tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52006167418917702712023-11-16T05:29:00.881-06:00Sagecroft FarmsHeatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.comBlogger230125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-69848844045640390562014-03-03T13:18:00.001-06:002014-03-03T13:18:52.906-06:00Lambs everywhere!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The ewes have finally finished lambing. I am quite frustrated with the new ewes, they are not very good mothers. Out of the 15 new ewes 9 decided not to care for their babies. I have never had a ewe refuse all of her babies. It seems that these girls just have no clue what the little ones are trying to do, they will not let them nurse and butt them away. I even restrained several ewes hoping once the little one got a good drink mama would take them....no such luck. We are bottle feeding most of this years lambs which really sucks the time. I am not a happy farmer. I wish I knew why they will not take the babies.<br />
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-39598303966715270172014-02-28T10:11:00.000-06:002014-02-28T10:11:43.923-06:00Farm Fact Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dairy cows drink 25-50 gallons of water each day. We have 5 dairy cows right now so in a year (if they drink 25 gallons) they drink 45,625 gallons of water a year. Wow!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-59445183976057750312014-02-24T14:35:00.000-06:002014-02-24T14:48:09.976-06:00Good Bye Plastic Wrap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have always had a love hate relationship with plastic wrap..I love that it can keep my food tidy and fresh. The thought of that plastic being cozy with my food kinda un-nerves me a bit. Now I know that plastic people swear that it is totally safe for my cling wrap to contain my food items,but still I worry about the long term effects of such items. I also hate that plastic wrap is pretty much a one time use sort of thing. I like wax paper but again one use and in the trash it goes. I thought I would give waxed fabric a try and see if that would work. <br />
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I have a collection of old feed sack cloth, it is 100% cotton and the old prints are so fun. I cut out a square of fabric and ran it through the serger to hem the edge. Then I shaved some lovely beeswax. I bought a old cookie sheet from the thrift and layed my fabric down. I sprinkled my shaved beeswax over the cloth and put it in a 250 degree oven for about 3 min.<br />
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After I took everything out of the oven I used a cheap paintbrush to push the wax down into the fibers of the cloth. I hung up my wax infused cloth to let it set.<br />
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After just a few minutes the wax was set. I love that the wax gives the fabric some body and it sticks top itself just like the plastic wrap. It does a lovely job clinging to casserole dishes and it looks so pretty surrounding one of the kiddos sandwich. <br />
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If the fabric gets soiled I just give it quick swipe with a soft soapy cloth and we are back in business! I am loving not having to fight that silly plastic wrap!<br />
Linking up with New life on a Homestead http://newlifeonahomestead.com/2014/02/mondays-homestead-barn-hop-148/<br />
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-4304839442079224092014-02-20T00:00:00.000-06:002014-02-20T00:00:00.650-06:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-45667275352421039122014-02-18T13:35:00.002-06:002014-02-18T13:35:33.738-06:00Home school our way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Homeschooling can be scary. We started down this path a few years past, and I was terrified. I had no clue what to do or how to do it. The amount of information about homeschooling is overwhelming. I had met some home school families that were so organized (and seemed to have their second graders doing algebra) I also met families that seemed to not have any structure and the kids ran a muck. Both families were happy with what they were doing and the kids were doing great.<br />
I started trying to be very structured.. I had everything planned each day down to scheduled free time. UGH! that was such a failure. If the phone rang or a customer came everything fell to pieces. I liked the schedule but it just was not working. The guilt I had at the end of the day if we got off track was motivation enough to toss the schedule. <br />
