July 2013

Wow!  Where did Summer go?  Two weeks and I'll be reporting for school.

It's been a good two months - a full two months, but good. Lots to share.  I'd try to go chronologically (which my linear mild would prefer) but I won't promise anything. 

We had piglets in June - ok, literalists,we didn't have them but our momma sows did.  Everything went just like it was suppose to and they're growing nicely.  Kurt weaned them a few weeks ago when they started showing up at the dog dish looking for food.  I've had so many requests for  bacon over the last few months and I have to remind customers we lost all of it on the highway in February.  We are well stocked with hams, pork chops, sweet links, hot links and beer brats, zesty breakfast links, ground pork, spicy Italian sausage, zesty breakfast sausage and sweet Italian sausage.  We have four feeder pigs that will go to the processor in mid-September.  Let know ASAP if you want your name on a half or whole.  Our next round of hogs will be ready around December and we are taking reservations on those, too.

In September, Kurt will be also taking beeves to the processor.  We're taking reservations for those as well OR we have several precut quarters in storage at Krehbiels.  They have a variety of standard cuts, are around 100# of beef and are running around $575 (spring beeves are usually bigger than fall beeves).

Weather is always on our mind.  We're not out of the woods yet.  It's still dry and the elms are starting to lose their leaves again.  When it gets too dry, they begin to go dormant and shed leaves like in the fall.  However, Kurt and I were sitting on the porch a few nights ago during a summer thunderstorm.  Kurt was able to make the following observation (those of you who know him well will understand how huge this is).  "You know, it's getting better.  We're still hurting but it's better.  2011 was bad, real bad.  But you know, we had some spring rains last year that helped.  There were a lot of hot, dry, windy days but it was better.  This year, we're not getting a lot of rain and it's usually coming as tenths or quarters (inches) but we're getting rain when they forecast it.  And the summer has been cooler.  There's been hot, windy days but we've had some nice breaks too.  (80 degrees in late July is almost unheard of in Kansas unless you're checking the thermometer at 8 a.m.).  There are parts of our yard (we use that term loosely) that have been green all summer.  We just might make it through this." 

Update:  Four days later, we had the most amazing rain.  2.25 inches were in the gauge when we got up this morning.  Kurt had to check 2-3 buckets to make sure that amount was right!

We had perfect weather last week for the county fair.  Most of the week, the highs were in the 80's and by the end of the week we were still in the low 90's.  The livestock, the parents and the kids were much happier!  Allison and Natalie both had great fair weeks.  We learned a lot and they came home with almost all blues ribbons (compare to an "A" on a report card) and several pinks and purples (which means they won their level or the whole project).  I asked the girls what accomplishment they were most proud of this week.  Natalie's response - my snickerdoodles!  They won level I in foods and she got to auction them off on the last evening.  I think Allison was pretty pleased with her sewing and the cinnamon rolls she got to auction (I haven't been able to ask - we keep heading in different directions!).   Anna also got to show at the fair even though she's not in 4-H.  On Saturday morning, there is a pet show for kids too young for 4-H; mostly siblings of 4-Her's.  Anna took Plum-Plum, the kitten.  She won a ribbon and a dollar (and so did every other participant).

Several of you may think, "Why on earth do you live in the middle of nowhere?  Why do 4-H?"  Let me share a goosebump moment from the fair.  First, though, a little back story.  About a month ago, our community lost a young expectant mother with a husband and two preschoolers.  Heartbreaking.  This young woman was very active in 4-H as a young person.  A neighbor of ours donated 5 small bales to be auctioned off Saturday night to benefit the family of this woman.  Bidding began and quickly climbed.  They were sold for several hundred dollars.  The winner of the bid quickly replied "sell them again."  And they did.  Not once or twice but 8 or 9 times and in 20 minutes, over $5000 was raised for this young family.  This sentiment is not unique.  Time and again this community has responded to needs in overwhelming ways.  We may miss the boat in many ways (what community doesn't?) but we do know what to do in crisis.  Just after the bales were sold for the final time, it began to rain in Coldwater. . . .

On to lighter things. . . .the Comanche County Farmers Market has been a growing success and we've been thrilled to be a part of it.  We started with 2 vendors and this past Saturday, we had FIVE vendors and one with vegetables!!

