It's been nearly two months since I posted anything. We've been on a roller coaster ride during that time. I haven't really known what to share, or how, but I think I'm ready to dive back into the blog-o-sphere.
In October, I posted "Cheaper by the 1/2 Dozen". In that post, I talked a lot about having a large family and what that tends to mean to society. I got a lot of feedback on that post. All from people who felt, as I do, that children ARE a blessing from the LORD, not a burden we can be released from in 18ish years.
Just after Thanksgiving, my wife and I found out that we had lost the baby I was blogging about. She was about 17 weeks along. The baby, they believe, had died a week or two earlier. It was a painful blow.
The truth is, I took it harder than I thought I would. I was depressed for several days and had a hard time communicating with others. I knew I'd be sad, but it took weeks to really start feeling like my old self again. And even now that I'm "on the mend", it's still different somehow.
But why? Why did it hurt so much? Really, I had no relationship with this baby. We'd never met. So why did it hurt so bad?
I think it has something to do with hope. There was a hope, an expectation, that we would meet. There was a hope that he would move from that infant stage into a toddler. There was a hope that he would grip my finger tight and call my name when he was scared. I expected him to grow into a man. There was hope that he would marry and have his own kids. There was a hope that we would know each other on a friend/brother level when he became that man. I expected him to outlive me. There was hope.
When we were at the hospital and they were sorting all this out, that hope began to wane. The vision of that future together began to blur. When it was all said and done, that hope was gone.
When there is no hope, there is nothing to look forward to.
I know some are reading this post who have lived with tragedy and despair in ways I never have. My heart goes out to you. This is the first major loss close to me. I've been insulated in that way.
Yet there is hope.
If you've followed my blog for any length of time, you realize that I'm a follower of Christ. And that is where the hope is. I can't say I really understand what's happened. I don't really see anything in some sort of master plan. I know that God blessed us with another child, and now that child is gone before we really had the chance to get to know him. I know that the loss hurts. I know that I don't want that to happen again. Yet in all that, I also know that there is a God and He cares.
And that's what faith is. I don't know why this happened, but I don't need to know. I can't see the "master plan", but that's because it's not mine to see. My wife and I had to draw a line in the sand and say, out loud to each other, that we will walk with God no matter where He leads.
Is that just a crutch for those of us who are weak? You bet it is.
To see with my heart
To know with my soul
To be guided by a Hand I cannot hold
To trust in a Way that I cannot see
That's what Faith must be
-Michael Card
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Bringing Home the Bacon...or Whatever
A noble endeavor that hearkens back to our ancient ancestry?
Maybe the time of year you are a "widow" for days or weeks?
Just a way for folks to go into the woods and relive their childhood fancies once again...but with real guns this time!
No matter what you think of, hunting really is a time honored tradition most often handed down from parent to child generation after generation. We tend to consider a man's sport, but that is not the case. Globally, there is much to suggest that in many cultures, the women were the hunters and gatherers. True, men do tend to gravitate to the sport, but it's not exclusive to them.
I happen think it is part of the simple life.
Let's boil it down to its simplest form, the essence of hunting if you will. You go out and bring home meat. That's it. You did nothing to raise it. You did nothing to help the breeding process. You go out to bring home something you did little work for. And you eat.
Pretty simple.
Okay, I realize that's over simplified, but it does really capture the essence of hunting.
Anyway, I think you get the point. In years gone by, it was a way of life. Perhaps more literally, it was a matter of survival. It's true that if you had no other means to get food, hunting would become the most vital activity you would engage in. Early on, many cultures learned to live off the land, plant their own crops, and store up meat and animal fat in reserve for a time when game might not be so plentiful.
And still, despite the stress and mess of killing your own game and preserving it, I'd still have to call it the simple life. Notice the name of this blog is not The Easy Life. It has been my observation over the years that simple and easy are not synonyms. Hiking with a 30 pound pack on your back is simple....but not easy. So killing your own game, dressing it, roasting it, and preserving it calls to us from a simpler time.
I confess, I am a poor hunter. I typically hunt only on public lands...along with 50 million other people. I have not gotten a clean shot off to take down a dear. Some years I see nothing at all. Yet I persist. I persist because there is so much to be said for sitting down on an old stump on the edge of a tree line, listening for the crunching of leaves or snow and the familiar hollow sound of antlers brushing against the tree branches. I feel the peace that washes over me as the sounds of the forest are all that I hear. I long for the openness that a day in the woods affords me. I long for the..well...simplicity of it all. Some day I hope to take the game I have hunted for all these years. But until then, I will continue to hunt the peace and simplicity I long to find in the quiet stillness of the woods.
What could be more simple?
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Cheaper by the 1/2 Dozen
It's official! Sometime in May we're expecting another little Rough Rider on our homestead! For those who are keeping count, that'll be a 1/2 dozen young'uns running around our little 900+ square foot home.
I know not everyone will have large families like us. I wouldn't expect that. God blesses as He chooses. Some He blesses with children. Others get blessed in other ways. He calls each family to a certain role. For us, we've been called to raise a large family. How large? Your guess is as good as mine.
It's been interesting to hear some of the conversations, and see the reactions, to a family our size. When we had three, people were amazed at our "large" family. When we had four, they gasped in shock and awe. When we had five, some were disgusted. With six on the way, I can assure you of some of the things we'll hear.
