Putting the Plan Together

We had a great rainfall this weekend.  We got nearly two inches and the ponds were all overflowing into each other.  Ronny and I got out and sloshed around all of it so that we could get a good idea of where to build our second pond.  Tucker was a hoot.  That dog hates to get his paws wet.  We followed the wash on one side of the property.  At that time is was a swift-flowing creek.  Somehow, Tucker ended up on one bank and us on the other.  He was not about to walk through that water!  Shasta just plunged right on in and crossed to the other side.  On the other hand our tenderfoot, 100-pound pooch found a narrow part and hopped over.  Heaven forbid he should get wet!

Our pond runneth over

Shasta ain't skeered

Mr. Delicate trying to find a good place to cross

So, the tax news was good and that means it is time to get serious about things.  Ronny's focus will be calves, hogs and building a shop.  We are networking with our neighbors and plan to buy some of their calves and fence-line wean them.  Derek suggested this as a more gentle way to wean calves in order to reduce stress.  Here is an article that I found discussing the method of fence-line weaning: http://animalscience.ag.utk.edu/beef/pdf/FencelineWeaningReducesStressDuringWeaningofBeefCalves-CDL-ASB312.pdf

My focus this year is getting the garden into shape, planting blackberries and starting a flock of chickens.  Thank goodness for my red head twinster, Becky, next door.  She will be my resident advisor on raising chickens.  I can't wait.  I love the website listed on my link list below: "My Pet Chicken".  It gives lots of great advice for the ordinary person and makes it seem like such fun.  I am definitely going to get a few Easter Egger chickens so we can have some green and blue eggs!  I also found a website called "Pick Your Own" that is listed on the right.  It is a great tool to publicize our crops.  If you are interested in eating locally grown food seasonally it will be a good resource for you to check out no matter what state you live in.

 Now don't get me wrong. This will be hard work but what would you rather do? Sit on your fanny and watch the world go by or dig your hands into some rich black dirt, work outside in fresh air and sunshine, and build something that you can call your own?  Share our blog with others.  We would love to hear from other farmers or ranchers.  Their practical advice, wisdom, and knowledge of resources would be greatly appreciated. 

Stay tuned for more farm fun news!