Every day our kids get assigned work to do, and the amount and task is age-appropriate. Our five year-old Lillian asked me the other day if I was counting Abigail‘s dish washing time as work, and I said “Yes.” She then looked very concerned and said, That’s not fair because washing dishes is fun and shouldn’t be counted as work.”

We have been praying about expanding our farm for several years and hoping to buy heirloom, organic grains for our feed more locally. Last year we were able to work with Brian and Becky Frazier, organic farmers that live just a few miles down the road from us. We rented and grazed two smaller pieces that have been certified organic and didn’t work well for their new farming plan, and the Fraziers grew barley and peas for us as well. We are hoping to use this to make our own chicken feed next summer. In years past we have had to drive about 10 hours to get our soy and corn free, organic chicken feed. We look forward to seeing the results and appreciate the Fraziers so much!. 

Next summer we are planning to raise broilers to sell, and we will be getting those ordered much sooner than last year. Last year most of the chicks were sold out by the time we put in our order, and we weren’t able to get extra to sell. Be watching for that reservation email in a few months.We are also blessed with the opportunity to rent another small piece next year from different neighbors. Thankfully this new land hasn’t been sprayed with any chemicals either. With extra land to graze, we decided to keep all of our lambs and most of our calves this year. We hope to be selling lamb again in 2026. 

We are already planning and looking forward to the 2026 growing year. We were blessed with abundant rain last year and no severe weather. We are praying for another abundant year of grass, grain, and produce, and the ability to meet more of the demand of our customers. We thank you for your patience and appreciate all of you! 

Quote of the Week

“Most native plants are also higher in protein and fiber and much lower in sugar than the ones we’ve devised. The ancestor of our modern corn is a grass plant called teosinte that is native to central Mexico. Its kernels are about 30 percent protein and 2 percent sugar. Old-fashioned sweet corn is 4 percent protein and 10 percent sugar. Some of the newest varieties of supersweet corn are as high as 40 percent sugar.”

― Jo Robinson

Disclaimer: Sharing quotes that I like does not mean I agree with everything this person says. 🙂