“If you’re not a mechanic yet you will be soon. There’s just no other way out here in the country.”

Having a full freezer is a good feeling. Buying a whole/half hog direct from a farmer is one of the most cost effective ways to buy bulk meat. And pork includes bacon… so there’s that!

Do you want to play a game? No, its not that game Matthew Broderick played or tic tac toe. It’s called “Find 5.” Read all about it here;)

So you’ve heard about buying a quarter or half beef but still have questions. I hear you and am here to help. Buying a beef from a farmer is an excellent idea for several reasons. First you support a local producer and processor. The world’s a better place when we buy local and know your farmer.

We’ve had about 3 good gardens in the 20 years we’ve been married. And Uncle G’s actually suffered more serious wounds from a carrot than from any of the livestock (the killer carrot of ’14)

It should also be pointed out that although we miss him like the dickens it’s the dogs that probably notice the change the most. 

One of the biggest changes we undertook in 2021 was how we grow and market our hogs. When we started our farm we sold our pork at the farmer’s market. While we loved meeting the customers and the vendors, our particular market was saturated with pork sellers. This forced us to look at other avenues. 

We finally did the math and figured out how much it costs to raise a pastured turkey.

Buying a hog from a farmer is an excellent idea for several reasons. First you support a local producer and processor. The world’s a better place when we buy local and know your farmer.

I was suppose to connect in Charlotte, NC. While I was en-route to Charlotte, my connection was cancelled. Ugh. I was rebooked on a flight the next morning. Yes, the NEXT MORNING. I asked for accommodations and was told it was due to “weather” (which is sus…but who am I to argue?).

Since this farm’s hay day there have been several buildings removed. And by removed I mean the wood was removed but the nails magically fell to the ground, were covered by dirt so nail gnomes could dig them up and leave them in my driveway to this day!

Each year we get a bit better at planning for winter and snow. This year we moved the corn wagon inside, had plenty of cornstalk bales for bedding and a few small square bales in each barn as a backup. A neighbor plows the drive to the house and to the barn so we can get the truck to the barn to drop off feed.

I know its cold and seems like a summer garden is far away…but its actually time to start planning! Here are some things to get ready for starting plants from seed.

They wanted us to call a vet, have surgery performed, amputate the injured leg, take it to Iowa State Vet Med...anything but euthanize little Rudy.

In the last couple years we’ve upped our game with starting seeds. We started with a shelf and a shop light. We then got legit grow lights and eventually heat mats.

The Boy Scout motto is Be Prepared. I was a Boy Scout back in the day, not a very good one mind you, but the motto and Scout Oath have stuck with me. 

Holidays can be a wonderful time to get together and share a big meal. BUT they  can also be stressful, expensive, and wasteful. Here are a few tips to address these  and help you have an amazing holiday! 

2 Truths and a Lie

Which one of these things did not happen during the first week of 2022?

A. The furnace went out when the temps were below freezing

B. The pigs chewed through a wire that made their waterers freeze

C. One of our rooster's combs got frostbite

Winter weather can be nasty and you should have an emergency kit in your car. Here are 10 things you can do RIGHT NOW to start your preparedness.