Unfortunately, the vegetables are NOT from our garden.  Dry weather, grasshoppers, and now blister bugs are giving Kurt grief.

Kurt's had some excitement in the hen house.  One afternoon, he went out to gather eggs and was greeted by THREE bull snakes!  Usually, bull snakes are our friends - they help keep rodents and rattlesnakes at bay.  When they show up and start eating eggs though, they quickly become animalia non grata .  Even though Kurt hates snakes, I'm glad he found them and not the girls!

Mark your calendars:

 

Customer Appreciation Dinner

Saturday, September 28th

5:00 on the farm

*Tours

*Live Music

*We'll provide the meat, drinks and dessert. 

Please bring a side dish to share.

*Fresh chicken will be available

Chickens are going much better after that first disaster.  This last bunch only had a 7% loss which is our best ever between predators and heat.  And the birds were a nice size and uniform.  We have about 30 left in the freezer right now.  We'll do some Freedom Rangers in a few weeks (right around the first week of school, I believe.  Someone doesn't know how to plan!).  Then, in September, we'll have two more rounds of 200.  Our plan is to make a delivery run to the Kansas City/Olathe area around September 13 and then process again around the party.  As always, let me know if you'd like to be on the "chicken list."

Turkeys arrived a few days ago!  They're so small compared to what they'll look like in November.  Can't wait for them to get fat on grasshoppers!

Upcoming travel dates:

August 1st - Greensburg, Pratt
August 9th - Dodge City (and every 2 weeks)
September 13th - Kansas City/Olathe, Wichita, Pratt, Greensburg

If you live in SW Kansas, check out the summer edition of The Legend Magazine.  We're famous!  Or at least our pigs are.  We are the cover article in this quarter's edition.  Is it obnoxious to collect a dozen copies?  When the digital copy is posted, I'll post the link on our facebook page.

Family updates: 

The first one is that went on "vacation."  I use that term loosely.  Because of time, finances, finding help, etc. we can really only be gone once in the summer.  We'd talked about camping at Kanopolis this year.  Nothing to do but hang out and worry about cooking our next meal over the grill or campfire.  Then. . . .Allison tried out and MADE a 12 and under All-Star softball team.  Their tournament was 4 hours away and lasted 3 days - hello family together time.  The ball players were awesome and qualified for the regional tournament.  I about melted in the SE Kansas humidity.  We enjoyed the time at the ball field and even found a time to break out of the grill and hang out a bit BUT Anna declared on the way home "THAT was NOT a vacation.:  She was right.  We got home on Sunday and fair week started on Monday.  No rest for the weary!

Anna is still hoping for a real vacation and is gearing up for kindergarten.  Another biggee - my baby lost her first tooth!

Natalie has been fairin' it up and is becoming more and more independent in the kitchen.  With a little help reading a recipe, she can make those award winning snickerdoodles ALL. BY. HERSELF.  This summer I've been working with the girls hoping that once school starts, they'll be able to help with meal prep more often.

Allison has been busy with the fair, softball and hanging out at my mom's.  This past weekend, she got to visit Mom in Attica (she's moved) and helped with a garage sale.  It turned out to be a profitable weekend for her.

Hoping you get just the rain you need this week,

Andi



June 5, 2013

I'm pretty sure I've told you before that I don't think I could ever live in the city again.  That said, this week on the farm has had its highs and lows.  Last Friday, we processed our first round of chickens (they are delicious, by the way).  Of the 200 we started the season with, we put 40 of them in the cooler.  Pretty disheartening.  This breed of bird is just so fragile that it doesn't handle the temperature swings in April well at all.  Instead of dying quickly, we lost 4-5 a day - stress messes with animals; people, too.

Of the surviving birds, there were several my mother-in-law deemed "not even good enough for the stock pot."  We were able to supply a few local customers and stock our freezer for the next couple months.  A huge thank you to those that were willing to wait on your chickens.  Chick-a-paloozza 2013 has been rescheduled for Monday, June 24th.  Those that had chickens reserved, I'll be contacting you about times, etc.  If you'd like to reserve chickens or be added to the delivery run, let me know.  I'll be going through Hutchinson, Greensburg, Pratt, and Wichita.

We've also had terrible predation in the pullet house.  Kurt's ready to seriously research livestock guardian dogs.  If you have any connections, please let us know.

