Unbelievably, we will begin our eighth growing season when this winter’s rest is over. I’m realizing that though we are getting the hang of it, there are always new lessons to be learned. Kind of like life in general.
So here’s a review of what has changed and what has stayed the same at Open Gate Farm in 2012.
We lost and miss our beloved Bailey, who lived his doggy heaven here on earth. His grave is just outside the garden fence, where I can be reminded often of his companionship over the 12 years we were together. The change comes in the form of our 10-week old Great Pyrenees puppy, Burley (named for Burley Coulter, one of Wendell Berry’s best characters). He will guard our free-range hens and keep deer from the garden. The mind boggles at the prospect of removing those stresses and losses. He’ll more than pull his weight (about 100 pounds!) around here as a working dog.
Our same three French Alpine goats rotate around the farm like planets and give us lovely fresh milk and cheeses. We’re easy with their care now and have found homes for their 15 kids over the last five years. The change came in having Goliath breed the does this fall in place of Duke, who had the honor the previous years. Thanks, Heidi!
Tom rebuilt the roosting structure in our coop to accommodate more laying hens, and we’re gearing up to sell more eggs this coming season. We lost 50 of 90 hens this year to foxes, and that is going to change! (See Burley, above.) What stays the same is enjoying seeing hens all over the farm, foraging and making the best tasting eggs around.
Pigs! They are Farmer Tom’s favorite animals and the source of his greatest joys, headaches and “learning opportunities.” Doing it right – giving them the highest quality life possible, and being environmentally responsible – takes some doing, but he’s doing it. One thing we learned this year is that deer hunters monopolize the small slaughterhouses in the fall, so we have to get on the schedule early for fall pork. How could it take seven years to learn that?
Cows don’t always come home. At least not on their own. June 29 was the derecho, that hellish storm that left us without power and 100+ temperatures for a week. In spite of our difficulties, we were grateful that we didn’t have to water cows with drums filled from a creek, and empathized with farmers who did. But the day after the storm our two cows disappeared. After 10 days, the Earlysville Women’s email list gave us a lead. Tom found them almost a mile down the road, where our in-heat cows had taken matters into their own hands and found themselves a bull. Our gracious neighbor let us keep them there for the rest of the summer, and then Tom gave them a ride home. This spring we hope to have two new calves.
We processed 120 broiler chickens each month from May through October, and those days have gone from being long and difficult to quick and actually pleasant. That’s because we always have a crew of wonderful people to help, and it has become a social occasion in which we work hard together to accomplish a goal, and then enjoy a huge farm lunch together. Swimming in the pond sometimes follows, too. We are thankful for all who help us in this way. It’s hard work pulling six chicken tractors over the fields every day, but it pays off in super tasty and nutritious birds.
The two turkey toms are going on seven years of sleeping on the deck railing each night, in snow, sleet, and gale force winds. In contrast, our two new kittens born of a feral barn cat (soon to be spayed) sleep on soft, warm places in the house.
This year a succession of amazing interns called us just when we needed them, and as the previous one was ready to move on. Miraculous! What a joy to have Dave, Brian, Joshua and Ian give their all to help take care of the animals, work in the garden, and jump in with farm maintenance. We are mindful to teach everything we know in exchange for their energy, enthusiasm and great ideas. I hope that having high-caliber interns is one thing that doesn’t change in 2013. Many thanks to each of you!
Our children’s programs continue to be beautiful, transformational times for them and for us. The kids who have aged-out can’t bear to leave, so they and Tom are planning a farmstead camp which will feature them preparing a farm feast for their families. During lunch one day in August I heard them scheming about how to come every summer until they’re 18. I have to say I can’t blame them for their love of Open Gate Farm.
We are grateful for all of your love and support in the past year, and are eagerly awaiting the adventures of the new year.
So here’s a review of what has changed and what has stayed the same at Open Gate Farm in 2012.
We lost and miss our beloved Bailey, who lived his doggy heaven here on earth. His grave is just outside the garden fence, where I can be reminded often of his companionship over the 12 years we were together. The change comes in the form of our 10-week old Great Pyrenees puppy, Burley (named for Burley Coulter, one of Wendell Berry’s best characters). He will guard our free-range hens and keep deer from the garden. The mind boggles at the prospect of removing those stresses and losses. He’ll more than pull his weight (about 100 pounds!) around here as a working dog.
Our same three French Alpine goats rotate around the farm like planets and give us lovely fresh milk and cheeses. We’re easy with their care now and have found homes for their 15 kids over the last five years. The change came in having Goliath breed the does this fall in place of Duke, who had the honor the previous years. Thanks, Heidi!
Tom rebuilt the roosting structure in our coop to accommodate more laying hens, and we’re gearing up to sell more eggs this coming season. We lost 50 of 90 hens this year to foxes, and that is going to change! (See Burley, above.) What stays the same is enjoying seeing hens all over the farm, foraging and making the best tasting eggs around.
Pigs! They are Farmer Tom’s favorite animals and the source of his greatest joys, headaches and “learning opportunities.” Doing it right – giving them the highest quality life possible, and being environmentally responsible – takes some doing, but he’s doing it. One thing we learned this year is that deer hunters monopolize the small slaughterhouses in the fall, so we have to get on the schedule early for fall pork. How could it take seven years to learn that?
Cows don’t always come home. At least not on their own. June 29 was the derecho, that hellish storm that left us without power and 100+ temperatures for a week. In spite of our difficulties, we were grateful that we didn’t have to water cows with drums filled from a creek, and empathized with farmers who did. But the day after the storm our two cows disappeared. After 10 days, the Earlysville Women’s email list gave us a lead. Tom found them almost a mile down the road, where our in-heat cows had taken matters into their own hands and found themselves a bull. Our gracious neighbor let us keep them there for the rest of the summer, and then Tom gave them a ride home. This spring we hope to have two new calves.
We processed 120 broiler chickens each month from May through October, and those days have gone from being long and difficult to quick and actually pleasant. That’s because we always have a crew of wonderful people to help, and it has become a social occasion in which we work hard together to accomplish a goal, and then enjoy a huge farm lunch together. Swimming in the pond sometimes follows, too. We are thankful for all who help us in this way. It’s hard work pulling six chicken tractors over the fields every day, but it pays off in super tasty and nutritious birds.
The two turkey toms are going on seven years of sleeping on the deck railing each night, in snow, sleet, and gale force winds. In contrast, our two new kittens born of a feral barn cat (soon to be spayed) sleep on soft, warm places in the house.
This year a succession of amazing interns called us just when we needed them, and as the previous one was ready to move on. Miraculous! What a joy to have Dave, Brian, Joshua and Ian give their all to help take care of the animals, work in the garden, and jump in with farm maintenance. We are mindful to teach everything we know in exchange for their energy, enthusiasm and great ideas. I hope that having high-caliber interns is one thing that doesn’t change in 2013. Many thanks to each of you!
Our children’s programs continue to be beautiful, transformational times for them and for us. The kids who have aged-out can’t bear to leave, so they and Tom are planning a farmstead camp which will feature them preparing a farm feast for their families. During lunch one day in August I heard them scheming about how to come every summer until they’re 18. I have to say I can’t blame them for their love of Open Gate Farm.
We are grateful for all of your love and support in the past year, and are eagerly awaiting the adventures of the new year.
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