A Farm?
- June 27, 2011
- Category: Daily Diary
- (14) Comments
Thanks everyone for your well wishes and concern. I’m hanging in there. Happy to report I haven’t seen a single lightening bolt in a couple of days.
I applied to be included in a list of farm blogs months ago. I also promptly forgot about my request until today when I got an email delineating more requirements I needed to fulfill (including finding 5 more farm blogs not already listed) with still no guarantee of being accepted.
One of the requirements to be in the directory is that the farm must produce food (which we do; for ourselves with hopefully enough left over to aid the local food bank this year). And as I become more familiar each year with growing crops, I keep expanding my growing efforts.
But what about farms that don’t produce food? Are they still farms? Can they define themselves as farms? In my opinion, yes.
Carmen suggested we have a retreat on our farm for people to spend time away from the busy world to reflect and to enjoy the solitude nature provides. Maybe spend a day laboring with Mountain Man or for those who enjoy a slower pace, a day with me and the turkeys and afterwards a home cooked Mountain Man meal.
Actually, Mountain Man and I have been thinking about that idea for a few years now.
Sunday afternoon Mountain Man and I were discussing this topic. “There’s an old cellar hole in the woods. That might be a good spot. Did I show it to you?”
“No, you mentioned it to me but I’ve never seen it. Can we go look at it?” I’m going out of my mind sitting still.
“Sure, it’s not far.” So we set out on a gentle hike and I vowed I wouldn’t fall on my bottom or knock my head with branches like I usually do.
First, we had to find the old gate. “It’s here somewhere.”
When Mountain Man found it, I said “That’s the gate?” thinking we’d be seeing something more like our steel gates but it was just a few wires with a hook to some old wooden boards.
And through that gate is an old foundation where long ago a house once stood. It’s fairly large and deep and once again my pictures can’t do it justice.
Next to it is another small circle of moss covered stones. “Outhouse?” I ask. “No, I think it’s a well house. Look at the shape.” Mountain Man replies.
My thoughts immediately turn to the stones in our graveyard. Did this dwelling belong to one of the people resting there? Living history; I can reach out and touch it; an amazing feeling; here, sheltered in our woods that exist because Mountain Man takes only what he needs. We decide to search for a different spot for the setting of our modest cabin.
I do say Red Pine Mountain is a farm but it’s so much more. It’s a place where all live in harmony. Where turkey hens supervise German Shepherd dogs, supervising Mountain Man hanging a clothes line.
A place where guinea hens wander expressing their opinions very loudly while providing insect control.
Here, evenings provide a time for reflection as day after day amazing sunsets roll over the crest of our pasture.
And as I look the other way, I see a rainbow. A blessing, a sign (cause I believe in signs) that I’m on the right path, where I’m meant to be; on this farm, Red Pine Mountain.
There’s the old barn, light bouncing off it. It is still standing thanks to Mountain Man’s efforts. He saved it from sinking last year and will start to work on it again soon. It’s a labor of love; one we can’t really afford but we do it anyway because it’s the right thing to do; to preserve the history of our forebearers.
Sun is setting. Time to head home. I count my blessings always thankful to be allowed to live here on our farm.
Then another dawn; enshrouded in mist. I head to the barn to start morning chores. Horses and donkeys are grazing in the pasture.
Mama turkey is already awake caring for newborns.
Time to wake up the goslings now settled in and at home.
What is a farm? I can’t give you one definition. In fact, I dare say everyone will define farm a little differently but to me Red Pine Mountain is a farm and a place we are tending with careful stewardship to leave the land open so another generation may know what it’s like to experience nature and the beauty of Vermont.
I may not get listed in a farm directory because I don’t have the time to prove I’m a farm. There’s chores waiting, animals to be fed, gardens to tend and life to be lived all here on this farm I adore and call home. To paraphrase, “A farm is where the heart is.”
What is your definition of a farm?
I believe a farm is a country home with a nice big garden and critters. We have a small 10-acre farm. We currently have chickens and goats. I’ve just started the whole incubating/raising of baby chickens thing in the hopes that we have more eggs in a few months. We give away a lot of eggs. We are trying out a few different breeds of chickens. We started with ISA Browns and Ameracauna and Barred Rocks. As chicks, we now have Cuckoo Marans, Welsummers and, of course, more Ameracaunas. We love those green and blue eggs! The Marans and Welsummers lay dark brown. We also have 7 goats – 5 of them are Pygmy (1 buck, 4 does) and 2 others are Nubian wethers. My husband loves their big, long, floppy ears! We are looking for some inexpensive Myotonic (fainting) goats to add to the collection. We’re always on the lookout for llamas, cattle or Alpaca to add to the menagerie. I’m also hoping to “rescue” (or simply take-in) a couple of older horses that need a new home. We have a big garden, and I’ll be working on converting a shed into a small greenhouse in the next couple of weeks. We will also be building a couple of pens in and out of the barn for turkeys and perhaps peacocks. Are we a farm? We provide about 3 dozen eggs to members of our church family or co-workers each week, free of charge. If we don’t charge for our foodstuffs, are we not a farm? We rent out about six acres for a neighbor to plant corn or soybeans. In the future, that will again become a hay field. Will we cease to be a farm then? You have to wonder about other’s definitions. I suppose, if I lived in a house that was ten feet from my neighbors on each side and had a small garden in my backyard and a desire to raise chickens, I really couldn’t classify my property as a farm.
