Fattening Food = Pure Joy

Today has been a great day so far. Although John was on the schedule to take care of lunch, I volunteered to make it instead. As his usual contribution is Papa Murphy's Take'n Bake, I figured he would not be too upset if someone else wanted to shoulder the responsibility of feeding the masses. Plus, there is such an awesome assortment of spices here, that I've been anxious to get in the kitchen and play. I'd never been scheduled for lunch, though, and I was a little intimidated. The food coming out of the kitchen gets fancier every day. With so many connoisseurs to please, I thought I'd better make something foolproof that anyone can cook and everyone will eat: Lasagna.

I started early. I like to use every dish in the house when I cook, and, after all, it takes a lot of time to do that in such a well stocked kitchen! Plus,the stove top doesn't always work, and I was worried that the water would take two hours to boil. It has in the past. I had time to make my own homemade marinara, then I sauteed the veggies and put it all together with ricotta, parm, and mozz. For side dishes I made some bruschetta with an artichoke/tomato topping, and a spinach salad with walnuts, craisens, pears, sunflower seeds and shaved parmesan. Luckily, I didn't burn anything with the broiler, and it all turned out awesome. Of course, there was cheese in every dish so how could it not be awesome?! It was so fun to be back in the kitchen again, cooking for a group. And this is one of the few places I've cooked where there is no such thing as too large a batch.

Its about two o'clock, and I am just taking it easy for now. I am working tonight, so I'll have to get motivated pretty soon. Marcia said she would throw hay today, so its a little easier shift for us night milkers than usual. Meanwhile, some goats are going into labor, so I'll probably pop up to the barn in fifteen minutes or so to see if they are ready to deliver. Pretty soon there will be about five more babies running around, unless Marcia pre-sold some. There are only six right now, and the barn already feels so much more chaotic than when I arrived. One of the crew favorites is going to be picked up on Saturday. We all call him Kong, because he is a huge baby boy who is just super fuzzy and he lumbers around all clumsy and has a big ol' face and is just darling. He'll be sold to guy who will train him to be a pack goat. That sounds like the perfect career for him!

I have been trying to post a baby goat video, so everyone can see them playing and jumping and hopping around like mad things. It is probably the cutest thing in the world.

Unfortunately, technology has foiled me again though. Either I don't understand how to do it (likeliest explanation) or iPhoto is just not the best way to get video from a digital camera to a blog. So until I figure it out, there will only be photos.

Below are photos of me and my other favorite kiddo. He has been named Percival, but we call him Parker instead; we like it better (because then its cute and clever to call his twin sister Posy). In this photo, he is about five days old. I think I am likely to put him in my purse and bring him home with me when no one is looking!

Another Day Older, Sixty-two Days Wiser

Ok, so lately I have been feeling unsure about my future on this farm. That has not, however, prevented me from being pretty darn excited about the awesome things I am learning as I go along. Here is the short list of fun new things I've learned, done, or thought:

1. Goat Milking- obviously a big part of my daily routine, and one of the skills I came here to learn. Of course, its a bit harder without the machine, but doable.

2. Barn Mucking- Not as fun as some other skills I've learned, I admit...

3. The benefits of raw (goat) milk- If a adult of the species strongly believes he or she ought to be drinking milk, I think raw is the way to go. Yes, some people fear bacteria, but I think the ills of homogenizing and pasteurizing outweigh the risks- see also, Heart Disease, Causes of.

4. Tractor Driving- I probably haven't been behind the wheel of a motorized vehicle more than four times in the last decade. I am vehement and verbal about not wanting to drive, not needing to drive, and so on. But if I'd know how much how much fun tractors are! I remember being intimidated by the Big Red Tractor my grandparents owned, although I think we also had fun "driving" (i.e. steering) it as kids. And the tractor here is even more awesome, 'cause it has a rad turning radius, lots of fun attachments, and best of all, I am big enough to reach the pedals!

5. Going vegan- Ok I am really not there yet, but the thought I might someday is really new and intriguing. I'm spending a lot of energy thinking about a lifestyle I always dismissed before as unnecessary and too much work. In the end, it may still be, but I'd at least like to go with local, happy milk and meat products. That way I am supporting small farmers who are doing good things for the world and for agriculture's future. Plus, then I can still have cheese!

