Return to the Farm

Welcome back to the farm!

It was so wonderful to meet up again with our fellow stu-fas!  Hurray for our good work and our spirit!

Our morning session was led by Olivier.  We began by getting an update on our animals.  The sheep are in the barn now and the lambs that were meant to go to processing haven't yet gone.  A snow storm and an ailing truck thwarted the two attempts to take them.  Ruby, our Belgian draught horse, is still suffering from, perhaps, parasites.  She is also showing a tumor of some sort on her vagina which will need tending to.  The chickens have been plagued by a hungry hawk and now share their run with a fake owl. Several pullets --actually, they are laying hens now --were the typical victims.

Counting cows

After this review, we delved into our chapters from the book Small-Scale LIvestock Farming.  We were discussing the difference between stocking rate  and stock density--determning how many animals are being grazed on how much land AND how many animals are grazing on how much land RIGHT NOW.  Each kind of livestock is given a measurement of "animal unit" determining how much food they need.  For example, the beef cow being one unit, a calf, weaned is .5 units and a a  As we discussed the particulars of this, Olivier asked us "How many animal units do we have in our beef enterprise?"  and we all piped up with  "Well, there are two calves..."  and we all looked around sheepisly.  Olivier sent us out to count the cows, determine which were heifers, steers, etc.  We went out to count, to peek and sort our beef.

Kiyoshi and Emily setting up the arrows.

On completing our discussion of the chapters in this book, we ventured out to try Kiyoshi's new bow and arrow.  Emily also brought out hers, too, and we took turns shoot at a bale of hay.  It was great fun and we hope to set up a good archery range for future fun.

Caitlin and Sophia, taking shots

Carlen's love of winter

In the afternoon,  we met with Carlen to begin our study comparing and contrasting organic farming and biodynamic farming.  We began outside in the homestead garden where she described the quiet, reflective, planning time of the year, and how wonderful to have this season where we don't really want to "be out weeding in the fields in our bikinis."  We have work to complete out in the gardens and fields, including the pruning of our raspberry canes.  Back in the farmhouse, we discussed our reading of Eliot Coleman's book The New Organic Grower and took on studies of different garden vegetables.  We also have homework to assess sections of the farm as if we were preparing to purchase them.  I like the practical applications here!  We have readings on biodynamics for next week!