On the upside, we do have 200 chickens on pasture that are thriving - Kurt's redesigned the pens and they are free-ranging more.  We also have 200 chicks in the brooder - 100 Cornish Crosses and 100 Freedom Rangers.  We'll see if the Rangers are a little sturdier. 

Had a little excitement at the brooder the other night.  It's never good when Kurt's doing evening chores and calls me.  "Andi, you and Alison need to get your boots on and meet me at the brooder."  Click.  We get out there and there were about 20 chicks running around on the ground around and under the brooder - and a cat nearby. . . . It was time for a chicken rodeo!  Ever see the episode of iCarly where they lose 6 chicks and search the apartment frantically - yeah, we were nothing like that.  We were so much more efficient and no one got stuck!!

I think I told you there were ups and downs.  The up has been rain - almost 2 inches in the last 2 weeks or so.  Oh my!  The roads are soft (and tricky to drive on), there's mud every where and it is glorious!  We don't have precise records but we're pushing 7 inches of moisture for the year so far which is what we had all of last year and in 2011.  I can't remember the last time we started June off wet.  It's also been wonderfully cool.  It's June 5th and the high today was 65.  Not been great tomato weather but our lettuces have been loving it.  I'm now hooked on fresh salad greens.  I usually buy the organic stuff in the store.  No more - I've been spoiled and may never eat iceberg lettuce again!  That green house has to be operational by fall so I can have my salad in the winter (now I sound like Rapunzel's mother). 

Baby pigs are just about ready to wean.  They are funny looking little guys with those mini wattles and are the grunting-ist little buggers.  They're nests are near the road and neighbors have said they've wandered under the fence more than once.  Maybe we need to post a livestock crossing sign?

Almost all the cows and heifers have calved this year. Those calves are ornery!  They don't herd well, like to run and often end up where they're not supposed to be  - like in my backyard.  Not a lot different than high school boys!

Our butcher beeves went to Krehbiels yesterday.  We still have some quarters (or halves or wholes) left.  Call or email me and we'll get your name on one.  These are nice looking beeves.  They've gotten fat on this good spring grass.  You will be very pleased with the steaks off of these - actually, you'll be pleased with all of it.  Since the animals are a little bigger, the total price will be closer to $550.

Turkeys are ordered and will be here mid-July.  Reserve yours for the holidays now.  I hate to turn people away the week before Thanksgiving.

We've had several visitors out to the farm this last month and expect several more during the next 3-4 weeks.  you're also welcome to come out and see what we do.  Just give us a holler.  Want another reason to come to the farm?  Our customer appreciation dinner is September 28.  We'll have food, tours, fellowship, live music, green grass??  Plan to be there!  If the rain keeps up, you'll get to see the countryside I fell in love with.

Grilling season has officially started and we have lots of options perfect for the grill:

*Chicken - we like to do ours on a beer can or pop can.  Easy and super moist.

*All kinds of links - beef brats, beer brats, hot dogs, sweet links, hot link.  Perfect on the grill or roasting over the fire.

*Burgers - beef or pork.  Our favorite is a handmade patty but we also stock a pre-made beef patty for super quick meals.

*Pork - chops, ribs, tenderloin, pork loin.  My mouth is watering just thinking about the possibilities. 

*K-bobs - that's what we had last night.  Divine!

*And , the ultimate grilling experience - a grassfed steak.  We don't have a bad steak but my favorite, hands down, is our fillet.  We don't go out much (kids, distance, hard to find good food) but our date nights at home almost always have a steak as the centerpiece.  Kurt has ruined me - I can't order a steak in a restaurant and enjoy it any more.

Upcoming delivery dates:

     *June 13 - Dodge City
     *June 18 - Dodge City
     *June 24 - Greensburg, Pratt, Hutchinson, Wichita  (Chick-a-palooza)

I'll send reminders as we get closer.

T-ball and softball season is in full swing although between the weather and camps, Allison has yet to play in a game.  It's been really pleasant to set out and watch games in the evenings.  I know the 100 degree weather is coming but I've enjoyed the 70's and 80's.

