Farm Notes

On our farm, we raise chickens, goats and sheep—all delicious creatures enjoyed by man and beast alike. Over the years, we’ve had to contend with coyotes, foxes, fishers, rats, crows, … Predators Abound

Last month, on July 9th, the City of Little Falls hosted a wonderful, charming cheese festival. Our farm had a booth and my whole family (husband Peter, daughters Harper and … A Neighborhood Cheese Fest

If I’ve noticed one thing about my fellow farmers, it’s that farmers do not take good care of themselves. That sounds kind of harsh, but let me explain. While farmers … I Don’t Have Time for This

You’ve got to love June! Flowers are blooming, song birds have returned, and blue skies mean summer vacation is just around the corner. June is also National Dairy Month, when … Say Cheese!

I was a mother before I was a farmer. I had my first child just over 14 years ago, a few years before we moved to our farm. I was … Mother and Farmer

Do you remember the day you left your childhood home? Or have you ever had to move out of a house filled with a lifetime of memories? Whether it was … Letting Go of the Homestead

Last month, I wrote about opening our home to an exchange student from India and how much I appreciated the experience and its many facets (“Our Life through a Different … Open Farm Day

Our family has been hosting an exchange student from India for about five months. A friend and member of a local Rotary club asked if we would be interested in … Our Life Through a Different Lens

Do you pay attention to food news? I certainly do. I can’t help but read every story I see that talks about some aspect of agriculture, be it drought, commodity … The Inspector Cometh

Twenty years ago this month—New Year’s Eve, to be exact—my husband Peter and I got married in a former convent in South Minneapolis. We were both 25 years old. Friends … Married to the Farm

I so enjoy the holiday season! The last two calendar months of the year are, for nearly all intents and purposes, dedicated to food, drink, and family…although not necessarily in … Holidays on the Farm

Bakers, breakfast joints, and egg lovers everywhere have noticed that our nation is experiencing a major egg shortage. A particularly virulent and deadly form of the avian flu (H5N2) devastated … The Trouble with Chickens

My daughter, Harper, and I recently brought a newborn baby goat to a few area farmers’ markets with us. Little “Chip,” as we call him, was only four days old … When Moms Reject Their Babies

My husband and I moved here just over ten years ago and started our little farm with the idea that we would build a simpler life, doing the things that … The Ties That Bind

I love old houses. I love the character and personality that comes with an old house—the wide pine floors, the detailed molding, the old-fashioned doorknobs. I love the staircases, with … Farm Ghosts

June is Dairy Month—the time we all celebrate our favorite food group by drinking a glass of milk or eating ice cream. And we should celebrate! New York is the … What Does “Dairy Month” Mean to You?

Close your eyes for a moment and picture a “farmer.” What do you see? Chances are you see an image of an older gentleman in overhauls, seed cap in hand. … Celebrating Women and Mothers in Farming

Before we moved to the farm, I had only a vague sense of the changing of the seasons. Sure, I noticed the dogwoods bloom in the spring and the first … Welcome to Mud Season

In grade school, we all learn that March is “in like a lion, out like a lamb.” But on our farm, March is for baby chicks. Despite the still very … March Means Baby Chicks

Before moving to our farm ten years ago, I was a cat person. I have had dozens of cats over a lifetime. Since childhood, I’ve loved cats and still do … Ode to a Good Farm Dog

I’ve never been a fan of New Year’s resolutions. Perhaps it is because I’ve tried them in the past and failed miserably—usually a quiet promise to myself to loose “some” … My New Year’s Resolutions

A few short weeks ago, I was giving a farm tour to a group of college students and interns. It was a perfect fall day: The sky was a brilliant … Understanding Farmers’ Choices

Go ahead, admit it. You think goats are pretty darn cute. You’ve heard they make great pets. They could clean up all those overgrown bushes and keep your lawn beautifully … So…You THINK You Want to Be a Goat Farmer?

Memories of my grandmother and her home are of an almost-constant state of gardening, baking, cooking, canning, freezing, and pickling. To be at Grandma’s house was to eat…everything homemade, much … The Psychology of Abundance

Perhaps it is because we are entering the last few weeks of summer vacation and it has all slipped by a bit too fast, but I’ve been thinking a lot … Farm Kids

Let’s face it—some times of the year are tougher than others on the farm. Summer may be beautiful, but it is long and grueling and is by far the most … Exhaustion

Before we started farming, I knew very little about hay. To this day, it still strikes me as a crazy amalgam of art and science. You’ve probably heard of the … Make Hay While the Sun Shines

There are many, amazing farmer’s markets in our little neck of the woods and now that it’s June, all are in full swing. It will be another month or more … Confessional: I Sell at Farmers’ Markets

Fences are a vital piece of just about any farm, especially farms where livestock graze on pasture. Vegetable farmers and orchards, too, need to fence out deer and other critters, … Good Fences Make Good Neighbors