Farm Notes
-
A Tale of Two Turkeys
Happy New Year! I hope you had a peaceful and enjoyable holiday season. We had the wonderful pleasure of spending time with family and friends, sharing good food and easy … A Tale of Two Turkeys
-
Cold and Snowy Decembers
In my humble opinion, cold and snowy Decembers are the absolute BEST. December is my birth month, so my favorite memories of this time of year are when we had … Cold and Snowy Decembers
-
Clean Barn, Happy Moms
We just finished one of the biggest, smelliest jobs of all on our farm—cleaning out the barn. And I’m so glad it’s done, just in time for baby lambs and … Clean Barn, Happy Moms
-
Fall Pastures
I can’t believe it is October already! This summer has flown by so fast. But the days are getting shorter and shorter. The nights are getting colder, too. The leaves … Fall Pastures
-
And Then There Was One
Well, we did it. We sent our oldest daughter Harper off to college, five and a half hours away. Every parent I’ve talked to about this momentous occasion has given … And Then There Was One
-
Summer Abundance
Have you ever heard the phrase, “too much of a good thing”? Summer on the farm, especially late summer, is full of MANY good things. Our days are filled with … Summer Abundance
-
Sweet Dreams Are Made of Cheese
Cheese lovers in the Mohawk Valley are in for a real treat this month! There are not one but TWO great cheesy events to look forward to—all thanks to a … Sweet Dreams Are Made of Cheese
-
Nature’s Lessons
I love June and the beginning of the growing season. Sure, May has its tulips and daffodils, but the earth doesn’t really begin to warm up until now. In fact, … Nature’s Lessons
-
Career Day
I was recently invited to speak at a Career Exploration Day event at West Canada Valley Junior High School. Seventh and eighth graders were able to meet an engineer, a … Career Day
-
Barn Fire!
On Sunday, January 6, at about 2:45 in the afternoon, I got a disturbing text from a friend. “We just saw something about a fire in your barn. Please let … Barn Fire!
-
Love and Heartbreak
We recently said goodbye to not one, but two of our farm dogs. First, Woody, our faithful Australian Shepherd, passed away peacefully of old age. And barely two short weeks … Love and Heartbreak
-
Ice Cream College
I don’t know about you, but I rarely follow through on my New Year’s resolutions. Whether it’s a promise to lose weight or to call my parents on a more … Ice Cream College
-
An Evening with Cheesemakers and a Chef
The word “community” can mean so many things. It can be a town, a feeling of kinship, or just the public at large. When I think of my community, there … An Evening with Cheesemakers and a Chef
-
My Thanksgiving Resolution
There’s so much going on at the farm right now that I don’t know where to start! Our chicken processing and farmer’s markets are winding down, just as we ramp … My Thanksgiving Resolution
-
The Joys of a Woodstove
Maybe I’m worn out from what seemed to be the longest, hottest summer on record (or maybe I’m peri-menopausal?!?), but I’m really looking forward to fall temperatures this year. Who … The Joys of a Woodstove
-
Oh, What a View!
We have one of the best views in the entire Mohawk Valley from our farm. It’s the biggest reason we bought our farm in the first place. “Everything else can … Oh, What a View!
-
The Hard Decisions
Today is a sad day for me. It’s sad because I have to make some hard decisions…decisions I don’t want to make. I have to decide which of our goats … The Hard Decisions
-
Goat Duty
As is my habit, I’m late for my deadline once again. I’ve had an idea for my article rolling around my brain for several weeks now, but just haven’t had … Goat Duty
-
A Lamb Named Kitten that Thinks He’s a Dog
It happens every once in a blue moon. One of our farm animals develops a quirky personality so unique, so strange that all this farmer can do is scratch her … A Lamb Named Kitten that Thinks He’s a Dog
-
A Parental “Challenge”
A few weeks ago, some very good friends of ours told me they had heard a “rumor” about our youngest daughter, Margaret. Their daughter and our Margaret are fast friends, … A Parental “Challenge”
-
New Life
March was pretty rough on the farm. Maybe it was the two Nor’easters (they didn’t help!) or maybe it was the unwelcome cold and snow after a very warm and … New Life
-
It’s Raining Cats…and Cats!
A few weeks before Christmas, my husband was chatting in the yard with our neighbor when a flash of fur went streaking across the driveway and up a tree. Our … It’s Raining Cats…and Cats!
-
So Very, Very, VERY Pregnant!
Thank goodness for the changing of the seasons. Every phase of the calendar gives me something to look forward to—a variation in pace, a “changing of the gears” that forces … So Very, Very, VERY Pregnant!
-
An Outhouse in Winter
This is going to sound completely crazy, but we don’t have an indoor bathroom. We have an outhouse…in winter…in Central New York. To be clear, we usually have a bathroom—one … An Outhouse in Winter
-
Thankful
What are you most thankful for? Is it a good job, your health, your family? Is it the kindness of strangers, the ability to help others, or life’s opportunities that … Thankful
-
Windy Hill Goat Dairy
I love goats. God help me, I just adore everything about them! Our first goats were all “meat” breeds. Much like the Angus breed of cow that is popular for … Windy Hill Goat Dairy
-
Toxic Plants
I think people generally understand that there are lots of dangers on the farm. And it’s true. From large equipment, to half-buried rusty metal trash, to unpredictable animals, there’s really … Toxic Plants
-
Nostalgia is a Funny Thing
I was driving through town with my 15-year-old daughter the other day when she pointed out a bumper sticker that read, “Hauling Ass & Sucking Gas.” If you’ve never had … Nostalgia is a Funny Thing
-
NEPPA Hatchery
For the May issue of Mohawk Valley Living, I wrote about the many support businesses that farmers rely upon in their day-to-day operations. There are so many things farmers need…be … NEPPA Hatchery
-
Picking Rocks
Have you ever picked rocks in a freshly tilled field? If you were lucky, it was a nice, warm day—but not too hot. There was a cool breeze to whisk … Picking Rocks