My kiddos are great kids but not self starters. They will gladly do whatever I ask, I just have to ask. That means I assign math then reading then science then Latin...you get the point. Once again If I got busy and did not "ask"them to do math they would just skip it. I am working with them to work on their own but it is a slow process. I hope that with time they will learn to do more on their own. As for right now we have a schedule that is loose,sometimes school does not get finished until after afternoon chores and some days we are done by lunch. I am not happy the days school goes late but it does get done. I love homeschooling, the opportunity for the kids to learn in a way that is fun and exciting has really changed their attitude towards learning. I do not get the whining and complaints like before when they went to public school they love to do school. It makes me so happy to see them thriving in their education. #4 has had a wonderful time raising rabbits as part of school. He has done a great job learning about different feeds and how to care for the bunnies. <br />
I am sure we will continue to have ups and downs with school scheduling and curriculum, but for now it works for us. Do you homeschool? How does your day go?<br />
<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-58595348039506747612014-02-12T08:22:00.000-06:002014-02-12T08:22:27.027-06:00Wordless Wednesday.....although this is how I feel about winter right now....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-88692029919429076792014-02-11T08:37:00.000-06:002014-02-11T08:37:05.826-06:00We are pretending it is summer.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have had quite a bit of snow here on the farm. The kiddos and I have made snow ice cream and decided something new was in order. With more snow predicted for our area we were desperate for thought of summer. Snow cones!!<br />
I made a simple syrup of sugar water and drink mix. It was super easy and the kids LOVED having something a bit different. We made two flavors Tropical Punch and Grape. They turned out perfect (although I really wish they would not put so much food coloring in the drink mix)<br />
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<u> Snow Cone Syrup</u></div>
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1 Cup sugar</div>
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1 Cup Water</div>
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1 dry drink mix packet</div>
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Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan</div>
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Stir mixture untill sugar and drink mix are dissolved</div>
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Boil for 1 min. Let cool and pour over fresh snow. YUM!</div>
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-48733904371892269492014-02-05T19:33:00.002-06:002014-02-05T19:33:53.794-06:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-81653113321907893252014-02-03T18:22:00.001-06:002014-02-03T18:22:32.740-06:00Celebrating #4 with #6<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh dear can she really be 4? I feel the time slipping away from the joys of toddler-hood and moving on to full blown little person. #6 was a surprise... it took me a bit to wrap my head around the fact we were expecting again those many years ago. There are 6 years between #5 and #6, that is a very big gap for our family. I am so very thankful for the gift of this sweet little one. She is full of hugs and I love you's, just what this mama needs. Happy Birthday sweet baby.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-21660088488998582282014-01-31T15:24:00.003-06:002014-01-31T15:24:42.378-06:00Farm Fact Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1PWKfcxjgUpv4biBjZMpVAZw5QE5kFar3DLXSue-OeMven75OEIlL3VuT2XrbnBTF7RrFTqpSxidCUDjdvSfOdH2snRFDCHXG6RrZN3iqeip1cGCjxlbiRKDcsAZnW_6STdhpqSRIYM/s1600/farm+04-13+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1PWKfcxjgUpv4biBjZMpVAZw5QE5kFar3DLXSue-OeMven75OEIlL3VuT2XrbnBTF7RrFTqpSxidCUDjdvSfOdH2snRFDCHXG6RrZN3iqeip1cGCjxlbiRKDcsAZnW_6STdhpqSRIYM/s1600/farm+04-13+056.