You'd better have a good job to support all these kids.
You can't give enough love to each child when there are so many.
The older children do nothing but act as small parents their whole lives.
I sure am glad it's not me.
Don't you know what causes that?
There are, of course, many more. I'm sure a few came to your head. You can't help it. The stereotypes are handed to us in so many ways and most of them are subtle. When was the last time you heard a song where the singer referenced more than two children (occasionally three)? When was the last time you watched a serious drama that had more than a boy and girl? Ever look at a tax form? There will be four lines for your dependents.
If you have less than three children, or none at all, I will not look down on you or question your reasons. You are to fulfill God's calling on your life whatever that may be. But why is it that everyone assumes you should have a small family? I think there are many reasons that play into that assumption.
As for my family, the bottom line is this: This is what we've been called to do and this we will do.
But, just for kicks, let's address this perceived problem. What if it is somehow wrong that I have such a big family. What do I do now? Which one do I get rid of?
They're all so unique, and, in their own way, so integral to the family unit. I have to ask myself some questions. Questions like how do you function without your first born who nurses his mother, of his own free will, when she's struggling with "morning sickness"? He brings her food and drink, books, and anything else she may want. And who will handle all the detailed chores that no one likes if the second born isn't here? He can fold the laundry just as good as his mother and he comes up with creative solutions to problems. But the third born, he likes the rough and tumble tasks that challenge him physically. He likes to run in and give his mother hugs and kisses and let her know she'll be okay and then run out again once he's sure of her love. Then what of the fourth born and only daughter? Who will add that softness that only a daughter can possess? And where would we be without the fifth, the 2 year old, who is ready with a smile all day long.
It's no easy thing. Having all these people in one house brings its own set of challenges. But its funny...I can't think of a single one I'd get rid of.
I know not everyone will have large families like us. I wouldn't expect that. God blesses as He chooses. Some He blesses with children. Others get blessed in other ways. He calls each family to a certain role. For us, we've been called to raise a large family. How large? Your guess is as good as mine.
It's been interesting to hear some of the conversations, and see the reactions, to a family our size. When we had three, people were amazed at our "large" family. When we had four, they gasped in shock and awe. When we had five, some were disgusted. With six on the way, I can assure you of some of the things we'll hear.
You'd better have a good job to support all these kids.
You can't give enough love to each child when there are so many.
The older children do nothing but act as small parents their whole lives.
I sure am glad it's not me.
Don't you know what causes that?
There are, of course, many more. I'm sure a few came to your head. You can't help it. The stereotypes are handed to us in so many ways and most of them are subtle. When was the last time you heard a song where the singer referenced more than two children (occasionally three)? When was the last time you watched a serious drama that had more than a boy and girl? Ever look at a tax form? There will be four lines for your dependents.
If you have less than three children, or none at all, I will not look down on you or question your reasons. You are to fulfill God's calling on your life whatever that may be. But why is it that everyone assumes you should have a small family? I think there are many reasons that play into that assumption.
As for my family, the bottom line is this: This is what we've been called to do and this we will do.
But, just for kicks, let's address this perceived problem. What if it is somehow wrong that I have such a big family. What do I do now? Which one do I get rid of?
They're all so unique, and, in their own way, so integral to the family unit. I have to ask myself some questions. Questions like how do you function without your first born who nurses his mother, of his own free will, when she's struggling with "morning sickness"? He brings her food and drink, books, and anything else she may want. And who will handle all the detailed chores that no one likes if the second born isn't here? He can fold the laundry just as good as his mother and he comes up with creative solutions to problems. But the third born, he likes the rough and tumble tasks that challenge him physically. He likes to run in and give his mother hugs and kisses and let her know she'll be okay and then run out again once he's sure of her love. Then what of the fourth born and only daughter? Who will add that softness that only a daughter can possess? And where would we be without the fifth, the 2 year old, who is ready with a smile all day long.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Talking Turkey - Part 2
In a part 1 of Talking Turkey, I promised I'd document the rest of the season so you could get an idea of what it takes to raise turkeys. So here I am.
And what a ride!
When we last left our little band of wild rebels, they were about 12 weeks old. I really had no idea how long to keep them. I had reports from different sources that you could keep them anywhere from 12 to 25 weeks depending on the size you wanted them. The "size" of a farm raised animal, however, can be very subjective. Size is based on a variety of factors: breed, feed, additives, pasture quality, conditions, weather, hatchery (or sire for non-poultry), stress, other livestock on the premises, etc. So you can see that to really plan your flock (as much as that is possible) requires a historical pattern that you can glean from. You have to know your feed, your pasture, your conditions, and the final outcomes of your livestock.
In this case, I had none of that.
As you may recall from a previous post, I fully expected to lose some or all of the turkey flock because of how I raised them. But God was merciful and we lost none of the 10 poults we purchased. So I let them grow. Around the 12 week mark, or so, I began to realize that they were putting on weight fast. And although we all like a big Thanksgiving Day turkey, there are limits. So we put a cap on the season at 18 weeks.
I am so glad we did that. We'll get to why I'm glad we did in a minute.