Even with lots of games and practices, it's been good to have the girls home and be on a little more relaxed schedule.  I've taken a little harder stance this summer and limited the girls to 2 hours of screen time per day - TV, computer, kindle.  There was a little grumbling at first - possibly a little withdrawl?  But then, a few days in, I overheard one of them say "I kind of like only having 2 hours.  it makes me do something else."  SCORE!  Before I get too smug, I am very aware that there is still a lot of summer left.  I've also been trying to do a better job of training the girls to help around the house.  They're old enough to help (and have been for awhile) and I'm going to need their help when school starts up again.  Once Natalie connected working with getting paid, I don't know how many times she asked "What else can I do?"  "Can I do an extra job?"

Family updates:

Miss Anna has had a big month.  She's no longer a preschooler and went to kindergarten round up.  She's mostly excited - a little apprehensive but excited.  She also had a gymnastics recital.  Because she's the littlest in her class and they lined up by height, she was the first in line when it was time to tumble.  She walked to the edge of the mat and did just what she was supposed to do.  Anna is play t-ball and "wants to win every game."  Hmmm. . . .wonder where she learned to be so competitive.  Kind of a tricky goal though since score is not officially kept in t-ball.

Natalie was pretty bummed at the beginning of the summer.  There weren't enough kids in town to play designated pitch this summer.  She's been looking forward to it since last summer.  She's handling the disappointment pretty well and is the unofficial manager for Anna's team.  Natalie is getting ready to go away to camp for the first time.  Pretty sure her Momma is more nervous than she is.

Allison is away at church camp this week and I've missed her help.  I don't realize how much I count on her to help with her sisters.  She'll be home Friday and then off to b-ball camp on Sunday for a few days.  When she gets home, it will be time to start getting serious about some 4-H projects.

Kurt is working a few hours a day off the farm and it has kept him hustling with chores here.  He'll get to help with harvest this summer and I think he's looking forward to it - he gets to help (there's just something about helping bring in the wheat) but doesn't have nay of the risk or responsibility.  In his few minutes of down time in the evening, Kurt's been rewatching episodes of "24" on his kindle.  Allison got the giggles when she first saw Kurt on his kindle - "it's just so 21st century for Dad."  Not that Kurt is a Luddite by any means but he's usually not an early adopter either.  (For the record, I do know that owning a kindle in 2013 does NOT in any way qualify us as early adopters!)

And me?  What am I up to?  Pretty much the same.  Planning and organizing the family and farm.  Oh and desperately trying to put the house (read, the basement) in order before I go back to work in August.  And not just dig out for a few weeks but actually develop discipline to keep it in order.  I stopped by the school yesterday and peeked in my room.  If I'm really honest, I'm more than a little excited to get to work in there.

May the rain be plentiful and your pastures be green!

Andi

May mini edition

Good afternoon!

Hope all is well in your world.  After temperatures dipping below freezing last week, it's now 90 in Southwest Kansas!

I have lots to share with you in our June newsletter but just a few things that couldn't wait another 2 weeks.

*Ground beef special is still going on until the end of the month or while supplies last.  Buy 50 pounds of ground beef and get 5 pounds free. 

*I just spoke with the Kansas Department of Agriculture and we have been approved for the poultry exemption we were seeking.  What this means for our customers is that we can deliver chicken anywhere in the state AND sell to businesses and restaurants!  WAHOO!!!  We will be doing our first batch of broilers at the end of the month and then we are going to celebrate with a Chick-a-palooza, i.e. we'll be loading up as many chickens as we can and headed east to deliver.  Let me know if you'd like to be on our route and how many chickens you'd like.  We'll also be processing in late June and again in the fall.

*We're quickly approaching our next processing date for beeves (June 6) and still have several quarters, halves and wholes left  Please let me know ASAP if you would to reserve some bulk beef.  Price is based on the liveweight of the animal but a good rule of thumb is a quarter will run you around $500 for about 90# meat.  Questions, let me know.

Counting down the days until school's out,

 

Andi

May 2013

Yep, just like I thought.  Kurt was all talk last month when he said he'd start penning the Cattle Rattle.  We're in the car on our way to a track meet and I even offered to take dictation but he decided he was too busy this month.  Guess you're stuck with me.  That's ok - I'd rather do this than hot (or cold, depending on the day), messy farm chores.

Where to start?  Where to start?  Spring is a hoppin' time on the farm.  Not that we sit on our haunches (what are haunches, anyway?) all winter but the growing season has begun and we've got new life all over the place - although most of it is just as confused as I am by the wild swings in the weather!

