First experience with a First Freshener

Meet Sky, everyone. The newest addition to the herd of, now three, Nigerian dwarf dairy goats.

 She's cute, right? Yeah. It's a good thing she is. I'll tell you why... she's a first freshener. You probably know what that means, but I'll tell you anyway. It means that she just had her first babies, and is "in milk" for the first time.

But WAIT- there's more to it than that, and this slightly naive and hopelessly hopeful farmer just experienced what I've only heard about (and was somewhat in denial about). That is, the experience that first fresheners are a pain to milk.

Let me give you a little backstory...

I was so giddy to find an add on craigslist for does in milk.  You see, I've been milking Violet, my herd queen, for  a couple of months now, since finding a good home for her baby, Bolt. He was here for almost 5 months. I waited that long to milk my dairy goat, because I didn't want the separation to be sad for them... or me... and remember, this is my first experience with goats, and kids. I'm still a newbie. My first priority is always to keep the animal husbandry as humane, and respectful as possible- for me, that means respecting the relationship between a mother goat, and her kid(s). I'm happy to report that they both did extremely well with the separation!

I'm getting a bit off track here... anyway, I've been milking Violet. And it's delicious. Best milk I've ever drank. But she only had one kid... as a breastfeeding mom myself, I know allll about supply and demand... what I'm getting at, is there's not much milk. She's proven to be a willing and wonderful milker, looking forward to her twice a day treats, and all I could ask for is...

More milk!

So, to get back to my point, I jumped on the opportunity to get a reasonably priced doe, in milk.

These people were selling their entire herd, along with the 2 month old kids, due to health problems ( theirs, not the goats'). Someone was going to get these goats, and I wanted one for myself. Another milker. Another adorable goatie presence in the goat yard. One that was earning her keep. I imagined myself downing two full glasses of milk a day, instead of one. Pretty ambitious, right?

I asked about history. I asked for udder photos. I settled on learning that there was a friendly blue eyed doe available, who's mother had been a good milker. They didn't have udder pics, and health problems made it hard to get out there and take them, so I was told. I took their word for it, slightly hypnotized by the words, "blue- eyed."

I rushed to drive the hour there and back, to pick her up, because, as I was told, the does wouldn't be in milk much longer because all the babies were going to new homes. Well, I wouldn't want her to start drying up!

She was everything I hoped for. Colorful, blue eyes, good conformation from what I could tell... her udder looked a little small...

Was she a first freshener? Why hadn't I asked if she was a first freshener?

Okay, I wasn't going to hold that against her. I was sure she had potential.

She integrated well into the herd, that afternoon that I brought her home. Even my bossy top goat, Violet, seemed happy for the new friend. Snowdrop seemed adamant that she would no longer be last in the goat hierarchy, and was pleased with that. Yes, I think I can tell by now, when a goat is pleased. Sky, obviously named for her baby blues, seemed a little shy, but went with the flow.

I was eager to try to milk her, just hours after her arrival. I let Violet go first, of course, because she wouldn't have it any other way. Goats do like their routines! I Anticipated that Sky would give me some trouble on the milking stand, but her desire for grain and alfalfa pellets would quickly overcome any obstacles. I was optimistic.

Okay, first of all, what was I thinking, trying to milk a brand new to me, first freshener on the first day? Although I felt I knew what I was doing, she had no freaking clue what the Hell I was doing!  I'm quite sure, that her goat vocalizations could actually be interpreted as,

"What the hell are you doing, lady? We just met, and you're trying to fondle my teats? Back off!"

I mean, really. She was just getting acquainted with her new goat environment, and there I was, trying to yank her out of it, lifting her up onto this foreign milking stand, and expecting her to stand there and eat while I squeezed milk out of her udder.

 Of course she wasn't having it.

As far as she was concerned, I was not to be trusted, and no babies around meant weaning. Which meant stomping and kicking when I touched her udder. Dancing, really. Tap Dancing. Irish Folk Dancing. OFF the home-made milking stand that doesn't actually hold her head in properly.

The amazing, Irish folk dancing goat. Not exactly what I was hoping for.