6. Fencing- Not the interesting kinds, as in swordfights, or selling and recieving stolen goods. Just the regular old putting up fences. But its a useful skill to have, I think. And I found out they make a heavy, cylindrical gadget for pounding in fence poles, so even the weak and puny may fence with wild abandon. Well, with wild abandon and work gloves.

7. How to Deliver a Kid- This is icky and magic at the same time. I imagine it would be a little less icky and a little more magical if you didn't have to kneel in goat poo-y straw to help the mama goat deliver. And probably even less icky if she didn't eat her placenta when it was over. With many births, there is not much you need to do- just make sure the feet come out first, then wait for the crown, then give a good pull. If the baby is breathing, you are not needed. But if the baby is struggling to breath, yank it in the air and swing it downward a couple times, with a good amount of force, so the lungs clear out. Yikes! This is the dicey part. But it usually works. Then let me mama clean it up, and wait for a it nurse a bit, so you know it will do okay. Give the buck no credit whatsoever, but heap praise on the mama. Last, exclaim over the kid's complete adorableness, the darling way it does absolutely everything, and pretend you had some part in making it all happen.

8. RV Living is Awesome- I liked this right off the bat. Its cute, compact, there are awesome hidden cupboards and handy bits everywhere. The bed is comfortable, the dining area is nice, the bathroom is sufficient, the living room comfy. I like everything about it, and would be considering living in one forever, if it weren't for my enormous, excessive, bordering-on-ridiculous amount of kitchen equipment. Oh well, maybe a slightly bigger RV...

Well, thats one new thought or skill for each workin' day so far. Not bad. I am sure there is much more, but lunch is ready, so off I go to enjoy another batch of quinoa.

Winter

Every morning now when I wake up, the fields are white with frost. There is such a bite in the air early mornings, I've been forced to keep good track of my hat and remember where I last set my gloves. Its been so pleasant and sunny this year, I had hoped we were skipping right over winter into spring. Although I know that it would probably cause droughts this summer, I still selfishly wished the seasons would accommodate my trial period as a farmer, and arrange themselves in the following order this year: Fall, Spring, Spring, Summer ... But I will accept the inevitable arrival of winter, late as it may be, and stock up on long underwear and Vitamin B12.

Meanwhile, around the farm, there is so much to do before Spring planting that we'll be grateful for a month or two reprieve. Though winter weather makes the chores more difficult to accomplish, at least there is still time to sit around and plan, steaming cups of tea in our hands, big garden dreams growing in our heads. Marcia, though her hands are more than full enough with the goats, is dreaming up the biggest plans of all. She wants to extend the gardens, which are currently 42' by 43' and about 25' by 20'. I'll allow that this is not nearly the space we need to grow enough veggies for the whole farm crew (12 people in high intern season), but that seems an unnecessarily lofty goal for a first year garden. They didn't even get the existing gardens planted in time last year, and there are always so many other chores that need attention. The goats, poor things, haven't been out to pasture near enough because the fences all need repair. Even if they did go out, they wouldn't be able to browse because nothing has been planted in the pasture but grass. So they are stuck in stalls eating hay, which contributes to the mess inside the barn, which desperately needs cleaning. And their hooves need trimming, there are 40 more baby goats coming, the basement is still flooding, the feeders need cleaning, the tractor needs lubing, the chicken coop needs fixing, and new interns need training throughout it all. Meanwhile the compost to improve the currently poor garden soil has not broken down enough to be safe- and from what I understand, should NEVER be used anyway, based on some questionable items that have found their way into the pile. So, where does that leave the garden plans? I hate to be the voice of reason, but the gardens should not take priority. (Ok, I don't hate it that much!)

