Farmland

In this film, young farmers invite you into their work of farming - it appears to be both a labor of love and in some cases factory farming.  However, over the years as a tiny farmer, I know the amount of work that goes into farming on any scale.  The need for large scale farming has resulted from the increasing population at the same time consumption of animals and poultry.  Many American homes consume beef and chicken and pork daily.  A typical diet is coldcuts for lunch, and chicken or steak for dinner.

When the demands for these products are not met in this country they are imported from China.  The lack of water in some regions of this country is frightening for the future of food production overall.

As a vegetarian, none of my diet requires the killing of an animal.  However, vegetable production is still a huge demand on natural resources.

As a vegetarian, I eat eggs.  The eggs I consume are from tiny farms that let the chickens live beyond the normal chopping block of most farms.  Most farms allow birds just months to live - which increases the profit margin because inputs, namely feed and labor, are so costly.  Also, they produce a more tender bird.  For years we cared for are own small flock of chickens - some of them lived 7 plus years!

As a vegetarian, I also consume dairy products - milk for my coffee and cheese on occasion.  Having milked goats, here again I see the birthing, and the milking, and the making of cheese - because I and the doe are making it happen.  However, I did not like the doe having to give birth each year.  I saw the amount of milk it takes to make a small amount of cheese.  And again, not by us, but the dark side of dairy is that these animals - even after being used as birth mothers and milkers non stop - are given a short time to live before they too are sent to the slaughterhouse.

I cant reconcile any of this because I am such a mush.  I limit my consumption of these goods.  Everyone can choose to limit the consumption of animals and animal products.  In a world where the population is growing rapidly and is so large - resources are limited.

On this note, I did forego children to aid in population control (I receive fulfillment in caring for the many animals I 've rescued).  However ridiculous this may sound, choices we make individually - collectively have an impact.

For example, families can have a small number of children.  Some people have vegetarian Mondays.  Some people choose to  be vegan.  Every little change reverses the strain on our Natural Resources for future generations.

Our Beauty - Assisi

...this is my last photo with Assisi. She was a wonderful insight into her species - a great joy for us to touch.  We miss her each day.  When I started to let her roam the Earth, I thought she was getting big enough, but not enough for her to leave us.  For awhile she would return each morning from a night of grazing.  Than one morning, no Assisi.  I cry for her, did she fall prey to something?  Gene said she saw her grazing with a doe.  We can only hope.

In summary, I must tell you, although many many deer appear, they really have the odds stacked against them.

I cant go into detail on all the hazards they face - it's too depressing.  Suffice it to say, they survive against all odds.  The next time you see a deer, say to yourself how beautiful and fragile, and how lucky you are to have touched one, if only with your eyes.  For they are one of God's greatest creations. Bless you Assisi...

One of My Favorite all time Song Writers...memories

The many faces of a Goat

a selfie...

The Big Boys...

The Lil Boys...

food for thought - eat less meat - it really does take a life...

Assisi: Week 12

She is free to roam off into the woods, and every morning she follows me up behind the house.  I am hoping she will get with another family -  a deer family.  She follows me around right now, but soon she will feel confident enough to stay on the pasture without us.

Sometimes she likes to help Gene in the Workshop!

The buddy system!!!

The dog run

The dogs get run regularly and it is great to see them on a full sprint.  This is them after a swim in the river when I leash them for the return trip back to the barn!

Buckeye "DJ"

Bucky

...the dogs are in great shape because they get a full out run and swim regularly - they are lucky to have the land on which to do it!!!

Another Rain Soaked Summer

We have been riddled with increasing rainfall here near Cooperstown, NY.  The tomatoes are green and ready to ripen.  Now is the time they need summer sun to become sweet and juicy - like any fruit.

Signs of early and late blight continue to sneak up on the plants each year - without sun - the disease progresses and kills the plant.

We plant lots of tomato plants but Mother nature is not cooperating!  Next year we'll just grow crops that do well in wet conditions - the kale and swiss chard looks great...