I could understand that I had been overly ambitious, and needed to give this new herd member some time. Time to adjust to her new life. Time to trust me. I wasn't about to give up on the milking, but I needed to dramatically lessen my expectations.

As the days passed, I kept trying. Progress was made. She learned to jump onto the milking stand herself to get the treats that she wanted. I learned that there was a certain, rather complexly positioned way to milk her that would keep the tap dancing to a minimum. I was able to milk out almost a full ounce! If you detect a hint of sarcasm in my excitement, you are correct.

She just wasn't meant to be a milker. Yet. I still encourage the milking stand for treats, much- needed hoof trimming, and a few squirts. The good news is that she has stopped dancing and hopping around. The bad news, is that she is so clever now, that she has figured out that I can not milk her when she lies down.

I have to hand it to her. She knows what she wants. She wants to lie down on the milking stand and stretch her neck as far as possible so that she can still eat.

I thought about selling her. She's not earning her keep, and I'm paying to feed an extra goat. After about a milli second, those thoughts were replaced with fantasies of little mini blue-eyed Sky kids romping around, and a future Sky, who has learned to trust me.

Maybe enough to let me try milking her as a second freshener.

A Romantically Farm Fresh Breakfast

There are certain times, when I think it's okay to romanticize the farming/gardening lifestyle. 

For instance, on a summer morning, when you realize that you can walk right outside your door, and gather enough food for breakfast, and that it couldn't possibly be any fresher. I don't think it will ever get old. I'll always feel like a garden-harvesting-virgin this time of year...*sigh*... what was I talking about?

Oh yes, it's the stuff fantasies are made of.

 The snap of the crisp scarlet red stem as you harvest some swiss chard... with it's red veins artfully contrasting against the shiny, dew-covered, dark green leaves, it's almost too beautiful to pick.

Snipping off a generous bunch of chives, which you know will taste amazing with those fresh eggs that you just collected, still warm in your hand...

Casually pulling up a recently flowered potato plant to collect those tender new potatoes as your stomach growls for a carb fix...

And tossing into your bowl or basket some nasturtiums, because they're really starting to bloom prolifically now. And who doesn't like flowers with their breakfast?

And then, you just go inside and throw it all into a pan together... with a little cutting and planning first, but not much.

And you know that you have created a meal that could not possibly be any fresher. No nutrients had time to deteriorate. No flavors had a chance to fade. You probably even consumed some dirt. From farm, to table.

What really gets me, and what I wish I had realized about 10 years ago, is that everyone can do this, at least to some degree. All it takes, is a small yard, to grow a garden and raise a few chickens for fresh eggs, vegetables, berries (maybe next year?), etc. Even apartment dwellers can garden in containers. It's not the cultural norm, to garden so intensively... but I think it should be.

Now, lets see how I feel this coming Winter, as I attempt to grow some cool-season crops, and I'm gardening in snow boots and gloves... still romantic? It doesn't hurt to fantasize...

Simply Roasted Radishes

My life has been forever changed.

Since I learned that radishes can be cooked, that is. Really... I only thought people ate them raw until recently. Didn't you? 

I believe it was Megan at Linn Acres Farm who first let me in on this little secret. She's a smart one. I vowed that I would try it this growing season, as in the past, I have quickly grown tired of those prolific, crisp, delicious, yet sometimes overly spicy root vegetables. I even contemplated not growing them this year! I'm so glad that I opened my mind to eating them another way.

It's July in Maine, and the harvest is only just beginning for us, yet those ruby red roots have been making an appearance on my plate for weeks now- and now that I've discovered how good they taste when roasted in the oven, none of them have gone to waste.

When cooked, they magically mellow and lose most of their spiciness. Where I can usually only tolerate a few of them raw, I can eat a whole plate full of them cooked. Their insides take on a melt-in-your-mouth quality, and the flavor resembles that of a turnip, or rutabaga. I first tried them sauteed, which was delicious. But I love to roast vegetables due to the fact that it's as easy as tossing them in some butter or oil, and throwing them in a pan. You don't even have to cut them up, if they're small, as radishes often are. I'm always looking for healthy fast-food, and this fits the description. 

