In December and January of every year, I find myself taking inventory of the goals accomplished, unmet goals, educational gains, emotional and mental costs, and beautiful relationships cultivated from the previous year.
In 2022 I had opportunities to experience exciting opportunities and answers to prayers and the heaviness of grief. The learning in these experiences is to process each emotion and release it—especially the grief. I ponder these experiences and how I respond to them. May they, as a whole, become a guide for my children. A guide of sorts that will help each one be successful in hardships and struggles. To succeed in cherishing the joyful times and know both are a part of living on this Earth and that neither was a good behavior point nor a punishment from the Father. No, not at all, but just an experience of a soul on Earth. These experiences liken us to the clay on the Potter’s Wheel. What a beautiful masterpiece you and I are becoming!
Bull’s Eye, Goals Met
I am delighted to say my farm continued to maintain and grow.
The grass feed and finished beef made many families happy this year, including mine. One family said, “our little one would not eat stew meat. We gave him your stew meat, and not one bite was left on his plate.” I see those results in my home as well. Not one bite remains. These are moments I cherish.
Our second year in raising Pastured pigs. When we processed last year’s pork, to my surprise, we found ourselves looking at the pig area and longing for more pigs. My five guilts have kept the children and me busy. They are brilliant animals and creatures who appreciate predictability. They now are roaming the whole pasture out of their typical boundaries. I’ve been impressed with them coming to my front porch if we are late with the scheduled feed times. My husband purchased a Hereford boar and a bred sow early in the year. Before he made this transaction, my mind was set that I would not be participating in farrowing pigs. I can say I have what I have and do what I do because I am passionate about it. I do not want to be in that area of farrowing pigs. The sow, which the kids named Big Momma, ended up not being bred. The Hereford Boar became a handsome boar named Lee Roy. In the fall, both went to a new home where someone needed something to do. Later, I heard that they both became pork chops.
The pastured chicken flock continues to grow. Nothing is better than pastured eggs and delicious broth made from a healthy chicken. We tried out a chicken tractor. We need to make some adjustments in that area to make it easier. As the seasons changed, the chicken tractor went from applying fertilizer to the pasture to becoming the rooster pen. We will be harvesting another set of roosters soon. Our oldest at home continues to work with the chickens. Another fun adventure, She is incubating eggs and hatching chicks now.
Honey bees make a space better.
In April, I welcomed the first lambs born on the farm. It was a joy to experience twinning with my oldest Ewe, Lovie. With lambing came an opportunity for me to band my first rams. My oldest sons, still at home, did an excellent job assisting me with the procedure. My flock is tiny: five Ewes, Lovie, Lavender, Lucy, Lily, Easter, three Wethers, and a Ram named Matt. I enjoy the interaction with sheep. Let me clarify, I enjoy the ewes, although Matt has been a gentleman, except for the one time I was bent over tending the roosters in the chicken tractor. I now enjoy my time with him when we have a fence between us.
My precious and very loved Mini jersey, Tulsi, became a mom on Dec 2nd to a beautiful bull named Candy Cane. We are in the process of halter training him. Tulsi has done a great job adjusting to the milk machine. She had been giving the perfect amount of fresh milk while calf sharing.
My full-size jersey Lucky calved last week. Her calf is an Angus jersey mix. Shortly after his birth, while in the barn, I laughed hard as I listened to the children’s discussion on why he should be named Sizzle, as in sizzling steak. With three jersey cows, two jersey bulls, and soon two jersey steers, We look forward to heifers being born. Hopefully, Clover’s calf will be a heifer. Even though I have a mini jersey bull, I can see the benefit of purchasing sexed AI straws. We will see if that happens in the spring.
We added 200 Everbearing Strawberry plants to the garden. We enjoyed our first plentiful harvest of blueberries. Tomatoes abound, and watermelons did not. The dry weather in June canceled my plans for pumpkins in the fall. Valerian and Mullein grew happily in the strange weather. Purple Hull peas were overcome with aphids, and I gave up! No shame in buying them from Farmer Sam down the road. A lovely harvest of St. John’s, Rosemary, Red Clovers, Nettles, Echinacea, Mugwort, Elderberry, Roselle, Elecampane, Ginger, Golden Rod, Yarrow, Boneset, Mountain Mint, Peppermint, Spearmint, Culinary Herbs, Camomile, Catnip, Lambs Quarters, Bee Balm, Plantain, Tulsi, Comfrey and Lemon Balm from the garden.
As fall came, my attention was required to focus on family afar. Grief came with my dear uncle’s passing. Do not underestimate the kindness you show a child. That child will grow up as I did and never forget the kindness given. Thank you, Uncle Johnny Weekley.
Grief filled us all when our Border Collie, Jack, was stolen from our home. Maybe in the spring, I will be ready for the children and me to begin a new relationship with another Border Collie.
Reflecting on Our Personal Growth
We had an 8th grader win Gold in the State Science Fair in Chemistry and the Broadcom Masters Award. This allowed us to visit Laurel, MS. We love “Hometown” and visited the cute Laurel Mercantile. As you know, leaving the farm takes careful planning. Animals do not stop being hungry or thirsty or stay in fences while the caretakers are away.
We all join Classical Conversations Community again. Suppose you are looking into educational options for your children; research Classical Conversations. All my children enjoy community day and the educational opportunities the Classical Method affords them.
In our spare time, we started King Beaver Logging in July. My husband enjoys the timber industry. Forming a business with him opened the door for me to learn QuickBooks, employer and employee taxes, and Worker’s comp reports. Yay me! Yes, I am being sarcastic, but all experiences give me opportunities to gain knowledge, and for that, I am very grateful to do this with my husband.
I checked off my goal to obtain my ServSafe certification in Food Protection Manager. Adding this certification to my two years of studying the Current Goods Manufacturing Practices was essential in owning a commercial kitchen. The Commerical Kitchen on the farm was an unmet goal in 2022. So I am moving it to the 2023 list. Keep moving forward! My goal is for everyone to have a cup of my herbal tea.
I hesitantly became a Starkville Community Market Board member this past Spring. Hesitantly, Not knowing if being a market board member would be my happy place and finding time to do this. I am thankful that Main street approved my application. It has been a wonderful experience to serve on the SCM board. In the summer, I fulfilled the position of Starkville Community Ag Manager. The opportunity to serve in this position has been a delight! I have enjoyed meeting and working with the local farmers, producers, and growers! Looking forward to the Market this year!
Goals to Come
Improve infrastructure on the farm. Making systems flow better gives us time back.
Continue to feed ourselves well with nutrient-rich foods. At the same time, sharing these fantastic gifts with our neighbors like you.
Establishing food independence for my children.
Finish my Clinical Herbalist Certification, start my internship with my mentor, to start helping clients.
Meet the requirements of the American Herbalist Guild to register Herbal Practitioner.
Walking in my path with peace no matter how hard it may be.
Serving my family and community as much as possible because it brings me so much happiness.
How important is it to focus on the main priority?
When I look at the photos from this past year, we have accomplished so much as a team and a family. Even more importantly, our love for each other abounds.
I will leave you with these encouraging words:
Therefore, my friends, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you must stand firm in the Lord, with peace.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will repeat it: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be apparent to all.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, dear friends, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
May the God of peace be with you.