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Of all major dairy breeds, the Jersey's milk boasts the richest content. The milk is very high in butterfat, which provides a better-tasting product. It's also used for making cheese and butter. According to the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA), compared to the average glass of milk, that produced by a Jersey contains 15 to 20 percent more protein, 15 to 18 percent more calcium and 10 to 12 percent more phosphorus, along with high amounts of vitamin B12.</span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-50392728767387186602014-01-29T23:13:00.002-06:002014-01-29T23:13:50.423-06:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmVCOPZFQc0mdwigmhwmt5jDjR-Eq4CFJuzLmwqjt0q-fdZsHHSVyfVGku9UwsAPARAIkONnzcy1_PPjNYgvkx7Dkg4_Ts5dT8csnsIRtuEA1ZpJA5LrId-ytMfyWmDcMMC8sGsnRnhw/s1600/oct+28+2013+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmVCOPZFQc0mdwigmhwmt5jDjR-Eq4CFJuzLmwqjt0q-fdZsHHSVyfVGku9UwsAPARAIkONnzcy1_PPjNYgvkx7Dkg4_Ts5dT8csnsIRtuEA1ZpJA5LrId-ytMfyWmDcMMC8sGsnRnhw/s1600/oct+28+2013+056.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-48403749962729477972014-01-27T17:27:00.000-06:002014-01-27T17:27:45.794-06:00Never take your kids with you to a small animal auction......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlBopbgkqyBrv0Wi9lLJMqwVwg63sZEulUIl7mSEqOiwiYZpi2jYUoU9AyN9Im8PbAi_hrfq3ah7nk8QJfKUt0uo31Pjph6eAu8WMHqQ7BhU6vpds27s9zmROhvgf4plnE6I4J36FDuU/s1600/farm+may+2013+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlBopbgkqyBrv0Wi9lLJMqwVwg63sZEulUIl7mSEqOiwiYZpi2jYUoU9AyN9Im8PbAi_hrfq3ah7nk8QJfKUt0uo31Pjph6eAu8WMHqQ7BhU6vpds27s9zmROhvgf4plnE6I4J36FDuU/s1600/farm+may+2013+043.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
Yep I am a softie when it comes to cute faces. I grew up with horses and really I think that is the only thing that got me through those tough teen years. We have had a few horses here on the farm and I came to the realization that while fun and sweet horses did not fit in our farm plan. They were beautiful and I loved them,but they eat a TON! So off went all the big horses.<br />
It has been about 5 years since we have had horses, and this past fall we went to a small animal auction looking for guinea hens. I made the mistake of taking a few of the children with me. The auction started and I was thrilled to find what I was looking for at the price I wanted. We stayed to watch the hogs go through then the sheep but in the middle out comes a few mini horses. The first was a cute spotted mare she sold for $30.00. Then out came a mare and foal sold for $35.00. I was in shock and my kids were making a HUGE scene begging on knees for me to buy a silly pony. I stood my ground...NO WAY!! A few more came out the price dropped. The kids are dying at this point. The auctioneer is laughing so hard he can't do his job. The last little horse comes out, a yearling gelding. The kids are having an absolute fit, the auctioneer is now trying his best to send this little guy home with us...needless to say all those pleading puppy dog eyes got to me. SOLD to the lady with the pleading children. UGHH!! What did I just do? Well he was very cheap at least #4 will have fun brushing him.<br />
I went to the auction to buy a few birds..I did not drive the truck...so home we go with a mini horse in a mini van. <br />
The horse was named Albert and the kids had a blast with him. He was a pretty good little guy with people...little did I know.<br />
I know a fellow farmer that gets bottle lambs and often we get some and feed them out. The kids love bottle feeding anything, and lambs are so darn cute. We feed as many as 10 some years. Last spring we had lots of bottle lambs. The kids did a great job and soon the lambs were ready for the pasture. Sometimes the bottle lambs take a few days to a week to integrate with the existing flock and they tend to hang out together by the front gate.<br />
We started finding dead lambs. These things happen, it is hard but sometimes it is a reality. We got a few more lambs. More dead lambs...now I thought a coyote was in the area. I fenced the lambs in the front pasture at night to protect them. Weeks go by and all is well so I turn the lambs out...dead lambs. UGGH by this point I am frustrated and think that the lambs have some illness. I call the vet but there are no symptoms. Healthy bouncing lambs one day and dead the next....it was a mystery.<br />
