds of any size are no match for the bush hog…and all those spent green bean plants…they’re transformed into “organic” matter in just a few minutes.   While it’s not perfect…at least it doesn’t look quite so much like a jungle out there!  More clean-up is coming after the PTO on the bush hog is repaired.

What a mess!

bush hog in beans
spent bean crop in background, current crop in foreground

after running the bush hog through the beans

step one of fall clean-up complete
not perfect but not so quite so messy looking

Hoophouse work slowed down a little.  We’re waiting for some seedlings to get some growth before planting and then the tiny tiller needs some repair.  Who knew that ethanol gasoline wasn’t good for tiny tillers?  Well, I didn’t.  Parts were ordered and a repair job starts tomorrow. 

On Wednesday, we took a road trip.  And, I mean a road trip.  It took nearly the whole day. Gus, the new guardian puppy, is from Gretna, VA. That’s on the other side of the state, past Lynchburg.

the ONLY building in Forks of Buffalo
(it's for sale!)

I'd never seen tobacco growing before

What's a trip through the mountains without following
a log truck for miles?

The Boss and I had never been to that part of Virginia.  It was interesting to see new and different places, but we were both so glad to be on this side of the mountain again!  There is no place like home.

Sugarloaf in September

Gus made the trip in fine fashion.  He didn’t get sick, have any accidents, or even cry (very much). When we arrived at the farm, he just made himself right at home, although it remains to be seen how all the other creatures will adapt to him.

Gus heading for the hill

what a face!

Gus meets Ellie Mae

the pic is blurry, but TOO funny not to share
Sissie took one look, climbed a tree and howled!

For Market this week, we may have had the most vegetable variety of the year.  I really like when the vegetable stand is full of beautiful, fresh vegetables!  The customers were in a buying mood (something about that fall nip in the air…) and we had a very good day.

facebook collage of our offerings

But, actually, what makes a good day at the Market is not necessarily lots of sales…no, it’s that human interaction that makes the Market so very special.

The particular week, one of our youngest customers brought me a gift.  Last week, her mother bought this enormous pepper and the little customer saved the seeds and brought them to me to plant for next year. It's so cool that she gets the whole seed planting/growing/harvest thing.  She also brought me an autographed picture.  Later she came back to show me that she wore her “vegetable-y” shirt…since she was going to the Farmers’ Market. That just made my morning!

Later, one of our grown-up customers brought me another gift.  The owners of the toy store downtown brought me this...

     

                                              

‘cause it looks JUST like me.  Look…she even has a little vegetable basket and two little dark-faced lambs!  I have always thought that Pufferbellies was the most amazing store (I only wish I could buy all the cool toys! ...or maybe I wish I was about 5, and someone would buy them for me!) but, that was a touching gesture of friendship and I truly appreciate the kindness. Thanks, y'all!

All in all…a good week on the hill. 

the cool weather will probably curtail the okra harvest

With 43* on the thermometer this morning, I’m off to find the blankets…and the winter clothes…it's time to think ahead toward cooler days and frosty nights. That means we're rapidly approaching "preparation season" (getting ready for winter). It certainly wasn't much of a summer season.

Guess that means Boss will be organizing his annual “wood-stacking party” soon. The woodstove keeps us warm throughout the cold winter months. I hope y'all got that hint, kids. (Papa's birthday request is the same for this year...lol)

Finally, I just have to share this picture.  The other night when the UPS man delivered a package up at the lane, all the lambs walked up to look at him.  They just stood there, waiting...maybe one of them ordered something...I just don't know. They eventually gave up their vigil and went back to grazing.

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope you’ll come again.

Happy Sunday!

Howdy Gus!

“We really don’t need to rush into getting another puppy…”

The Boss’ voice caused me to jump a little.   I was really thinking about something else…

 huh, ‘scuse me?

“We really don’t need to rush into getting another puppy.  I mean, we’ll find one…don’t worry ‘bout it.”

Okay, yeah, whatever…

I was still pondering whether or not I had missed something obvious…whether I could have prevented Jed’s unexpected demise…maybe I caused it? Here's what happened.  There had been no symptoms.  What did I miss? Puppies were the last things on my mind.

The day passed strangely.  Jed had been part of the landscape for a long time, his absence made things weird to say the least. Ellie seemed rather lethargic…could she be sick as well?  My brain was beginning to hurt from all the thinking.

When I walked inside after chores, the Boss was already at his computer.  “Hey! Look at this!”

Pictures of puppies…little, fat Pyr puppies…were up on the screen.

What the…?

 “I thought I’d just look at Craigslist. And…well, these guys were just born, they won’t be ready for a while yet, they’re not too far away, and look at this price!”

But, I thought…

“It can’t hurt to check it out.  I emailed the guy.”

…and so it began.

Emails were sent, a check was mailed and time passed.

...and today it’s time to say…

         Howdy, Gus!

…so today I’m thankful that the Boss didn’t take his own advice.

More Gus stories (and lots of pictures) to follow.  Have a great Thursday!

WHY Didn't I Leave EWE on the Truck?

There’s one in every crowd.

Well, that’s what they say.

…and it’s true.

