Getting ready for the winter feeding season. I have to admit, it
is probably the hardest work I've ever done.
When you see the next couple of pics you'll know what I mean.
It may look like we're done, but
when we're finished baling and
stacking all the hay in this barn
you'd be hard pressed to get one
more stalk in here. We have enough
stored hay to feed twice as many
cows as we'll be feeding. All from
our own certified organic fields.
We don't import any feed. We grow
it all right here.
Here's a shot of what I call our "big old ugly barn". What you don't see
here is another section that's about the same size extending off the back.
This entire upper part is hay storage and so is the upper part of the new
section. Downstairs is a milk house and calf area that we don't use yet.
Downstairs in the new section is where the cows freely wander in and out
in the winter to eat drink and lay on bedding. They are never confined
and spend a lot of time outside even in winter because they just want to.
Here's a pic of a tractor we had to drive all the way to the furthest north of Michigan to
pick up after spotting it on Ebay of all places. It was sad to see the old farmer give it up, he
said he was too old to farm anymore and it was tough for him to part with it. My honey
"The Farmer" said it was just one of the greatest tractors and insisted I would love it. He is
right (again). I've run it pretty hard since we brought it home and after he sees this posted
he'll probably wash and wax it and make me take the picture over again. (LOL)


Here is one of our other
farming ventures. These
are our own farm raised
deer. We have venison to
offer as well as our beef  
for sale. Farm raised
venison does not have that
wild gamey taste that
some people associate with
venison. Our farm raised
venison is tender mild
and tasty.

Here you see some of the
youngens at the feeder.
This is the big Daddy.
Some moron (excuse my
French) climbed over our
fence, passed our posted
signs and shot him a
while back. While he
wasn't instantly killed,
the injury turned out to be
life altering. We've since
had to cull him to spare
him further pain and
misery. RIP Pepsi Dragon.
Hey, what's this?
Something new hanging
in my patch of woods."
(It was a wildlife camera.)
Most people don't know
that deer are very curious
and something new in
their area invites them to
get close and check it out.
That's why hunters will
find deer tracks around
there new tree stand the
day after they've hung
it in the woods.  

More to come, sooner or later...

Our white baby boy. Isn't he cute?
Also not for venison. I suppose you could say
it's part of the reason our supply of
venison is very limited.
Here's a pic of our new herd of
beef calves, Shorthorns
actually. Yes I know there's a
milk calf in there too. Long
story behind that. They are a
bit smaller body size than the
Herefords which we thought
might better suit some people
looking for a smaller amount
of meat in one purchase. Plus
the heifers will be milkers
some day and will help get us
started in cheese making. Here
they are seen right after their
afternoon move to a new patch
of grass. This time they get
the apple trees, too!
In this picture you see a few ears of corn laying on the ground. A relative  of ours that
is involved in some conventional farming had these in his pickup truck bed and threw
them to the Shorthorns because he thinks we're crazy not giving our cows grain. After
the cows moved to their new patch of grass the corn was still laying here, that's when I
took this picture. Our nephew said, "Stupid cows, don't know enough to eat corn." I
thought,"Smart cows, they know what's good for them." (I know that an ear of corn
every now and then won't hurt them, and I apologize to those who take offense at the
word "conventional").
Pasture scratching post.
Some of our Angus.
Since we brought them home and turned them out on pasture, they've stayed there
although they always have the choice to go in the barn by the back entrance which
is always open for them. It was such a joy to see them run out and play the first
day. I wish we caught it on video to put here. Hindsight is 20/20, as they say.
Slate Blue or Blue Slate Turkeys. A rare heritage breed we are raising.
Ironic that you must eat them for them to survive.
Yes those are young Buff Orpington chickens running around and
told them this. Pigs always kill chickens right? Not ours.