In October Coco had a calf in the pasture. Coco is a beautiful healthy cow and never has had any issues...her calf was found dead. We had no idea what happened.<br />
A few months ago we were gifted a few super cute lambs. They were weaned so went out to the pasture.<br />
They were so sweet. They did great for about a month, then I found one dead. <br />
A few days later I went in the pasture to find Albert swinging the last lamb around by the neck.....He was going crazy over this lamb. The lamb looked like a rag doll. I ran shouting in to the pasture, he ignored me. <br />
By time I got to the lamb he was dead. The mystery was solved and I was sick to my stomach. I never thought he would do that. Needless to say he went right back to the auction house...he sold for $30.00. I got a bill from the auction house for $7.00, this is what I owed after the commission and the coggins test. So I had to give them $7.00 to get this silly horse that had caused so much trouble off our farm... Best $7.00 ever spent.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-89312131670874852422014-01-10T14:20:00.000-06:002014-01-10T14:20:44.087-06:00I have been away............farming sucks sometimes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIPCOB3hCZWE_n0WyWeuE39oYNuwD5f0I2zamIx1tnD66GMmyCoGyJYWwACaR-aPeVdERja7j5rKTMGZWgOpM7YFz3KqxNzwhX__EVip6ChMOO5J7l5u8iGMV6nfEMg8XX3X59m9Eth8/s1600/_DSC6945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIPCOB3hCZWE_n0WyWeuE39oYNuwD5f0I2zamIx1tnD66GMmyCoGyJYWwACaR-aPeVdERja7j5rKTMGZWgOpM7YFz3KqxNzwhX__EVip6ChMOO5J7l5u8iGMV6nfEMg8XX3X59m9Eth8/s1600/_DSC6945.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
It has been a bit since I have written, I just couldn't manage the emotional strength. Things change so quickly on a farm. Life is so unpredictable.<br />
My sweet Lucy was born here on our farm and it was love at first sight for me. She was the first female calf born here, and I knew she would always be here with us. I bottle fed her and worked with her daily so that she would be easy to manage. I spent every day with her. I learned that cows certainly have personalities and a sense when it comes to their owners. Lucy was spunky and loved attention. She would get into mischief and then frolic around acting like a three old that found the candy stash. She loved to open the pasture gate and come up to the house, she would look in the windows for us and moo like crazy when she found us. I would go out and scold her only to have her come over and lay her head on me... how could I be angry? She always knew when I was outside and would come running to see me, we had a milkmaid/cow bond. I loved to scratch her ears and chin she would roll her eyes back in sheer pleasure. As far as cows go she led a perfect life.<br />
Lucy had a beautiful bull calf recently, and there were complications. Lucy died. I have a huge hole in my heart and have cried everyday since that dreadful day. She had been a daily part of my life for the past 5 years. It is difficult to express how I feel and to some it may be silly to be so upset over a cow, but I have invested so much into that relationship. We treat our animals differently, they are family to us. We give them our best and they in turn do the same. There will be other cows, and the hole in my routine will be filled with other farm tasks to ease the loss. For now I am heavy with grief for my sweet Lucy. She will be so missed.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-91728730747936466072013-12-25T14:23:00.003-06:002013-12-25T14:23:39.635-06:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMr42AGNDrpd-KlX0CcaqXAwIz183s7uukXon1UZmo8FDnZMhxpBQosh_Vs75ESFonMKG1rLptz90zorqu3Wmhjsv8kmAKNuCafAy4nP5IgmNbO_eb2Vx_6f1XfMEC7YPpv3Z8pk7KTA/s1600/save+thedate+12-13+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMr42AGNDrpd-KlX0CcaqXAwIz183s7uukXon1UZmo8FDnZMhxpBQosh_Vs75ESFonMKG1rLptz90zorqu3Wmhjsv8kmAKNuCafAy4nP5IgmNbO_eb2Vx_6f1XfMEC7YPpv3Z8pk7KTA/s400/save+thedate+12-13+002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-35022070127274735582013-12-23T13:07:00.002-06:002013-12-23T13:07:52.744-06:00If I can do it anyone can!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MFuzkxt9n6l695fwoKZOLUw30rqvcuKRJBRQ4KOyTCgYRlEF5s4xNMbbxwqvhsHzc1iXwAJ2qutAC0x0qSUq9-j6lZ7nI26yayzxCt4C5ZS1Olg2yzpFe77i7ov-0l0rhBRJy9jaMC4/s1600/dec2013+333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MFuzkxt9n6l695fwoKZOLUw30rqvcuKRJBRQ4KOyTCgYRlEF5s4xNMbbxwqvhsHzc1iXwAJ2qutAC0x0qSUq9-j6lZ7nI26yayzxCt4C5ZS1Olg2yzpFe77i7ov-0l0rhBRJy9jaMC4/s400/dec2013+333.JPG" width="328" /></a></div>