We ordered the Broad-breasted Bronze turkeys and, if you remember, I ordered a straight run. I found them to be a hardy breed that withstood a variety of less than perfect circumstances. They endured:
As they grow, you can start to tell which ones are Tom's and which are Jenny's. I think we ended up with 3 Tom's and 7 Jenny's. Now it's not an exact science, but the Tom's are usually pretty large. They all grew long fat waddles and a long beard (starts at the upper beak and grows long....kind of like ZZ Top). They also tend to fluff out their feathers and strut around the pen. This is because we ordered a straight run. You can certainly specify which gender you prefer.
The day finally arrived. We had decided to do the needful at age 18 weeks. Since I have a regular "town job", we always process on a Saturday. This was no exception. But the day was incredibly sunny, in the 70's (warm for us) and the sky was a beautiful blue. Yet another gift from God...
*WARNING* I am going to write in some detail about the processing event. I will not use excessive description as it is not necessary. However, there are pictures and as a fair warning, if you do not want to read about how the turkey's were dispatched, you may want to click over to another post.
Wrangling
Catching the birds was the most fun for the kids I think. Remember, they are more aggressive than chickens. The little Rough Riders tried a variety of methods including lassoing, trapping, and catching. The easiest way for us was to take a 5 gallon bucket with a hole at the end and slide it , top first, over the bird until it fits snugly inside. This quiets the bird and restrains its wings. See below for an explanation of the bucket.
Killing
Traditionally, the killing takes place in a killing cone. This is a bit of sheet metal folded into a cone. You can see it in the back of Sara Palin's
Scalding
You need lots of room for the scald. I like my water at around 153 degrees. You may like it more or less. The choice is yours. The old timers say to put Dawn dish soap in your water. It cuts grease and therefore cuts the natural oils on the turkey feathers. I didn't do that and really didn't have any problems, but you may want to give it a try. Make sure you have enough room to swish the bird around. Here, you can see I used a 30 gallon galvanized garbage can. The burner is propane and from a turkey fryer (ironically enough). It was about 1/2 full when we used it. It worked great. For me, the stand was a little high and a step ladder would have worked well. I'm assuming, at this point, that you know about scalding. If not, you can google it or search YouTube and you'll find plenty of info. Scalding turkeys and chickens is about the same. The big differences is that the turkeys are MUCH heavier.
Plucking
You can pluck by hand. With the turkeys it's no problem. If you get that scald right, the feathers come out pretty easily. We used the Whizbang Chicken Plucker. You can learn more about it here. It can't handle a whole turkey being thrown in, but I put the turkey in and just rotated it myself. I'd estimate it took off at least 80% of the feathers. The rest of our "team" used pliers to finish off the plucking. That's very important. Make sure some patient people are there to help. Pull up a chair. Have a chat while you pluck. It's just like life should be...shared with others.
Evisceration (fancy word for gutting)
It's just like a chicken...only bigger. Check this video out for some detail.
Bagging
We have one person who is completely indispensable that does quality control after the evic..evis..the gutting. That person makes sure everything is out (if you know what I mean) and washes the bird down. Once that's done, you can either let them cool in water first, or bag them and then put them in water. It's your choice. We order or bags from Cornerstone Farm Ventures. Good products, good prices, and speedy delivery.
And there you have it.
So for you stat addicts, here's a wrap up:
And what a ride!
When we last left our little band of wild rebels, they were about 12 weeks old. I really had no idea how long to keep them. I had reports from different sources that you could keep them anywhere from 12 to 25 weeks depending on the size you wanted them. The "size" of a farm raised animal, however, can be very subjective. Size is based on a variety of factors: breed, feed, additives, pasture quality, conditions, weather, hatchery (or sire for non-poultry), stress, other livestock on the premises, etc. So you can see that to really plan your flock (as much as that is possible) requires a historical pattern that you can glean from. You have to know your feed, your pasture, your conditions, and the final outcomes of your livestock.
In this case, I had none of that.
As you may recall from a previous post, I fully expected to lose some or all of the turkey flock because of how I raised them. But God was merciful and we lost none of the 10 poults we purchased. So I let them grow. Around the 12 week mark, or so, I began to realize that they were putting on weight fast. And although we all like a big Thanksgiving Day turkey, there are limits. So we put a cap on the season at 18 weeks.
I am so glad we did that. We'll get to why I'm glad we did in a minute.
We ordered the Broad-breasted Bronze turkeys and, if you remember, I ordered a straight run. I found them to be a hardy breed that withstood a variety of less than perfect circumstances. They endured:
- Living with chicks
- Having their pen blow away
- Living for several days in a small chicken coop (while the pen was repaired)
- Wind gusts up to at least 30 miles an hour (see the point above about their pen)
- Heat well into the 90's (fairly high for Michigan)
- Unforgiving rain
- Nighttime cold into the mid 30's (fairly typical for Michigan in the fall)
- An insane farmer
- Lot's of insane farmer's kids
- Lot's of insane farmer's friends and family (read on...)
As they grow, you can start to tell which ones are Tom's and which are Jenny's. I think we ended up with 3 Tom's and 7 Jenny's. Now it's not an exact science, but the Tom's are usually pretty large. They all grew long fat waddles and a long beard (starts at the upper beak and grows long....kind of like ZZ Top). They also tend to fluff out their feathers and strut around the pen. This is because we ordered a straight run. You can certainly specify which gender you prefer.
