Pushing Spring

Spring is slow in coming to the North woods.  This is the scene that we were able to enjoy yesterday with all the new snowfall.  Though to be honest, I cannot name a single individual who is enjoying it! 

 This time of year brings the arrival of new babies to the farm.  On 3/28 Belinda gave birth to Biscuit, a heifer.

 Gwendolyn presented us with twelve baby pigs on 3/26.  Ten of them are still with us and growing well despite the rotten weather.

 Black Beauty, the cow that is at least 14 years old, gave birth to Usher, on 3/27.  He is our first black calf. I love this picture with all his milk mess. 

We are still waiting for a few more calves, and the sheep have not started lambing yet.  It looks like at least 19 of the 23 ewes are bred, and they are looking close.  I know I shouldn't rush the arrival of lambing, especially given our miserable weather, but I have a feeling that once they start to lamb it is going to be crazy.  Plus, it would be nice if getting up at 2 am on a nightly basis to check cows and sheep would reveal something for our troubles. 

 

Looking out the window at the high snowbanks, it is hard to believe at this time last year Lake Vermilion was ice free.  We had trumpeter swans and a variety of other water fowl enjoying the flooded river in front of the house.  I was reminded of this today when a pair of trumpeters came flying along the river while I was outside.  They will have to go quite a distance to find any open water. 

 

Friday brought another sign of Spring, the arrival of our new high tunnel.  A high tunnel is basically an unheated greenhouse where you grow your plants in the ground.  It will be a sure benefit to our vegetable operation by extending our growing season and eliminating the fear of odd frost dates.  When you are trying to grow a large amount of produce in a location that has an average of 100 frost free days, you need to do more.  This 30x95 foot structure will help things.  Now for the snow to melt, the ground to thaw, and installation to happen. 

This is a heavy pile of steel and plastic.  I think a "high tunnel raising" is a good idea for a get-together/party. What do you think?

 

Time to go milk the goat, and check the sheep, and the cows...

Shearing 2013

Shearing 2013 commenced late Friday evening.  We were a smaller crew than years passed, but experienced, so all went well.  I did feel a bit bad about keeping my "seasoned" relatives and friends working until 10:30 at night, but we were able to get all 25 sheep sheared. 

 Grandma Butchy, Daisy, and Jeri.

 Our favorite shearer: Brian F. who estimates he has sheared 60,000 sheep.  "You get the hang of it after the first 10,000."

 The crew is ready and waiting to bundle freshly shorn fleece.

 Auntie Linda and Daisy got in lots of loves.

 Auntie Linda and Grandma Butchy teaching their tie technique to Isaiah.

J.J, 1/2 Shetland, 1/2/ Icelandic girl was the last to be sheared.  She is one of the largest sheep in the flock anyway, but looked especially huge next to the nakeds.  Notice Annafleece, black ewe, to the back right.  She was carrying her baby belly off to the side after being sheared!

If anyone is interested in some nice fleece let me know.  Now we begin the baby waiting game.  I don't mind waiting, given our lack of spring weather.  It was -10 degrees on Friday morning! 

Eggs & Bacon

Ten years ago I was on a cruise ship. Getting dressed and ready for a wedding.   Our wedding; Feb. 26, 2003 on Fitts Village Beach in Barbados.  We "celebrated" this past weekend at the MOSES Organic Farming Conference.  Thanks Nate! You are the eggs to my bacon!

Farmer Failure

I am a failure at being a farmer.   A goat farmer.  I knew Brie was probably going to kid in the next couple of weeks.  I have been diligently checking her bag and backside for weeks, twice a day.  How did she go from looking the same as she has for two weeks, to giving birth to triplets...in the night...with no one there to make sure they made it.   I'm mad, and disappointed, all at myself. I've accepted it; but twice a day as I head to the goat shed to milk her, I get mad all over again.  Nate tries to make me take consolation in the facts, she probably wouldn't have been able to feed triplets, they were all bucks, it's just too cold to have baby goats living in the shed, it makes me feel marginally better. But I still failed. 

What started out as a hobby, few goats, sheep... has turned into my life.  I have my family, my school kids, and our animals.  People tell me they wish they could live "simply" like we do.  I often want to invite them to visit and stay during lambing or calving time.  Give it a week, and you tell me how simple it feels.  Rushing home from work hoping only the skilled "good" moms gave birth while we were away. 

We continue to wrestle with where we want to go with the pigs.  Raising Red Wattle pigs the way we are, with the cost of feed, is not a wise financial decision.  Nate calculated this morning that we will have a minimum of 2.50 a pound into the current batch when they are ready to be butchered.  That is the feed costs.  It doesn't cover the electricity for providing them fresh water during the winter, or the daily labor. Who in their right minds would keep working at something that only costs you?

The answer: me.  Us.  We do.  We start discussing and decided it isn't wise to keep the pigs. Then we eat some pork chops, and ask the question, Where would we get this good pork?  Darn it. Farm decisions are never easy.  I would love to make this my full time occupation.  The reality is it takes both of us working outside jobs to make the income to have the farm too. 

The only consolation I have is that my boys are living, learning, and eating right.  They are jealous of the dogs and cat getting the goat milk right now, wanting to know how many days until we milk for our milk.  They love their animals.  Grieve when things happen to them.  Ask when will we have new lambs.  When will we have new calves?  When will it be warm enough to play in the mud, ride horses every day, plant seeds in the gardens?  Kohen has been overheard teaching his peers on the school bus what organic means and why HIS bacon is the best. (Maybe he really is listening to his parents.) 

I know that I will be renewed in this passion in two weeks when I head to MOSES Organic Farm Conference in LaCrosse.  I know that God will show us where we should go with all of our multifaceted farm plans.  I know it will work out for the best.  I just need some more reminders on dark days, on days when I am a failed farmer.