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It was not too many years ago I lived on a resort in the Caribbean, I had a nanny, a gardener and drove a golf cart to pick up my children from one of the top privet schools on the island. I had a pretty fluffy life.<br />
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Eight years later I sit here after coming in from morning chores thinking of that life and how I got to where I am now. It is odd to think about really, I wanted to be self sufficient and provide healthy food for my family. I had no farming experience really. I had a few chickens and a little garden but it was all in play. I didn't produce enough to feed our family, in fact I had to buy eggs even though we had chickens. How silly is that?<br />
I read all I could get my hands on about homesteading and small scale farming.. I got information overload for sure. All those talented people out there figuring how to use their land to it's fullest possibility down to the square inch. All those beautiful romantic photos of farms and gardens. Ahh how I longed to have that!<br />
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We bought our land and a 1,000 square foot house(for 7 of us) and set to work. Our first garden was pretty good despite all the weeds. I spent so many hours weeding and yet my garden was nothing to be proud of, but it fulfilled the propose and we ate beautiful fresh veggies all summer and I did can some tomatoes. We also had to build fences that first year. UGGH! what a challenge. I pounded fence post.. hunky hubby pounded fence post...the kids that were big enough pounded fence post... I really thought we were never going to get done and my arms were going to fall off at any moment. Fencing is hard work!! I don't remember any of the books saying that!?<br />
We bought a few dairy goats, paid way too much because I got talked in to buying registered does. I could of bought a cow for what I paid for two goats. What a mistake. I just wanted milk I did not need papers for them. The goats were sweet and milking them was a joy. The problem...we didn't really like the goat milk. We decided to get a cow. More fencing...new wiring for the barn...a stanchion needed to be built. Things we had never done. Then we had to build housing for the chickens..nest boxes more fences. Ordered 200 chicks, raised them to just starting to lay and the coyotes found out we had chickens. Lost all 200 in a matter of weeks. Again we tried and lost so many that I quit the chickens. <br />
I love bacon! Really who doesn't? Let's raise some hogs! More fences and housing. Bought some feeder pigs from a local commercial hog farm. The little cute pink ones. Ya until they get big then they turn in to horrible farmer chasing,growling,scary hogs! I hated those first hogs, they would bite me every chance they got, and I was scared to death of them. I rejoiced the day they went to the butcher! Maybe I could live without bacon......<br />
We have come a long way... made so many mistakes and our farm is FAR from those romantic farm photos in the magazines and books. I worked long hours and probably have liver damage from all the ibuprofen I took that first year. It has gotten better..not much fencing to do now. We are many years in to out farming journey, one that has given me many blisters, and still I feel that we are making progress, slow steady progress. <br />
I used to sit on the beach reading Mother Earth news while the nanny watched my kids and cleaned my house. I was about as girlie as you could be. Now I milk cows, raise heritage hogs, herd chickens, feed lambs, home school the kiddos and produce most of the food we eat. I have come a LONG way.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-81209013290364518742013-12-20T19:17:00.000-06:002013-12-20T19:18:45.753-06:00Farm Fact Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7m-mDRBltLUxho5sMgQjltwNu9M3xJFARUQ1_FSDo_Af8zLT9YUB5oFnOzLvIwyce0rVAA1W0tc1t6lgznJ1poIFcH8bvG1I_TAxaw4LviqfAL202eAvK9XrX_XKeGGNFxKrSnNxixSo/s1600/Farm+March2010+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7m-mDRBltLUxho5sMgQjltwNu9M3xJFARUQ1_FSDo_Af8zLT9YUB5oFnOzLvIwyce0rVAA1W0tc1t6lgznJ1poIFcH8bvG1I_TAxaw4LviqfAL202eAvK9XrX_XKeGGNFxKrSnNxixSo/s400/Farm+March2010+034.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