Here on the hill that one is referred to as “that damn lamb”

More specifically, “that damn, black lamb”. 

Okay…I know I just offended a whole host of folks.  For that I apologize, but you must realize the level of aggravation that this one ovine occupant causes on a continual basis. We’re talking real aggravation. The kind of aggravation that causes cussing and yelling...on a regular basis.

...and damn lamb rhymes...bringing a little amusement to the annoying situation.  Sometimes, you just gotta laugh...

But, let me begin at the beginning.

As you might remember, all our lambs are born black.  Did you read this?  Over time, their wool fades to a creamy shade of white (although most of the time, it’s more a mungy shade of yuck). With Waylon’s recessive black gene, it is possible to have lambs that will stay black their entire lives. Kinda cool if you ask me.  Most of the time, this coloration is referred to as “blue” in the show ring.  I’ve always wanted to have a black/blue ewe.  You know the whole one of a kind, unique, stand out in the crowd kind of deal.  I admire that in people, it makes for some interesting characters and awesome conversation.

In sheep…not so much.

a rare moment of flock "togetherness"

Sheep are flock animals.  It’s important that they stay together.  This makes for “safety in numbers” for the animals and sanity for the shepherd. Nothing worse than counting your sheep and coming up short.

I didn’t give that much thought back during lambing season.  We had two lambs that looked like they would stay dark.  A ewe and a ram.  Since I’m always looking for replacement ewes, I kept an eye on the little ewe lamb.  She was large and her mother is a good mother and producer.  Definitely think about keeping her. I’d finally have my black/blue ewe.

When it came time to take the first load of lambs to the processor, the Boss and I began sorting so we could put them on the truck and head out for our trip.  I had marked the ones that I wanted to take…that first load always includes the biggest lambs which means it’s mostly ram lambs. But, all the rain had caused the marks to fade, so I was going by looks. (that was my first mistake)...and I was trying to hurry.  When we got ready to load, I realized that we had the black EWE lamb instead of the RAM lamb.  I said a few choice words. (I don’t know why but sheep just make you cuss sometimes…any of the local shepherds will back me up on this one.)

the trouble-maker is lower left

The Boss was sure it wouldn’t be a problem to re-sort and then load.  I mean, how hard could it be?  They are lambs…we are humans…we have superior brain power and all that. But, they are lambs…we are humans…we failed to really consider that our brain power might not figure into the equation at all.

The ewe lamb freaked out. She jumped straight up in the air, crashed into the wall, ran around in circles, screamed wildly and started getting the rest of them agitated and weird. Great…just what we intended. Not!

Okay, run her in this stall.  Slam the gate.  I said SLAM the GATE! She’s gonna get out!

I did what he said…I didn’t let her escape. But, I really don’t think he meant slam the gate on my pinkie finger. Oh....OWWWWWW!  I think I saw stars.  Can’t think about that now…

bruised and bloody

Okay, lamb, we’re trying to help you…and we started again.

After a couple more turns around the barn, we finally got the right lambs on the truck and the rest of them out on pasture.  My finger was not broken, just badly bruised and very sore.

SUCCESS!

But, that was a foreshadowing of things to come. …and not at all in a good way.

When the lambs were in the front paddocks, they needed to walk down the alley next to the house to get to their grazing spot.  Everything was lovely.  …until the afternoon that the Boss cleaned out the charcoal grill by the front porch.  Despite the fact that the lambs have seen the Boss approximately 49,000 times…they were all terrified. (that’s lambs for you) They bulleted down the alley.  Well, all except that “damn black lamb”. She completely lost control of her senses, catapulted THROUGH the electric netting that divides the paddocks and went screaming to the other side of the farm.  Yes…the exact opposite direction from the other lambs. 

Mere words cannot convey the Boss’ frustration. It was time to grill for supper and have a beer on the porch.  But, no…the fence needed some attention and we might have to chase a stupid lamb around the front field. (because we were certain she wouldn’t cooperate) Amazingly, the fence wasn’t too messed up and somehow she got back where she belonged without human intervention. Supper was not ruined after all! Peace was restored to the hill.

But, the fence episode was repeated on a couple of other occasions that didn’t include the grill, the Boss, or beer…I think she just likes going THROUGH the fence. Geez!

Now that the lambs are out back, everything should be fine.  The paddocks are smaller, they’re more secure, and there are no scary grills out there. Notice I said "should"...

This particular lamb must have the wanderlust. Maybe she’s got gypsy in her blood. We cannot figure out her escape route.  None of the other lambs have escaped at all.

But, if the lambs are in the first paddock, she goes in the second one.

If they’re in the second paddock, she returns to the hilltop.

She’s never exactly where she should be.

Eventually, she finds her way back.

Although, she manages to get separated from the others on a regular basis which leads to a lot of noisy confusion out back. The noise means I have to go check into what’s going on and invariably find myself looking for…well, you guessed it…that “damn lamb” again.

Needless to say, she won’t be staying on as a breeder.  …and she WILL be on the next load that heads out of here! I am counting the days...

And I have asked myself the same thing every day for two months (as I rub my still sore finger).

 ”WHY, oh, WHY didn’t I leave EWE on the truck?”