If you're anything like I was, you're slightly perplexed, and wondering how to cook something that you've always enjoyed raw. Well, I'll tell you. My favorite way, is as easy as it gets!

Simply Roasted Radishes

• Prepare Radishes by washing. If they're large, cut them in halves, or quarters to reduce roasting time.

• Toss them in a pan, with some butter or oil, and salt and pepper if you want to get fancy.

• Roast at 425 degrees, turning them a couple of times, so they don't stick, and get a nice, even roast. 

• Take them out when they're fork-tender, and sizzling beautifully! I always forget to time them... maybe around 30 minutes? There's a reason why this isn't a cooking blog. I have an aversion to timing or measuring anything... sorry... but I swear, you can't mess this up!

Go ahead. Try cooking your radishes. It might just change your life, too!

Springtime update: The learning curve

Things could be better here on the microfarm. And things will be better...sometime...hopefully sooner than later.

By better, I mean, more productive. Right now, we're bordering somewhere on potential, and utter failure. But hey, there's a learning curve for every undertaking, right? You win some, you lose some. If I try to predict the future productiveness here, my neurotic mind will likely take me somewhere I don't want to be... that dark place where chickens eat my garden, and don't lay eggs for me. If you read on, you'll see that I'm possibly not so far off.

We're currently keeping just two chickens. Two young hens, in their prime laying years. But I'm sadly lacking eggs, right now. Why is that? My Barred Rock has gone broody, and sits with pure dedication on an empty nest. There is no time to lay eggs, when trying to hatch invisible ones, you know.

Dedicated, or confused?

And what about Miss Red Hen, the Red Star, of a breed that lays prolifically? I don't know. She won't tell me. Secret nest? Still lightly molting? Maybe she'll tell you, but for me, she won't divulge that information.

What's her excuse?

But LOOK! More chickens! Sorry, these are the neighbor chickens, who only come over to eat layer pellets, and poop everywhere. If they'd be kind enough to leave me a fertile egg to put under my broody hen, that would be nice. I let them stay, because chickens eat ticks, and ticks scare me. On the bright side, this rooster does not attack my children.

So no farm fresh eggs right now *tears streaming*. What about the garden? Fresh veggies? Well, there is potential there. If chickens and cats are kind enough to let my seedlings grow.

Tread lightly...

Thank you, Milo. By the way, does anyone know if dandelions are considered a companion plant? Because if they are, I'm doing great!

Happy Tomato Plant, Happy Dandelion.

So now you must be wondering, "What about all that fresh milk you're getting from you're recently freshened goat?"

Well, lets just say that I am a bleeding heart, who doesn't like to separate babies from their moms at night, with a very, very fat buckling.

So things aren't perfect right now. I'm trying to balance motherhood, and farmhood... and sanehood. I'm hopeful, though. And learning. What about you, my fellow imperfect farmers?

Imperfect Gardening 101: The Plant and Pray Method

Memorial day, has come and gone, and the moment I've awaited has come. It's Finally time to plant here in maine! WICKED good!

Here's the problem... there's no time... because I'm running on "toddler time," here. Meaning, everything that I do, is done super humanly quickly. Like, super-mom style. Okay, it's not that graceful... actually, I'm just sloppily juggling life's demands, and barely getting by.

Quick showers before Barney is over, and the boy figures out how to jump out of his bouncy seat.

Quickly folding the laundry before the whole basket of clean clothes is dumped on the un-vacuumed dog-fur-covered floor as he "helps."










Quickly scurrying to feed the goats as he naps in the car after dropping his sister off at preschool.

Quickly scarfing down any leftover food that he does not consume as I serve him and his big sisters.

 

You get the point. Toddler time.

It's a good thing he's cute

The biggest challenge that I've met thus far, is figuring out how to farm and garden while chasing around this growing, developing, exploring boy...especially while keeping him safe, and out of the road (and out of the neighbors' yards). We don't live on a big, open farm. The garden area is practically in the road.

