Farming in the shade

Shearing Day 2016 dawned cold and with a fresh layer of snow. As we made the final preparations, we felt a misty rain begin. Not exactly what we'd hoped for--on Shearing Day we'd rather not have ice and we'd rather not have mud. But we don't get to choose the weather. The show must go on.  We had approximately 100 pregnant ewes to shear, and this is what they looked like while they waited for their turn.  Timothy sheared for us again this year. We hire this job out to people who are skilled at this task. He makes it look easy. Trust me. It's not. The ewes took their turns being queued up and waiting in the chute. We shear just before lambing for two main reasons: lamb survival and wool quality. When the lambs are born, it is cold yet in Michigan. If the ewe has her full coat on, the lamb can't benefit from the body heat of the ewe (and perhaps the ewe doesn't even think about that the lamb might be cold--she's fine!). In addition, ...

I'm emerging slowly from the fog that was brought on by our biggest on-farm event of the year (Annual Shearing Day) last Saturday and Michigan's Presidential primary election three days later (my day job has to do with elections). I will blog soon about Shearing Day, but here's something to tide you over until I am more fog-free. The Farmer has been busy for about a month with lambing. We like to have about 30 ewes deliver before our Shearing Day, for the cuteness factor. The clipboard in the foreground of this photo helps us remember who needs to be where in the jugs, seen along the wall in the background. (Side note: I don't know why the bonding pens are called jugs.) After a ewe gives birth, she and her lamb(s) are placed in a jug for a day or three. The length of time varies based on how many lambs she's had, and whether or not someone else needs the jug.  Most of the ewes take their jobs very seriously, as evidenced by this ewe's cautious stare a...

Shady Side Farm will host our Annual Shearing Day on Saturday, March 5th from 9 am - 3 pm (come and go as you wish.) Our farm is located at 13275 Blair Street, Holland, Michigan. We will be shearing our Polypay sheep that day, and our open house is geared toward folks who want to see shearing on a working farm and learn more about wool production. This event is free. Fiber artists will demonstrate their work, and wool products (roving, yarn, socks, etc.) will be available to purchase in our little on-farm shop.  The open house is suitable for families and folks of all ages, though very small children sometimes are bothered by the noise and smells of a sheep barn. Wear old clothing and dress warmly. We shear in a barn. :) For blog posts and photos about other years' shearing days, click here .

There's nothing like spring on the farm. It's a love/hate relationship, to be sure. In this photo, The Farmer had just brought a bale of hay to the cattle--something he has done successfully and without incident, all winter long. This time was different, though. A couple of days of very warm (50s!) temperatures melted all the snow, and turned the solid ground into something much less than solid. Of course, it was just before we needed to go somewhere. He texted me, and asked me to meet him at the pasture gate--he was going to get the tractor, after removing the snowblower that was mounted on it. I don't think I've ever driven this tractor--it's the new Kubota--and, after a 15 second lesson and the application of some log chain, I was in charge of pulling the skidsteer out of the mud. Fortunately, I didn't muck it up too badly, though there were some tense seconds. Never a dull moment.

Therefore  lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,   and  make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint  but rather be healed.   Strive for peace with everyone, and for the  holiness  without which no one will see the Lord.  --Hebrews 12:12-14 A couple of days ago, a friend emailed me to check for life signs. She keeps up with me in part by reading this blog. And she told me she was getting tired of seeing the same Christmas greetings each time she checked the blog. Okay, Leslie. I get the hint. :) Each year my January is a time for recuperation after a year of blistering busyness. Many days this winter I intended to blog, but the days off stretched into weeks. As time went by, I found I had less and less to say.  It's not so much a funk, as it is just a general tiredness. I feel like I've blogged our life over and over and there isn't much to say that hasn't already been sa...

May you have a Christmas filled with joy  and a new year that brings peace and health! 

We have been busily preparing for our annual Kerstmarkt (Christmas Market). Three days done, five to go. If you are close to us, you are welcome to make the drive. Make sure you introduce yourself when you come--blogging can feel very one-sided, and it would be nice to know there are a few people out there still reading.  Here's the schedule: I know--it's small. Click on it to enlarge it a bit.