Why Blog?

I have always admired those who take time to offer thoughts and advice through blogging. And I have learned so much through their words and have often been encouraged. With three girls, working on the family dairy farm, a passion for youth ministry, I find it difficult to find something just for me. I have had a journal for all of my adult life, and find writing very therapeutic, so why not. I don't know if my words will have an impact on anyone, or teach anyone anything. But I will be satisfied knowing that I am taking some time out for me. This is my great escape.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Farmer Girl...

It really is hard to believe that I have been working on the farm for four months now. Everyday when I think that I have some things down pat, Frank or Joel throw something else at me to learn!! My summer duties are different then the winter ones. But I will start with what I did at first (because that is what I actually have pictures for)

On a typical "winter" week, I would work 4ish hours a day 4 days a week (Tues. - Fri.) Wednesday's was the day we always gave the cattle new bedding, which I was so very slow at, but I improved pretty quick (Which I am sure brought great relief to J! Ha!)






 The girls absolutely love the barn! Especially the calves. They like to go right in the pens with them and everything! And as you can see, the calves like them just as much!



Savannah will often go right in the calf suites....or shut Isabella in there. Now Isabella knows how to open the gates all by herself. And we have found her in there visiting!


Tali is our cow dog. She is an English shepherd and is doing much better with the cows. I train her any chance I get!


This is the young cattle barn. They are enjoying silage. In the summer they all get moved up to the home barn. I love it when they get moved up here. It's nice to look out the window and see cows!



I am glad that spring is over...and the barnyard doesn't look like this anymore. It means for a little cleaner fun for the girls :) Not that they mind the muck!



You know, they even trust me to drive the tractors around the farm. These next pics are of me getting silage for the cows. It is quite a procedure. Now that silage season is here, I am driving and handling silage much more so by winter I am sure handling theese bales will be easy breezy then....thank goodness!





I can honestly say, for probably one of the first times in my life that I love my job. I love the diversity of it, and the challenge and being able to learn all the time. I love being able to help out my family in a bigger way by working on the farm. I love my kids being outside a lot more (I am even tanned...for those of you who know me, know that I am white....always) I love working alongside of my husband!! There are still lots of things that I don't even know how to do, and I am far from being an expert at the things that I have learned. But the things that I am doing now, I can see my progress and that I am getting better. Just think...one day, when a piece of machinery breaks, I may know how to fix it!!!

Hopefully I will have some pictures soon of "summer" farming. These winter ones don't even show half the stuff that gets done, but they show you a glimpse of life on our farm. Farming in the summer is very busy though, as I am sure some of you have noticed by how often I am posting! My 4ish hours a day increase quite a lot some days :)

3 comments:

  1. You are doing a great job Amy - enjoyed reading your post - can't wait for the summer pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  2. You are one hard working mother and wife! And it's not the cleanest job either. I'm glad you are enjoying your work and learning too. I like seeing your cows out to pasture in the summer :-) I may take some pics of them one of these days. Take Care.

    ReplyDelete
  3. My Farmer Girl, I am so impressed with what your doing.....my City Girl is now a Farmer and even dealing with spiders!! Great Job...Love you

    ReplyDelete