New Norm Farm

A Family Farm Making Local Food Production the Norm – Again!

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A Bearded Farm Journal – Day 13

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Wednesday February 7th, this morning was rainy and muddy plus I was running behind so I let Poppy get all the milk today. I have to milk tomorrow no question! We are about out of milk. Talking about the rain and mud, I still have not pulled the trigger on getting new boots. The grocery bags are still here for the time being. LOL. Maybe I will place the order today.

Well, our little kiddos are still feeling puny but I believe we are about to kick this stomach bug out of here!! Kassy has been washing the clothes as soon as we take them off, sometimes before. At least it feels that way. Along with that the covers and sheets are sprayed down with essential oils everyday and we all are getting oils after every shower. I don’t know what I would do without my Homesteading Momma. She amazes me everyday with her strength and I thank God for blessing me with her!

Yesterday, we were able to get Penelope moved to her new spot. She was happy to get a nice roof and stall filled with hay to nest in. We are ready for those babies which should be due any day now. I know I feel a lot better this year having her in an actual barn stall for the  birth. We typically let the pigs birth in the field which works out great because they build their nest and we put a little hut over them to keep them dry. This time though we a trying to get piglets for early spring and the temperature can get pretty cold so we wanted her to have the best stall possible, especially since this is her first litter.  I want to say thank you to my brother Brandon who helped me move her yesterday. Also, a thank you to Elijah (my eldest) who helped me move her water barrel and feed pan.

Here is a picture of Daisy and Poppy’s new stall area and the modification I made:

I have an old hay ring we salvaged(it was bent so it is no longer round) and since it had a flat side I put that where it made one side to the stall and I hook the cows to it at night under the leanto shed. They were having to go in the stall to eat during the day which works, but it made it where I could not clean up the stall til time to put them up or it would just get dirty again. So I made it where they could get to the back side of the hay ring and then I put a pallet in front of the stall feeding area. It seems to be working so far.

 

 

 

 

Well, till next time. Get in the Dirt & Get Growing!!!

Kyle – a bearded farmer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Bearded Farm Journal – Day 12

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Tuesday February 6th, yesterday we had a little reprieve from sickness. Nehemiah is well!! One down and 4 to go, well technically 5. Kassy is not feeling so hot. Unfortunately there is no time at work to ask off, so I am stuck at work and not able to help as much as I would like to.

Even with that going on I was able to get the cows moved yesterday. When I was moving them I noticed an extra cow. I wasn’t sure so I did my daily count and sure enough I had one extra. I took a closer look at this new arrival and come to find out he is a big bull. The neighbors bull decided to come for a visit. The neighbor is suppose to come over and get him today some time. I checked our electric fence and nothing was torn down but somehow he managed to get in with our herd. It reminds me that I really need to get started on replacing our perimeter fence. We plan to put up high-tensile electric around the whole perimeter. The first step is clearing off all the grown up brush and trees from the current fence. We hope to start clearing this weekend.

I made a modification to Daisy and Poppy’s new stall area. I had it where they ate their daily hay in their stall. The problem was that it made it where I had to clean the stall out right before time to put them up or they would mess it up again. So I made it where they can get to their hay without going into the stall area. Hopefully this will make it where I can clean the stall earlier and it stay clean.

I set up the electric fence for Penelopee to have a little yard from her stall. Her stall is full of hay for her to munch on and build a nest for birthing. I plan to move her to the stall this afternoon. We shall see how it goes. I think she will be happy.

Our wheelbarrow broke and I was able to get a new one from Lowes. I am still getting use to it. I got a really good deal. It was only $50. It was apparently mislabeled on price because when I got to the register, it rang up to $70. The customer service person was nice enough to override the price and give me the displayed price. I plan on writing a review for it. I will keep you posted.

 

 

 

One final note, our egg production is starting to go up. We don’t place any artificial light in the chicken mobile so winter time is there off season. The egg production was between 1-2 eggs daily but the days are getting longer and production has gone up to 4-7 eggs daily. As spring is quickly approaching, we hope production keeps going up.

Well, till next time. Get in the Dirt & Get Growing!!!

Kyle – a bearded farmer

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Bearded Farm Journal – Day 11

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Sunday February 4th, the past week has been very draining. On the farm we have a stomach bug that seems to be passing back and forth between the kids. It seems to be cycling through the kids, by the time one is starting to feel better the other kiddos are showing symptoms and then it repeats. It has been late nights, lots of essential oils, hot showers, and holding kids all night. Pray that the kids get better soon. With that said we have been happy just to get the basics done on the farm.

Here is a little update on some of the happenings on the farm:

  • Our calf Nicholas had a cyst on his upper jaw that looked like he was chewing tobacco. We lanced the cyst and drained out all of the puss and infection. We cleaned it out really well and it is looking good.
  • We did a quick till on the raised garden beds and have begun the process to get them ready for planting. We didn’t get them covered before winter so there is more clean up to do then we want but still going to be easier than last year. 
  • Kassy the Homesteading Momma has started some cold weather seeds like broccoli, cabbage, and more.
  • The chickens are spreading wood chips and prepping our other garden area
  • Our daily rotation for our beef cattle is still going well
  • We moved Daisy and Poppy to a different stall area and have prepared the stall where they were for Penelope as it is getting close to time for her piglets to be born.
  • We cleaned out under the rabbits and put the manure on the garden spot that will be covered with wood chips.
  • This past week I have been switching our website over to Bluehost  it was a little challenging as it was the first time I switched hosting accounts but well worth it.

Hope this sickness gets off the farm soon so we can get back on track for spring.

