the new farm apprentice

that's me! the new farm apprentice. the second week has gone well. we have new piglets! they were born last Sunday. we actually got to see it happening too. it was amazing and weird at the same time. we've begun planting in the fields this past week. we've only done a little since we really need rain. it's a little scary that we need rain badly already when this is supposed to be the rainier part of the year. we've started using our sprinklers which is a lot of extra work. i've kept on working with the horses. i even took one out on the road hitched to a two wheel cart! it was definitely an adventure. we spent some time on the road and some time in the ditch. but over all it was a good experience.
i've tried doing laundry today with an old fashioned wringer washer. i hated it. the wringer didn't do much for wringing out my clothes and the wash tub kept leaking so i had to add water periodically during the soaking and agitating. i don't know how people managed with these stupid things. so now i'm in town to finish laundry.
osceola is a big biker town on the weekends. yesterday and today there is the constant rumbles of harleys and all other kinds of motorcycles. i did see one moped and i had to give the guy respect for riding out there with all the bikes. i think he's a local and was just out doing his daily errands. but with all these other bikes he looked like a little kid trying to play with the big boys and girls.
i'm adding some pictures and i hope this works so you all can get a little picture of my new surroundings. i'm enjoying all the new experiences and everything that i'm learning. it's fascinating. i hope i'm this excited in july when it's hot and we're harvesting every day!

My First Farm Report!

My first week at the farm. Sometimes I find it hard to believe that I'm here. But then I hear the chickens, horses, oxen, pigs, cats, and dog all reminding me that this is, in fact real. Yes, you did read that right. All those animals are on this farm. Sometimes I break out laughing when I listen to them. I can't believe this is my life now.
This week I've spent working in the greenhouse, clearing fields of rocks and last year's crop remnants, learning to drive the horses, and moving into my new room, half of an old chicken coop. That's right a chicken coop. The chickens haven't lived there for a very long time though. It's referred to as the people coop since that's where the interns have been living there for the past 7 years at least. But yes, I have now joined the precious few who have lived in chicken coops. :)
Common Harvest is the name of the farm where I'm living and working. The family here is great. They have definitely welcomed me into their home and lives. I'm starting to get to know the people in the area as well. There are actually 4 organic farms, including us, along this road! Quite unique, I'm sure.
So, now it's the weekend and I'm getting settled and getting to know the area. Everything is still pretty brown. The grass is green, but there are no leaves on the trees yet. It's warming up though and hopefully we'll get some rain soon. That's all from a small farming town in wisconsin! :)

easter thief

in preparation of the family easter egg hunt i set out the eggs in the morning. evidently the squirrels saw this as a welcome change from their diet of nuts.