There are all kind of babies roaming around right now.  Our heifers and cows started calving a few weeks ago.  We've had two shipments of chicks (200 meat birds and 125 layers).  There was a litter of kittens but we think they've disappeared and that one of the cold snaps was just too much for them.  And . . . (drum roll, please). . . . 1 baby goat!  There's a sad side to this story but we're going to focus on the good things today.  Allison's remaining doe had twins on April 24th - do you know how adorable baby goats are?!  (Update - he's following his momma everywhere)  His name is Survivor, if that tells you anything.  Oh, and 5 other new additions - Red Wattle Hogs - 2 bred gilts (girls that haven't had piglets), 2 open gilts and a boar, Mr. Boar.  Check out this link to learn more about the breed and see how funny they look.  They are supposed to be aggressive grazers - so far they have been!  The two bred gilts are due sometime next month (both of their pregnancies were oops which is how we came to own them) - more babies!!

Broilers are out on pasture now.  Kurt has worked hard to keep them comfortable in the brooder and on pasture - not an easy job when the temperatures have varied by 70 degrees!  Kurt has also modified our chicken pens this year and we hope to let these guys free range just a bit during the day.  This all happened by accident.  Last year, we had a broiler chick get mixed in with the layers.  He was pretty vigorous too and would wander several yards from the hen house and scratch for bugs.  Last year, we used a different hatchery and believe these Cornish Crosses are a little hardier than we've had in the past.  Other improvements in Poultry-land, include the addition of the "water wagon."  Right now, adding water lines wherever we have poultry is cost prohibitive but hauling 5 gallon buckets of water 4 times/day gets tiresome.  True to form, Kurt set out to find a better plan.  He traded out for an axle/trailer thingy from a neighbor, bought a 55-gallon drum and got busy building the water wagon that can be pulled behind the 4-wheeler and used by his wife and daughters.

This first batch of chickens will be ready May 30 and 31.  Holler if you'd like to reserve some.  I've read and researched and we ARE eligible for a state/federal exemption and MAY deliver chickens.  To celebrate, we're going on a chicken tour!  We'll load the suburban down and head east - delivering them as we go.  If you'd like to be a stop on our tour, email me how many you'd like and we'll put you on the list.

Also, Kurt will be hauling beeves to Krehbiels the first week of June.  Please reserve yours soon so we can plan better.  it will vary some by weight but quarters average around $500. 

Now that the forensics season is coming to an end, I'll be gearing up soap production.  Several of you have been patient while I've been trying to find time to restock. (oooh and I figured out how to shrink wrap my soaps that will make them look a little more professional)

Kurt and Anna both seem to be fully recovered from their accident  Kurt still gets a little stuff but his neck is much better.

We'll be in Dodge on May 7th; Greensburg and Pratt on the 9th; and through Greensburg, Pratt and Wichita on the 10th  If you'd like to place an order, email me.

Family updates:

Kurt - With more daylight, he's working longer days and is often up before 5 to do his thinking and planning for the day.  He's also been a rock star by attending all 3 of Allison's track meets - rain or shine, warm or cold.  Oh, and he's also started putting in the garden!

Allison - Miss A has been competing in track this spring - well kind of.  The weather has really thrown a wrench in the whole season.  Two meets have been cancelled and one has been postponed.  It's really hard to practice for a month without a meet!

Natalie - Nat is desperate for warmer weather and flip flops.  "When is it going to be spring for real?"  If I knew that Natalie, I'd be rich.  Counting down the days until school's out.

Anna - Only 2 more weeks of preschool - I can't hardly believe it.  She is turning in to such a big girl and wants to be a helper whenever she can - and even when she's too little. 

Maybe next month, I can tell you how "normal" the weather has been!

