People often want to know; what do we do here daily on a real “working” farm?  Jenny has decided to keep a daily farm diary to fill us “city folk” in on the day to day life of running a successful farm.  Please check back monthly for updates.

Daily Diary as written by Jenny Drake

February

 1 Drove home today. It was bitterly cold and blew snow most all the way, but nothing stuck.

2 The carriage club had a recreational drive today followed by a meeting. I loaded up Tess and we had a great time and drive. Stayed afterwards for a bit and visited with Laura and Dave.

3 On the way out Sunday morning, we found all of the sheep flock had gone on walk about and were on the neighbor’s property. It took about 20 minutes to get tem back on the farm and secure the gates over the cattle guard.

4 Today I went to TN Tech to talk to two classes. Dr. Bruce Greene has been such a supporter of our farm and internship program. AT TN Tech they are planning to start a sustainable ag program. I was happy to contribute what little I could suggest.

5 Flew out today for PA for the PASA Conference. While I was packing, Rachel and The Guys round up the goats and sorted them according to those who looked close to kidding. It is the single, most impressive event I’ve ever attended. I’m flying into Baltimore, then riding to State College with APPPA president David Smith, who is picking me up at the airport.

6 Spent the day in a board meeting to try to salvage and piece together the organization for another year. We’ve had some devastating staff turnovers and they have really hurt. All in all, it was very productive and I feel optimistic about the next year and the leadership of the organization

7 Today was a trip to APPPA board member’s farm for a field day and workshop. I helped Eli’s wife Kathleen with lunch, but she really didn’t need much help. After lunch, Kathleen and I had a delightful afternoon! We went visiting to her parents, her dad has a harness shop, and to Eli’s brother’s who builds carriages. He had also some incredible carts and sleds in for restoration.

8 This was the first day of the PASA Conference. If you are att all interested in sustainable ag, this is THE place you need to go. It is by far the BEST conference I ever attend.   .

9 David Smith and I co-presented today on turkeys and waterfowl. We had a good group of probably 50 people and they asked great questions. I so hope I am invited to speak here again.

10 Flew back from PA today. My ride to the airport (Baltimore) had a fender bender on the way, but no one was hurt and I still made it in time for my flight.

11 Today was Nashville deliveries and Darrin went along so we could also pick up my car, which was in the car hospital. They’ve had it for 5 weeks, and I am becoming very frustrated.  My frustration did not improve when we picked it up; we drove 3 miles and the “service engine soon” light came on. We turned around and headed right back to the Saturn dealership. I was polite, but let my dissatisfaction be known.

12 We sheared sheep today—72 head total. Mr. Beachy, our shearer, kept saying that he didn’t really want to come back, so I guess I’ll have to find another shearer—which won’t be easy. He wants to stop shearing entirely. This is unfortunate as he is very good and has been coming here for 8 years.

13 Two does kidded today and ober with a black buck kid and a white doe with a single “something.” I say this because she hid the kid under the floor of an old barn. I was able to see it was white, with no ears, but nothing more.

14 Today was our 15^th anniversary! We went out to eat at a nice restaurant and Darrin surprised me with a diamond anniversary ring. I was stunned beyond words!

15 The mystery kid is still hidden. Another doe, an ober x Saanen looks very close to kidding. I will keep an eye on her as she looks like she might have triplets.

16 Today was a hectic one. Three ailing critters demanded my attention all day. First thing in the a.m. found the kid from yesterday in bad shape. He was OK, but a little "off" a few hours after he was born, but the next morning he was severely hypothermia, couldn't stand or even stay up on his sternum while lying down, weak cries and dehyrdated. I rushed him to the house (AKA "ICU") and put him on a heating pad and under a hot towel in a ziploc bag in the bathroom with the heat on. Oh, this is after I tube fed him colostrum from his mom. I couldn't tell anything about his breathing until he grew strong enough to actually be heard, so I gave him animal Advil + a broad spectrum antibiotic. That evening he was able to return to mom. He is doing MUCH better, but still not quite as strong of an eater as I would like to see him be before turning them out of the barn and into the herd.
The cow, Clara, has a long road ahead of her. She has blue tongue, which they catch from deer. We've never had this happen before. Of course she is a favorite of mine as I bottle raised her. Her tongue swells to the point it won't fit into her mouth. Makes eating and ruminating darn near impossible. She is also getting animal Advil and is in outdoor ICU, the corral at the house, also serves as quarantine. I'm giving her a molasses and oats fed and I have been putting MSM (whatever that stands for), it is a natural anti inflammatory in her feed.
A calf, Trixie, also bottle raised is just failing to thrive. We wormed her and she is in the yard with Burt, so she can be fed 3x/day. I think she will pull through, it will just take time.