When a person accepts responsibility for a herd of live animals, seeks it out purposefully, even, that needs to take priority. It saddens me that I don't see that happening here. The owners are nice people, not in the bland way, but in the true sense of the word. They help their neighbors, pass on knowledge freely, practice Christian values, give milk goats to orphans, and such. They are so nice. And its not that they are taking long vacations or intentionally abusing their animals. Its more a problem of poor management skills and inability to see things through. For though they lavish affection on the goats, they turn a blind eye to the part they are playing in causing these goats to have health problems, unnecessarily restricted activity, and ultimately, less happy lives. And while they dote on their dogs, they leave them in small kennels or they allow them to reproduce past demand for puppies. Come spring, it will barely be a step above a puppy mill here, unless something changes soon.

I just wanted to write a simple posting about the changes I am noticing in the weather, and the excitement of Spring around the corner. I wanted to feel that excitement, as well. To plan a garden, and be excited to see it from planting to harvest day. To see the baby goats arriving, and feel happy to see them stumbling around on shaky, new legs, learning to play. But I find I am unable to be that positive. I am worried. I am upset. I have not only doubts about the way things are done here on this farm, I am also starting to question the morality of keeping livestock, at least in large amounts. I am not going vegan- not yet, anyway- but I have some real thinking to do about what type of industry I am willing to support. Pretty heavy stuff after just one week...

I wonder, should I stay and try at least to do some relief work and fix what is fixable, or plan to move on to another WWOOFing position where vegetables are grown using organic practices I hoped to learn? Does it benefit me, or the goats, or the environment to stay here and try to change habits and minds? Or does it make more sense to work alongside people who may need me less, but teach me more, and, in then end whose values I can respect?

Goats don't lie

Well, since I have nothing awesome to report, here is a picture of a silly playful goat. Awww, cute!

Grossed Out and Homesick

Today will be my sixth day on the farm, and doubts are starting to creep in. I am not having second thoughts about being a farmer or working with goats, or even WWOOFing. But I am getting homesick and wishing I had found a farm somewhere closer to my people in Portland or family or Bellingham- somewhere I have community. Much of my homesickness is due to seeing my folks this weekend. It was really nice to visit with them, especially after not seeing them for so long. I also got to see my aunt Juli and cousin Chandra- thanks for coming up guys!- who I probably hadn't seen since Christmas 2008. So while it was an awesome Sunday, it was sad to come back to the farm without all my people around me.

All that would have just made me melancholy and more likely to try to build some community here rather than filled with uncertainty and thoughts of escape, however, if it wasn't for the RATS!!! I am so completely disgusted by the rats I couldn't fall asleep last night. And I haven't even seen the worst of it yet- night shift in the barn is still to come. I'm not sure I can handle it. Nothing else is really bothering me- not barn smells or animal feces or getting dirty or being around strangers- all the usual things I avoid. But Rodents Of Unusual Size? Oh dear god!

Ok, I can handle a few rats in the barn. Its kind of unavoidable, I suppose, with all the grain floating around for the chickens and the goats. But there are mountains of rats, armies of rats, a murder of rats. (I know, its usually a murder of crows, but no other animal grouping word seems harsh enough for rats.) And there are tons cats and rat terriers here, but they all live in the house and no one is training them to catch rats. Hello! Barn Cats are usually a staple ingredient of a farm. And above there is photo of one of the SIX Rat Terriers on the farm. Why do none of them live in the barn, catching rats???

Alright. I will not give into the rats. They will not GROSS me right out of this trailer and off the farm. Its war time now. As Aristotle once said, "We make war that we may live in peace."

So on that note, I am soliciting suggestions and doing research. How does one kill rats when the farmers do not lock up the food, poisons are out as they may get ingested by other animals, and water traps are dangerous hazards for baby goats? I have one idea, but it depends on poison that acts super quickly, so we'll see if I can find a brand. Post an idea if you'd like, and be creative people but show NO MERCY!

Weekend Plans

Today was my day off. But really, there is so much to learn before the other interns leave, who can afford a day off?!! So today Mark and I worked on putting up some new fencing along the back of the third pasture. Its not a bad job, though I wasn't really strong enough to put the posts in myself. Luckily, I've never been too proud to let a nice strong man do all the unpleasant jobs. We got a good stretch put up- hopefully it will withstand the goats and their fearless climbing.