The day finally arrived. We had decided to do the needful at age 18 weeks. Since I have a regular "town job", we always process on a Saturday. This was no exception. But the day was incredibly sunny, in the 70's (warm for us) and the sky was a beautiful blue. Yet another gift from God...
*WARNING* I am going to write in some detail about the processing event. I will not use excessive description as it is not necessary. However, there are pictures and as a fair warning, if you do not want to read about how the turkey's were dispatched, you may want to click over to another post.
Wrangling
Catching the birds was the most fun for the kids I think. Remember, they are more aggressive than chickens. The little Rough Riders tried a variety of methods including lassoing, trapping, and catching. The easiest way for us was to take a 5 gallon bucket with a hole at the end and slide it , top first, over the bird until it fits snugly inside. This quiets the bird and restrains its wings. See below for an explanation of the bucket.
Killing
Traditionally, the killing takes place in a killing cone. This is a bit of sheet metal folded into a cone. You can see it in the back of Sara Palin's
Scalding
You need lots of room for the scald. I like my water at around 153 degrees. You may like it more or less. The choice is yours. The old timers say to put Dawn dish soap in your water. It cuts grease and therefore cuts the natural oils on the turkey feathers. I didn't do that and really didn't have any problems, but you may want to give it a try. Make sure you have enough room to swish the bird around. Here, you can see I used a 30 gallon galvanized garbage can. The burner is propane and from a turkey fryer (ironically enough). It was about 1/2 full when we used it. It worked great. For me, the stand was a little high and a step ladder would have worked well. I'm assuming, at this point, that you know about scalding. If not, you can google it or search YouTube and you'll find plenty of info. Scalding turkeys and chickens is about the same. The big differences is that the turkeys are MUCH heavier.
Plucking
You can pluck by hand. With the turkeys it's no problem. If you get that scald right, the feathers come out pretty easily. We used the Whizbang Chicken Plucker. You can learn more about it here. It can't handle a whole turkey being thrown in, but I put the turkey in and just rotated it myself. I'd estimate it took off at least 80% of the feathers. The rest of our "team" used pliers to finish off the plucking. That's very important. Make sure some patient people are there to help. Pull up a chair. Have a chat while you pluck. It's just like life should be...shared with others.
It's just like a chicken...only bigger. Check this video out for some detail.
Bagging
We have one person who is completely indispensable that does quality control after the evic..evis..the gutting. That person makes sure everything is out (if you know what I mean) and washes the bird down. Once that's done, you can either let them cool in water first, or bag them and then put them in water. It's your choice. We order or bags from Cornerstone Farm Ventures. Good products, good prices, and speedy delivery.
And there you have it.
So for you stat addicts, here's a wrap up:
- 9 friends to help (because they wanted to)
- 10 turkeys
- 7'x12' movable pen
- 18 weeks
- 200 gallons of water
- 950 pounds of feed
- Broad-breasted Bronze
- Smallest turkey - 15.5 pounds
- Largest turkey - 33.5 pounds
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
For the Love of Potatoes
Potatoes. I love them.
Fried, baked, smashed, boiled.
Buttered, smothered, salted.
We actually planted them this year. What a great thing. You put them in the ground. They grow. I eat. Ahhh....
It doesn't get simpler.
Oh it's hard work as many of you know. Growing your own food is not for the sloth. But how rewarding to harvest the fruit of your labor and enjoy. It's a gift from God really. He created in six days and rested the seventh. He sat back and enjoyed the fruit of His labor. Is it any wonder that the very same activities are so pleasing to His children?
A friend and I dug up some of the harvest, digging our hands deep into the soil. The smell climbs into your nostrils and begins to quicken the pace. It reminds you that your are engaging in the oldest of man's activities. You are taking dominion over the earth. Your actions, your care and patience, make a difference. You are doing what you are created to do.
So eat, drink, and enjoy the work God has given you. And fry up some potatoes while you're at it.
Fried, baked, smashed, boiled.
Buttered, smothered, salted.
We actually planted them this year. What a great thing. You put them in the ground. They grow. I eat. Ahhh....
It doesn't get simpler.
Oh it's hard work as many of you know. Growing your own food is not for the sloth. But how rewarding to harvest the fruit of your labor and enjoy. It's a gift from God really. He created in six days and rested the seventh. He sat back and enjoyed the fruit of His labor. Is it any wonder that the very same activities are so pleasing to His children?
A friend and I dug up some of the harvest, digging our hands deep into the soil. The smell climbs into your nostrils and begins to quicken the pace. It reminds you that your are engaging in the oldest of man's activities. You are taking dominion over the earth. Your actions, your care and patience, make a difference. You are doing what you are created to do.
So eat, drink, and enjoy the work God has given you. And fry up some potatoes while you're at it.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
That's a Wrap
Whew!
We finally finished raising and processing all 213 chickens. What a summer!
I was standing in the field last Saturday in the early morning hours. My sons and I were preparing for the day. The sun was just coming up and the chill of the night was still in the air. I thought about the people who were coming out to help.
I thought about how they always come out to help.
I was tired and ready to be done with chicken processing days. They are long, messy, and tiring. I thought about the helpers. How tired of chicken processing days must they be? They show up on the days they are able. They work hard and without complaint. When they are finished they are rewarded with little to nothing.
And still they come. Why?
