Farm Report # 6: Reflecting on the first year

I have not given a farm report since September.  I wanted to give an update on the farm and share some reflections on our first year.

Our Dexter cows always love to watch what we are doing.

Our Dexter cows always love to watch what we are doing.

1.  We have been very pleased with how much of a blessing the farm has been for the kids.  We thought that Austin our oldest may not like the animals as much as the others, but he has loved the farm.  He loves to work and likes to have a purpose.  He loves to go out each day and feed the animals.  We don’t have much permanent fencing so we have used temporary electrical fencing.  We have moved the animals throughout the land to eat the stockpiled grass through the winter.  Austin has learned so much about fencing and enjoys the task of laying out a new fence.  Overall the kids have learned so much and done well with the work.

The kids showing the newborn lamb born in December.

The kids showing the newborn lamb born in December.

2.  The challenge of the farm has been the constant work and demands.  We enjoy the work and fun overall, but sometimes it is just plain inconvenient.  We live about 10-12 minutes from the farm, so it is often difficult to get out to the farm everyday.  Most of the time we are able to go just once a day, but it has been a sacrifice for Amanda at times as I am gone from home more because of the farm.  But we are determined to get a house on the farm soon, because we cannot enjoy the full farm experience with the kids until we get moved out there.  We often have to just stop by and feed them as fast as possible.

The Blackbelly Sheep herd, We added a Ram to the herd.

The Blackbelly Sheep herd, We added a Ram to the herd.

3.  We don’t know what we are doing, but we have learned a ton.  We have relied on others and gone with the basic rule of “they are still alive, so we are doing okay.”  I have learned much about fencing and Amanda has learned she doesn’t like fencing because it is never finished.  We have learned pigs have lots of personality and a well-deserved reputation of making a mess and enjoying to eat.

The kids have got experience busting water!

The kids have got experience busting water!

4.  The Winter has its challenges, but also its blessings.  We have had a mild winter overall, with some times of freezing weather like this last week with almost a foot of snow.  Some things I have liked about winter is the slower pace.  The shorter hours, colder temperatures, and overall less to do make your work less.  The animals and us like that the flies and pests are gone.  The crisp temperatures and frozen ground have a quiet, clean feeling that I enjoy.

We added two girl pigs.  We hope to have some piglets this year.  These are American Guinea Hogs.

We added two girl pigs. We hope to have some piglets this year. These are American Guinea Hogs.

5.  We got a lot accomplished, though it seemed slow through the process.  We started 2014 with no electricity, the barn needing repairs and lights, a non-functing well, very little permanent fencing, and no animals.  It seemed like it went slow, and we never got to work very much in consecutive hours with four kids and our church work.  But through help of others, patience, and determined effort we got a lot done looking back on it.  I am going to try and remember this when I feel like I am not getting much done, but have a lot I “need” to do.

Our young bull is growing and looking good.  His name is Abraham - "father of many"

Our young bull is growing and looking good. His name is Abraham – “father of many”

We added Jack the cat to the barn to try and control the mice population.

We added Jack the cat to the barn to try and control the mice population.

Red - She is the boss of the farm and a hay addict.

Red – She is the boss of the farm and a hay addict.

Thanks for reading!

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  1. […] haven’t given a farm report since February.  You can read all of the other six reports on this site to learn the whole story. […]

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