It is about 450 feet to the milk barn, I milk twice a day so 900 feet in a day times 365 equals 328500 feet per year. There are 5280 feet in a mile so in a year I walk 62.23 miles just to milk... Geeseh no wonder I am tired!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-57463179605692302082013-12-20T19:03:00.000-06:002013-12-20T19:03:05.121-06:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMr5mWnSZXtP8VFnFrv4_xP4gnBjCHdJ_gIbecb8dk6jyJTA0tX82gPxjVZ0f5Z_Yy4tTqIdDN_v8K1RGeqSJmY1RMK2pEvWwGOEuCKldhewxykZMfhdJ2bqbkYP6X3fGfYzZA4WiQgak/s1600/Dec+2013+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMr5mWnSZXtP8VFnFrv4_xP4gnBjCHdJ_gIbecb8dk6jyJTA0tX82gPxjVZ0f5Z_Yy4tTqIdDN_v8K1RGeqSJmY1RMK2pEvWwGOEuCKldhewxykZMfhdJ2bqbkYP6X3fGfYzZA4WiQgak/s400/Dec+2013+022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
What?? You say it is not Wednesday? How did that happen? I lost two days somewhere.<br />
I have been caning chicken. We butchered 85 of the summers laying hens and I have been in the kitchen for days deep in the caning trance. I have finished 106 quarts of chicken soups and stock, tonight I am caning just straight chicken to use in casseroles and such later. I love to see all those lovely jars on the shelves but right now I am pretty sick of chicken! We have three more batches of 85 and all the hens will be gone. Hopefully I can get that done in the next few weeks if the weather cooperates.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-910524624413703722013-12-16T20:05:00.000-06:002013-12-16T20:09:39.017-06:00I never thought about being a farmer......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XNWUeNMiNwZtVpmdy7Yqniar689rkBQsJVtjAi-nkxxZXrrOiYUe97BUGiYyescxg-gRww30OfNdslxZtefvdfw5JxsXo4bjCz3A3-Z33Sn3xK0BGVB0QZA87z3LJNkjLWctNYXHbRA/s1600/oct+28+2013+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XNWUeNMiNwZtVpmdy7Yqniar689rkBQsJVtjAi-nkxxZXrrOiYUe97BUGiYyescxg-gRww30OfNdslxZtefvdfw5JxsXo4bjCz3A3-Z33Sn3xK0BGVB0QZA87z3LJNkjLWctNYXHbRA/s400/oct+28+2013+065.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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No really.. I never thought that I would be a farmer. You know that question everyone asks when you are young "Hey little lady what do you want to be when you grow up?" I not once said farmer... now when I was little as my #6 my response was princess. As I grew "princess" seemed out of the question so on came the many "girlie" jobs.... teacher, mom, nurse....never farmer. Well, here I am now a few... ahem... years from that princess answer, a farmer.<br />
I have been surprised in my farming by many things.. I am not overly concerned with the old farmers that really like to tease me or that the feed store and the vet think I am odd. The biggest thing has really been my ignorance to farming. Before we bought our farm I never thought about what the animals ate or how much medication had been given to them. I thought that farmers who fed crappy feed to their animals were rare. I thought that the growth hormones and such were just for some of the big farmers, Tyson and those type. I was horribly shocked when we got our first animals.<br />
I went to the local feed coop to buy feed, and came home empty handed. All of the sheep,chicken,hog and cattle feed had some sort of hormone,antibiotic or animal by-product in them!! I had no idea that it was so common to feed these things. I had a difficult time finding feed. I called all over our area to find some good quality feed. It took quite some time, but I finally got what I thought farmers fed their animals...grain that's it just whole grains. Now almost 8 years later I have convinced the local coop to carry whole grains.( I think I am the only one who buys it) I wish I had been more educated as a consumer when I did not have a farm. I have always tried to be healthy and give my kids the best..I just didn't know how bad the problem was.<br />
I am still learning as a farmer and make more dumb mistakes than I care to admit. One thing is for sure<br />
after that experience it completely solidified my desire to provide safe healthy food for my children.<br />
I am proud to say I am a farmer. I am a farmer that works to provide healthy non medicated, hormone free,animal by-product and anything else creepy out of my animals feed. In doing this I provide myself with peace of mind and a satisfied hunger, being a farmer is good.<br />