They come because of the love they have in their hearts. For me and my family, yes, but more importantly because they love God and His people. That's what Biblical community is all about. It's about sacrificing your time and resource for your brother or sister...even if they are crazy enough to process chickens.
At that moment, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. Maybe overwhelmed is not the right word. Maybe humbled is better. Yes, I think that says it better. Humbled because I realized anew that I didn't deserve friends like these. I didn't deserve the blessing of living in the family of God. Yet I was blessed. I am blessed. How could life get any better?
Thank you to all who are supporting this little enterprise. I appreciate the encouragement and enthusiasm you give toward the service we are providing. It's been exciting watching as people's faces light up when they realize what we're doing. Whether you are supporting clean and healthy meat, a local business, a strange new business venture, or all of the above, we thank you. I'll still be posting updates on our Turkey experiment so stay tuned. I have a feeling that Turkey processing day will be an adventure!
We finally finished raising and processing all 213 chickens. What a summer!
I thought about how they always come out to help.
I was tired and ready to be done with chicken processing days. They are long, messy, and tiring. I thought about the helpers. How tired of chicken processing days must they be? They show up on the days they are able. They work hard and without complaint. When they are finished they are rewarded with little to nothing.
And still they come. Why?
They come because of the love they have in their hearts. For me and my family, yes, but more importantly because they love God and His people. That's what Biblical community is all about. It's about sacrificing your time and resource for your brother or sister...even if they are crazy enough to process chickens.
At that moment, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. Maybe overwhelmed is not the right word. Maybe humbled is better. Yes, I think that says it better. Humbled because I realized anew that I didn't deserve friends like these. I didn't deserve the blessing of living in the family of God. Yet I was blessed. I am blessed. How could life get any better?
Thank you to all who are supporting this little enterprise. I appreciate the encouragement and enthusiasm you give toward the service we are providing. It's been exciting watching as people's faces light up when they realize what we're doing. Whether you are supporting clean and healthy meat, a local business, a strange new business venture, or all of the above, we thank you. I'll still be posting updates on our Turkey experiment so stay tuned. I have a feeling that Turkey processing day will be an adventure!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
It's Almost Time - 4th Batch
IT'S ALMOST TIME
Don't forget that we are processing the fourth batch of chickens on September 25th. That's is a week from Saturday! Have your coolers and your final payments ready! Plan to arrive between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. This will give the chickens time to cool down after processing. Many people have asked if we have "extras". Unfortunately, that's hard to determine until we get to processing day. If you would like to stop by and ask, please feel free. Extras will also be first come, first served.
Please note that at this time, we have no more freezer space. If you are unable to come on the 25th, and you do not make arrangements in advance, you will forfeit your order. If you are unable to come on the 25th and you give us advanced notice, you will be charged an additional $2.00 per bird. If you have any questions regarding your order, don't hesitate to let us know.
You will need enough cooler space to fit your order. You should have a little ice or cold water in your cooler so your bird will keep on your drive home.
For your final payment, we only accept cash and check at this time.
If you have any questions or comments, let us know! We'd love to hear from you. Keep checking the blog for the most recent information, or follow us on Facebook. Just type in Legacy Family Farm.
legacyfamilyfarm@gmail.com
http://simplelife-thelegacy.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Entrusted with Arrows - A Movie Review
I recently had an opportunity to preview the film "Entrusted with Arrows". My wife clued me in to their link on Facebook. When I watched the trailer I knew this was a "must see" movie for me. I wasn't disappointed.
The movie is a documentary that focuses on a few families that have something in common; the father of each family has "come home".
When I watch the movie, I get this tingle in the back my neck and it sort of flushes my face. I think I feel that way because I know exactly why they did what they did. In every case, they left a stable job with career potential to start a family business. Some did it voluntarily...others did not. But in any case, they all recognized that it was time to leave the workplace.
It was time to come home.
This wasn't so foreign a concept even 100 year ago. In fact, it was the norm. Families engaged in business together, whether it was operating the family farm, running the local mercantile or grain mill, or renting out rooms to weary passengers. They had cottage business that arose; jams and jellies, candles, baked goods, and soaps. They did what they had to do to survive.
And they did it together.
I realize that not every man from the previous centuries was home constantly, nor would I expect him to be. There are jobs that must be done away from home. Yet the simple fact is that it's a man's God given responsibility to lead his family. This cannot be done if he does not heavily invest in that family. And how can he heavily invest in his family if the majority of his time is spent elsewhere? The 20th Century, and the continued propagation of the Industrial Age, has embedded into the minds of men that we must leave home for at least 40 hours per week in order to "work". Anything less is considered lazy. But it's not so. A man does not have to leave his homestead to be productive. Having a job away from the home is no sin. But have we given into the lie that says our corporation, our place of employment, is what defines our productivity?
Again I say it is not so. With the advent of technology, it seems that we are learning. Men are coming home, with home as their base of operations. Whole families are able to work from home. There are some who are heeding the call to transition from a decentralized family model to a centralized one.
I think that is what I was most impressed with as I watched Entrusted with Arrows. This movie highlighted candid conversations about the transition and the fear involved. Each man addresses the fact that he struggled, to one extent or other, with fear. Yet each overcame that fear. How joyous to the ears to hear that a man was indeed fearful, as all men will be, but trusted God. In so doing a man becomes brave. I need to hear that. It's like a shot of courage in the arm.