A one-and-a-half year old needs to get out in the fresh air and do important things like practice walking up and down hills, and feeding sticks and rocks to goats (which they politely reject). So he's the priority. However, I will continually feel a tangled up ball of anxiety in the pit of my stomach, until those seeds are in the ground. These early spring jitters will not be quelled until beds are planted, and sprouts are appearing.

But there's no time!!!

And I'm sure many of you can relate. Moms, dads, people with big kids, small kids, or no kids. People with jobs in or out of the home, stay-at-home-moms, working moms, homesteaders, and non-homesteaders alike. We're all busy.

And that, my friends, is why I am presenting you with this fast and frugal method for imperfect gardeners everywhere who have no time, and/or limited space. I call it "The Plant-and-Pray Method."

Having a tendency towards perfectionism, I sometimes get so overwhelmed that I don't do things that I would have liked to do. I suspect that a lot of folks are like this, which is why I want to encourage people to Just do it anyway! Gardening doesn't have to be perfect. Seeds and soil microbes are waaaay smarter than we are. They already know what they're doing. the only important requirement, is to just toss 'em in the ground. Sure, you may not have the perfect rate of germination, or the perfect yield of veggies- but some is better than none, right?

The Plant-and-Pray Method

• Acquire some seeds. Try to select ones for foods that you will actually eat. Don't be afraid to add some herbs and flowers. Many will become great companion plants, even if you don't know what you're doing. Last year, my Nasturtiums totally accidentally saved my Cabbage's life.

• Do some light research on companion, planting, and scribble it down for reference. Or not. Remember, no one needs to be able to read/understand this other than you, so it need not be legible or fancy. If you have a 6 yr old daughter who happens to remember everything she reads, it will be useful to show her this information.

• Plot out where you will be planting the seeds, so that you can remember where to place them, and what you want next to them. Or not.

• Find a spot with soil. Clear out anything that's already there. If you have it, throw on some compost. I had lots of slow-release-fertilizer in the form of bunny and goat poop. If there are lots of weeds, throw down some cardboard or similar light blocking material to smother them until it's time to sow.

Am I the only one who sees potential here?

• Divide out square foot sections using available materials. I use wooden lathes. And I don't measure. Or you could just skip this part, but I like the visual. 

Imperfections, weeds, and all

• Use THIS guide to plant the correct number of seeds per square. OR just toss in some seeds, and thin them out as necessary.  Remember that big vegetables start out as tiny seeds, but will need more space. So think, 1 tomato plant per square, but up to 16 radishes or carrots. I tend to use the square foot gardening method as inspiration and a guideline, but really, I like to mix things up a bit more. I like the companions to hang out a little closer, and I totally guess on my numbers.  So herbs, flowers, and veggies alike are side by side. I've seriously considered just mixing up my seeds and throwing them all in together to see what happens. I just don't do rows- I don't have the space, and I like things a bit more... wild. You may be a bit more conservative, or organized.... But I tell you, letting go of perfection will still result in food. It may even result in better food.

• Now you have seeds in the ground. Or, if you are like me, you only had time to sow some of them and you'll have to sow the rest later. That's fine. If you remember what you planted where, that's great! If not, I'm sure those sprouts will become recognizable eventually. You may or may not find out that you've actually been nurturing a weed for a few weeks, and that's okay. Just pull it up, and move on. 

• Sow more seeds throughout the season, for successive planting that provides you with food all through the growing season. Relax, and watch them grow. But don't relax too much. And weed every chance you get, but don't weed if you don't feel like it. Because you can't control everything in the ground. Am I contradicting myself here? My point is, pay attention and observe. Meditate even. Use your intuition as you thin out your seedlings, and decide which stay and which go. You can eat those thinnings, you know! Let your garden become your pride and joy, and enjoy the fruits of your labor without the stress of perfectionism. If the weeds are stressing you out, just remember that dandelion leaves are healthy and edible too, so it's okay if they grow amongst your mesclun mix!

Pea shoot

 I hope I've inspired some of you busy perfectionists out there with my messy, ugly gardening style. I promise you, it WILL result in food that is edible. And nature is beautiful, regardless of how we try to control it, so once your imperfect garden recovers from the initial awkward stages, it will look pretty too. Relax, and enjoy (but pay attention)!