April 2013

Where did the winter go?  I was about to sit down and write an update in February and then life got interesting - more so than the day-to-day excitement I've grown used to on the farm.  On February 19th, Kurt and Anna hauled hogs to McPherson.  On the way home, they were in a car accident just west of Pratt.  Kurt was getting ready to turn left off of Highway 54 when they were t-boned by a semi going around 45 mph.  You can read about it here. Amazingly, Anna did not have a scratch on her.  She was asleep when they were hit and is doing very well 6 weeks later.  Kurt didn't fare quite as well but was remarkably fortunate.  The semi hit on his side of the pickup and all Kurt suffered were a few small cuts and bruises and a concussion.  I'm not quite sure how/why the ER physician released Kurt that evening but it was probably a good thing he did.  The next day, snow (lots of snow) moved in.  Kurt would not have handled being stranded in Pratt well at all.  Unfortunately, there were several small jobs Kurt had planned for that afternoon of the accident to prepare for the impending weather and none of them got done.  That said, we have AMAZING neighbors and customers.  During the next week, during two strong winter storms, we had people helped with cattle chores (often helping care for our cattle before they cared for their own), cut firewood, plow out our yard/drive, and the list goes on and on.  I'm sure most of you know it's much easier to be on the helper side of the equation than the helpee side. 

The snow was an inconvenience - especially since I had to be out in it several times a day.  Kurt had strict orders to rest and stay in dark places.  I was reminded yet again that I am a much better farmer's wife than I am a farmer.  I'm not sure how you can sweat in 20 degree weather with 15 inches of snow on the ground but I did!  Even though we spent several days snowed in during which included  a carbon monoxide scare (I told you they were an exciting few days!), the moisture from the snow was WONDERFUL!!  We could always use more rain but both snows were wet and took several days to melt and soak in.  

The snows and the accident slowed Kurt's early spring project down a little bit but the greenhouse is almost operational!  The frame is mostly finished and ready to be covered.  This is a good thing since the tomato plants are about to take over Helen's sewing room.  Our plan is to grow tomatoes, salad greens and other vegetables and have them available for sale also.  We'll keep you posted as produce becomes available.

Our first chicks should be arriving next Wednesday - it doesn't seem like it's that time of year yet!  We have increased the number of broilers that we are doing this year since we ran out of whole chickens in December.  Our scheduled dates for processing in 2013 are May 30 & 31, June 20 & 21, September 13, September 20 and October 4.  If you would like to know that you will get the number of chickens you want, we are asking that you reserve them as soon as possible.  We are fairly confident that we will be able to deliver chickens this year.  We need to reread the exemption policy one more time before the season begins to make sure that we are covered.

Also, even though this seems slightly ridiculous, it's not too soon to reserve your turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas.  We had to turn several people away last year.  Because we are a small producer, our supply is not seemingly unlimited like the grocery store.  Also, we don't have freezer space to store turkeys fore extended periods of time.

Kurt is working on finding feeder pigs (pigs that are about 50-60 pounds) to buy this spring so that we will have hogs available again in October.  We have several pork products back in stock - ham, pork chops, sausage, pork roasts.  However, one of the casualties of the accident was our bacon supply - scattered allll over the highway. 

We have a date set with the processor for early June for beeves.  If you would like to reserve a quarter, half or whole beef, please let me know.  We are charging $1.50/pound liveweight plus $25/quarter freight to the processor.  The customer pays the processing.    This works out to about $500/quarter for around 90 pounds of meat.  Ribeyes for $5.55/pound - you can't beat that!

Yesterday, Kurt and I had some time to think and plan while it was cold and rainy and we've got a question for you - what kind of interest is there for lamb out there?  We don't know much about lamb meat but are willing to learn.  We have several areas in the pasture that Kurt thinks would be better utilized by sheep or goats than cattle.  Let us know what you think or if you just want to shoot us an email and share anything you know about lamb, we'd appreciate it. 

Oh, and also coming out of that conversation was discussion about doing something here on the farm during the summer and fall - tours, demos, etc.  Opening our doors to local people so they can learn more about what we're doing here and also doing something for others to come out enjoy what the farm has to offer.  Any thoughts?  Suggestions?

Upcoming delivery runs:

*Dodge City - April 9
*Pratt, Greensburg - April 11
*Wichita - April 26 - tentative

Family updates:

Anna - I didn't say much at the beginning about Anna but she was sooooo big after the accident.  I had nurses tell me what a big girl Anna was when they put her on the back board and took her in the ambulance.  My baby, who rarely talks to strangers, struck up conversations with all kinds of people that afternoon.  The accident did not slow Anna down a bit.  In the week after the accident, when we were all snowed in, Anna learned how to play gin rummy with Grandma Billie.  We played lots of cards during that week.  Anna wanted to learn to play like the big girls.  We thought she was just drawing cards and putting them down until Mom won - she checked Anna's hand and she was one card from having gin rummy!  What a smart little girl.  (Side note for those of you that know my Mom lives 4 hours from the farm - she came between the two storms to help out and then got snowed in after the second storm.  Crisis are always easier to face with your momma around.)  Oh, and Anna finally has a joke that is funny!!  Finally!

