Recent statistics show that just 1% of the U.S. population considers farming their primary occupation. Since John & I fall into that 1% group, I believe it is important to share about our work in food production. Since 100% of American’s eat, every Friday I write to those who may wonder: Where does my steak come from? What does a farm look like? Who are the farmers and ranchers? What do they do?

This week…

My sister Schyler came to visit! We have been having a wonderful time. It was fun having a tag-a-long on our regular weekday work & play. On Sunday, we met our friends and went to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Homestead. 

John also found three baby bunnies while he was mowing. We looked at them for a few minutes, but then decided they were far too wild to keep as pets. So, after marveling at their soft fur, we put them back in their home. 

Before we put them away, Schyler just had to put one in her pocket! Crazy kid!John also gave Schyler a ride on the furniture mover! And, we made homemade ice cream with one of our wedding gifts. It was delish (and easy)!As for working on the farm this week, John finished hauling hay. The majority of our hay for the year is now cut, raked, baled, hauled and stacked. This load was the last one for a while. It is quite a relief. 

Schyler rode with John as he unloaded the bales.Riley and Moda finally figured out how to climb on the bales. These bales will provide feed for our cows all winter long. That’s why it is such a good feeling to look out and see all the tidy rows!Schyler tried to put Riley in her coat to keep him warm. He wasn’t a fan. It was hilarious watching him try to squirm out of her coat. Schyler and I raced down the bales! We tied. I think. Okay, maybe I lost. Maybe. 

On Tuesday, we had problems with the same cows getting out that I mentioned last week. After they got out a second time, we decided to build a new fence. Instead of one that goes through the lake, we put one around the lake.

Here is the old fence, the ice was very hard on it last winter & the water has risen, too! It is mostly gone in the center. It is easy to see why the cows could escape through this (mostly-missing) fence, but it is surprising that the whole herd would swim across the lake! 

In the early 80’s there was a road that went through this lake (where the cattails are sticking up). The little lake filled up and has never gone down since. This lake is right on the middle of a property line, so we coordinated with the other ranchers to come up with a new plan for a fence around the lake.

Before we could build our fence, we had to move the cows back AGAIN (time number three). This little calf almost got left behind, but Schyler and I spotted him. Then, John went back to get him on the 4-wheeler. In the photo below, the sage is the tallest plant. It is a light green slightly bushy plant. It has a very strong, cologne-like smell. Our sister Selestia’s middle name is Sage so it was neat to finally see the plant after all these years!

Selestia Sage (if you’re reading), here is your namesake plant. You’re a pretty lucky girl, not everyone gets a namesake plant and a pretty middle name. 

We finished the fence and we are glad that the cows won’t be escaping anymore.

Thanks for reading!