Kids Just "Get" it.

They really do.

As adults, we get tend to become more rigid. More stuck in our ways. We develop "tunnel vision" as we go about our daily routines, and we don't think outside the box as often as we did when we were children.

The goal is to be a normal functional responsible adult, and fit in with society. Isn't it?

After all, most of us have had many years of training in our school years, having been taught to follow the rules, and stay in the lines. And never question why...

Granted, rules and regulations have an important role in childhood, and adulthood, and society as a whole. We need some schedules, and structure, right?

Kids seem to all go through the questioning phase at one time or another, asking the whys, and the whats, wheres, whens, and hows. Sometimes we answer them, teach them. Sometimes we tell them to be quiet, and just do what they're told. No blurting. No interrupting. 

I caught onto this very quickly as a child, and became a teacher's dream. Not a good thing. Nowadays, if someone tries to silence me, I might just lose my sh*t.

My oldest daughter is not compliant. She questions the rules, talks out of turn, and *gasp* questions adults! Challenges them, even. Speaks to them as if they are equals, even! She's currently struggling with a teacher in her school (thankfully not her homeroom teacher) who constantly accuses her of having a rude tone. While speaking to her in a rude tone. Do you see the problem here?

She replies that she can't help it. It's in her DNA!

God, I love that kid. SO proud of my spunky, stubborn, outspoken daughter, who has the nerve to think outside the box, even while people are trying to get her to fit back in it. And in awe that somewhere in the DNA of her two soft spoken, mild mannered parents, a powerhouse of a human was created. 

She's been diagnosed with Asperger's, a mild, high functioning form of autism. She's brilliant, and kindhearted. She's the future of our society, our world.

This is the child, who, for months, read my Chicken Encyclopedia every night, to wind down before falling asleep. To this day, she still rattles off chicken facts, and breeds, that she learned. Somewhere in the book, the disturbing practice of beak trimming was mentioned, as well as raising chickens in battery cages. She immediately questioned. As we all should.

As a society, we've tuned out so many things that don't fit into our tunnel vision. We're busy, leading normal lives. We leave the issues to other people. People who advocate for the animals, against factory farming and inhumane practices... then there are the folks who downplay that these issues are a problem, and actually insult the "tree huggers" and the protesters and the crazy activists and rebels. Being in denial seems to be considered normal in our society. There are many kind, well meaning people who remain in denial as well.

But when you know better, you do better. Who said that? Oprah? No, wait... I think Maya Angelou said it first... 

Wise words. We can let go of the guilt we feel when we learn that we have, in a small way, contributed to the demise of society. We can simply strive towards doing the right thing. Sometimes, it's not easy, being creatures of habit and set in our ways, and all. So I'm not judging. And I'm not perfect. And I still eat factory farmed meat, and eggs from battery hens, on occasion, but It's becoming less and less. And I'm trying. 

To get back to the point of this post, I've noticed that my kids just get it. I recently explained the harsh realities of industrial agriculture and factory farming practices (in the most tasteful way possible without sugar coating), to Annabelle. Of course we shouldn't cut the beaks off of chickens! They won't peck one another to death if they are given the space and freedom to simply act like chickens! And if we raise our own chickens humanely, the eggs are healthier, and chickens are happier. And if we grow our own garden, it's not sprayed with yucky pesticides, and the veggies are fresher, and healthier, because we take good care of the soil, and make sure there's lots of worms in it! And support local, small farms to put the factory farms out of business!

It really is that simple.

Why do grown-ups have to complicate everything? I'm consistently amazed at my own ability to over-complicate things, and the blinding brightness of the light bulb that enlightens my brain, when I realize that the solution really is that simple. Why couldn't I see it before? 

I think it's time to un-bury the questioning, free spirited, intuitive children within ourselves, and cultivate our childrens' natural curiosity and wisdom, so they don't lose it as they grow. 

They really are the future.

My son Gavin feeding Miss Red Hen

Bayleigh, my middle child/egg collector

And they called it, Bunny Looooooove...