After that we joined Anthony, Melody, and John in working on a plumbing project. Though that was supposed to be a small job, its turned into a three day dirt-digging, pipe-fitting, equipment-renting extravaganza. We reached a standstill at about six, and with the threat of rain and darkeness hanging over our head, we went to dinner. I think we were all a little grateful that Home Depot was out of the thingymajigger we needed. Others went off to their chores, and I gave Melody a hand with the night pet feeding. I figured she must be exhausted after all the ditch digging and gravel moving she had been doing for the last five hours!

The other interns here are pretty awesome. Anthony and Melody have been here for a little over a month. They live out of their RV, and have for the last two years (besides a brief settled period in Portland). Anthony seems to know a lot about plumbing and construction type trades. Melody is a great vegetarian cook, but I don't know what she was accustomed to doing for a living before WWOOFing. Something with computers, I think. The other couple here are Marc and Courtney, who will have stayed just under three months by the time they leave next week. They are headed to Montana after this to live on a homestead with no electrcity or running water. Montana in February with no heat- sounds just awful to me. But they are looking for some remote livin' off the land kind of time. (Another helper arrived today. her name is Laura. She is my roommate. Um, she's a little different.) All of them are really dynamic, hardworking people. By all accounts, they have done a lot this last month or two to really keep this place going. I am bummed and, quite frankly, scared to death about how this place will run without them. With great tact and all due respect toward the overworked owners, they nevertheless strongly warned me about the state things were in when they arrived, and it has put the fear of God in me. Knowing I'll be the veteran intern in less than two weeks feels like a lot of pressure. Oh well, maybe enough new interns will show up that we can get some momentum going on the projects that remain.

Anatolians

I love the dogs here- they are so cute and huge and affectionate. Well, except Daya. She is a stone cold killer. I put up pictures of a couple of the girls . They are Freedom (my favorite) and Rhoda (who is super old).

I can't believe how many pets there are here. I thought they must go broke just feeding the dogs, especially since there are five anatolians and they are enormous. After I learned the dog food recipe, though, it makes a little more sense. Though they do get raw chicken fairly frequently, their other meal is cheap and easy. Plus its nutritious and fun to make!

So here is the recipe, if anyone feels like switching things up for their dog's diet. The best part is the herbs you add. If you are feeding less dogs, use small scoops and less water. For our twelve, a big plastic stadium souvenir cup equals one scoop and we cook it in a huge stock pot.

Dog Food

To a pot of hot water, add

Oil (1 tsp for smallbatch, 2 Tbl for large)

Chicken or chicken seasoning

Bring to boil, add

1 scoop of rice

2 scoops of lentils

1 scoop of split peas

Spices, esp. turmeric and others with health benefits.

These also make it taste and smell like people food, making it appealing to the dogs.

Boil 15 min, then simmer one hour, or until the rice is softened.

If the consistency is too runny, add oatmeal to soak up the water.

Serve cold, maybe with a raw egg cracked on top for protein, and some sprinkled vitamin C powder.

Life on the Farm

So... where to start?

Today is my third day on the farm, and I am settling in alright. I think. Each day has been different than the others, and each that follows will vary somewhat as well. But if there were an average day, it would go something like this:

Wake up to the sound of howling dogs and roosters crowing at 5 a.m., but curl up in under the blankets for another twenty minutes until the alarm goes off. Roll out of bed, groaning over the lack of propane (still needs to be hooked up) and use the tiny dark bathroom in the RV (lightbulb still needs to be changed), then get dressed in the tiny hallway. Long underwear, cut off jeans, long sleeved shirt, socks. Not too cold yet, so decide against a sweater or coat. I'll be warm soon enough. Grab a headlamp, pocketknife, and coveralls, then slip into your galoshes head over to the house for some coffee or tea, maybe a snack.