Kurt has been reading (and commenting) over my shoulder -it's always good to have help, right?  Because he's been so "helpful,"  Kurt has just volunteered to start writing the Cattle Rattle - oh he thinks I'm joking but we'll see what May brings.  His response:  "Don't be surprised if they are shorter.  I'm not quite the wordsmith Andi is."

Natalie - This little girl is gymnasticating fool.  She tumbles at home, at recess, whenever she can.  She loves it and has gotten so much stronger this year.  She can almost go from a bridge to kick over - translation - she can start in a back bend and almost kick her legs over!  How?!  I have no earthly idea.  Do you ever look at your kids do something and think how do they know how to do that?  Do they amaze you?  Natalie does on a daily basis.

Allison - Basketball season has come to a close and I'm pretty sure she knows how long until it starts again.  I'm thankful that late practices are over for the year.  Even with b-ball over, she's not been short on things to do.  Track season has started - she's high jumping - another one of those "how does she know how to do that?"  Allison's also been on the quiz bowl team this year.  We got to watch her compete at a home meet - pretty proud of her holding her own with the big kids.

Kurt - He's still recovering some from the accident but is so much better than those first few days after the accident.  He keeps telling people that every day is better than the last.  Right now his energy is spent checking cattle (baby calves any day now!!) and working on the greenhouse. 

Me - The next few weeks will be full of forensics as the season comes to a close.  It's been a good season but I'm ready to have my afternoons at home again.  I almost forget in the craziness post-accident, I accepted a part-time teaching position at the high school next year.  I'll be teaching Algebra I and Tech Math.  I oscillate between being thrilled and being terrified.  Anna will start school in the fall and will be be done at the school by noon.  It could be a good fit. 

Here's hoping for some more May showers!

January 2013

Wow!  I did a little research and September 9th was the last time I sent out a newsletter.  I think a little writer's block coupled with a lot of life has derailed me a bit.  It's time to get back in the swing of things especially since 2013 has the potential to be a big year here on the farm.

Let me spend a moment to update you on the last few months and the I'll fill you in on what's coming up in 2013.

First of all, the customer appreciation dinner was perfect.  Ok, it wasn't "perfect," exactly.  There were minor mishaps and moments of chaos but I'm learning (finally!) how to roll with life a little better.  Mike Benish, our entertainment, was fabulous!  AND will be returning this year - September 28th, 2013 to be exact.  Next to the entertainment, the food and the fellowship, I think my favorite detail of the night was the mason jar lanterns my friends and mom put together and hung on our clothesline - they were pinterest worthy!

Right before our party, I attended a workshop put on by the Kansas Rural Center on marketing.  I even got to be on a panel during one of the Q/A sessions!  I'm certainly not an expert on anything farm related but it was pretty cool to sit there with two other producers who have been doing this a lot longer than we have.  I also had the opportunity to meet the head of the KDA Meat and Poultry division and learned lots more about poultry exemptions and how they might apply to our operation. 

In December, Kurt and I drove to Louisville, KY for the Acres conference.  I was totally overwhelmed by what we don't know.  I guess my admonitions to students in the past about being life long learners were as much for my benefit as theirs!  One practical skill I learned that I can even explain to you and have confidence you will understand me is. . . . I learned how to make sauerkraut!  I've even made my first batch and it passed Kurt's inspection.  I also bought a huge book on fermentation and have lots of experimenting to do!  If I can find bottle caps/capper, we're going to give root beer a try!

I can't believe I've waited this long to tell you we got RAIN!!  Almost an inch between the New year's Day snow and a rain we had a week later.  maybe that's why I didn't get a Cattle Rattle out - I was tired of telling you how dry it is/was.  It's still very dry but it's nice to see the car covered in mud.  I may not wash it and just drive it around as a reminder of our blessings.  If you compare 2013 to 2012, we've already had about 14% of last year's moisture (sorry, the number nerd took over my keyboard for a moment).