Well, till next time. Get in the Dirt & Get Growing!!!

Kyle – a bearded farmer

 

 

 

 

 

Kombucha Recipe

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What is kombucha? In the most basic terms is fermented tea packed full of probiotics. The following recipe is to make 2.5 gallons at a time which is the size of my container. 

  • 10 black tea bags
  • 2 cups sugar
  • Pot of water to boil
  • Scobi
  • Starter kombucha

Here are the steps:

  1. Bring water to boil
  2. Stir in sugar; add teabags, remove from heat & cover. I let mine steep until it’s completely cooled to room temperature but you can steep your tea to whatever strength you like.
  3. Once the tea is room temperature, add to a large container with the starter. Fill the rest of the way with cool water (Some use bottled, I use tap and never have issues)
  4. Place scobi on top; it should float. Cover opening with a dish towel or old tshirt and secure with rubber band.
  5. Let sit 1-2 weeks. Prepare next batch of tea prior to bottling.
  6. You can add flavors of fresh raw juices when bottling. Then let it sit another week.

Here are some benefits of kombucha:(from WellnessMama.com)

To be clear- it isn’t some magic pill or silver bullet, but it may help the body function well by supporting:

  • Liver detoxification
  • Improved pancreas function
  • Increased energy
  • Better digestion
  • Improved mood (helps with anxiety/depression)
  • Reducing Candida (yeast)
  • Helps nutrient assimilation
  • May be beneficial for weight loss

These benefits could be partially due to the concentration of beneficial enzymes and acids present in kombucha, including  Gluconacetobacter, Lactobacillus and Zygosaccharomyces.

A Bearded Farm Journal – Day 10

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Thursday January 18, We are having another cold snap or should I say “Oh, snap!” Well, in any sense it means frozen waterers, carrying out buckets of water, and switching out the rabbit waterers multiple times a day. On a good note, it did snow and the kiddos are extremely excited.

It was extremely cold yesterday especially out in the field moving the cows. We finished up our last temporary paddock in the north west field and had to move the cows to the north east field which is a little bit of a trek. Good thing they have 4WD built in because it was slick. Since we have been moving the cows daily, we have built a level of trust with them and they know when we come out it is to give them good things like fresh pasture. With that said, it came time to actually move them. We had a lane created from the field to field and all that was left was to get them to use the lane. To the neighbors it probably looked strange but I opened the lane and began to call the cows by mooing and calling their names. They started coming and they followed me all the way to the new paddock. It made me think about a scripture, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” – John 10:27-28 King James Version. When we trust Jesus Christ as our Lord and saviour, we hear his voice and He knows us, and we follow Him. He wants to lead us through the bad and rough times to the green pasture. It was very comforting. If you would like to know more about Jesus, click this link The Gospel and don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions.

On another exciting note, Poppy ate out of my hand for the first time this week. It was one of the moments that just made you excited and filled with joy. I know I had been feeling a little overwhelmed and I had been fighting with Poppy to lead him out to pasture in the mornings and it  seemed no matter what treat I brought him, he did not want any part of me. Just the other day I took out an apple and thought he will turn his nose up at me again but no he took it and I got it on video!! It was a great moment and a great encouragement. I might be making to much of the situation but it was one of those moments as a farmer that warms your heart.

On the garden front it is time to start planning out what seeds we need and where we want to plant. Also time to think about cleaning up the garden beds. The bad thing is that it is to cold and the ground is wet and then frozen so I can’t do the things I need to.

To end on a happy note, I took the kiddos down to see their cousin Addi, Uncle Eric(my brother), and Aunt Lauren. They had a great time. Aunt Lauren has been making her on kombucha which in the most basic terms is fermented tea packed full of probiotics. It is an acquired taste which I hope to acquire and get my family to acquire for the health benefits. She was nice enough to split off her soby which is what makes it ferment and give me directions to make some of my very own kombucha. I will link to a post with the recipe Here.

Well, till next time. Get in the Dirt & Get Growing!!!

Kyle – a bearded farmer

A Bearded Farm Journal – Day 9

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Thursday January 11, Now that the really cold days have passed and the ground has thawed a bit, rain has come. The Mud season truly begins. The one nice thing about freezing temps during the day is no mud. Since mud season is now in full swing I need to break down and buy some mud boots.

I have worn holes in my others and I have been putting off buying more. As my wife knows, I don’t like to spend money on clothing. I have been buying a $20 pair of boot from Tractor supply or Walmart which work well for a few months before getting a hole in the side. The hole starts small but grows quickly. My current boots have a big hole in both boots that not only lets the water in but now all the mud and muck so my socks turn a disgusting brown mess and my wife gets onto me. Rightly so of course. Plus the process of putting on grocery bags then boots is getting a little tedious and tiresome.

 

I know that it is time to not only break down and buy new boots but to fork out a little more cash and buy the expensive boots that will hopefully last. Here is the pair that I am looking at:

The thing that keeps me from just going out and getting a pair is the simple fact that I am hard on clothes, especially boots. Kassy says she has never met anybody that is harder on clothes than I am. Just a small example, she bought me a pair of insulated work gloves to use during this past cold snap. I wore holes in the gloves in 3 days doing the basic daily farm chores. I don’t want to spend a $100 on boots and in 3 months have worn them out like the $20 boots. A $20 dollar loss is a lot easier to take than a $100 loss but I feel the time has come to lose a few pounds, from my wallet at least. Of course, I would love to hear from others what are your suggestions on good, sturdy, rain boots.  Hopefully in my next entry I will have new boots.

Well, till next time. Get in the Dirt & Get Growing!!!

Kyle – a bearded farmer

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