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-91628285002004086862013-12-13T14:38:00.000-06:002013-12-13T14:38:13.995-06:00Farm Fact Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uXJEpqNEumTkGhc-WSrEgDPh-i9ImZs8AriPEn4zR8DPU8eF6umoE9QRjBFNeqFBYpBQLoy9YGNBHZB4kD7fxY1oCfMfVq2nUFKJp-B3dcey1DIade7x2XIxSV5y0ZLPSgr_uhFzpeQ/s1600/food+and+savannah+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uXJEpqNEumTkGhc-WSrEgDPh-i9ImZs8AriPEn4zR8DPU8eF6umoE9QRjBFNeqFBYpBQLoy9YGNBHZB4kD7fxY1oCfMfVq2nUFKJp-B3dcey1DIade7x2XIxSV5y0ZLPSgr_uhFzpeQ/s400/food+and+savannah+009.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
We feed a mixture of whole non-gmo grains to the cows that I mix as I feed them. We feed on average 50lb per day for the 5 cows. In the past year I have carried an average of 18,250lbs of grain to the barn. Who says girls are wimpy?!?!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-3628456620310443742013-12-11T08:13:00.002-06:002013-12-11T08:13:13.404-06:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWhdCNCAqF5bNKgHnogkhMq0njmYSfpnDjt7lEr0xq0YkgYE9jHWz22DrsiaQ_BClq-Gnm_t6_5kH9NjKowKyb8EKNA2VVufOTm_WQz3xsJ7ZqvskPnAGr2srPgi9plHArm3SWpmIcAo/s1600/Dec+2013+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWhdCNCAqF5bNKgHnogkhMq0njmYSfpnDjt7lEr0xq0YkgYE9jHWz22DrsiaQ_BClq-Gnm_t6_5kH9NjKowKyb8EKNA2VVufOTm_WQz3xsJ7ZqvskPnAGr2srPgi9plHArm3SWpmIcAo/s400/Dec+2013+052.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-57008750083906088942013-12-09T10:50:00.002-06:002013-12-09T10:50:44.068-06:00Miss Ida sporting her new jewelry!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the problems we have had is the calves nursing all the cows. We work with the cows to be super friendly and we breed for temperament. This has it's ups and downs. I love that anyone can work with our cows, and you can really just sit down next to them anywhere and milk them. The problem is that they let anyone or anything nurse... even adult cows, sheep... whatever. We have tried every weaning device over the years and last year we found this one. <a href="http://easywean.com.au/about-us/the-easywean-story/">http://easywean.com.au/about-us/the-easywean-story/</a> IT WORKED!! We had a dozy of time weaning Phoebe she was 14 months old and still sucking everyone. She had a knack for disposing of all the other devices we bought. I still haven't found few of them. One of the problems is that it has to be made in such a way that the calf can still graze but also keep them from nursing. This one can be made to poke out ( like how Ida is wearing it) or turned around to poke the calf. Phoebe wore hers to poke her, we had to train her not to want to suck everything in the pasture. After a few weeks we take the device off and so far we have not had any problems with them sucking.<br />
Sweet Ida figured out that that there were other cows in the pasture that had milk and was snacking away, to the point of making herself sick. I moved her to a pasture by herself and she managed to convince one of the cows to stand next to the fence so she could have a snack that way...so out came the weaning ring. She is not too happy with it and certainly is unhappy with me. Today she finally took treats from me and let me pet her. She can hold a grudge! Hopefully she will be able to go back out to the big pasture with the other cows in a few days I want to make sure she is grazing well and drinking before I turn her out. Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-51181983894061171952013-12-06T09:26:00.000-06:002013-12-06T09:26:00.223-06:00Farm Fact Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRojYuy82uO2LFWWaGP_T9TwMW5I-Y_ENnDypozNP1PoMFIb-X2VSgdE4fFOYhXP4zzzsesgjMlOOpKQ9BuKlJSTPjpIcAiHjO0eEkYZKJp1d8iYcotzgU6Bp2pRIImhjtbCYOUeMINo/s1600/sep-oct2011+132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRojYuy82uO2LFWWaGP_T9TwMW5I-Y_ENnDypozNP1PoMFIb-X2VSgdE4fFOYhXP4zzzsesgjMlOOpKQ9BuKlJSTPjpIcAiHjO0eEkYZKJp1d8iYcotzgU6Bp2pRIImhjtbCYOUeMINo/s400/sep-oct2011+132.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