17 Rested today, and didn’t do much of anything else. Oh, Darrin nearly turned the big truck over this morning while feeding hay, then he slipped and fell into a culvert. He’s OK.

18 The tulips are up about 3”. Have I mentioned how eager I am for spring??? After last year’s terrible drought and the standard winter, I just want to see GREEN!

19 TTU Career Fair today for more intern recruiting. Disappointing level of student interest as this is usually a pretty strong school for us. Ah well, each year is different. Drove to IL and spent night with Cathy and family (she’s our former customer service person.)

20 SIU Career Fair today. They moved it to a different location, which was lousy and attendance was way down. Say former intern Brittny and it was great to see her. She looks super. Drove home, almost 5 hours.

21 Attended a new Bible study today: “Community Bible Study” I’ve heard very good things about it, and it seems my usual study group doesn’t have anything planned for spring. A local newspaper guy came out to do an interview. He was very nice and will come back in a couple of weeks for pictures.

22 My world came crashing down when Miss Jessica (customer service) walked in this morning and QUIT. It was 7 a.m. and she announced she would be leaving at 11:00 (for good.) I am dismayed, frustrated, angry and beyond disgusted. She is the second person to have done such within 1 year. Now it is back to square one to interview, hire, train, train and train some more—and then HOPE they stay. We liked her so much as did the customers, and she did such a great job.

Called Cathy (former customer service person and a very dear friend) and she is willing to help however possible. She always immediately steps up to the plate. I am humbled by her friendship and love. She is going to immediately take over the web site. That will help.

Had twin does born today, again white and earless…

The first calf of the spring crop arrived today, a red bull.

Went to Laura’s tonight for a pizza party, friendship, took Tess (horse) to spend the night and drive the next morning. Had a thoroughly great time. She and Brenda are so supportive of me.

23 Laura and I drove Tess this morning in a light snowfall. Tess was just a ding a ling today. Gave up on driving and retreated to work in the round pen. Still torn up about Miss Jessica. Talked to Darrin as our paths finally crossed and we are going to try one more time for a customer service person. If it doesn’t work out again, we are going to modify the customer service hours (they would be dramatically shortened) and just do it ourselves. While this may sound like The Answer, it takes us away from the areas of the farm where we are most needed and locks us in an office and chains us to a computer.

24 Broke all the rules (ours and God’s) and worked a good bit today (both Darrin and me.) We had to go ahead and start getting a grip on paperwork, and polish up the ad, position description, etc. for the open customer service position. Took our friend John out to eat for his birthday.

25 Nashville deliveries today, everything went smoothly. I always enjoy seeing customers in person

26 Drove to Paducah today in preparation for Murray State’s Ag Career Fair tomorrow. Stayed with college friend (and matron of hone at our wedding) and her hubby’s. They have two great boys, Sam and Jake. Jus had a super visit.

27 “WHAT HAPPENED???” That was the reaction of Cathy at me during and after the career fair. I don’t know where all those kids came from, but we were slammed. Had to have over 100 more copies made while there. We were eyeball deep in questions the entire time. I don’t know what I would have done without Cathy!

28 Talked to Darrin and first lambs were born this morning.

29 More lambs today, and aged ewe, “Julia” kidded with a single ram lamb. I have them in the barn and she is very unhappy as she wants to take her lamb and rejoin the flock, but it is just too cold. One of my favorite does had TRIPLETS today. Too cute. Am keeping a close eye on them to make sure everyone gets enough to eat.