I've heard of similar stories from men whose hearts have been turned toward home. At times, the stories do not mention fear and I have been left to wonder if they did not struggle at all with this sort of transition. This was not the case with Entrusted with Arrows. The leading men were open about their fears and their conquests.
In all, I'd like to say thank you to the Movie Makers. Like a fire on a winter's day, they brought cheer and inspiration to me, reminding me that with God, all things are possible.
For more information, check them out here.
When I watch the movie, I get this tingle in the back my neck and it sort of flushes my face. I think I feel that way because I know exactly why they did what they did. In every case, they left a stable job with career potential to start a family business. Some did it voluntarily...others did not. But in any case, they all recognized that it was time to leave the workplace.
It was time to come home.
This wasn't so foreign a concept even 100 year ago. In fact, it was the norm. Families engaged in business together, whether it was operating the family farm, running the local mercantile or grain mill, or renting out rooms to weary passengers. They had cottage business that arose; jams and jellies, candles, baked goods, and soaps. They did what they had to do to survive.
And they did it together.
I realize that not every man from the previous centuries was home constantly, nor would I expect him to be. There are jobs that must be done away from home. Yet the simple fact is that it's a man's God given responsibility to lead his family. This cannot be done if he does not heavily invest in that family. And how can he heavily invest in his family if the majority of his time is spent elsewhere? The 20th Century, and the continued propagation of the Industrial Age, has embedded into the minds of men that we must leave home for at least 40 hours per week in order to "work". Anything less is considered lazy. But it's not so. A man does not have to leave his homestead to be productive. Having a job away from the home is no sin. But have we given into the lie that says our corporation, our place of employment, is what defines our productivity?
Again I say it is not so. With the advent of technology, it seems that we are learning. Men are coming home, with home as their base of operations. Whole families are able to work from home. There are some who are heeding the call to transition from a decentralized family model to a centralized one.
I think that is what I was most impressed with as I watched Entrusted with Arrows. This movie highlighted candid conversations about the transition and the fear involved. Each man addresses the fact that he struggled, to one extent or other, with fear. Yet each overcame that fear. How joyous to the ears to hear that a man was indeed fearful, as all men will be, but trusted God. In so doing a man becomes brave. I need to hear that. It's like a shot of courage in the arm.
I've heard of similar stories from men whose hearts have been turned toward home. At times, the stories do not mention fear and I have been left to wonder if they did not struggle at all with this sort of transition. This was not the case with Entrusted with Arrows. The leading men were open about their fears and their conquests.
In all, I'd like to say thank you to the Movie Makers. Like a fire on a winter's day, they brought cheer and inspiration to me, reminding me that with God, all things are possible.
For more information, check them out here.
Monday, September 6, 2010
It's Almost Time - 3rd Batch
Don't forget that we are processing the third batch of chickens on September 11th. That's this coming Saturday! Have your coolers and your final payments ready! Plan to arrive between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. This will give the chickens time to cool down after processing. We don't have a lot of freezer space so it's important that you, or a representative for you, is there. If you have any questions regarding your order, don't hesitate to let us know. You will need enough cooler space to fit your order. You should have a little ice or cold water in your cooler so your bird will keep on your drive home. For your final payment, we only accept cash and check at this time. We are REALLY excited to see you there!! FUTURE PLANS We plan to process the fourth batch of chickens on September 25th. Again, mark it on your calendar! This will be our final batch for the year. If you have any questions or comments, let us know! We'd love to hear from you. Keep checking the blog for the most recent information, or follow us on Facebook. Just type in Legacy Family Farm. |
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Talking Turkey - Part 1
I posted once before that there is not nearly as much on line about raising turkeys as there is about raising chickens. So, as best i can I'm going to chronicle what we've done so far.
Now, remember, this is my first shot at Turkey's so all I have to go on is what I've done this year. You'll have to take it for what it's worth.
I ordered the poults (baby turkeys) in April. I ordered them to arrive the week before the Memorial Day weekend, but that didn't happen. They arrived the first week in June. I ordered a straight run, that is, males and females. Normally, when I order the chickens, I order only cockerels (males). I have to admit that the one thing that bothers me about raising poultry is that everyone orders cockerels for meat birds. They have a better chance of growing large quickly. But what do they do with the females that are born? Well, if no one wants them for layers, they are destroyed. It just seems like a colossal waste. So, I ordered a straight run for the poults.
I raise chickens for meat, too, so it made sense to order them together. I ordered 70 chickens and 10 turkeys. So, again, logistically it didn't make sense to build a second brooder and double the effort of feeding, watering, and heating. Here's where the debate comes in.
Traditional farmers say that you cannot, under any circumstance, combine chickens and turkeys'. There is a disease, the Blackhead, that chickens carry but are immune to. For turkey's, however, it's most often fatal. so the solution is to separate them at all cost. Farmers that tend toward the organic methods say it's okay to leave them together, at least when they are small. Then comes the debate on how long to leave them together. And on the debates go. I had a chance to participate in Joel Salatin's Farm Days a couple years back. They keep chicks and poults together and the mortality rate was surprisingly low. So my logic goes something like this. Joel Salatin does it...good enough for me.
