By Patricia Grotenhuis, Lifelong farmer and agricultural advocate
This winter we are experiencing unseasonal temperatures and large temperature fluctuations in our area. People often comment on how variable temperatures can affect their health. Did you know the same is true for animals?
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By Patricia Grotenhuis, Agricultural advocate and lifelong farmer
Growing up on a farm was the best preparation possible for marrying a farmer. I knew that it meant Christmas celebrations, just like any celebrations, would start after the animals were taken care of.
Now that we are adults and are forming our own traditions, we are doing our best to support local farmers and the local economy while getting ready for Christmas. Our tree comes from a friend’s tree farm, where we can cut our own. Turkey and cheese come from a nearby store which carries local products. Other various items are picked up in a close radius as well.
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By Patricia Grotenhuis, Lifelong farmer and agricultural advocate
Christmas morning. The kids wake up early, rush downstairs, see the presents and stockings that appeared through the night and promptly…walk right past, bundle up and head for the barn. Okay, we may have stopped for a quick peek in our stocking and to read Santa’s note, but that was it. To farm kids, waiting to open presents is a way of life.
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By: Leslie Ballentine, Farming and food commentator
When we think of Christmas and animals we may think of Santa’s reindeers or the manger in Bethlehem. We may think of turkey dinners and Beeswax candles or horse drawn sleigh rides, the Red Cardinal or fur-lined mitts. We don’t often think of music though.
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By Patricia Grotenhuis, Lifelong farmer and agricultural advocate
Fall is a great time to be on the farm. The smells, the colours and the activity of harvest and preparing the seed bed for the winter make every day different.
After months of work, it is finally time to harvest the crops. The animals born during the winter and spring months are also either ready to be sold, or are strong and hardy for winter. Everyone waits expectantly for that first frost (now past) that signals the end of the growing season and the start of harvest. It also serves as a friendly reminder from Mother Nature to begin readying barns for winter.
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Guest Blog by Jeanine Moyer
Jeanine was raised on a pig, beef cattle and crop farm in Ontario
Each seasonal change evokes an awakening of the senses. And nothing beats the arrival of spring and summer to make a person salivate over fresh spring greens and sweet berries. I never realized how lucky I was to grow up on a farm where we grew most of our own fruit and vegetables until I didn’t have a garden of my own to enjoy.
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by Patricia Grotenhuis, Lifelong farmer and agricultural advocate
Farmers see some strange things on their farms. Sometimes things will happen that are completely unexpected – yet absolutely beautiful reminding us, first-hand, what nature can do.
One day, while I was at university studying agricultural science, I got a call from my mom at home on our farm. The call wasn’t unusual - but the story she was about to tell me certainly was.
One day, while out checking the beef cattle, they noticed a young fawn in the same pasture as the cattle. Over the next few days, my family noticed the fawn was always within sight of the cattle – but never too close. They never saw a doe, and were wondering who was caring for this little fawn.
by Patricia Grotenhuis, Lifelong farmer and agricultural advocate
Storms have always filled me with awe. I love sitting, safe and secure, in my house or in the barn while the wind howls around us, snow or rain coming down with no end in sight. There is always one big fear with storms, though: what if the power goes out?
by Patricia Grotenhuis, lifelong farmer and agricultural advocate
Although it seems there is not much to do in the winter on a farm, there is a lot of behind-the-scenes work which people don’t think about. Many people realize the animals still need to be cared for…that is a given. But, as winter draws to a close, it is the start of calving season for many beef farmers, kidding season for goat farmers, and lambing season for sheep farmers. Winter days in the barn can bring some extra jobs, as well. Water bowls can freeze, straw can become wet even faster than normal because of the snow and animals that graze at other times during the year need supplemental feed.
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