Farm Mom Blog

We are so pleased to say that all 12 of our cows preg-checked are bred and due in 2019. We are normally pleased when 80% are bred but having all bred is a huge blessing! Cows have a gestational period of 9 months (just like us!). At our farm we have two calving seasons a year, Spring and Fall. Our Fall herd is a lot bigger than our Spring group. If a Spring due cow isn't bred she is moved to the Fall group. This way we don't have cows popping out calves at random times. Having the vet come out to the farm and check our cows for pregnancy not only lets us know if and when they are due but also keeps us informed about their health and gives us time to give them their vaccines and wormer, which is extremely important! Our high quality mineral and good nutrients like hay, silage, and grain, keeps our cows healthy and strong. Some people may say that all farms abuse, neglect, and kill their animals but that isn't so for our farm or for many other farms across America...

In Indiana, where our farm is located, our Spring weather is a lot like a confused, grumpy old man. One day will be in the 70's with sunshine and life coming out of the ground while the next day it decides to snow 2-3 inches. And so this goes on for years (or so it seems) snow, rain, heat, cold, all in a weeks time. All the while the trees and flowers are trying to bloom. Then finally, out of no where, it's Summer with 90-100 degree temps, high humidity, and no rain. But in between that strange transition from winter cold to Summer heat our farmers are able to work the fields and (somehow) get the corn and soy planted. The smell of freshly plowed dirt with the neat little rows where the seeds have been planted where soon cute little plants will start to pop up everywhere. That is Spring on our farm♡

Ever wonder what it would be like to have a cow as an alarm clock? Yeah, me either! Our cows are normally well behaved (knock on wood). I believe it was the full moon's fault. It seems like a lot of farm life/craziness happens at the most inconvenient of times or at 2 in the morning! I think it was about that time that the ladies of the herd decided to reenact the Great Escape. Thankfully one of our border collies was absolutely terrified of the cows (go figure!). What woke me up that night was him crying underneath our bedroom window. I normally would have just gone back to sleep but just when I was about to drift off into sleepy land a very loud "moo" woke me for good! Apparently the dog wasn't the only animal by our bedroom window! I woke Clay so he could go investigate. After what I believe was an hour later he finally put them all back where they were supposed to be. They had all been out and all over the yard and probably would have left if it wasn't for...

Ladies, here are several tips when dating a farmer... 1. Farmers work a lot! The busy season for most farmers is Spring and Fall. If you are dating a cattle/livestock farmer don't forget the hay season which is all Summer long. So if you want to spend time with him be prepared to ride in the tractor a lot! 2. Be flexible. Farmers never clock out so be prepared to change your schedule. 3. Be prepared to get dirty. This applies mostly to the livestock part of farming. I remember the second or third time I came out to my future husband's farm I helped him with a down calf. Which leads me to my 4th tip... 4. Wear comfortable farm clothes (and no I don't mean sweatpants or leggings). A brand new cute outfit is just going to get ruined. You can still look cute in a t-shirt and jeans! 5. Two words cowboy boots! 6. Help out! If you aren't willing to help out around the farm it ain't for you 😉 7. Be interested. Ask questions about farming. I believe guys like ...

Hey all! Welcome to my first blog post!! As you can see by all the exclamation points I am pretty excited to start this blog :) This will be a first for me so I thought I would start off by introducing myself. I am a 21 year old wife and mom. I grew up 20 minutes from my future husband but we didn't meet until the year we were married (more on that in a later post). I've been a Hoosier all my life. Growing up I was (and still can be) a tomboy. I have 3 brothers and 3 sisters. My wonderful mother homeschooled us and I was always the best in my class (homeschool joke). For part of my childhood we raised sheep. I sure love those stupid but sweet animals (if you've raised sheep you'll know what I'm talking about). I have always LOVED animals! Clay (he's my husband) and I have been married a little over 2 years now. He is an amazing husband and dad to our active 9 month old boy, Charles. I hate to brag but I've been told that he is pretty darn cute! What...