Date: June 27, 2011
I love that you guys saved the old barn from sinking! It’s beautiful! The furry little turkey feathers are adorable:) Great post!
Date: June 27, 2011
Good Morning Mountain Woman,
To me a farm is a home in the country with a few acres to hundreds of acres that has a few critters and a garden. I don’t think it matters if you sell anything…at least it doesn’t matter to me. I agree with you….”a farm is where the heart is”. What a wonderful idea to build a small cabin for people who want to just ‘get away’ from it all and feel what it’s like to live in the country. It’s hard to believe that there are so many people in the world who have never been to a farm. Good luck with your project and have a wonderful day!
Maura
Date: June 27, 2011
sounds like a lot of hoops to jump through just to join in.
Date: June 27, 2011
If your place isn’t a farm, I don’t know what it would take to quality. It sounds to me like it’s a ploy to get you to bring them more farming sites, and then maybe, just maybe they’ll let you be part of their group. It reminds me a bit of when I joined the Chihuahua group on one of those dog forums, and when they saw a picture of Rosie they informed me the group was for pure bred chihuahuas only. Up till then I was going by what the rescue group told me that Rosie was a chihuahua, period. So after that I asked my vet if she could have other blood in her and he said yes, probably dachshund. But even so, she is part chihuahua so why the big deal was made that wouldn’t let Rosie be in their little select group is beyond me. But I decided if they wanted to be that way, we were better off without them. Too bad some people have to be so into their details. You are a farm for sure -the heck with what someone else thinks
Date: June 27, 2011
i’d say you have a farm. I believe a farm is what you believe it to be. And yours sure looks like a farm to me. Loved viewing your pictures, looks so peaceful. I’d love a place such as yours.
Date: June 27, 2011
Well, I’ve been a city girl most of my life but, as a child, for a year or so, my mother, brother and I lived with my aunt and uncle on their small farm in Smith Station, Alabama. It wasn’t a huge farm at all, just a few cows and pigs, chickens, lots of vegetables and fruit trees. I was allowed to gather eggs which we sold at the local mom and pop grocery and my uncle would take his crops into Columbus, Georgia on Saturdays to the farmer’s market. It was back breaking work. They gave it all up when a huge tornado destroyed most of their farmhouse nd scattered the livestock all over the county.
You and Mountain Man have the ultimate in farms, in my opinion. A homestead, animals, some crops, I imagine, but there is that ultimate respect for nature and the land and the importance of leaving it all better for your having been there.
Your posts move me to tears, at times, and make me believe
in the goodness of man, give me a great respect for hard
work and a sense that all is right with the world.
Date: June 27, 2011
A farm is a house on land that has farm animals: chickens, cows, horses, ducks, turkeys, pigs, goats, donkeys, farm dogs, sheep, cattle, and/or that grows crops. I think an apple orchard would also qualify. Oh, and it definitely has a barn! You obviously live on a farm and I obviously do not.
Date: June 27, 2011
Hmmm- takes a lot of nerve for someone to try to define all farms in a certain way. What on earth else would you call your “place?”
Date: June 27, 2011
I think you look like a farm to me. Here’s another blogger I read who has a farm too. You may already know about her. I love her artwork and the way her animals show up in it.
http://apiferafarm.blogspot.com/
Glad your eye is on the mend.
Date: June 27, 2011
Sounds kinda snobby to me–you know, to have to “qualify” to be a farm blogger. And what did Groucho Marx say about clubs that wanted him to be a member?? Yeah, I think I’d pass on those farm blogs if they are gonna be like that. If they want you after all that, I’d have to say “no thanks”.
Why not just be your same old blog and we can just keep coming to hear your stories and enjoy your beautiful property and wacky animals? I think you are doing just fine on your own, pally.
Date: June 27, 2011
I can’t think of any definition that better describes a farm than what you have. Maybe a quite perfect farm.
Date: June 28, 2011
Your pictures of your woods reminded me of my family history. About 10 years ago I had the privilege of visiting cousins in Nova Scotia, Canada. My cousin took us up into woods behind their home on a road that looked similar to yours. We found a rock foundation of the house my grandfather was born in–looked very similar to the rock foundation of your well house–weeds growing through, over and around it, but the foundation still visible–just like in your photos!
I think staying at your farm’s ‘bed and breakfast’ would be wonderful!
Date: June 28, 2011
I used to tell my kids that they must be mistaken in believing that we lived on a farm, because they always acted like pigs. I deeply and profusely apologize to all the pigs that are, have been, and will be.
My husband called our home the nut farm! If your beautiful piece of the world isn’t a farm, then I don’t really know what a farm is.
BTW – you wouldn’t want me to come and spend time at your place – because you couldn’t get me to LEAVE!
Date: July 05, 2011