Ramping up...

Things have been slow around here since about mid January.  It's always interesting to see how things ebb and flow on this farm.  Prior to January, the cows were in milk.  That was the tale end of the busy season for these guys.  In the fall, the goats were in milk and changes were being made to the chicken's run and the garden.  Earlier in the fall, there was prep for a goat show, milking goats, milking cows twice a day, and the closing of the gardening season.  In the summer, it's full bore around here.  The garden is in full swing, milking cows and goats twice a day, cleaning milkers, making sure jars are ready and available for the next milking, the list goes on.

Everyone around here enjoys the slow season.  It gives the folks time to recharge, and the land time to rest - even if it is being drenched with rain.

There is much to do to prepare for the busy season, which has already began in earnest with plant starts.  Three pigs are being taken to the processor next week (and pork is for sale - send a request if you want a half or whole hog).  More pigs are due to arrive (via transport from other farms due to the loaning out of the boar for breeding purposes) and (hopefully) through the sow having a litter.  Goats are due to begin kidding in the next week or so, and there is work to be done to get stalls ready for the onslaught that will inevitably come from kidding goats.  Cows are due in late April, gardening will begin in the next few weeks - lots and lots coming up very fast.  But while the slow season is nice, the busy season is what keeps things on this farm operational.

So, while each year is different, it will be interesting to see what this year will bring.