The first two people up on the farm are the morning milkers. After a gulp of coffee, we head out to the Creamery to sanitize the equipment and set up for the day. Then throwing on boots and coveralls, we go toss hay to the non-grain eating bucks and to the does and their kids, and to the pregnant does. the bales weigh about fifty pounds, so I'll be getting a workout while I'm here. Then its off to the Milk Shed, and time for the milkers to come in- after more equipment sanitizing! The first eight in the door are a pushy lot, so excited to get their grain and kefir, they hardly seem to care when we lock them in place and attach them to the milking machine. After these eight, there are about six or seven more sets of eight, so we get in a good rhythm by the last batch. One fills the grain pots, the other opens the door. One tests the teats for mastitis, the other determines amount of feed- Enough to keep them busy seems to be the rule, though supposedly they are color coded! Then the first person sanitizes the udders, the second dries. Then the first person loops back, dries the udders and flicks on the power. The dull hum of machinery fills the air as we circle, attaching auto milking apparatus to each teat. Through it all, the does stand mostly still, though a few skittish newcomers dance around a bit or kick at the tubes. Then we feed them Beet pulp and kefir, which is good for their digestion.

After all the milkers are done, and we've bullied them off the stands and out the door, we run the milk jugs over to the Creamery for processing (and chug down some coffee). Processing the milk requires a whole lot of cleanliness, coordination, and concentration. None of which are my strong points! It will become more rote, I suppose, but for now I have to watch carefully so as not to overfill bottles. One person finishes up bottling and cooling the milk, while the other heads back to the Milk Room to spray it down and sanitize, sanitize, sanitize.

Whew! First chore finally done! Its about ten thirty, and time to check on the pregnant does. We head up to the barn and sort through the ladies to find the next due. Feeling for softened spine-ending-tendons and peering at their backsides are the best way to tell. Also, if she's not eating, you know something is up, because they are ALWAYS eating. So if no one is going into labor, pet them girls a few minutes and think about how mucking out the stalls really should get done today. Head back to the house instead, vowing that as soon as you have a free afternoon, you'll do it. This is a good time for someone to got to Home Depot for thier plumbing project, John (the owner) comes home from milk deliveries and sizes up the to do list, Marcia is running all over, walking goats, de-worming, getting dogs from kennel to kennel, and cheerfully chatting with all the interns, while babying the puppies and ordering supplies and balancing the finances.

Back at the house, someone is sure to be starting lunch. There are ten of us, so the more food is prepped, the better. Lunch is the only communal meal, and everyone rotates cooking. At noon, we ring the bell, and whoever is on the farm shows and sits down for lunch.

After lunch, the next task on the chart might be lunch clean-up. This is pretty easy, as everyone does their own plate and cup for the most part. A load in the dishwasher, and a few pots and pans and the kitchen is on shape within the hour. Then the afternoon is pretty open. Maybe we'll go work on fencing, or get to those stalls in the barn. If anyone is around who knows how, maybe we'll scrape the mold off the cheese and turn it. Its probably time to start boiling up some gruel for the dogs, and beans for the birds, as well. If anyone was looking likely to kid in the morning, we'll pop up to the barn a couple more times, looking for contractions to start. I suspect after I learn a few more things, this will be the most productive part of the day, as far as projects go. But by four, the two night milkers begin the whole process again- throwing hay, milking, cleaning, processing...

If I finish up whatever (currently hypothetical) projects I am working on, by six or so I wander over to help whoever is the night pet feeder. The Pet Feeder takes care of feeding the cats, birds, all 13 dogs, and 30 pregnant does or so. We give the dogs either a cooled porridge-y homemade dog food or raw chicken (yep, bones and all). One of the dogs, Daya, is so frightening that the interns basically just toss her food at her and run right away. She is not joking around, she'll murder you. Of course, she is a giant lap dog for Marcia and John, but is not so fond of strangers! The birds get beans or a baked potato. The pregos get three handfulls of grain each, and watch out cause they'll bowl you over to get it if they can! I don't remember what the cats were fed, but there are enough mice and rats around that I sure don't worry about them starving. Though they seem more like house cats- I'm not sure they are really up to catching mice. Because the pregos can only be fed three at a time, pet feeding can take about an hour as well. By the time we're done with that, its dinner time. After a cup of tea and a bite of leftovers, we go our separate ways. Marcia is still going and going like theres no such thing as sleep, but I'm all worn out so I head off to bed.

Wow. That was long.