And so they lived communally for about two weeks. I was surprised to see that at the end of two weeks, the poults were able to easily fly out of my 2 foot high brooder. If you're going to brood them that long or longer, I would suggest either a 3 foot high brooder, or the use of a lid. I will add that 2 feet in no way cramped them. There was still plenty of height. The addition of a lid is only required to keep them from flying out. During this time, I also fed the chicks and poults the same ration. Of course turkey's require a ration higher in protein (28% to start with), but again, it would be an addition to the process to feed them separate feed from separate feeders, and so on. I opted to feed them the same ration. It didn't seem to impede them at all.
After the two weeks, we brought them out to pasture. I separated the chickens from the turkeys Now the ten poults had their own place. I also switched them to the Turkey Starter ration. I placed the pens close to one another. I have been warned that they need to be kept far from one another, but again, the process dictated that they can't be too far apart. If they are, I lose valuable time in moving from one place to another. So they are about seven feet from one another.
They are twelve weeks old as I write this post. They must be about 10-12 pounds apiece. We had a major wind storm that you can read about here, but we didn't lose any of them. Thus far, disease has been non-existent. Predators have not posed a problem. They are growing really very well. I've switched to a grower ration with a 25% protein ration. It's pelleted, cheaper, and more efficient for them at this time. I still mix in the Fertrell Nutri-Balance which you can read about here.
Now, fair warning. They are aggressive. I try to incorporate my children into all the things I do with the poultry. In this case, they are not allowed to go in the Turkey pen unless an adult knows about it. The children are all 10 and under so it's very possible a turkey could fly up and spur them in the face. That said, we've had no injury thus far to either friend or fowl. We take it seriously. We have fun (for sure) but we know that the birds are living and must be treated with respect.
So that's what I have for now. I'll keep you posted on how the rest of this little experiment goes. Lord willing, we'll have Turkey from our own pasture to be thankful for this November.
Mmmmm....I can smell it now.....
Monday, August 16, 2010
Cloning Beef
Laudanum, Morphine, Cocaine, Saccharine, Tobacco, Lead, Mercury....
What do all of these have in common? At one time in history they all had valid uses, some medicinal, and some practical. During their heyday they were applauded by the leading citizens of society as necessary for a modern, civilized life. Best of all, they were completely safe.
Nothing to worry about.
Yet as our science progressed, we determined that each one had some very negative properties. So we made changes.
We found less addictive means of pain control.
We put warning labels on harmful substances.
We removed what we could from common household items.
In most cases we have shunned these evils of mankind.
And yet....
I recently read of story from the Telegraph, a publication from the UK. You may have heard of the uproar in the UK and Europe regarding the beef they are buying off the shelves. It's from cloned animals. And it's not labeled.
In other countries, it is illegal to sell cloned meat without the proper labeling. In addition, the correct paperwork has to be filed indicating that cloned beef has been brought into the county. Apparently this didn't happen the way it's supposed to. Yet in America, we have no labels on our beef. Conventionally grown hamburger can, and is, mixed in with hamburger from the offspring of cloned beef. It seems that the American public at large is basically unaware that this happens. Many who are aware have no problem with consuming the offspring of cloned beef. So what's the big deal overseas?
Joanna Blythman reports, "Cloning can sound like a neat, useful science. What farmer wouldn't want to make Identikit copies of his best milker or his leanest, fastest-growing pig? In reality, this technology is hopelessly hit-and-miss, generating a steady roll-call of deaths and defects. First, the embryo has to be implanted into a surrogate mother using a potentially painful surgical procedure. If they do not miscarry, these mothers often don't give birth naturally and must instead undergo a caesarean."
The “big deal” in Europe is that the people recognize that there is not enough empirical data, hard evidence, that the cloned meat is exactly like it's natural counterpart. While I appreciate science and the many benefits it has brought to the masses, I do not think it wise to accept the verdict that cloned beef is in every way exactly like it’s natural counterpart. Like the list that started this post, could cloned beef go the way of the many things once deemed safe, but then condemned?
And one last thought. Why is it that we try to improve on what God has already ordained only to find that His way was best after all?
What do all of these have in common? At one time in history they all had valid uses, some medicinal, and some practical. During their heyday they were applauded by the leading citizens of society as necessary for a modern, civilized life. Best of all, they were completely safe.
Nothing to worry about.
Yet as our science progressed, we determined that each one had some very negative properties. So we made changes.
We found less addictive means of pain control.
We put warning labels on harmful substances.
We removed what we could from common household items.
In most cases we have shunned these evils of mankind.
And yet....
I recently read of story from the Telegraph, a publication from the UK. You may have heard of the uproar in the UK and Europe regarding the beef they are buying off the shelves. It's from cloned animals. And it's not labeled.
In other countries, it is illegal to sell cloned meat without the proper labeling. In addition, the correct paperwork has to be filed indicating that cloned beef has been brought into the county. Apparently this didn't happen the way it's supposed to. Yet in America, we have no labels on our beef. Conventionally grown hamburger can, and is, mixed in with hamburger from the offspring of cloned beef. It seems that the American public at large is basically unaware that this happens. Many who are aware have no problem with consuming the offspring of cloned beef. So what's the big deal overseas?
