Settling in at the Farm

At 11 a.m. I hopped on my bike after my last college class ever on Tuesday and rode home to pack for the big move. Boxes piled in my living room as the space I had filled with my belongings emptied out. At 4 p.m. my Mom and I went to the Dakin Animal Shelter to pick up a cat to keep me company in my cabin. By 6:30 p.m. we were loading up the cars as Oliver shoved plants off the tables, which shattered on the floor. More mess to clean up. “Let the fun begin,” I thought. College is over and I am starting a new adventure, let’s celebrate!

Oliver playing, as usual

napping in the sun

My going away/ Mother’s Day/ end of college Party was more than I could have asked for. It was such a pleasure to have the people I love dearly all in one house together for the first time. I do a lot of visiting different people separately, so it was very special having them together all at once! I love my community and I appreciate all of the people who support me in different ways. 

Let me be blunt: I am in heaven. The cabin is cozy, quiet, spacious, and full of cat toys. Oliver has killed two mice so far and I have almost taken care of the ant infestation. The wood stove is keeping it nice and toasty in here – We even had a frost one night! Good thing the garden only has greens, garlic, chives, and spinach. Asparagus galore! I just put some in the freezer I picked this morning since it’s going to get cold tonight. Salad and asparagus every day, doesn’t get much better than this. 

Abundant Asparagus

This transition has been really good so far. Even though there are still boxes everywhere and I couldn’t find a clean pair of socks for a few days, that’s OK. I am learning to accept that things don’t always have to be perfect. Accepting my messes instead of obsessively cleaning, allowing myself to rest instead of organize things, and napping in my hammock instead of unpacking is just fine. I am being very good to myself and taking the time to notice that I am a hard worker and I deserve breaks. Susan (my boss) has been playing a major role in this change of thinking. She appreciates my work and is very relaxed around me. Although she works like 15 hours a day and is extremely dedicated to the goats, she is calm, down to Earth, and tells me how good I am. Susan inspires me. She is an incredible teacher. I am so lucky to be here working for Rawson Brook Farm. 

Another fabulous teacher is Glynnis, who has trained me to hang and pack the cheese. There are so many steps involved in each process, I thought I’d never remember them all. But, with a patient teacher who gives detailed explanations for every task, I am catching on quickly. 

The Garden Waits to be Planted

“First Time” experiences are a theme this week. I watched Darby freshen two kids yesterday. Her boy is all black and her girl is black with a little white on her head. These were her first kids ever and she did very well. The kids will stay with their mom until they are sold since we already have ten ‘keepers’ for the year. They are the kids we keep to replenish the herd every year. At about 8 weeks old, they have grown to be mischievous teenagers strong enough to knock over their feeding container. 

Darby with her newborns

licking them dry

   

welcome to this world!

My life has drastically changed in the past week. Working outside with animals and plants is what I love to do. This kind of lifestyle is for me. It is a different pace from being a student. I feel productive, valued, appreciated, and  grounded while farming.

Personal sustainability is a key aspect of the sustainability revolution.