Some inventory updates:

*We are completely out of chickens and turkeys.  Chickens won't be available until late May 2013.  The best way to guarantee your supply of chickens is uninterrupted is to stock up during the summer.  We like to keep chickens on hand during the off months but we can only store so many of them - they don't stack very well in the chest freezer.  This winter, we will be thoroughly investigating the USDA exemptions for small producers and should be able to deliver chickens this year.  One quick question - are any of you interested in turkeys earlier in the season or are they completely a Thanksgiving/Christmas item?

*We are well stocked on all our beef products including jerky, sticks, and summer sausage.  We also have a few quarters left at Krehbiels if you're interested in freezer beef before May.

*Hogs - Kurt was supposed to haul our first load of hogs to the processor today.  However, the fuel pump on the pick-up went out before he left the county and we're doing some rescheduling.  When those hogs are ready, we'll be restocked with pork chops (sigh), pork roasts, hams, as well as more bacon and sausage.  Kurt will be hauling a second load of hogs to the processor on February 21st.  We do still have some halves and wholes if you'd like to reserve yours.

I was pleasantly overwhelmed by the demand for homemade soap this holiday season.  I'm gearing up production again and hoping there's still enough lard in the freezer to get me 'til February.  Kind of exciting news - the Co-op has a "general store" in Medicine Lodge and they're willing to carry my soaps and see what happens. 

Now, the super, super big news.  In the next week or so, Kurt will start construction on a portable hoop house for vegetable growing!!  Kurt and his mom are plotting and planning but by early/mid spring, we hope to be offering a small selection of vegetables as well.  YAY!

Travel plans for the next few weeks:

*January 19th - going through Greensburg and Pratt

*January 22nd - appointments in Dodge

*February 1st - possibly going to Greensburg, Pratt and Wichita if there's enough interest

Some family updates:

Kurt has been studying and sketching plans, trying to come up with optimal hoop house plans.  He's also trying to figure out what to grow and when!

I'm learning how to juggle - some days better than others.  January marks the beginning of the forensics season and this is my first year as head coach.  Needless to say, my head is swimming just a bit.  I'm also substitute teaching in the school system 1-2 days a week.  My only two stipulations - nothing below 5th grade AND no shop classes!!  So far, so good.

Allison is about to wrap up the middle school basketball season and then will have 5 weeks of peewee ball.  I've been so proud of her hard work this year.  I watch her play and can only think "who is this woman child?"  How does she know how to box out or roll on the floor to go after a loose ball and who got stepped on (there were tread marks!!) during a game and never cried!

Natalie continues to grow and blossom - I do believe there's a little artist in there.  She loves to draw, color, play with color palettes, create, etc.  Oh and she's quite prolific as well!

Anna is no longer little - she's 5 now.  She is my little puzzling engineer (with a great sense of humor).  For Christmas and her birthday, she received several puzzles.  Her current Fave - a map of the U.S.  She also like to put puzzles together - upside down!  Yes, with the picture on the floor and the cardboard facing up.  Who does that?!

Here's wishing you (and us) a wet, slushy winter!

Quickie Hog Edition - January 3rd

Good morning!  Hope 2013 is off to a good start!

 
I have to confess, this really isn't a "Cattle Rattle" - after almost 4 months, I think I've forgot how to write!  I do have a newsletter started and hope with some extended car trips, I can get back in the swing.
 
Anyway, I have a couple quick items to share:
 
1.  We are out of chicken for the season.  =(   Between losses to the badger and increased demand, our supply was a little low this year.  We'll make adjustments for next year.  One way to make sure you have chicken all year round is to stock up during the summer.  =)
 
2.  We have another freezer!!  AND it's practically new!!  This brings the count to 8 plus a fridge - although one doesn't quite count because it's a little bitty one.  One of our customers spotted it at a business' liquidation sale and snatched it up for us. 
 
3.  Please let me know ASAP if you are interested in a half or whole hog.  Kurt will be hauling the first trailer load to McPherson on January 16th and the next a few weeks later.  Whole hogs will be $380 plus about $120 for processing (paid to the processor) and halves will be $190 plus about $60 for processing.  We'll also be restocking bacon (how quickly our supply shrinks!), pork chops, hams, ham hocks. . . .all kinds of good stuff!

Blessings!