Today

Joel had the kids come out today to help him with a small project.

 Here comes Dad!

Gloves on for safety. Joel needed all that pipe loaded onto the trailer. Get to work kids.

This pipe had been used for surface irrigation where there was no ditch or canal nearby.  These tubes were on top of the ground and had water flow through them to water fields.  Then they had to be moved by hand to water another area. Joel has put in a new irrigation system so these are no longer needed.

M is hammering off plastic pieces.  No injuries to report.

 

I took photos of the rest of us not working.  W is entertaining the cows with his stare.

 A pretty view.

 Always rocks to throw.

 Always.

There was a family of rock chucks living in one of the pipes. E mothered the babies and asked to take them home.  One reason to be glad we're living in an apartment- no pets allowed.  We had a long conversation about rabies and mother animals protecting their young.

 The last pipe was a two man job.

 All done and making faces.

 

If you've eaten today, thank a farmer.

The Roots

 Here are the roots of an alfalfa plant.  Can you believe that? I had no idea. 

 The roots can get much deeper than this little plant which means they can tolerate drought-like conditions.  Alfalfa reseeds itself and grows for a few years before we rotate the fields. 

If you've eaten today, thank a farmer.

Farm Field Days

Farm Field Days is a fun field trip opportunity for kids to visit and learn more about farms.  I helped out with our county and we taught the kids about wheat.  We had them make a living necklace.  A living necklace is a little baggie with seeds and a wet cotton ball.  Placed next to a window, to receive sunlight, it will sprout and then can then be planted in the soil.  We also talked about what food comes from wheat and where the kids' favorite food comes from.  We broke down pizza, mac and cheese, ice cream.  It was fun to have the parents shout out answers to the questions I was asking the kids.  I think they were just as excited to figure out where their food comes from.  Because, really, do you think about it very often?  I love teaching.  This was fun for me.  It was also a neat surprise to see volunteer moms come through with the field trip groups who were my friends.  Surprise!  Old friends!  We had about 1600 kids (I think) come through during the two days. Now I need a nap. Here are some photos of me talking awkwardly about wheat. (Thanks to Neal Briggs, our Farm Bureau county president on the right, for the photos.)

 

If you've eaten today, thank a farmer.

Big Picture

This is a photo of the Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher State Committee.  We represent different parts of the state.  We recently met to plan events for other young farmers and ranchers in the state.  I love this opportunity to meet with other farmers.  I'm so impressed with what others do and how they manage their farm.  I know next to nothing and learn so much from these people.  I admire other farm wifes and appreciate that bond.  Joel and I came home from this all day meeting re-energized to do good things on the farm.  We've got big picture stuff in our sights again.  But more imprtantly, these type of events remind me why we do this farm thing with long, long hours and hard work and paychecks that aren't like from the Bank.  We farm because we love the lifestlye. 

 

If you've eaten today, thank a farmer.

Field Update

Here's the progress on the fields.  It's starting to warm up.  Within a month the alfalfa should be knee high and the wheat should be waist high.

If you've eaten today, thank a farmer.

Spring in the yard

Joel's mom, Teri,  has the most amazing yard.  It is a pleasure to watch her create such beauty.  The first flowers Joel ever brought me were Cosmos from his mom's yard.  Here are the beginnings of the Garden of Eden.

 

Moving Cows

  John is moving cows today.

 

 This is Little Mountain.  The cows gave birth here.  Or if you want to talk like a legit rancher, you say the cows calved out here.  It is a nice and protected spot, but does not have good grazing for the mamas.  So they move the cows to pastures as soon as they can.  They only move the cows a mile or two a day and then give them a rest.  Today was a big move.

 

 

 Here come the mamas and their babies.  Or if you want to talk like a legit rancher, here come the cow/calf pairs. 

 And actually, they all just move on their own and get sorted out in the pasture.  Mostly mamas in the front, and mostly babies in the back.

 Joel, his cousin Doug and uncle Ben are all strategically positioned to direct the cows into the correct pasture, and not some one's yard.  This is a rural community for sure, but there's still people who don't want cows tromping through their grass.

 This baby doesn't know what to think of me. 

 This was so loud.  Hooves running and cows mooing.  B got scared and thought the cows were going to eat his stick.  His precious stick.

 Babies bringing up the rear.

 They are going to make a turn to the right and then almost immediately a turn to the left.

 

 

 The cows had to go past this alfalfa field to get to the pasture grass.  Of course they decided to stop and eat.  John is in the back putting them back on the path. 

Here they are in their new pasture.  It'll take them a little while to settle down but they made it.  No cows lost, no yards destroyed.

If you've eaten today, thank a farmer.