In the past year we have brought in an average of 13,440 lbs if milk from our sweet cows..that is almost 2,000 gallons!! Whew that is a lot of milk!!!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-61084567882455564642013-12-04T12:45:00.003-06:002013-12-04T12:45:51.583-06:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfZg8dZ80heIlIf91htBD9MkyoXC5pz726EjhQq_R45GHFczV7kB5AHUogr857A2MTdtJAK7RUXZ5zdVz6eNFhLvvAGOT090BdmG5q0FJeqDKLOuf2Xd0MCXsYeMpYKuYeKTflDCPXbA/s1600/Farm+May+08+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfZg8dZ80heIlIf91htBD9MkyoXC5pz726EjhQq_R45GHFczV7kB5AHUogr857A2MTdtJAK7RUXZ5zdVz6eNFhLvvAGOT090BdmG5q0FJeqDKLOuf2Xd0MCXsYeMpYKuYeKTflDCPXbA/s400/Farm+May+08+081.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-11684403732554324582013-12-02T22:40:00.001-06:002013-12-02T22:40:09.257-06:00I had a scary thought...........<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I just realized that I had never milked a cow as an adult until we brought home our first cow Lola. Kinda hard to believe it now when I think about it. If I had really known all the hard work I might of ran screaming through the pasture. That was over 7 year ago. Tonight I milked late, the barn was dark and quite as I entered with all the various bits it takes to milk, the milker, the wash water, all my rags and the treats for the ladies. Once I enter the barn I fall into a rhythm, I have done this so many times that my body seems to know what to do even if my brain is deep in thought as it was tonight. I prepare the feed for the girls tonight we had oats,barley,sunflower seeds,chopped apples and molasses, by far this is a favorite. The cows are waiting and listening for that moment when I open the large sliding door to let them come into the warm glow of the barn lights. Each cow knows where she belongs, they rush to their stanchions and eagerly begin munching. I take a few minuted to brush them and then to give them a good udder wash before I hook up the milker. When we were milking Lola we milked by hand, now with three fresh cows we are using the bucket milker. I flip the switch for the vacuum pump the swish and tick of the milker is like a gentle slow dance. I sit next to the cow that is being milked with my head in her flank listening to her breathing, watching the milker to ensure all is well. I talk to the cows about anything and everything they are thoughtful listeners and will listen to me ramble along about life. I have really come to love my time in the barn. It centers me and gives me solace and peace from my very hectic life. I am amazed when I think of how this all started with Lola, all the fear and questions have faded with time and lots of hands on time milking. I am so thankful for the opportunity to care for these gentle loving animals I get so much more than milk from them. Thanks Girls!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200616741891770271.post-70907993782880127922013-11-13T09:13:00.000-06:002013-11-13T09:13:36.839-06:00Egg problems again........<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdlcsbNeheLcylXQfR_ETfEloM95QSC87_6Pu4kiCx2HYPOrkQVMH2n3rfAKT6m2Azm3tA73h_9ZtDTDSZTAWuhd49YYctk8ga4_XHndFBlrpHsPizUk1-LcA-bmoT8dkNlrY1a1Gjgc/s1600/oct+28+2013+415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdlcsbNeheLcylXQfR_ETfEloM95QSC87_6Pu4kiCx2HYPOrkQVMH2n3rfAKT6m2Azm3tA73h_9ZtDTDSZTAWuhd49YYctk8ga4_XHndFBlrpHsPizUk1-LcA-bmoT8dkNlrY1a1Gjgc/s400/oct+28+2013+415.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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During the summer months on average we have 500 happy production red hens running all over. I love to see the girls chasing bugs and enjoying the freedom to scratch around. We work to train the girls to go to a nice cozy barn at night, and usually they do a pretty good job. Lately the girls have gotten lazy and decided to roost on the fences,trees and sometimes they just lay down in the grass. With the colder weather coming the coyotes have needed to hunt. We have lost about half the hens. I really do not mind if a predator comes in and eats the chickens but when they come in and just kill them for fun it ticks me off tremendously. <br />
We have spent about a week rounding up all the wayward hens and putting them back in their coop. We also enlisted some help of a few Great Pyrenees dogs to run night patrol. So far we have cut back on the losses. I will keep the hens in the coop for another few days (much to their dismay) to retrain them to go in at night. With the new lock-down the hens are not happy and not laying much so we go from 10 dozen a day to less than two... hopefully they will pick back up in a week or so.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16710844321342100813noreply@blogger.com0