Author Archives: Kelli Miller

Steam floats off a partially-composted mix of cow manure & woodchips as its spread on the garden It’s a busy time around here lately. I guess most of the year is a busy time around here, just different kinds of … Continue reading →

Olivia & Ava, about a month ago Olivia sold her bottle calves to our neighbor this past weekend. We had told her any money she made she could keep. We didn’t, however, tell her that we didn’t actually expect her … Continue reading →

It’s that time of year when our neighbors wish we lived just a little further away from them. Time to wean the calves. The process starts with all of the cow-calf pairs up in the barnyard. Olivia mans the gate, … Continue reading →

Kids, there’s that crazy woman with the camera again. Watch out for her. …with 45 survey responses logged (thank you, everybody!), here’s how it’s breaking down: About 1/2 of the respondents chose bratwurst links, breakfast sausage links, and plain ground … Continue reading →

Louisa is such a pretty girl. But she’s getting big. I think her mama, Carmel, is ready to be done nursing. She’s getting little horn buds, which is a surprise. One more hit.

Sara gobbles her supper while her piglets gobble theirs, and the hens constitute the cleanup crew. We have a favor to ask! We’re planning to offer whole-hog sausage products this fall and winter. But there are a lot of different … Continue reading →

50 birds Fret (v. intr.) 1.To be vexed or troubled 2. To be worn or eaten away; become corroded. Synonyms: brood, dwell, mope, stew, worry. Famous last words. So just tonight left for me to fret about them. And fret … Continue reading →

Oliver and a hen share supper It’s sometimes a juggling act, having full-time jobs and a farm and 3 kids. But sometimes, like tonight, it all works out. The girls get home from school at 3:30. Matt had left instructions … Continue reading →

What is it with the sudden heat waves right before butchering?!? When I got up this morning I asked Madeline how warm it was supposed to get today. She’s always on top of the weather report for some reason. 87 … Continue reading →

Robin, our little Halloween black cat Got back from Chicago today. I had a fantastic trip, but… 72 hours is an eternity away from a family – and a farm. All I wanted to do was run around and take … Continue reading →