Joanna Blythman reports, "Cloning can sound like a neat, useful science. What farmer wouldn't want to make Identikit copies of his best milker or his leanest, fastest-growing pig? In reality, this technology is hopelessly hit-and-miss, generating a steady roll-call of deaths and defects. First, the embryo has to be implanted into a surrogate mother using a potentially painful surgical procedure. If they do not miscarry, these mothers often don't give birth naturally and must instead undergo a caesarean."The “big deal” in Europe is that the people recognize that there is not enough empirical data, hard evidence, that the cloned meat is exactly like it's natural counterpart. While I appreciate science and the many benefits it has brought to the masses, I do not think it wise to accept the verdict that cloned beef is in every way exactly like it’s natural counterpart. Like the list that started this post, could cloned beef go the way of the many things once deemed safe, but then condemned?
And one last thought. Why is it that we try to improve on what God has already ordained only to find that His way was best after all?
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Healthy Mountains
We ordered (and received) our fourth and final batch of chicks from a different hatchery. Townline has been very good to us, but they ran out of chicks available for the time frame I was hoping for. Fortunately, we'd done some homework and new that another hatchery, Mt. Healthy Hatchery in Mt. Healthy, OH was just what we were looking for. As I said, Townline has done very well for us and I like working with a Michigan based company, but it's never good to have just one supplier of anything. So when I heard that Townline was going to have to delay the order, I called up Mt. Healthy. There's no time like the present to give them a try!
The breed we're buying is slightly different, but I doubt any of us will be able to tell. It's the standard meat bird. It's good to try something new. If they work out well, I'm sure we'll have need to use them again. So we'll trust that the healthy mountains produce healthy chicks and keep growing them as God blesses.
The breed we're buying is slightly different, but I doubt any of us will be able to tell. It's the standard meat bird. It's good to try something new. If they work out well, I'm sure we'll have need to use them again. So we'll trust that the healthy mountains produce healthy chicks and keep growing them as God blesses.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Its Almost Time - 2nd Batch
Don't forget that we are processing the second batch of chickens on August 7th. That's a week from Saturday! Have your coolers and your final payments ready! Plan to arrive between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. This will give the chickens time to cool down after processing. We don't have a lot of freezer space so it's important that you, or a representative for you, is there. If you have any questions regarding your order, don't hesitate to let us know.
You will need enough cooler space to fit your order. You should have a little ice or cold water in your cooler so your bird will keep on your drive home.
For your final payment, we only accept cash and check at this time.
If you need directions, let me know. We are REALLY excited to see you there!!
FUTURE PLANS
We plan to process the third batch of chickens on September 11th. Again, mark it on your calendar!
The fourth batch has been ordered! We plan to process this batch on September 25th.
If you have any questions or comments, let us know! We'd love to hear from you. Keep checking the blog for the most recent information, or follow us on Facebook. Just type in Legacy Family Farm.
You will need enough cooler space to fit your order. You should have a little ice or cold water in your cooler so your bird will keep on your drive home.
For your final payment, we only accept cash and check at this time.
If you need directions, let me know. We are REALLY excited to see you there!!
FUTURE PLANS
We plan to process the third batch of chickens on September 11th. Again, mark it on your calendar!
The fourth batch has been ordered! We plan to process this batch on September 25th.
If you have any questions or comments, let us know! We'd love to hear from you. Keep checking the blog for the most recent information, or follow us on Facebook. Just type in Legacy Family Farm.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The Turkey Trot
Friday evening found us in the basement again. I have lived my whole life in this area and have never experienced the number of tornado warnings that we've had this year. It's incredible. I noted to my lovely wife, as we were huddled around the glow of a Dell laptop, that the worst of the storm was starting in Carleton...of course...that's where the chicken pens are located.
I've been asked on more than one occasion how the chickens and turkeys fair in the rain. It's not really a problem for them. But in our case, because of the types of pens we use, wind is a problem. And thus it was proved out that night.
After the sirens ceased and we had the "all clear", we went back upstairs. In just a few minutes I got the call from my friend who owns the farm.
The wind (approximately 35 mph) had blown the pens over. All the birds were loose and running free.
*Sigh* ....so much for a relaxing evening at home.
The first order of business? GET THOSE BIRDS!
Amazingly, every bird was perfectly fine; slightly damp, but perfectly fine. One of the pens took a severe beating. We estimated that it blew about 75 feet. We fixed it the next morning.
And a good (mosquito bitten, wet, muggy) time was had by all. We rounded up 37 chickens, 10 turkeys, and 5 crazy children. Or, as my wife put it, we did the Turkey Trot.
I've been asked on more than one occasion how the chickens and turkeys fair in the rain. It's not really a problem for them. But in our case, because of the types of pens we use, wind is a problem. And thus it was proved out that night.
After the sirens ceased and we had the "all clear", we went back upstairs. In just a few minutes I got the call from my friend who owns the farm.
The wind (approximately 35 mph) had blown the pens over. All the birds were loose and running free.
*Sigh* ....so much for a relaxing evening at home.
The first order of business? GET THOSE BIRDS!
Amazingly, every bird was perfectly fine; slightly damp, but perfectly fine. One of the pens took a severe beating. We estimated that it blew about 75 feet. We fixed it the next morning.
And a good (mosquito bitten, wet, muggy) time was had by all. We rounded up 37 chickens, 10 turkeys, and 5 crazy children. Or, as my wife put it, we did the Turkey Trot.
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