It was the beginning of May, and spring was in the air. Twinkle, our Angora fiber bunny, was looking lovely as usual, enjoying her spacious hutch. Her beautiful fiber was finally growing back out, after that time she had a false pregnancy and pulled half of it out to make a nest for her invisible babies.... yes, she was vibrant and healthy and receiving many carrots and sprigs of fresh Willow branches.

But something was missing. Can't you tell?

 


She never quite forgot her empty nest. She had moved on- to a new hutch, even- but nothing could erase the memory of the tiny Angora bunny babies that never came to be. I wanted to give Twinkle a satisfying and fulfilling life.

And I wanted more luxurious, lofty fiber.

But mostly, I longed for my first Angora doe to have that *twinkle* in her eye, that she so deserved.

That is why, when I found the perfect buck for her at a nearby farm, the kids and I hopped into the car, picked him up, and brought him home to carry out his assignment at Weeping Willow Microfarm.

And also because I wanted more fiber to spin. Unbelievably light, fluffy, whiter-than-white, fiber. Like spinning a cloud. And so, this handsome white buck, was dubbed, "Cloudy."

Hey, I let my kids name the animals...

The plan was to let the new boy get settled, lest he be too nervous to "perform" after being smothered loved on by well-intended children. So a few gentle pats it was, then food, water, and relaxation in his new hutch. I would let him relax all day and night before introducing him to Twinkle. He would need to be at his best in order to properly woo her.

Okay, so I've never bred rabbits before. All I knew, was that you must bring the female into the male's hutch, and absolutely not the other way around. Twinkle would be too territorial about her space.

I don't know how it happened, but after only a few minutes of exploring his new hutch, Cloudy had a new friend in his space with him. He wasn't nervous, but he was, in fact, very excited. Very "friendly." He was eternally grateful for the company that was Twinkle, and a successful "date" was had.

 



And I beamed with pride at becoming a rabbit breeder/ someone-who-puts-a-doe-in-with-a-buck-and-sees-what-happens.





In all seriousness, I do not intend to let this amorous couple breed "like rabbits." Although I'm sure that I can find loving homes for any extra fluffy babies that I cannot hoard keep, I do not intend to contribute to the overpopulation of pet bunnies. I do know, from my experience of perusing Craigslist ads for Angoras, that there are not many available in my area. As with most things microfarming, there is a learning curve, and this is just one experiment that I will try to be as responsible about as possible. "The  Fluff Experiment."

And maybe... just maybe... I will keep a Cloudy/Twinkle baby. For fiber purposes, of course, and not just the cute fluff factor. *Ahem.*

Then with all that fiber, I will need to acquire a spinning wheel, so that I can more efficiently spin up and eventually sell my yarn. How convenient... or inconvenient, depending on how you look at it. Spinning wheels are ridiculously expensive, and it will take a miracle for me to acquire one without selling my soul.

Anyway, I digress... Twinkle and Cloudy had several consecutive "dates" over next few days. The first ones were successful... success being measured by witnessing the buck literally falling off of her onto his side... according to the experts, that is not a bunny seizure, but a sign of completed breeding. The last "date" involved much less interest on Twinkle's behalf- another sign of a doe being bred. The final positive sign that I noticed, was that Twinkle was already gathering nesting materials, and pulling out fur. She's been confused before, though... only time will tell if she's working on some real babies this time. She's stopped with the fur pulling currently, and I'll be observing her in the next 10-12 days to see if she makes a nest and fills it up with pink squirming things.

A rabbit's gestation is about 28-32 days, by the way.

In the meantime, as we wait for the results of "The Fluff Experiment," we've been getting to know our fluffy white Angora cloud a little better. He behaved very well during his first grooming session. It never ceases to amaze me how placid these Angoras become while on the grooming table.

He's due for another grooming session as soon as I find the time, because sampling his fantastic fiber has left me wanting to work with more!

Bowl of fluff

Carding the fiber

Some added sparkle for spinning 

Spun with sparkle

Want to find out what happens next episode of the Bunny Love Saga? Me too! I hope it's a happy ending, but as with all things farming, things do not always go as planned. Litters do not always survive. And sometimes bunnies have invisible babies...

To Be Continued...