Farming In Winter: Deadly Cold (Long Read)

30 December 202230 December 2022 ~ Carrie ~ 1 Comment

Unless you’ve been living underground, you’re probably aware of the disastrous consequences the holiday storm wreaked (yes, wreaked, not wrecked!) on many areas of the country. People have died because of the bitterly cold temperatures, though there are stories of everyday heroism worth celebrating (juxtaposed with stories of shocking callousness). While small farmers may not make the news, I’m sure that many animals – including wild animals – also lost their lives or suffered injury during the brutal cold because this was a cold that had to be experienced to be believed.

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Now Hatching: Almost-Fall Chicks

14 September 202214 September 2022 ~ Carrie

Just because goose laying season ends doesn’t mean hatching season is over. The chickens are still laying, and the incubators are languishing…so why not set some eggs? With at least a couple of months of mild (or even warm) temperatures, it’s a great time to raise littles in time to lay their first eggs next spring!

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Farm Fowl: The Year’s Final Gosling Integration

19 July 202219 July 2022 ~ Carrie

There comes a time in our young poultry’s lives where they must make the transition from being human-raised babies to becoming the fowl that they’re meant to be. That time arrived recently, when the last of this season’s ganders, Eddie, Alex, and Wolfie, joined the Pilgrim gaggle.

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Reality Check: The Melted Farmer

8 July 20228 July 2022 ~ Carrie

As someone who currently lives in a humid subtropical region, I expect some heat and humidity in the summer. I do. But what I don’t expect is days-long stretches of heat and humidity that reach 110F with the heat index and nighttime temperatures in the 80s – heat waves that necessitate “excessive heat warnings” from the weather service that basically advise rational people to stay indoors. How, exactly, does a farmer do that?

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Fitness Boot Camp: My Week Of Farming Solo

2 April 20228 June 2022 ~ Carrie

You may be wondering why I haven’t posted anything this week, and I want to end any speculation that I might be on vacation. As if. I was running the farm solo this week while Mr. fMf was at ~~spring break~~ an offsite conference, and let’s just say that my mettle has definitely been tested.

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Haiku: Three’s A Crowd

12 March 20228 June 2022 ~ Carrie

The geese are laying, and they have a favorite spot in the barn where they queue up to have their turn (this particular goose is Sinéad, so named because she was bald last year from the gander’s attentions). While all of the ladies demand their privacy, Sinéad’s “stink eye” is enough to keep most other creatures away…and her bodyguard is an additional deterrent.

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