Friday 14 November 2014

it's not all recliners and rose hip tea ~ emerging from end-of-market season seclusion....

OK….it’s been a while. I admit it. And yes, we have been guilty of swimming in the sea of no farmers’ markets; in the ocean of less chores and the coziness of preparing for the winter slumber. In other words…… we’ve been engaging in active procrastination while sipping the sweet nectar of rest. So here we are…. the inevitable has approached and back at it we go.
 
 
STREEEEEEETCHyawn.  

 
So what’s been goin’ on you ask? …it can’t be all recliners and rose hip tea…

Well the most exciting accomplishment for the farm over the past couple of months has been the completion of the inside of the barn ~ Farmer Luke has been waiting since this time last year for the barn to be accessible to the animals….. I’m happy to say patience has paid off and now he has an amazing space, designed by him and brand spanking new! It’s a pretty huge milestone on this crazy journey that was thrown into our laps. This will be our first winter with the animals housed on our property ~ new routines will be harvested and preserved as we embark on the challenges ahead.

On my front….. in the world of the ever evolving Granola Girl….. I have to say the pace has certainly changed. I have only a few anticipated trips early next year and other than that my calendar remains manageable allowing me time to focus on MY contribution to this crazy adventure. I’m embracing the change, loving the consistency, and enjoying the moment. OK. Truth be told…. it’s all harvesting and preserving at this time of year. I’ve spent most of my ‘new found’ time picking, sorting, washing, cutting, blanching, drying, packing, canning or freezing….. anything I can get my hands on!! So ya, it’s a ‘different’ kinda pace now but I’m happily donning the role and enjoying the spoils of my effort.   

There are still challenges ahead…..but it isn’t that bad

Our immediate challenge is water. Clearly an extremely important factor to raising animals…..you just can’t compromise with water. So……although we had high hopes of installing the new well and solar water pump this season it simply did not happen. There are only so many kites you can fly in the summer without one or two falling to the wayside. So what does this mean? It means we…..um…. I mean….Farmer Luke will be shuttling water between our house and the barn all winter long. YUP…It’s just an endless moment of ‘looking forward to’ in our world!!! Sigh. So is life.

So yes, water is a challenge. Food and shelter we’ve got sussed so no worries on that front. Generally speaking we are in pretty good condition heading into winter. The laying hens just came home so we can control the light and egg production and keep them toasty and warm throughout the winter. Forrest Rea has become super protective of her eggs and insists on collecting them each day ~ besides the obvious ‘free labour’ (….did I say that out loud?....) it’s also a whole lotta adorable! The other animals (insert cows, sheep & llamas) will spend their first winter in the barn together... but have no fear… Farmer Luke has collected lots of good quality hay this summer and it’s stacked and waiting! Bring it.

Finally….the girls are rotating!

YES!! I have to say, I really had no concept of Farmer Luke’s vision when he began down the road of turning the land into a farm. I honestly just couldn’t wrap my head around it. I have watched as he carefully and methodically took every step in order to get to this point. He has met with and consulted with so many diverse people on so many different levels ~ from Municipal and Planning Officers to Conservation Authorities and MNR….from Engineers to Contractors and equipment operators….from other farmers to assessment officers ~ it’s really quite amazing how complex it has been. And if I may…..I need to take a moment to….

WHOOP WHOOP OH YA, WAY TO GO FARMER LUKE~~~HANDS IN THE AIR, HANDS IN THE AIR!!!
who remembers this creepy dancing baby?..... ~ WHOOP WHOOP!!
All this to say….yes, he has managed to bring his dream alive! The cows are home….happy…..and hanging out. Despite only having one permanent (i.e. completed) fenced in paddock….Farmer Luke has managed to use temporary solar electric fencing (produced by Gallagher…not surprisingly a New Zealand manufacturer) to rotationally graze three fields so far. It’s AH-MAZE-ING to see this unfold. This time last year…….NONE OF THIS WAS POSSIBLE!!! How craze-balls is that?
 
So Okay....WE'RE BACK in the world of the living....see you all at the Christmas Markets in Kemptville and Brockville next month....no rest for the wicked they say....or maybe just a little......
 
 
 
 

1 comment:

  1. Yay! So happy for you guys! (And so NOT happy you posted the creepy baby picture - yes I remember that!)

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